Recipes with water

Navy bean borscht with beef, bacon, kielbasa, beets, cabbage, and potatoes in a sweet-sour broth. A hearty Polish-style beet soup thickened with a butter-flour paste and topped with sour cream.

Gingered figs simmered in molasses and sugar until plump and tender. A warm, spiced fruit condiment for ham, pork, roast beef, chicken, or steak.

Quick Asian-style soup noodles with stir-fried chicken, napa cabbage, lily buds, and shrimp-flavored noodles in a tangy rice vinegar broth. Ready in just 20 minutes for a satisfying weeknight bowl.

Stuffed eggplant Provencale filled with saffron brown rice, tomatoes, red pepper, currants, and sherry. A showpiece vegetarian main course topped with toasted almonds.

Old-school Hasen pfeffer, German-style braised rabbit marinated two days in spiced vinegar, browned in butter, and finished with a swirl of sour cream. Traditional Pennsylvania Dutch comfort food.

Focaccia with fresh herbs: a soft, olive-oil-rich Italian flatbread dimpled and scattered with fragrant herbs and flaky kosher salt. An easy bread-machine dough that bakes up golden and chewy.

German chocolate cheesecake squares layer chocolate cream cheese filling over a yeasted crust, topped with the classic coconut-pecan caramel topping.

Traditional Swedish cabbage rolls (kåldolmar) filled with ground beef, pork sausage, and rice, browned in butter and brown sugar, then baked in broth and finished with a cream pan sauce. Comfort food with Scandinavian roots.

Lobster tomato bisque builds layers of flavor from flambeed lobster shells, white wine, tomatoes, tarragon, and cream, finished with reserved lobster meat and lobster-infused butter. Classic French restaurant technique.

Ground beef pie with mashed potato crust, mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and sharp cheddar baked until golden. Think shepherd's pie meets meat pie, and it's ready in about an hour.

Diced beef chuck slow-simmered with chili powder, cumin, and cayenne, thickened with cornmeal and ladled over hot pasta. A Tex-Mex spin on meat sauce that's hearty enough for hungry crowds.

Silken tofu replaces eggs and dairy in a tender, biscuit-style shortcake that's completely vegan yet still delivers the classic strawberry shortcake experience.

Blanched cauliflower and cabbage tossed in a warm sweet-and-sour sauce with pineapple, water chestnuts, soy, malt vinegar, and sherry. A crunchy Asian-inspired side salad served cool.

Goan pork vindaloo built from scratch: whole spices toasted and ground, fried onion purée, ginger-garlic paste, and a sharp wine vinegar kick. The real coastal Indian version, not the curry-house imitation.

A novelty cake shaped like a giant hamburger! Golden pound cake topped with toasted sesame seeds, penuche frosting, cocoa "meat," and strawberry preserve "ketchup." A total showstopper for kids' parties.

Slow cooker chicken and rice using a roasting bag, onion soup mix, and cream of chicken soup. Set it in the morning and come home to a tender, flavorful dinner for 12.