Recipes with margarine

Brussels sprouts glazed with red wine, honey, and soy sauce. Simmered until tender then finished with a glossy cornstarch glaze. A savory-sweet holiday side dish.

Peanut butter oatmeal cookies with rolled oats and your choice of chocolate chips or chopped peanuts. Chewy centers, crisp edges, and a 5-dozen yield from one batch.

Homemade baked chicken nuggets with a seasoned bread crumb and cornmeal coating. Crispy, golden, and ready in 30 minutes with no deep frying. A kid-friendly dinner from scratch.

Basic sausage gravy gets a flavor upgrade with sage, a whisper of nutmeg, and sauteed onion folded into the classic creamy roux. Pour this peppery Southern gravy over hot biscuits for breakfast that sticks to your ribs.

Old-fashioned marshmallow fudge with chocolate chips, evaporated milk, and chopped nuts. A stovetop candy recipe that sets up smooth and creamy every time.

British-style lemon meringue pie with orange-scented shortcrust pastry, a cornstarch-thickened lemon curd filling, and a soft, lightly browned meringue crown. Old-fashioned and unmistakably citrusy.

Indian-spiced fried potatoes with coriander, cardamom, cumin, ginger, chili powder, nutmeg, mace, and cloves. Boiled then pan-fried until crispy and golden. A flavorful side for two.

Crawfish Monsigneur with sauteed tails, mushrooms, and pimientos in a creamy white wine sauce with cayenne and Tabasco, tossed with egg noodles.

Miniature quiches with a sharp cheddar pastry shell and egg custard filling. Make 48 bite-sized appetizers that freeze and reheat beautifully for parties.

Oatmeal chocolate chip sheet cake with a boiling-water oat soak for a tender, moist crumb. Topped with walnuts and extra chips for a crackly crust.

French-style cream cheese spread with garlic, herbs, white wine vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. A make-ahead no-cook appetizer that develops deep flavor overnight in the fridge.

No-bake chocolate haystacks with coconut, dried apricots, oats, and chopped nuts. A stovetop candy that boils for 30 seconds, drops onto wax paper, and sets as it cools.

Orange shortbread bars with fresh orange zest and cornstarch for a melt-in-your-mouth sandy texture. Score before baking for clean, even cuts.

Pan-seared New York strip steak topped with a melted blue cheese and white wine sauce made from the pan drippings. A steakhouse-quality dinner ready in 30 minutes.

Chocolate applesauce bread baked in mason jars for a charming homemade gift. Moist cocoa cake with a hint of almond, sealed fresh right from the oven.

Chicken almendrado simmers breast halves in a blended sauce of almonds, red chilies, cinnamon, and chicken broth. A Mexican almond-chile sauce with warm spice and subtle heat. Serve over rice.

French herb swirl is a yeast bread coiled around a sauteed onion, garlic, and parsley filling. Baked in a fluted tube pan with a poppy seed crust for a savory pull-apart loaf.

Grilled flank steak brushed with a homemade chili-honey barbecue sauce made from tomato sauce, vinegar, and garlic. Slice thin across the grain to serve.

Turkey chowder with potatoes, carrots, and zucchini in a thyme-seasoned broth thickened with a light roux. A smart way to use leftover turkey beyond the usual sandwich.

Lorraine's red stew fish: West African style fish stew with onions, tomatoes, and jalapeños ground into a deep red sauce, thickened with cornstarch and finished with butter. Spoon over rice or fufu.

Fruited cream puffs: shortcut pate a choux made with pancake mix, filled with ice cream and topped with sweetened strawberries. Ten elegant frozen desserts from pantry staples.

Vinson's pecan pie is a classic Southern double-batch recipe with whole pecans, Karo corn syrup heated to blend smooth, eggs, and vanilla. Makes 2 pies for holiday tables.

No-bake peanut butter chocolate oat cookies, the classic stove-top drop cookie with cocoa, oats, and peanut butter. 60 cookies set in 30 minutes, no oven required.

Double chocolate drop cookies with melted unsweetened chocolate in the batter, semi-sweet chips throughout, and a from-scratch chocolate frosting on top.

