Basil/9 recipes

Spanish gazpacho mashes ripe tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and garlic with olive oil and lemon for a chilled no-cook summer soup. Five fresh herbs make it sing.

Grilled portabello caps loaded with creamy spinach-artichoke ricotta filling, finished with Parmesan and served alongside a rustic tomato bread salad. A quick vegetarian main that's ready in under 30 minutes.

Shrimp and vegetable risotto with dried porcini mushrooms, broccoli, tomatoes, and white wine. Arborio rice cooked the classic way with ladled broth for a creamy, one-pot Italian dinner.

San Francisco seafood casserole bakes mussels, shrimp, and white fish in a tomato-wine-clam juice broth. A streamlined cioppino in casserole form, ready in under an hour.

SPAM breakfast skillet with hash brown potatoes, bell peppers, onion, eggs, hot sauce, and cheddar cheese. A one-pan breakfast scramble that feeds a crowd.

Creamed corn chowder with hot sausage is a thick, hearty bowl of spicy Italian sausage, tender potatoes, and double corn (creamed and whole kernel) in a creamy, lightly peppery broth. A warming chowder with a spicy kick.

Thai jungle curry with catfish, homemade curry paste, Thai eggplant, and kaffir lime leaves. A fiery, coconut-free curry that's broth-based, bold, and ready in 20 minutes.

Italian turkey burgers seasoned with oregano, basil, garlic, and onion, baked until golden and topped with a mushroom-tomato sauce with thyme. A lean, flavorful burger done oven-style.

Gluten-free potato-crusted cauliflower quiche with shredded potato crust, sauteed cauliflower, onions, garlic, herbs, and cheddar cheese in a savory egg custard.

Deluxe grilled chicken sandwiches: taco-seasoned chicken strips with sauteed peppers and onions piled into buttery basil-toasted sub buns, topped with melty Monterey Jack.

Salmon lemon penne pairs grilled salmon and roasted red peppers with a bright lemon Alfredo sauce over penne. A weeknight pasta that eats like restaurant food.

Pesto spaghetti tossed with a fresh parsley and basil sauce, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and butter. A 30-minute pasta dinner with a no-cook pesto that freezes well.

Grilled vegetable herb and goat cheese sandwiches layer grilled zucchini and Japanese eggplant with sundried tomato herb oil, creamy goat cheese, and spinach on baguette.

Rotini pasta tossed with chickpeas, broiler-roasted red peppers, roma tomatoes, fresh basil, and balsamic vinegar. A vegetarian Italian pasta dish that travels well for potlucks and picnics.

Cabbage and lamb stew with green and red cabbage, lamb sausage, red potatoes, and Creole mustard. Rustic European-style one-pot dinner ready in an hour.

Classic Italian lasagna with a homemade ground beef and tomato meat sauce, cottage cheese and egg filling, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Layered, baked, and worth every minute.