Sauces/5 recipes

Straightforward ground beef chili with onions, tomato sauce, diced bell peppers, and chili powder thickened with cornmeal during the final 15 minutes of simmering.

Blended spinach sauce with balsamic vinegar and garlic served over brown basmati rice. A no-cook, vegan-friendly puree ready in 15 minutes flat.

Asparagus and Crab Meat Soup - Mang Tay Nau Cua recipe

Butter-seared shrimp served over a pool of emulsified green onion and basil butter sauce made with champagne vinegar and chicken stock. A refined, restaurant-quality plate ready in 30 minutes.

This recipe was given to me by a friend who is an ex-patriot now living in Playa del Carmen on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. I serve this with yellow rice and grilled avocado halves.

Classic egg fu yung omelets loaded with shrimp, barbecued pork, snow peas, and bean sprouts, crowned with a glossy oyster sauce gravy. Chinese-American takeout-style made from scratch.

Penne with artichoke hearts, ricotta, spinach, and white wine in a light lemon sauce. No cream, no oil, and packed with vegetables. A fresh 15-minute pasta dinner.

Pork chops with apples baked in a clay baker with a soy sauce, honey, and garlic glaze. Cinnamon-dusted apple slices go on top for the last 15 minutes. Easy, hands-off dinner.

Light vegetarian sauce made with arrowroot, tamari, and vegetable stock. Glossy, savory, and ready in 15 minutes. Great over grains, stir-fries, or steamed veggies.

Spicy peanut chili dip with soy sauce, lemon, garlic, and honey. A no-cook appetizer ready in 15 minutes, great with raw veggies or crackers.

Low-calorie blueberry parfaits layered with vanilla frozen yogurt, warm blueberry-apricot sauce, and slivered almonds. Four ingredients, 15 minutes, and gorgeous in a glass.

Flambe bananas in brown sugar butter sauce with raisins, walnuts, and brandy. A 15-minute showstopper dessert with caramelized fruit and a dramatic flame finish.

Baked brie topped with spiced cranberry sauce, brown sugar, pecans, and a hint of rum extract. A gooey, 15-minute holiday appetizer that disappears fast.

Rich, glossy chocolate mint sauce made in the microwave in just 15 minutes. Drizzle over ice cream, brownies, or cake for a cool minty finish.

Raspberry glaze simmers seedless raspberry preserves with port wine and lemon zest into a glossy 15-minute sauce. For roast meats, desserts, or cheese boards.

Quick weeknight stroganoff with tender beef strips, canned mushrooms, and onion soup mix folded into tangy sour cream sauce: ready in 15 minutes over egg noodles.