61 surprise recipes

Creamy pepper dip with cream cheese, hot pepper rings, and a surprising spoonful of apple jelly for sweet-spicy balance. A no-cook party dip ready after a quick chill.

Nuclear Waste cocktail with blue curacao and Irish cream liqueur topped with cider for a murky, sci-fi green drink. A deliberately ugly Halloween party drink that tastes surprisingly good.

Four-ingredient broccoli dip with sour cream, ranch-style dressing, and a grating of nutmeg. Ten-minute no-cook party dip that tastes surprisingly fresh despite the frozen broccoli shortcut.

A surprisingly tasty sweet and spicy combination. The creamy texture of the bananas enhances the creaminess of the melted cheese and sets off the spicy flavors of the cilantro and jalapenos.

Tender crepes stuffed with cheddar, broccoli, and tuna, then microwaved until the cheese melts into a gooey blanket. A quick, protein-packed meal that turns pantry staples into something surprisingly elegant.

Tomato-free ketchup made from cooked carrots and beets blended with lemon juice and spices. A clever low-sugar, nightshade-free condiment that looks and tastes surprisingly like the real thing.

Cold seafood dip built on the surprise of sea cucumber, blended into a fluffy mix of cream cheese and whipped heavy cream. Three ingredients, served chilled with potato chips or crackers.

Cod fillet sliced and layered with napa cabbage, topped with ginger and sesame oil, steamed and served with a tangy sweet-and-sour dill pickle sauce. A unique Chinese-inspired fish dish with a surprising twist.

Savoury filled cheese muffins built on a Bisquick base with sauteed carrot, celery and onion, sharp cheddar, and a deviled ham filling. A handheld breakfast or brunch muffin with surprising vegetable depth.

Jalapeño salsa cooked on the stovetop with fresh tomatoes, garlic, onion, cilantro, and a surprising kick of chopped green olives. A bright cooked salsa that goes with chips, tacos, eggs, and grilled meats.

Silky baked shrimp custard with baby shrimp, fresh ginger, dry sherry, and fish sauce, topped with toasted sesame seeds. An elegant Asian-inspired appetizer or light main that's smooth, savory, and surprisingly simple to make.

Reptile pot pie poaches alligator, snake, or iguana meat in a Thai-Indian curry sauce of coconut milk, fish sauce, turmeric, and coriander. Served over baby vegetables with fresh cilantro. Bold, unexpected, and surprisingly approachable.

I omit pizza sauce for this one. If you've never tried it. try it just once, you might be surprised how good it is without sauce. Make sure the pizza is completely covered with vegetables, sometimes I use very finely chopped broccoli with this as well, and if I feel adventurous, jalapeno peppers