Characteristic: template

Fresh berries, rhubarb or stone fruit, in most any combination, shine in these simple, not too sweet bars. The above is straight strawberry. My favorite might be apricot and sour cherry but actually every time I make them I say that batch is my favorite. ... Read more »

Whether nothing more than beans, cheese and fresh salsa or loaded up with lots of other toppings, nachos are fun, quick and versatile. When we have them for dinner we often manage to eat more of them than we think possible! [caption id="attachment_19080" align="aligncenter" width="660"] This version included ground beef that had been seasoned with lots of chili powder and cooked with finely chopped onion, chard stems and some chard leaves. It was fantastic![/caption] If you don't have chips on hand but have corn tortillas you can cut them into wedges, fry them in oil until crisp and use them here. They'll be thicker/sturdier than typical chips and very good.   Quantities are intended as guidelines and adjust to suit your taste/needs.... Read more »

Whether they're stewy like the above or drier like the below, beans and toasted bread are delicious, filling, adaptable, quick and inexpensive. There are British versions that are sweeter, more like baked beans; Middle Eastern ones using stale flatbread and broad beans and Italian ones with plenty of garlic and olive oil, to name just a few.  ... Read more »

Quick, spicy and delicious, these noodles are similar to these but don't call for mushrooms or eggs. Any quick cooking green works well but the crunchy bok choi stems are really nice here. If you have the ever-more-popular spicy chili crisp condiment, this is the place to use it! You can use fresh ramen noodles (above & below) or any long, skinny dried noodle. [caption id="attachment_18692" align="aligncenter" width="660"] And a bacon-free version w/ carrots, snap peas & mustard greens.[/caption]... Read more »

This is so delicious and comes together quickly if you have cooked (or canned beans). It's very good with home-cooked beans because you use some of the bean cooking liquid which makes for a flavorful, light stew.  ... Read more »

There are three versions of cook-with-what-you-have Nicoise salad on this site. Each one can itself be varied in many ways. . . which vegetables you cook, which you leave raw, what kind of pickled/brined item you include, etc. Have fun with it!   The tuna is really optional--there is so much else going on that you may not miss it if you don't have it or don't eat fish.... Read more »

These are flavorful, simple and quite light in fact. You can use fire-roasted canned tomatoes or fresh ones you broil. I rarely have queso fresco on hand so top them with a little sharp cheddar--totally inauthentic and very tasty. [caption id="attachment_18350" align="aligncenter" width="660"] In this version I thinned sour cream with a little plain yogurt for a pourable consistency.[/caption]... Read more »

Cook a pot of whole grains--barley, farro, spelt, frikeh, rye--and dress it up for any meal of the day throughout the week. The above version uses whole frikeh (parched green wheat from an Oregon Farm) but use whatever robust grain you have.   This springy version with mint, asparagus, lemon and toasted walnuts is particularly wonderful!... Read more »

Many of my favorite dishes are created when I'm pressed for time. Creativity--what I sometimes call the Why Not? principle--thrives in these instances. Substitute whatever bits of vegetables you need to use up.   The sauce I used here is my Makhani Curry sauce recipe which makes more than you need for one meal so I often have some in the freezer. It was spectacular on the rice. You could alternatively use any leftover dal thinned out a bit or curry or the simplest tomato sauce or a ragout of some kind. Or use a bottled curry sauce.   The pilaf method of cooking the rice--toasting rice with aromatics, then adding liquid--works particularly well here. And lots of toasty nuts are key!  ... Read more »

This dish was born out of haste and what was on hand. I didn't have time to cook rice but had half a head of savoy cabbage which turned into a lovely bed for this ground-beef stir fry.  ... Read more »

