A maple syrup glaze and sliced almonds give extra flavor and crunch to chicken breasts. Hot pepper jelly adds zing to sautéed corn and lima beans. It’s made in minutes in the microwave.

Helpful Hints:

— Walnuts, pistachios or pecans can be substituted for sliced almonds.

— Any type of hot pepper jelly can be used.

Countdown:

— ...Read more

Stroganoff is an old Russian classic. The mixture of mushrooms, tomato paste and mustard gives the stroganoff sauce a tangy blend of flavors and a creamy texture.

Helpful Hints:

— Diced fresh onions can be found in the produce section of the supermarket.

— Any type of mushrooms can be used.

— Use a skillet that is just big enough to ...Read more

Stir-fried chicken, walnuts and vegetables in lettuce puffs is one of my favorite dishes. Crisp, cool lettuce topped with warm chicken and vegetables combine to create a taste and texture sensation.

This is a 20-minute meal. As with most Chinese recipes, there are several ingredients to be prepared, but the actual cooking time is only about 4 ...Read more

Nutritious eating on a dime is the premise of Melanie Lionello's recently published cookbook, "Frugal Mediterranean Cooking: Easy, Affordable Recipes for Lifelong Health" (Page Street Publishing Co., $21.99).

Saving money while still serving a wholesome meal to the family is certainly on the minds of Americans who are looking to stay healthy ...Read more

This pork and bean chili can be made in 20 minutes. The great thing I find about chili is that some like it hot, some like it mild, but almost everyone likes it. The degree of heat is up to you. Add more chili powder or fresh chili peppers to suit your taste.

Serve the chili with bowls of sour cream and chopped fresh cilantro as garnishes along...Read more

Hearty black bean soup becomes a welcoming meal with the addition of shrimp. Best of all, it takes only 20 minutes start to finish.

This is the type of meal you can make without a trip to the supermarket. Keep canned beans (any type can be used), frozen shrimp, canned tomatoes and chicken broth on hand.

Helpful Hints:

— Any type of canned ...Read more