Here's a taste of Thai cuisine. Peanut-flavored sauce with a slight spicy edge coats chicken for this quick meal. Skewers are filled with the chicken and vegetables. All that's needed to complete this easy meal is to boil some noodles for a minute.

Leave about 1/4 inch between ingredients on the skewers. This helps the heat reach all sides of ...Read more

Jerk seasoning, a Jamaican specialty, helps create a spicy, one-dish salad that's perfect for hot summer evenings. This spice mixture usually contains allspice, along with onion, thyme, nutmeg and cinnamon. For this quick dinner, I use prepared jerk seasoning that can be found in the spice section of the market.

You can alter the vegetables in ...Read more

July is the height of the mango season in South Florida, and good mangoes can be found everywhere. There are many different varieties of mango with different textures, sweetness levels and flavors. Any type works well in this recipe. They add a sweet flavor, soft texture to the plump shrimp.

I like to keep a bag of peeled, frozen shrimp on hand...Read more

The French celebrate Bastille Day July 14. Salute them with this easy-to-prepare, delicious dinner. It takes only minutes to cook.

Figure about 2 pounds mussels per person. Store the mussels in the refrigerator. The commercially raised mussels available today are cleaner than they used to be. Just wash them in cold water before using. If any ...Read more

Caesar salad is one of America's most popular comfort foods. Adding grilled shrimp and walnuts turns it into a complete dinner. The crisp lettuce and smooth, tangy dressing provide an enjoyable, mouth-watering combination.

The walnuts are grilled for a couple of minutes. This intensifies their flavor.

Helpful Hints:

-- Pecans or almonds can ...Read more

This is a summer soup supper that is also vegetarian. It's a light take on classic vichyssoise that is usually made with leeks, potatoes and cream. This soup is made with leeks and cannellini beans. It is creamy and rich without the use of cream. It will keep several days in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Helpful ...Read more

Almond-flavored romesco sauce tops grilled steak for this easy dinner that's perfect for Father's Day or anytime. Make extra of the sauce. It keeps a week in the refrigerator and is great on any cooked meat or vegetables.

Zucchini spirals and butternut squash spirals, which can be found in the freezer section of the market, make a colorful and ...Read more

Louisiana creole cooking is a combination of Spanish, French and African cuisines. Onions, celery, green bell pepper, tomatoes and hot pepper seasoning are the base for this quick and easy Pork Creole.

The heat is up to you. The amount of cayenne pepper in the recipe gives a mild zing to the sauce. If you like it hot, add more or serve hot ...Read more

Keeping frozen bay scallops in my freezer has been a big help during these challenging times. They are always available for a quick dinner. They're sweet-tasting and take only minutes to defrost in a bowl of cold water.

The side dish for this quick dinner also uses ingredients from my freezer, frozen peas and butter beans. "Butter beans" is a ...Read more

Wrapped with corn or flour tortillas or even lettuce leaves, tacos have become a national favorite. Whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner they're easy to eat and can be easy to make. Here's a vegetarian taco made with soft whole wheat tortillas. They are fold easily and add an earthy flavor to the taco.

HELPFUL HINTS:

Any type of canned beans...Read more

Here's a way to spice up your Memorial Day burgers using Moroccan-style spices. Ground cumin, ground cinnamon, fresh mint and parsley may seem unusual additions to burgers, but they add an intriguing flavor to them.

Ground spices can lose they're flavor after a few months. If yours, look grey or have lost their aroma, it's time for new ones.

...Read more

I was introduced to Pakistani cuisine by Kausar Ahmed and her book "The Karachi Kitchen." She told me her vegetarian Kausar Rice in her book is a hit with her family. I've adapted her recipe for this quick meal.

You can substitute any fresh vegetables. Use this recipe as a blueprint for amounts.

Helpful Hints:

-- Any type of rice can be used....Read more