39 pastel recipes

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.

Pinto bean paste - a 3-ingredient homemade refried bean base ready in 15 minutes. Mash and saute cooked pinto beans in oil, thin with bean stock to your preferred consistency.

Sorrel-chive pesto with fresh sorrel, chives, pine nuts, shallots, orange zest, and olive oil blended into a tangy herb paste. A no-cheese pesto variation that stores for months.

Crisp lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, bean sprouts, and tofu tossed in a rich peanut-coconut milk dressing with red curry paste. A crunchy, creamy Thai salad topped with potato chips for fun.

Fresh mint and coriander chutney with tamarind, green chili, and onion ground into a bright, tangy paste. A no-cook Indian condiment that keeps in the fridge for a week and pairs with samosas, kebabs, and chaat.

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.

Sri Lankan fish mustard curry simmers fish in coconut milk with cardamom, clove, cinnamon, and turmeric, then finishes with a sharp ground mustard and lime paste. A tangy, aromatic curry ready in about 30 minutes.