Fisherman's pie with cod, catfish, shrimp, and crab in a creamy Tabasco-spiked sauce, topped with piped mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese in a potato shell crust.
Butterscotch layer cake built on brown sugar for deep caramel flavor, finished with a browned-butter frosting that's nutty and toffee-rich. A tender, old-fashioned two-layer cake with real butterscotch character.
Indian rice pulao layers basmati with whole spices, sweet peas and carrots, golden raisins, and toasted almonds. A fragrant, vegetarian one-pot side that turns plain rice into a feast.
Try this dish containing spinach and parmigiano-reggiano cheese, which is perfect for a special occasion.
Romanian mititei (mici) sausages made with ground beef and pork, garlic paste, baking soda, thyme, and basil. Skinless grilled sausages shaped by hand without casings.
A lemon cake mix gets a serious upgrade with orange juice and fresh blueberries, then frosted with a homemade citrus cream cheese whipped frosting loaded with fresh orange and lemon zest. Semi-homemade but nobody will know.
Chewy homemade bagels made with a bread machine, boiled in barley malt water for that glossy golden crust, then baked with your choice of poppy seeds, sesame, or onion.
Hearty stew loaded with boiled whole chicken, browned Italian sausage, crispy bacon, and elbow macaroni in a rich tomato broth. A 5-star rated crowd-feeding powerhouse.
New Mexico chiles are not overly spicy. The flavor will depend on which chiles you use. You can find dried New Mexico chiles in the Mexican section of some supermarkets or in Latin supermarkets.
A quick Chinese-style stir-fry with thin-sliced round steak and crisp green beans in a savory brown gravy with soy sauce and ginger. On the table in 45 minutes, served over hot rice.
Warm snake bean salad with roasted pumpkin, baby corn, cashews, and a coconut-kaffir lime dressing. A vibrant Thai-Australian fusion side dish with bold Southeast Asian flavors.
The mingling of chocolate and coffee . . . now and then a ladyfinger! This dessert's a mark of gracious hospitality.
Vegetarian Mexican chili burgers made with seven-grain cereal, brown rice, tofu, green chilies, and cumin. Pan-fried golden brown with no meat needed. Makes 12 patties.
Iowa chops stuffed with brandy-soaked apricots, pecans, currants, orange zest, and fennel. Seared, baked, and finished with flambeed brandy for a tableside showstopper.
Golden saffron bread made easy in a bread machine with whole wheat, oat flour, currants, and date sugar. A wholesome twist on Sweden's classic Lussekatter holiday loaf.
Holiday fruit bars: a brown sugar shortbread crust topped with a chewy raisin, candied cherry, and lemon-zest filling. Cookie-tin classic for Christmas and gift trays.