Old-fashioned chocolate cream pie with a stovetop cocoa custard filling and a crown of toasted meringue. Pure pantry-staple comfort, no boxed pudding or chocolate bars required.

Savory mushroom and onion topper with Worcestershire sauce, ready in 15 minutes. A quick skillet sauce that adds rich, umami flavor to burgers, steaks, and grilled meats.

Passover-friendly sponge cake roll made with potato starch instead of flour, filled with a bright orange curd. A light, flourless citrus dessert perfect for the Seder table.

Holiday pumpkin muffins with pumpkin pie spice, buttermilk, and a simple powdered sugar glaze. Soft, warmly spiced, and ready in 25 minutes for Christmas morning breakfast.

Whipped cinnamon honey butter with brown sugar and vanilla, blended until fluffy and spreadable. Makes three half-pound portions that freeze beautifully for gifts or everyday toast.

Vegetable almond brown rice with lemon, dill, and toasted almonds. A quick vegetarian side dish cooked in vegetable broth for a nutty, herb-bright one-pot grain.

Chocolate peanut butter shortbread baked in a tart pan with a cocoa crust, creamy peanut butter filling, and a chocolate Kiss topped with a whole peanut on every wedge.

Hot dog potato soup with sliced frankfurters, corn, carrots, and evaporated milk in a creamy thyme-seasoned broth. A hearty, kid-friendly one-pot soup ready in 40 minutes.

Pecan pie brownies layer a fudgy brownie base with a gooey brown sugar and pecan pie filling on top. Two classic desserts in one bar cookie.

Orzo with spinach and toasted pine nuts, cooked risotto-style in garlic-infused water with Parmesan. A 15-minute Mediterranean side dish or light vegetarian dinner.

Gingerbread baked right in canning jars with molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Charming homemade holiday gift with fabric-topped lids, eat within a few days for safety.

Swiss rösti-style fried potatoes with onion and melty Gruyère pressed into a golden, crusty cake. A crispy-edged, cheese-laced side that turns heads at the table.

Muddy Buddies made with Chex cereal coated in melted chocolate chips, peanut butter, and powdered sugar. A no-bake snack that takes 12 minutes and disappears even faster.

Lemon coconut squares with a buttery shortbread crust and a tangy lemon-coconut custard filling. Bright, chewy, and dusted with powdered sugar.

Simple lentil stew with potatoes, carrots, and thyme served over rice. A hearty, budget-friendly one-pot meal that's naturally vegan and high in fiber.

Bologna rice skillet uses up pantry leftovers in one pan with toasted rice, diced bologna, tomatoes, corn, and onion. Vintage stretch-the-meat casserole, ready in under 40 minutes.

Pureed mushroom vegetable soup with a full pound of fresh mushrooms, carrots, celery, and beef stock, finished with sauteed mushroom slices and dry sherry.

Chocolate chip cream cheese brownies layered with a sour cream chocolate batter, a sweetened cream cheese ribbon, and a top scattering of chips. Fudgy, tangy, three textures in every bite.

Sesame seed cookies are an Italian-American holiday classic with a tender shortbread-like dough rolled in toasted sesame seeds before baking. Massive batch (240 cookies) for cookie tins.

Chocolate chip squares made in the microwave with oats, brown sugar, and chopped nuts. Chewy, no-oven-needed bars ready in under 30 minutes.

Cherry upside down cake made from scratch with sour cherries caramelized in sugar and margarine, topped with a simple one-bowl batter. Flip it out immediately for a glossy fruit top.

Chocolate pixie cookies rolled in powdered sugar with a fudgy center, crackled crust, and chopped walnuts. Made with melted unsweetened chocolate for intense cocoa flavor.

Oatmeal cookies with orange zest, walnuts, and yogurt for a lighter, citrusy twist. Chewy, nutty cookies with brown sugar and a hint of orange in every bite.

Light, airy cheesecake with whipped egg whites folded into the cream cheese filling, baked on a graham cracker crust and topped with sweetened sour cream, cinnamon, and nutmeg.