717 spring recipes

Cuban-style black bean soup simmered with ham hock, scotch bonnet pepper, and a splash of dark rum stirred in just before serving. Rich, smoky, and deeply satisfying.

Classic Turkish çoban salatası, the chopped 'shepherd's salad' of tomatoes, cucumber, onion, green pepper, and parsley dressed with lemon and olive oil. Bright, fresh, and built for summer.

Sweet 'n' sour squash medley: zucchini, yellow squash, and green beans simmered in a cinnamon-spiced brown sugar and white wine vinegar brine. A refrigerator side that lasts for days.

Confetti chicken and pepper rice with tri-color bell peppers, honey Dijon chicken, and green onions. A colorful one-pot dinner ready in 30 minutes.

Eggplant kimchi (gaji kimchi): small slashed eggplants brined, then stuffed with a punchy soy-vinegar-garlic-ginger-scallion dressing and fermented overnight. A quick Korean-style eggplant kimchi with bright, savory flavor.

Chinese vegetable soup with shiitake mushrooms, napa cabbage, soba noodles, and a ginger-tamari broth. A low-fat, brothy noodle bowl with savory mushroom depth.

Crustless crab quiche with zucchini, mushrooms, reduced-fat cheddar, and evaporated skim milk. A lighter take on quiche with both microwave and oven instructions.

Sai Grog: Thai spicy pork sausage with red curry paste, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce, and coriander. Grilled until juicy and served with sticky rice.

Consumer Reports vegetarian burger: a grain-and-bean veggie patty of cooked barley, chickpeas, and oatmeal bound with finely chopped vegetables and soy sauce. Versatile enough for patties, sausages, or meatballs.

Vegan split pea soup: green split peas simmered with celery, carrot, onion, potato, and herbs into a thick, hearty bowl finished with frozen sweet peas and a splash of tamari. No ham needed.

Tender crepes filled with crab, mushrooms, and scallions in a white wine cream sauce, baked until heated through and broiled golden. French-inspired elegance in 45 minutes.

Chinese-style vegetarian broth made with dried shiitake mushrooms, Sichuan preserved vegetables, scallions, and both light and dark soy sauce. A rich, savory base for soups and stir-fries.

Grilled sweet and sour halibut with a brown sugar-ginger glaze, charred bell peppers, and scallions. A light, flavorful fish dinner ready in 30 minutes.

Mashed pinto beans and brown rice rolled up in warm flour tortillas with fresh veggies and salsa. Vegan, low-fat, and ready in 20 minutes flat.

A low-fat dish that's succulent taste will have you scooping out a second helping.

I love this salad, simple and easy, a good accompaniment for a meat dish.