Basil/3 recipes

Four mini quiches in one bake: salmon-broccoli with Stilton, asparagus with Cheddar, leek with smoked salmon and Mozzarella, and tomato-olive with Feta and pesto. A buffet showstopper.

Noodles in fairy butter, a sweet historical pasta tossed in a rich sauce of hard-cooked egg yolks, butter, sugar, orange flower water, thyme, and basil.

Baked stuffed manicotti the old-school way: pasta tubes packed with a beef and mozzarella filling, blanketed in a homemade tomato sauce simmered an hour with fennel seed and herbs, then baked bubbling under more cheese.

Zucchini casserole loaded with sharp cheddar, bread crumbs, green pepper, and basil, bound with eggs and olive oil. A golden-topped bake that uses up garden zucchini.

Vegan Italian barley simmered with chunky tomatoes, green pepper, garlic, oregano, and basil. An oil-free, high-fiber side dish that reheats well.

Concia is a Roman Jewish dish of fried zucchini layered with garlic, fresh basil, and white wine vinegar. A make-ahead antipasto that improves overnight.

A lighter noodle casserole made with low-fat cottage cheese, skim milk, carrots, and mushrooms seasoned with basil and thyme. Diabetic-friendly and big enough to feed a crowd. Serves 12.

Green tomato frittata with cornmeal-dredged fried green tomato slices set in eggs with scallions and fresh basil. A smart end-of-garden recipe that works for brunch or a light dinner.

Pizza tuna melt on pita bread with oil-packed tuna, mozzarella, fresh tomato, and basil baked until bubbly. A quick Italian-style open-faced tuna melt that's ready in 10 minutes.

Thai panang curry meatballs simmered in coconut milk with red curry paste, peanut butter, and fish sauce, topped with fresh basil. A rich, nutty curry ready in 40 minutes.

Chicken braised in dry white wine with oregano, basil, and garlic salt. A simple, flavorful one-pan dinner ready in 45 minutes with just a handful of ingredients.

Baked sea bass with black olive sauce of garlic, oregano, basil, and parsley in vegetable stock. A Mediterranean-style fish dinner ready in 30 minutes with bold, briny flavors.

Herbed beef eye of round roast rubbed with basil, marjoram, paprika, and a flour crust. Slow-roasted to tender pink for an effortless Sunday centerpiece.

Ricotta pesto gnocchi with semolina flour, served in a roasted garlic broth and garnished with basil, tomato, Parmesan, and pine nuts. A chef-level Italian pasta course.

Spaghetti tossed with toasted walnuts, black olives, pimientos, garlic oil, and Parmesan. A no-sauce Mediterranean pasta that's nutty, briny, and endlessly satisfying.

Baked macaroni and cheese with canned tomatoes, basil, and mustard topped with crunchy cornflake crumbs. A simple two-serving vegetarian casserole that's diabetic-friendly.