169 lounge recipes

Dried tomatoes can be stored in an airtight container for a very long time and should be plumped in a little warm water before using.

Appetizers have long been a part of the culinary tradition in Europe, but they're relatively new to America. One of the first to appear in American cookbooks, at the turn of the century, was shrimp cocktail.

A Cajun classic with browned chicken simmered alongside fresh corn scraped from the cob, tomatoes, onion, and red bell pepper in a cast iron pot. Louisiana soul food at its best.

Slow cooker short ribs Pacific style in a sweet and tangy sauce of ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, and brown sugar. Broiled first to render fat, then braised 8 hours until fall-off-the-bone tender.

New Orleans oyster loaf fills a hollowed, butter-toasted French bread with hot sauteed oysters, Tabasco, and optional cream. La Mediatrice is a classic Gulf Coast peacemaker sandwich.

Quick Italian pasta shells tossed with garlic-sauteed shrimp, fresh green beans, sun-dried tomatoes, and crushed red pepper in olive oil. A 25-minute weeknight dinner with big Mediterranean flavor.

Canned garlic dill pickles with pickling spices, dill seed heads, red chili peppers, and a sweet-salty vinegar brine. Water bath processed for shelf-stable storage that improves over two months.

Lovage, potato, and buttermilk soup with a velvety puree and tangy finish. A light, herbaceous soup that works hot or chilled with just five ingredients.

Pennsylvania-style kettle roast with rump beef seared in bacon drippings, then braised low and slow with ginger, cloves, bay leaves, and onion. Fork-tender after a long simmer.

Kashmiri stir-fry with eggplant and broccoli seasoned with asafetida, cayenne, and paprika. A simple, vegan Indian wok dish that uses just a handful of spices to bring bold Kashmiri flavor to everyday vegetables.

Machaca is a classic Northern Mexican scrambled egg dish with shredded carne asada, sauteed onion, poblano strips, and minced jalapeño. A hearty desayuno ready in 30 minutes.

Thinly sliced sirloin stir-fried with ginger and soy sauce, served over quick-cooking rice with fresh broccoli. A 30-minute one-skillet Chinese beef and broccoli dinner.

Smoked salmon sushi rolls layer seasoned sushi rice, creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, and silky smoked salmon in nori. Beginner-friendly homemade maki, no raw fish or special skills required.

Quick stir-fried shrimp with garlic, ginger, green onion, and a brandy flambe finish. Butterflied shrimp seared over high heat and ready in under 5 minutes.

Ham and artichoke heart pasta salad with penne, green beans, tomato, and red pepper in a double-mustard vinaigrette. A hearty cold pasta salad with bold tangy flavor.

Texas-style chili con carne with diced beef, whole red chili pods, paprika, and a cornmeal-flour thickener. No beans, no tomato, just deep meaty heat from a long slow simmer.