438 west recipes

Garden-fresh vegetable soup with Roma tomatoes, new potatoes, corn cut from the cob, and a bouquet garni of oregano, parsley, and lemon zest. Ready in 30 minutes.

Espresso cheesecake with a toasted hazelnut-cocoa crust, baked in a water bath for a silky, crack-free finish. Reduced espresso and Kahlua deliver bold coffee flavor in every bite.

Cajun-spiced lamb sirloin seared and roasted, served over tomato-pepper rice cooked in chicken broth. Cayenne, paprika, and garlic give this Southern-style lamb roast serious kick.

Chicken and black bean salad with red and yellow peppers, tomatoes, and fresh coriander in a zesty lime-jalapeno dressing. A no-cook, high-protein meal ready in 20 minutes.

French pear tart with almond frangipane, kirsch-soaked apricot glaze, and vanilla-poached pears. Crushed macaroons fold into the pastry cream for chewy depth, finished with green pistachios.

Chicken tagine with pine nut couscous braises chicken thighs in a fragrant Moroccan spice blend with dried apricots and prunes, served over couscous scented with lemon zest and toasted pine nuts. A dinner-party-worthy North African main.

Lemony cheesecake on a cinnamon-graham crust: a tangy lemon cream cheese filling under a layer of sour cream, all crowned with a glossy lemon glaze. A triple-lemon baked cheesecake that's bright, creamy, and rich.

Toasting the oats for this hearty muffin enhances their nutty flavor; orange zest contributes a citrus fragrance that plays well with the sweet dates.

Oatmeal pumpkin cookies fold pumpkin puree, rolled oats, chocolate chips, raisins, and nuts into a cinnamon-spiced dough. Drizzle with lemon glaze or top with chocolate candies. Makes 96.

Oaxaca tostada bites: tortilla chips topped with a mole-spiced black bean mash of cocoa, cumin, and cinnamon, cool avocado cream, pepper jack, and lettuce. A no-cook, party-ready Mexican appetizer.

Pot Roast Caribe braises a 3-pound chuck roast in a mole-inspired sauce with cocoa, chili, cumin, cinnamon, ground almonds, and orange zest. Caribbean-style pot roast for 6-8.

Wholesome sweet potato cookies made with whole-wheat flour, oats, coconut, wheat germ, and chopped nuts, sweetened with honey and brown sugar. Soft, chewy, and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Makes 4 dozen.

Pane di Mattina alla Siciliana is a sweet Sicilian breakfast bread enriched with eggs, butter, lemon zest, fennel seed, and Marsala-soaked raisins and currants. Sicily's answer to morning brioche.

Spanish seafood empanadillas filled with shrimp, bay scallops, anchovy, peppers, and tomatoes in a flaky lard pastry crust. Baked golden and served warm or at room temperature.

Microwave black bean burritos done in minutes, no stove required. Spiced black beans, partly pureed for a creamy texture, wrapped in tortillas with a fresh avocado-tomato salsa. An easy vegetarian dinner.

Poppy seed rolls with a rich sour cream yeast dough filled with honey-stir-fried poppy seeds, raisins, candied orange peel, and meringue, rolled jelly-roll style and iced with lemon glaze.