34 master recipes

White bean chicken chili: navy beans simmered with bell peppers, onion, cumin, and chili powder, topped with roasted spiced chicken, salsa, sour cream, and a warm cheese quesadilla on the side.

A from-scratch black bean soup: dried beans simmered with smoky ham hocks, then a cumin-scented sofrito of peppers and onions, tomatoes, and a bright splash of red wine vinegar. Deep, hearty, and soulful.

You will simply die and come back again after trying this rich and decadent cake that tastes too good to be true.

Feel too lazy to bake any cookies or cake for Easter. Make these crispy Easter nests that will for sure satisfy everyone. They are easy to make, and taste delicious.

Easter nests candy: shredded coconut bound in melted white chocolate and green coating, shaped into little nests, and filled with jelly beans. A four-ingredient no-bake project kids love.

Lentil kufta, a Middle Eastern vegetarian patty made with red lentils and bulgur, seasoned with sauteed onions, scallions, and red pepper. No-fry vegan appetizer shaped into balls or one big mound.

Kalakukko: a traditional Finnish rye-crusted fish pie with pork and small whole fish sealed inside a dense rye dough, slow-baked for hours. A Savonian heirloom and Easter specialty.

Middle Eastern lentil stew with potatoes, zucchini, and cumin - 189 calories per serving, 14 grams of fiber, less than 1 gram of fat. Hearty, filling, and budget-friendly.

Mujaddara: the humble, soul-satisfying Middle Eastern dish of lentils, rice, and bulgur, cooked with cumin and crowned with deeply browned onions. A hearty, protein-rich vegan meal made from pantry staples.

This is a Middle Eastern soup, typical of the simple foods served in the desert regions. Serve with pita bread and a grain or vegetable dish for a simple meal. This soup is also food served cold, stuffed into a pita bread.

Persian-style mandarine rice with saffron, julienned carrots, slivered almonds, and sultanas in a citrus syrup. Soaked rice baked under a jeweled mandarin and saffron glaze.

Rich Portuguese chickpea soup partially pureed for creamy body, studded with browned pepperoni, stir-fried spinach, potatoes, thyme, and coriander. A hearty, layered bowl.

Persian-style pilaf with basmati rice, red lentils and sour cherries perfumed with turmeric and cumin, finished with a buttery golden crust. A sweet-tart, aromatic side or vegetarian main with real character.

Kolachki: tender, flaky Eastern European cream cheese cookies wrapped around a sweet ground walnut filling and rolled in sugar. A buttery, melt-in-your-mouth holiday tradition.

Traditional Norwegian spinach soup (Spinatsuppe) built on a rich chicken stock and thickened with a butter roux. Garnished with sliced hard-cooked eggs for a classic Scandinavian touch, ready in about an hour.

Kransekake, a traditional Scandinavian tower cake made from ground almonds, powdered sugar, potato flour, and egg whites. A gluten-free celebration cake for Christmas and weddings.