Dinner - quick and easy recipes - page 139

These flavorful vegetarian tacos are filled with savory mushrooms, spicy poblano peppers, and sweet onions. A variety of garnishes make this a fun hands-on meal. What to buy: Queso fresco is a mild white cheese that doesn’t melt when heated. It can be found in the refrigerated cheese case of most grocery stores or at specialty cheese shops or Latin markets. Game plan: You’ll need to make the Pickled Jalapeños or Pickled Red Onions before you begin, if using.

There are no rules when it comes to topping nachos, just go for what you like. We like this cheese-chili–sour cream combination. Game plan: You’ll need to make the chili before you begin.

Cheesy chips are the perfect vehicle for mouthfuls of spicy pork goodness. The Cotija, jalapeños, and cilantro are just bonuses. What to buy: Cotija is a crumbly Mexican cheese that can be found in Latin markets and many grocery stores. Game plan: You’ll need to make the pulled pork and pickled jalapeños before you begin.

Legumes topped with caramelized onions are a popular combination at the Greek table. This dish has two components: a black-eyed pea salad with flavors of dill and fennel, and mixed greens tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper. The beans can be served over the greens either warm or at room temperature. Game plan: The black-eyed pea mixture can be prepared up to 3 hours ahead. Complete the recipe through step 3 and refrigerate the finished bean mixture.

Charoset, a diplike Passover dish made with fruit and ground nuts, symbolizes the mortar that the enslaved Israelites used to bond bricks. This Ashkenazic version, containing apples, walnuts, and sweet wine, comes to us from the mother of our colleague Leslie Jonath. This dish was featured as part of our Recipes for Passover photo gallery. Game plan: Though charoset is traditionally served as part of the Passover Seder, it’s also appropriate for a Rosh Hashanah meal.

Fresh, buttery ricotta is delicious spread on a sliced and toasted baguette, sprinkled with salt and olive oil. For added complexity, top the cheese with earthy, nutty, bitter greens like nettles. For the meat lovers, try topping it with our easy pancetta. What to buy: Store-bought ricotta is fine to use here, or you can make your own.

This elegantly composed salad combines classic flavors and textures: Chewy dates, crunchy almonds, and creamy blue cheese nestle with peppery arugula and watercress. A sweet-tart honey-Dijon dressing pulls it all together. For a heartier meal, serve with grilled ribeye.

If you’re not ready to give up egg yolks cold turkey but you want to make more healthy, lower-cholesterol choices, this is the omelet for you. Adding a single yolk to our Basic Egg White Omelet gives the dish just enough of the body that so many people think is lacking in an egg-white-only omelet. We recommend topping it with a touch of hot sauce. Special equipment: You will need an 8-inch nonstick frying pan.

Pressed for time in the morning? The easy, no-cook cheese-and-herb mixture in this omelet should be your go-to filling. The creamy, tangy goat cheese plays nicely with just about any fresh herb. For a weekend breakfast, roast some lemony potatoes to serve on the side. Special equipment: You will need an 8-inch nonstick frying pan.

Unwrapping a soggy sandwich at a picnic is an avoidable tragedy. Just a light smear of fig jam across a crusty baguette keeps this French-inspired grab-n-go sandwich from crossing into sodden territory. Tuck in some ham and Camembert cheese, wrap it up, and stick it in your basket. No more sad sandwiches.

In the realm of snacking, it’s universally known that some dips require a sturdier scooping device. Enter the pita chip. These crunchy, thick chips can stand up to any dip, from hummus to hot crab to roasted eggplant, without buckling. Special equipment: You’ll need a pastry brush to make these chips. What to buy: Ras el hanout is a North African spice blend with sweet and floral notes and can be found at Middle Eastern grocers. Or you can make your own.

The simple act of griddling a PB&J sandwich with lots of butter changes the whole thing, making the outside crispy and the inside warm and extra gooey. What to buy: We took the purist route here with peanut butter and strawberry jam, but feel free to swap in your own combination of nut butter and jelly.

Kamut contains about 30 percent more protein than other wheat-based grains, and with its naturally crunchy texture we figured it would be the perfect base for a healthy granola that won’t get soggy in milk. Walnuts add even more crunch to this granola. What to buy: Rolled kamut flakes, not to be confused with kamut berries, can be found at health food stores, gourmet grocery stores, or online.

We made this granola a little more interesting by substituting rolled barley and wheat for the oats. It’s sweetened with maple syrup, and also includes crunchy toasted pecans and dried cranberries. Try it on your morning yogurt or use it as an ice cream topper. What to buy: Rolled barley flakes, not to be confused with whole or pearl barley, can be found at health food stores, gourmet grocery stores, or online. Rolled wheat flakes, not to be confused with wheat berries, can also be found at h...

When Hank Williams Jr. sang, “I don’t want no little ol’ Danish rolls. I must have ham and grits,” he was talking about the rib-sticking appeal of creamy grits and sautéed ham for breakfast. In our version we also throw in some cheddar cheese and a few dashes of hot sauce for a speedy yet filling meal. Game plan: To simplify your prep time, shred the cheese and dice the ham the night before. If you have preshredded cheddar, you will need about 3/4 cup.

This easy breakfast “pizza” is a quick way to use up leftover pita bread. In just about the time it takes to brew your coffee, you can have slices of this hot, eggy dish ready. And that beats a congealed triangle of leftover cheese and crust any day. Game plan: You can speed up the preparation even more by grating the cheeses the night before.