Beer batter recipes

Samosas are crisp Indian fried pastries filled with spiced potato and pea, or curried lamb and beef. Two filling options, one homemade dough, fried golden in 48-piece batches.

Restaurant-style meatloaf with beef and sausage baked in a water bath for a silky, custard-like texture. Seasoned with cumin, nutmeg, three peppers, and sauteed vegetables throughout.

Ground beef pie with mashed potato crust, mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and sharp cheddar baked until golden. Think shepherd's pie meets meat pie, and it's ready in about an hour.

Seafood gumbo built on a butter-flour roux with shrimp, okra, tomatoes, chili powder, and Worcestershire, served over rice with filé powder. Where Louisiana bayou meets Texas ranch country.

Black eyed pea casserole layers spiced ground beef, black-eyed peas, and tomatoes between torn corn tortillas and melty cheddar, then bakes it into a hearty Tex-Mex bake with a Creole kick.

Savory Southwest cheesecake appetizer with a tortilla chip crust, layers of seasoned cream cheese, ground beef, refried beans, and a sour cream topping loaded with fresh garnishes.

Hearty Russian beet soup (borscht) loaded with beef, bacon, kielbasa, cabbage, potatoes, and navy beans in a sweet-sour broth. A slow-simmered weekend project topped with sour cream.

A Greek-style phyllo pie layered with spiced ground beef, mushrooms, wine, and a rich blend of feta, cream cheese, and cottage cheese. Feeds 12 and bakes to a flaky golden crust.

Flaky phyllo dough wraps around spiced ground beef with mushrooms and a triple-cheese filling of feta, cream cheese, and cottage cheese. Bakes golden, serves 12, and disappears fast.

Layers of crispy buttered phyllo filled with spiced ground beef, mushrooms, and a creamy three-cheese blend of feta, cream cheese, and cottage cheese. A showstopper that feeds a crowd.

Lamb loin wrapped in puff pastry with a pistachio and chestnut puree stuffing, served with a juniper-and-thyme red wine reduction. A showstopper main course for special occasions.

Grilled satay skewers marinated in soy, curry, and lime with a creamy coconut peanut dipping sauce. Works with chicken, beef, or pork for appetizers or a full meal.

A hearty, full-scale borsch loaded with beef, bacon, kielbasa, beets, cabbage, potatoes, and navy beans. This is the real deal: slow-simmered, sweet-sour balanced, and crowned with sour cream. Feeds 10.

Crispy buttered phyllo wraps around layers of wine-simmered ground beef with mushrooms and a tangy feta, cream cheese, and cottage cheese filling. Serve golden wedges to a hungry crowd.

Navy bean borscht with beef, bacon, kielbasa, beets, cabbage, and potatoes in a sweet-sour broth. A hearty Polish-style beet soup thickened with a butter-flour paste and topped with sour cream.

Grilled pork tenderloin with a cumin-chili rub, served with Michigan dried cherry chutney and a cider bourbon sauce. A restaurant-caliber dish with three bold components.