Basil/4 recipes

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.

Red snapper fillets simmered on a bed of sauteed onion rings with tomato sauce and sweet basil. A simple, healthy fish dinner ready in 30 minutes with just a handful of ingredients.

Sauteed chicken livers coated in seasoned pancake flour with garlic and basil, pan-fried golden with onions and mushrooms. Serve over rice pilaf or as a rich appetizer.

Squid spaghetti in a fresh tomato sauce with basil, oregano, marjoram, and thyme. Tender squid simmered gently in Roma tomatoes for a simple Italian seafood pasta.

Pressure cooker zucchini soup pureed with potatoes, carrots, and fresh basil. Ready in 20 minutes with just five minutes at high pressure for a silky, vegetable-packed bowl.

Sicilian-style spaghetti with eggplant sauce built from salted cubed eggplant, plum tomatoes, anchovies, olives, and capers. A rustic Mediterranean pasta with briny depth and a hint of heat.

Layered Mediterranean eggplant pie with spinach, tomatoes, pesto, and softened onions under a golden pastry crust. Topped with caviar for a luxurious vegetarian main course.

Rigatoni alla vodka with flambed vodka, heavy cream, tomato sauce, prosciutto, and Asiago cheese. A rich, spicy pink sauce tossed with fresh basil and parsley.

Italian marinated chicken with a bright lemon-and-herb marinade of olive oil, basil, oregano, and garlic. Grills, bakes, or broils with equal success after a 2-hour soak.

Sauteed cauliflower and zucchini in herbed butter with basil, oregano, lemon juice, and Parmesan. A simple, flavorful vegetable side dish ready in 35 minutes.

Lima beans in sour cream with basil, savory, and sauteed onion. A creamy, herbed side dish that transforms frozen limas into something special in just 15 minutes.

Vegan tofu pesto quiche with soft tofu and basil pesto blended smooth, poured over mushrooms and tomatoes in a pie shell. An eggless, dairy-free quiche with just 5 ingredients.

Lentil and rice one-pot dinner with carrots, garlic, and basil. A budget-friendly vegan meal that simmers in a single pot, no draining or sauteing required. High in fiber and plant protein.

Roast pork loin marinates overnight in sage, garlic, olive oil, and cracked pepper, then roasts to a juicy 160°F (71°C). Served with a flamed Calvados apple pan sauce built on the drippings.

Lemon orzo pilaf is a five-ingredient one-pot side of rice-shaped pasta simmered in chicken broth with basil and lemon zest. Ready in 30 minutes. Bright, simple weeknight starch.