Ripe avocado mixed with tomatoes, and hot pepper sauce makes a tasty, vegetarian sandwich. Adding a little bought pesto sauce adds more flavor. This sandwich is perfect for a quick dinner.

You may have to plan a little in advance to ripen your avocado. One tip to help avocados ripen is to remove the stem and place them in a bag in a warm spot. ...Read more

Looking for a really, juicy burger for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend or for anytime you want a burger. Try this one. Mushrooms add an earthy flavor to lean ground beef. They also make the burgers juicy.

The mushrooms are cooked before they are added to the ground meat. Be sure to cook them until they are dry, with no liquid left in the pan....Read more

Here’s a fun recipe that’s full of flavor and easy to make. Pappardelle is a wide noodle that captures this sauce made with lots of garlic and white wine. The combination of flavors and textures is pleasing and makes this a one-dish meal that you can enjoy as a family or with friends.

Helpful Hints:

— You can use any type of shrimp.

—...Read more

It’s a treat to savor wild salmon at this time of year. The season started May 1 and runs through August. Here’s a new and easy way to cook salmon. Place salmon cubes on skewers and grill or broil them.

Zucchini and cherry tomatoes are also included in the kabobs. I like to place them on separate skewers. They take more time to grill than ...Read more

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. You can celebrate Mom with this tasty, light dinner. This Ginger Sesame Chicken Salad is easy to make and takes only minutes. It uses bought cooked or rotisserie chicken.

Sesame oil and fresh ginger flavor the salad. I like to use toasted sesame oil that can be found in the Asian section of most markets...Read more

You can whip up this salad dinner in 5 minutes. I tasted a similar one at a local restaurant and was delighted to find a delicious, filling, light vegetarian supper dish. I decided to re-create it at home.

Beets add an earthy flavor and color to the salad. You don't have to cook raw beets. Cooked, ready-to-eat beets are available in the produce...Read more

A simple sweet and sour sauce brightens this pan-seared salmon. Using the microwave oven and only one skillet makes clean up easy. While the salmon sautes in the skillet, the bok choy and rice cook in the microwave. They all come together for a flavorful, easy dinner.

If pressed for time, use a store-bought sweet and sour sauce instead of the ...Read more

I created this dinner thinking of spring and holidays. Lamb chops flavored with rosemary and garlic is a perfect dish for this holiday weekend or any weeknight dinner. They’re served with baby green beans, which are similar to haricots verts. They may also be called French green beans.

Another harbinger of spring is creamer and new potatoes. ...Read more

It’s easy to dress up boneless, skinless chicken thighs with this nutty walnut crust. It keeps them juicy and adds a flavorful crunch. The recipe also works with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. While the chicken bakes in the oven, the rigatoni and broccoli cook together on the stove.

Helpful Hints:

— You can use pecans or macadamia ...Read more

Here’s a hearty, vegetable gratin with a crunchy, cheesy topping. A gratin is a dish that has a cheese and breadcrumb crust. This is a one-pot vegetarian meal that can be made ahead and rewarmed. You can add any type of vegetables you have on hand and use this recipe as a guide for the amounts.

Helpful Hints:

— You can use any type of ...Read more

Indian spices flavor this dinner of plump shrimp, scallops and rice. The flavors of India are an intriguing combination of savory, sweet and hot spices. I made this Seafood Curry with fresh ginger and mild curry powder. It provides a flavor for this dinner that goes perfectly with the seafood.

I used curry powder from the supermarket spice ...Read more

Here’s a way to add flavor to boneless pork chops. I find they can easily become dry when served without a sauce. This maple glaze solves that problem and adds a sweet and tangy sauce to the dish. You can make this quick dinner in one skillet. To speed the cooking time, the potatoes and broccoli are first cooked in the microwave.

Helpful ...Read more

Thinking of St. Patrick’s Day brought to mind this warm and welcoming Irish Stew. There are many versions of Irish Stew. A traditional stew calls for mutton, a sheep that is over a year old. This is a quick version uses leg of lamb for a tasty and tender dish. It’s a one-pot meal that’s ready in 15 minutes.

Helpful Hints:

— You can use...Read more