Sauces/22 recipes

Vietnamese grilled dried beef marinated in lemongrass, chili, fish sauce, and soy sauce, then sun-dried 12 hours and grilled until crisp. Serve with glutinous rice. A traditional thit bo kho worth the wait.

Roasted garlic stuffed chicken breasts: pockets filled with 20-clove confit garlic paste, pan-seared, then finished in a Provencal tomato-caper-wine sauce. Elegant dinner-party chicken.

This comforting Crockpot Lentil-Kale Soup is a wholesome, nutrient-packed dish featuring tender lentils, vibrant kale, and a medley of vegetables simmered in a flavorful broth. With minimal prep, the slow cooker does the work, creating a thick, stew-like soup that’s perfect for chilly days or a healthy weeknight meal. The addition of miso paste and herbs like thyme and bay leaf elevates the flavor, making this a satisfying, plant-based option for the whole family.

My version of Bobby Flay's very distinctive southwestern, egg-less potato salad from his restaurant, Mesa Grill. Make sure you pour the sauce over the potatoes while they're still warm to ensure the flavors soak in. This salad goes nicely with grilled meat, poultry or seafood.

Fettuccine Alfredo with butter, cream, and Parmesan tossed into a silky sauce in 20 minutes. A splash of Romano adds sharpness to the classic.

Pasta shells with mascarpone, parmesan, and toasted walnuts. A 20-minute Italian pasta with a luxurious cream sauce and a nutty crunch in every spoonful.

Pizza pockets made with crescent roll dough stuffed with pepperoni, mozzarella, and spaghetti sauce. Four ingredients and 20 minutes for a kid-friendly pizza night.

Homemade hot fudge sauce with unsweetened and semi-sweet chocolate, butter, corn syrup, and vanilla. A thick, glossy ice cream topping ready in 20 minutes.

Quick Italian mushroom and tomato pasta sauce with garlic, parsley, and marjoram cooked in olive oil. A 20-minute vegetarian sauce with a full pound of mushrooms.

General Tso's chicken made with dark-meat thighs: crispy-fried pieces tossed in a ginger-scallion soy sauce with chili paste, rice vinegar, and sesame oil finish.

Hot and spicy rice noodles with carrot, broccoli, cabbage, and ginger in a cayenne-honey-hoisin sauce. A low-fat Asian-style stir-fry on the table in 20 minutes.

Lemon garlic pasta sauce with white wine, stewed tomatoes, fresh basil, and Parmesan. A bright, light vegetarian sauce made in one skillet in under 20 minutes.

Vegan pinto beans in tomato sauce served over brown rice with sauteed onions, celery, and hot pepper sauce. A filling plant-based dinner ready in 20 minutes.

Vegan cheese sauce made with nutritional yeast, flour, garlic powder, and margarine. A dairy-free nacho-style sauce that thickens on the stove in under 20 minutes from pantry staples.

Garlic spaghetti with olive oil, fresh parsley, and Parmesan. A classic aglio e olio done simply with pasta water for a silky, garlicky sauce in under 20 minutes.

Momma's stuffed peppers fill tender green bell peppers with seasoned ground beef, rice, and pasta sauce, then crown them with melted mozzarella. An easy, old-fashioned weeknight dinner built from pantry staples.