71 surprise recipes

About half of the beans I used were chili beans. And I used a Guinness beer. I (roughly) seeded the jalapenos and this was surprisingly still spicy. A cheap cut of beef works quite well; the beef chunks get so tender and this is an overall delicious dish. I froze half of it.

This recipe comes from Italy by way of Argentina. Maxwell Mowry of Charleston got this recipe when he lived in Buenos Aires in the early l970s. Since there are more people of Italian ancestry in Argentina than of Spanish ancestry, it is not surprising to find panettone there, where it is called in Spanish pan dulce, meaning 'sweet bread.' At Christmas in Argentina, pan dulce is eaten accompanied by sparkling apple cider. Houseware shops in Argentina sell special tall cylindrical springform pans to bake the pan dulce, but an empty, greased 1-pound coffee can may be used.

Fat-free bran muffins sweetened with molasses and applesauce, bound with egg whites and buttermilk. High-fiber, no butter or oil, and surprisingly tender.

Pasta Giovanni tosses fettuccine with garlicky sautéed mushrooms, chopped pecans, parsley, sliced black olives, and pimientos in olive oil, finished with grated Romano. A vegetarian pasta with Mediterranean ingredients and crunchy textural surprise.

Pinto bean bread, a soft yeast loaf made with mashed pinto beans for extra protein, fiber, and a dense, tender crumb. Rustic and surprisingly good for sandwiches.

Surprise your loved one with this scrumptious chicken dish that will add a kick to anyone's tastebuds.

Jerry's Barbecue Sauce: a slow-simmered BBQ sauce with white wine, honey, dried mint, and three cups of onion. Cajun-style with a surprising herbal note. Makes a generous batch.

Surprise your family this Christmas with these decorative cookies that can bring out the holiday cheer in everyone.

Surprise family at the next Thanksgiving dinner with this delicious cake that is sure to make your aunts proud.

Fettuccine with red lentil sauce simmered with canned tomatoes, garlic, and a surprising pinch of cinnamon. A high-protein, plant-based pasta dinner ready in under an hour.

Was pleasantly surprised by the taste of this recipe. Was very good recipe, even without onions or sour cream. Would recommend!!

Guacamole with serrano heat, white onion, and a surprise hit of pureed zucchini for body. Mexican-style avocado dip finished with tomato, green onion, and cilantro garnish.

No-cholesterol chocolate cake gets its tender crumb from a surprising swap: cholesterol-free mayonnaise stands in for eggs and butter. One bowl, no creaming, deep cocoa flavor with a moist tight crumb.

Vegetarian black bean chili simmered in stout beer with three chiles, peanut butter, and steamed broccoli florets. Deep, malty, and surprisingly bold.

Italian double-baked chocolate biscotti with toasted almonds, cocoa, espresso powder, and a surprise hint of ginger and white pepper. Crisp, dark, and dunk-ready.

Butter-fried cinnamon potatoes with onions, a surprisingly warm and fragrant breakfast side. Just five ingredients and 30 minutes for something totally different.