December 2009

Do not remove the skin before poaching or the fish may fall apart during cooking. The vegetables in the pot can be served alongside the fish or discarded. Serve with rice pilaf.

Active Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

"Serve these marinated vegetables as a salad or as an appetizer. Optional add ins include: pitted Greek olives, cubes of feta cheese, and thin slices of Maui or Walla Walla onion." Blanch broccoli and cauliflower for one minute in boiling water before adding to other ingredients - red bell pepper, cucumber and carrots. Splash with a nice Italian salad dressing and let the flavors mingle for a bit in the refrigerator before serving.

This dish is about as close to fusion, to “made-up,” as I will allow. It’s not traditional, it’s not regional. Though it has an Asian flavor, it’s not even that. What it is: a tasty, fast, cheap, infinitely variable broth-and-noodle combination. Its preparation is slowed down only by waiting for the water to boil.

Risotto is hardly effortless fare, what with all that stirring over a hot stove. But instant brown rice and creamy Neufchatel cheese can make a nutty, rich, stand-in version that's sure to be a family favorite. Substitute any vegetables you wish for the asparagus and bell pepper. Make it a Meal: Paired with a salad, this is a perfect vegetarian main course, or serve as a side dish with grilled chicken or steak.

Prep Time: 40 min

Huevos rancheros or “ranch eggs” is a classic Mexican dish that is great for a quick dinner. Traditionally, it’s made with a red tomato-based sauce. Here we use tart and tangy green salsa instead. Serve with: brown rice and slices of avocado.

Mino Giliberti usually makes this soup with water, but for a richer flavor, you can use chicken stock. Start a day ahead by soaking the lentils in 3 cups of water in the refrigerator. Before serving, spoon shaved Parmesan in the bottom of the bowls so the cheese disperses in the hot soup rather than sticking to the diner’s spoon.