I have a number of green sauces here as well as a classic Italian salsa verde. This is a template for whatever bits of greenery you need using up. It turns sad, partial bunches of greens into something rather vibrant and versatile, extending the life of the greens. In addition to the greens below, you can use sorrel, cilantro, a little arugula (a lot makes it a bit too strong), nettles (blanched), garlic scapes, tender turnip greens, a little bit of green onion tops, and mint. [caption id="attachment_18208" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Left to right: green garlic, mizuna (stems mostly), tarragon, dill, parsley, radish tops.[/caption]   Make however much or little you want. You'll need to taste and adjust ratios as you go. The whole point of this is to make it work for what you have so don't sweat the details. It should have a little garlicky punch and enough acidity to brighten but not overpower. Different greens and in different combinations will result in different tastes.   Use it: On toasted bread with chèvre and beets (pictured above) or other cheese with cooked or raw veg On any kind of sandwich Stirred into scrambled eggs or topping hard-boiled, poached or fried eggs With grilled meat or fish With roast chicken With a little mayo or Greek yogurt for chicken or egg salad On rice or other cooked grains or beans ... Read more »

Polenta is a wonderful pantry staple and a good foil for anything a little bit saucy. This is a template for most any vegetables and leftover meat. [caption id="attachment_18201" align="aligncenter" width="660"] This assortment was what I had on hand during the first corona virus isolation period but by all means use whatever vegetables you have on hand or particularly like.[/caption]... Read more »

This is just a template to assemble a delicious bowl of food. The sauce makes everything taste good. Cook a pot of grains and then let people customize their bowls to suit their taste.... Read more »

You can use herbs in quantity and in many different combinations here. However, make it even if you’re short on herbs. It will still be good. This is a great way to use parsley and cilantro stems.   Variations Use 1-2 teaspoons sage or rosemary instead of tender, leafy herbs. You’ll want to use much less as they are more strongly flavored. Add the zest of 1⁄2 a lemon in addition to the juice for a more lemony version. You can garnish this dip with capers and if you have a spare minute, fry the capers in a little olive oil until crisp and sprinkle over the dip. ... Read more »

This is a lovely wintry soup with many possible variations. The only thing you must pay attention to is the blending. Ideally you push the vegetables through a strainer, which is pretty quick and easy when they're soft. If you use an immersion blender or other motorized device, blend very quickly and in short bursts. Don't worry about getting it perfectly smooth. Potatoes turn gluey very quickly when processed and gluey soup is sad!  ... Read more »

This is a go-to method for a quick lunch or dinner. Grate or finely chop whatever veg you have. Top with an egg if you’d like or leftover meat or toasted seeds or enjoy as is.... Read more »

  [caption id="attachment_19384" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Chicken and lots of veg in this version.[/caption] My son loves this dish and it's a pretty quick weeknight dinner. It's a great way to use (up) any number of vegetables. It calls for a higher ratio of vegetables than might be typical and you can certainly use fewer. [caption id="attachment_21828" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Straight chicken version with lots of scallions and cilantro.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_17922" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Tofu version[/caption]... Read more »

Spinach is quick-cooking and tender and makes for a wonderful, quick weeknight curry. This coconut milk curry is quite similar to this one, which includes onions and is a bit drier.   Start the rice the minute you walk in the door and sit down to eat 20 minutes later if using white rice or 35-40 if brown. And the leftovers are excellent.... Read more »

This dish was inspired by Yotam Ottolenghi's Palak Tofu but I've adapted and simplified it almost beyond recognition. Typically Palak Paneer employs a silky sauce made with spinach. I use chard and cabbage (not blended) or any combination of leafy greens instead. It has more texture, is deeply flavorful and makes wonderful leftovers.   I love employing Ottolenghi's salted water tofu-soaking method as it infuses the tofu with more flavor, but the dish will still be good if you skip it.... Read more »

I happened to have a purple daikon (radish) and radicchio on hand as well as some leftover citrus dressing. I always try to have some kind of toasted nuts or seeds as well as fresh herbs, for exactly this reason. It's quick to pull together something really delicious. Radicchio, with its tight head of leaves doesn't really need washing making this even quicker than a typical salad.... Read more »