12 siple recipes

Cream cheese chocolate truffles, no heavy cream needed. Melt unsweetened chocolate into a tangy powdered-sugar base, chill, roll in cocoa or nuts. Four ingredients, makes 30.

Another quick and easy way to spice up sauté of green beans. Sesame oil, ginger and a chili garlic sauce, topped with sesame seeds give haricot vert (green beans) more zing.

Egg-free and dairy-free orange muffins made with tofu, fresh orange zest, and juice. Light, citrusy, and vegan-friendly with a tender crumb from the cream of tartar and baking soda leavening.

Quick onion soup with beef stock, cheddar cheese, and toasted French bread. Tender sautéed onions simmer 15 minutes, then broil with cheese for 4 servings.

Old-fashioned strawberry cobbler with a crumbly egg-and-flour topping dotted with butter. Uses fresh or frozen berries and bakes in one pan. Serve warm with ice cream.

Eggplant slices baked with fresh tomato, basil, and red pepper, brushed with a tamari-balsamic glaze. A low-fat, vegan-friendly side dish with almost no prep.

Quick curried chicken with apples, grapes, raisins, and yogurt over rice, topped with peanuts. A fruity, aromatic weeknight curry ready in 35 minutes.

There is no need to purchase the ready-made packet. Here's a quick and easy homemade Taco seasoning mix.

Vegetable ragout with carrots, new potatoes, zucchini, peas, dried morels, and fresh mushrooms simmered in vegetable stock. Finished with a full cup of fresh parsley and mint.

Try this new but tasty rendition of chili that will become one of your new favorites in no time!

German potato salad tosses tender sliced potatoes and onion in a tangy-sweet apple cider vinegar dressing with just a touch of mayo. A lighter, Oktoberfest-style side that's even better after it rests.

Homemade cream of chicken noodle soup with shredded chicken, elbow macaroni, mixed vegetables, and a sage-and-thyme-scented cream base. A hearty one-pot soup that beats anything from a can.