Basil/5 recipes

Cranberry rice stuffing with brown rice, fresh cranberries, mushrooms, and herbs. A lighter, diabetic-friendly alternative to bread stuffing for roast chicken.

Pesto stuffed mushrooms filled with basil pesto, Italian bread crumbs, and horseradish. Serve hot from the oven or cold with pimento for a versatile party appetizer.

Mushroom and onion spaghetti sauteed in olive oil with fresh tomato, basil, and oregano. A light, simple pasta ready in under 10 minutes.

Grilled eggplant rollups with sun-dried tomato goat cheese, fresh basil, and garlic. A no-bread vegetarian appetizer with smoky char and a creamy tangy filling.

Eggplant kugel with green pepper, pine nuts, basil, and crumbled matzoh bound with eggs. A savory Jewish holiday casserole that's Passover-friendly and dairy-free.

Pan-fried sesame fish with toasted sesame seeds, fresh lemon, and basil. Works with perch, cod, trout, or flounder for a quick weeknight dinner.

Shepherd's pie with an Italian accent: ground beef and hot Italian sausage simmered with tomatoes, mushrooms and balsamic, topped with creamy Parmesan mashed potatoes and baked golden. A hearty twist on the classic.

Beef scallops with fresh tomato sauce: top round steak pounded paper-thin, pan-seared, then napped with a quick sauce of fresh tomatoes, green onions, and basil. The Italian veal-scaloppini technique applied to budget beef.

Lentil and rice one-pot supper with carrots, garlic, basil, and vegetable stock. A filling vegan dinner made in a single saucepan in 30 minutes with pantry staples.

Spring vegetables baked in parchment parcels with toasted hazelnuts, herbs, and a red wine vinaigrette. A French en papillote vegetable preparation served alongside lemon tagliatelle for an elegant vegetarian main.

Quick vegetarian pizza on a Boboli crust topped with fresh tomato, broccoli florets, red onion, basil, and melted mozzarella. Ready in about 25 minutes, weeknight-friendly meatless dinner.

Layered avocado terrine with Dijon mustard and whipped cream, sliced and served with poached shrimp and a fresh basil tomato cream sauce. A showstopping chilled appetizer for special occasions.

Smoky roasted red peppers, salty prosciutto, and melty provolone pile onto a cornmeal-dusted pizza crust. Fresh chives and basil finish this 25-minute bake with bright, herby flavor.

Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with ricotta, lemon zest, chives, and chopped almonds, then drizzled with a bright lemon-Dijon vinaigrette. Served cold or at room temperature.

Liver, bacon and onions done right: beef liver soaked in milk to mellow its bite, dredged, pan-fried until just pink, then simmered in a savory herb gravy with crisp bacon and sweet onions. Old-school comfort food.

Pasta tossed with homemade basil pesto, a light olive oil bechamel, sun-dried tomatoes, and toasted breadcrumbs. A layered Italian pasta with three sauces in one bowl.