28 pastel recipes

Curry-rubbed lamb rib chops seared in peanut oil until crusty and golden, finished with a silky wine-butter pan sauce of shallots, broth, and tomato paste. A fast, refined dinner for four.

Thai Kaeng Khua curry paste made with dried chilies, garlic, lemongrass, coriander root, and shrimp paste. A fragrant homemade paste that keeps 3-4 months refrigerated.

Pureed dates blended with water and vanilla extract into a thick, caramel-like paste. A natural sugar substitute for baking, smoothies, and oatmeal in 5 minutes.

Chili-bacon rub made with bacon drippings, chili powder, cayenne, garlic, and tomato paste. A smoky, spicy paste for chicken and barbecue. Five ingredients, five minutes.

Traditional Passover haroset with grated apples, walnuts, hazelnuts, and sweet kosher wine blended into a thick, nutty paste. A 10-minute no-cook recipe for the Seder table.

Pork chops with apples in a sweet-and-sour sauce of red wine vinegar, honey, chicken broth, and tomato paste. A French-inspired skillet dinner in 40 minutes.

No-bake fig squares with crystallized ginger, nuts, lemon juice, and toasted coconut layered between thin fruit-and-nut paste. A naturally sweet confection with zero oven time.

Tahini and hazelnut dip with pan-roasted hazelnuts, garlic, lemon juice, and sesame paste. A nutty, creamy vegan dip with rich toasted flavor that deepens overnight in the fridge.

Homemade Thai green curry paste blitzed from fresh jalapenos, Hawaiian chilies, lemongrass, cilantro, garlic, shallots, and shrimp paste. A fiery, fragrant base that runs circles around any jarred version.

Sichuan shredded pork in yu shon (fish-fragrant) sauce with wood ear mushrooms, water chestnuts, and hot bean paste. A spicy-sweet-sour stir-fry that hits every flavor note.

Ground beef and pearl barley casserole with tomatoes, bell pepper, celery, and tomato paste. A filling one-dish meal you can make in the microwave or oven in about an hour.

Pan-seared chicken thighs with toasted fennel seeds, briny olives, cherry tomatoes, and a white wine pan sauce spiked with anchovy paste. A rustic Mediterranean one-pan dinner bursting with bold, layered flavors.