Rustic seafood soup simmered in a tomato, white wine, and herb broth with crab, shrimp, and scallops. Low-fat, high-protein, and ready in about 30 minutes.
Spanish bean dish with kidney beans, smoky liquid smoke, dry mustard, strong coffee, and a finishing pour of brandy. The vintage retro casserole that builds layered flavor from pantry odds and ends.
Hearty mushroom barley soup simmered with white wine, thyme, dill, and a splash of dry sherry. Thick, earthy, and protein-boosted with optional soy flakes.
Oven-baked 'fried' chicken: buttermilk-dipped chicken breast rolled in seasoned Parmesan bread crumbs and baked crispy. Lower-fat alternative to deep frying with all the crunch.
Pasta with smoked mozzarella: bow-tie pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh asparagus, thyme, and melty smoked mozzarella. A light pasta dinner that works hot or as a next-day salad.
Manhattan Island clam chowder is the tomato-based East Coast chowder: littleneck clams steamed open, then simmered in white wine and fresh tomato broth with pork fatback, potatoes, and cracker crumb thickening.
Beer-braised round steak slow-baked for 3 hours with onions, garlic, beef bouillon, brown sugar, and thyme. Fork-tender beef with a rich gravy, served over noodles or rice.
Lighter broccoli cheddar soup made with low-fat yogurt, reduced-fat cheddar, and low-salt chicken broth. Pureed smooth and creamy without the heavy cream.
Slow cooker beer beef stew with tender chunks of stewing beef braised in dark beer, onions, thyme, and bay leaf. Flour-coated meat makes its own rich gravy as it cooks.
Slow cooked classic, beefy just bursting with flavor, easy to make and feeds a crowd. Perfect for company.
Mushroom barley bake with pearl barley simmered in chicken broth, tossed with sauteed mushrooms, onion, and thyme, bound with eggs, and baked until golden. A hearty, savory side dish.
Meatless Cajun jambalaya with black-eyed peas, bell peppers, zucchini, and rice simmered in a smoky paprika-thyme tomato broth. One pot, big Louisiana flavor, no meat required.
Southern-style country captain chicken: floured and pan-browned chicken pieces baked in a curry-spiced tomato sauce with onion, green pepper and garlic, topped with raisins and slivered almonds. A Lowcountry classic with Indian roots.
Slow cooker turkey breast rolled with fontina cheese, prosciutto, parsley, and thyme, braised in white wine and broth. An Italian-inspired roast that cooks for 9 to 10 hours.
Mock lobster Flemish style dresses up humble white fish, poached in a beer broth, bound in a silky cream and egg-yolk sauce, spooned into scallop shells, and broiled under Gruyere. An elegant fish gratin on a budget.
Fourth of July grilled Cornish hens split lengthwise and basted with a lemon-garlic-Italian dressing marinade. Backyard BBQ centerpiece that feeds eight for summer holidays.