Hearty low-fat vegetable soup with potatoes, zucchini, squash, carrots, pureed tomatoes, and kidney beans. Oil-free and loaded with garden veggies, this make-ahead soup tastes even better the next day.
Skillet fettuccine pie with seasoned beef sauce on the bottom and a Parmesan-egg-noodle crust on top. Pan-flipped onto a platter for a stovetop one-pan dinner.
A low-fat dish that's succulent taste will have you scooping out a second helping.
Kotopoulo me bamyes, Greek chicken with okra in a cinnamon-scented tomato-wine sauce. A classic Greek summer stew with tender chicken, silky okra, and warm aromatic spice. Served with potatoes.
Ground beef meatloaf loaded with finely chopped eggplant for extra moisture and a veggie boost, seasoned with basil and oats, baked in a square pan, and served with a garlicky stewed tomato sauce. Sneaky vegetables, happy eaters.
Cajun shrimp Creole simmered for hours in a homemade shrimp stock with fresh tomatoes, three peppers, thyme, basil, and the holy trinity. Even better made a day or two ahead.
Authentic jhinka masala with plump shrimp simmered in a fragrant blend of mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric, and fresh ginger. Ready in 30 minutes and served over nutty basmati rice for a weeknight Indian curry that hits every warm, spicy note.
President LBJ's famous Pedernales River chili recipe with venison, chili powder, oregano, cumin, and tomatoes. Authentic Texas-style no-bean chili.
Diced bass mixed with tomato, onion, thyme, and bay leaves, wrapped in mashan leaves and steamed. A traditional Guatemalan fish tamale (tashmul) that's rustic, aromatic, and ready in 40 minutes.
Fresh summer salad with ripe tomatoes, chickpeas, sweet Vidalia onion, and basil tossed in a tangy Dijon red wine vinegar dressing. No cooking, no oil, ready in 15 minutes flat.
Light summer vegetable soup with carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, green beans, and spinach in chicken broth. Garden-fresh flavor on the table in 30 minutes.
Old Mexico slow cooker chili with cubed stewing beef, three forms of tomato, chili powder, and a kick of hot sauce. No beans, just deep-simmered Texas-style heat.
Pedernales River chili made Texas-style with coarse ground beef, lard, ground chile, and no beans. A bold, no-frills LBJ-era recipe simmered low for an hour.
My good friend Amy made this for me when I went to visit her in Connecticut. I was in love, and no other quiche could compare.
Classic Provencal fish stew from Toulon with assorted fish, mussels, and crawfish in a silky egg yolk-thickened broth. Fennel, leeks, and garlic croutons round out this elegant one-pot.
Fresh tomatoes hollowed out and stuffed with mashed avocado, chili powder, alfalfa sprouts, and coriander. A light, no-cook Mexican appetizer or healthy snack.