Spinach pasta soup with orzo, tomato paste, and chicken broth, ready in 30 minutes. A light, low-sodium soup loaded with fresh greens and tiny pasta in a savory tomato broth.
Spaghetti with shrimp and mushrooms tossed in a creamy Parmesan egg sauce with anchovy paste and dry mustard. A carbonara-style pasta dinner with stir-fried seafood and scallions.
Easy carrot salad with shredded carrots, fresh herbs, scallions, and a bright lemon-and-safflower-oil dressing. A 15-minute vegan side that brings color and crunch to any plate.
Sea scallops simmered in a spicy fresh tomato sauce with red wine, garlic, and basil, tossed with fettuccine and finished with grated Parmesan.
Low-fat chicken fajitas with five peppers: red, yellow, green bell peppers plus jalapeno and black pepper. Lime and cumin marinated, served in whole wheat tortillas.
Steamed cherrystone clams in a white wine, garlic, and butter broth loaded with a full dozen garlic cloves, scallions, and Italian herbs. A punchy seafood starter served with crusty bread.
Chicken breasts Veronique-style with seedless green grapes: pan-simmered in white wine, orange marmalade, tarragon, and cream. A French bistro classic with a fruit sauce that comes together in 30 minutes.
Cucumbers in yogurt with fresh basil, mint, scallion, and garlic. Cool Mediterranean-style cucumber salad or dip for grilled meats and warm flatbreads.
Sesame noodles tossed with linguine, scallions, soy sauce, and toasted sesame seeds. A 5-minute weeknight pasta with nutty sesame oil, fresh cilantro, and a kick of red pepper flakes.
Spicy rice balls made with ground beef, uncooked rice, onion, celery, bell pepper, horseradish, and Worcestershire, baked in a spicy tomato soup sauce. A Southern-style porcupine meatball with serious kick.
Mandarin orange salad tosses crisp iceberg and romaine with sweet mandarin oranges, crunchy sugar-glazed almonds, and a tangy-sweet cider vinaigrette. A potluck classic with the best sweet-and-crunchy contrast.
Tropical pineapple-papaya salsa with blanched tomatoes, jalapeno, cilantro, and scallions. A fresh, fruity topping for grilled fish, chicken, or chips.
Shrimp with mango and basil sears turmeric-spiced shrimp and tosses them with ripe mango cubes, scallion greens, and fresh basil. Tropical-bright weeknight dinner.
Salmon steaks brushed with vermouth butter, orange zest, and lemon juice, topped with sliced potatoes and grilled in foil. Works on the barbecue or in the oven.
Orange beef with sun-dried tomatoes: a Chinese-Italian fusion stir-fry with brandy-marinated flank steak, candied orange zest, sun-dried tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and jalapeno. Restaurant-style technique at home.
Crisp broccoli and cauliflower florets tossed with bacon, sunflower seeds, and raisins in tangy-sweet mayo dressing. Make-ahead potluck favorite.