402 plain recipes

Fresh strawberries baked under a flaky single-crust pastry with just sugar, flour, and butter. This rustic deep-dish strawberry pie is simple, juicy, and begs for a dollop of whipped cream.

Fruit soups provide a nice way to cool off and only take about 10 minutes to prepare. Fruit soups can play the role of appetizer or dessert.

Frosty vanilla ice cream blended with fresh orange juice and a splash of orange liqueur for a grown-up take on the nostalgic creamsicle.

Koloketes: traditional Cypriot pumpkin hand pies with bulgur, onion, and warm cinnamon in a crisp olive oil pastry. Authentic Greek Cypriot mezze or snack.

Homemade Cajun chicken nuggets coated in onion soup mix, breadcrumbs, chili powder, cumin, and thyme. Pan-fried or microwaved. Makes about 5 dozen bite-sized pieces for a crowd.

Traditional Swabian meat dumplings made with ground beef and pork, seasoned with nutmeg and parsley, simmered gently in salted water. Serve in hot beef broth for a cozy German soup.

Roast beef pita sandwiches stuffed with a tangy yogurt-dill-mustard sauce, bell pepper, and alfalfa sprouts. A light, no-cook lunch that comes together in 15 minutes with lean deli beef.

Koorma vegetable curry with potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, and green beans in a spiced tomato sauce finished with yogurt. A mild, creamy Indian-style vegetarian curry.

Low-fat marbled pumpkin cheesecake swirls spiced pumpkin into a creamy vanilla filling over a gingersnap crust. Pureed cottage cheese keeps it light while a water bath gives a silky, crack-free top.

Portobello, basil, and tomato sandwich (PBT) on garlic-rubbed grilled sourdough with a lemony mayo spread. A vegetarian take on the BLT with meaty grilled mushrooms instead of bacon.

Lemon and coconut roulade spread with melted chocolate and rolled with whipped cream and fresh berries. A flourless sponge that's lighter than it looks.

Vegetarian mushroom stroganoff with paprika, lemon zest, and strained yogurt in a reduced vegetable stock sauce. Low-fat, creamy, and packed with earthy mushroom flavor.

Sliced bananas, crisp apples, juicy oranges, crushed pineapple, and green grapes folded into creamy vanilla yogurt. A lighter spin on classic ambrosia that's ready in minutes and feeds a crowd.

Low-fat vegetarian chili with kidney beans, bulgur wheat, and jalapeno ready in 30 minutes. Braised in vegetable stock instead of oil for a lighter, healthier bowl.

Stuffed French toast with crumbled tofu, brandy-soaked raisins, currants, and candied peel. Pan-fried golden in butter. A showstopping weekend brunch that freezes beautifully.

Curried turkey pasta salad tosses leftover turkey with whole wheat shells, mango chutney, toasted almonds, and a yogurt-mayo dressing bloomed in warm curry powder. A bright, crunchy use for Thanksgiving leftovers.