Author: Linda Gassenheimer
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QUICKFIX: Earthy sauce tops quick-cooking steak
A mushroom pesto sauce goes perfectly with a pan-roasted steak, and the meal won’t break your calorie bank. Pesto sauce made with fresh basil, parsley, olive oil and Parmesan cheese originated in Genoa, Italy. Adding mushrooms to prepared pesto gives it an earthy flavor. The Hot Pepper Potatoes are microwaved and then browned in the…
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Bread crumb crust makes quiche quick and easy
I like to serve a warm, inviting quiche for a quick midweek supper, but don’t want to fuss with pastry dough. The secret to saving time and calories is to use bread crumbs for the crust instead. You can still slice and serve the quiche with this crust. You can make your own crumbs by…
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QUICK FIX: Bacon adds smoky flavor to spicy sauce for pasta
In Italy, the rich, spicy tomato sauce called Amatriciana is found on many restaurant menus. Yet this pasta sauce is easy to make at home. It’s simple list of ingredients makes it a perfect, quick dinner for a hectic weekday night. When freshly made, the tomato and smoky bacon flavors create a delicious sauce that…
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Quick Fix: Oregano, cheese add zip to shrimp
Plump fresh shrimp, big red tomatoes, fresh oregano, feta cheese and Greek olive oil were among the delights I found in a taverna off the main square on the Greek island of Corfu. Cooked together they make a specialty that is served throughout the Greek islands, where all of these ingredients are plentiful. In this…
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Thick and hearty Winter Casserole Soup
Easy, hearty, pasta-vegetable soup is most welcome on a winter night. Imagine a soup that provides a whole meal in one bowl and takes only 30 minutes to make. That’s the beauty of this Winter Casserole Soup, a thick and hearty concoction made with vegetables, pasta and red kidney beans. Soup is a great way…
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Crispy broiled chicken with red pepper pasta
Dinner with acclaimed chef and author Jacques Pepin is always special. On a recent evening at his Connecticut home, he served a red pepper sauce over homemade ravioli. When he told me how easy the sauce was, I decided to use it as a basis for this quick dinner. I used fusilli corti — short…
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Baby greens top sautéed pork chops
Baby arugula tossed with garlic and dressing makes a quick and colorful topping for pan-fried pork chops. Cooking the pork chops over high heat for just a few minutes keeps the meat juicy and tender. To speed the cooking, I buy boneless loin chops about ½-inch thick. If using thicker chops, cut them almost in…
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Herbed meatball minestrone a hearty and inviting dinner
Soup makes an inviting meal with a tantalizing aroma that welcomes everyone to the table. Minestra is Italian for soup, and minestrone is a hearty vegetable soup. In Italy, specific recipes are rarely followed; cooks use ingredients they have on hand, including pasta, beans, leftover meat and vegetables. This meatball minestrone is a one-pot meal.…
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Sauté lettuce for unusual side dish
The rich red-brown glaze of teriyaki sauce is a perfect addition to chicken, pork and fish. Thick, meaty tuna absorbs the deep flavors of this Japanese favorite in just 15 minutes, making teriyaki tuna a quick and easy supper dish. Tuna can vary considerably among its many species. Yellowfin works well in this recipe. Cooking…
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Bistro fare is easy but elegant
French bistro-style cooking is back in style, and sautéed veal chops with mushrooms is a classic bistro meal. If you’re a last-minute planner, this dinner is elegant enough for a cozy special meal at home. It’s also simple enough for a quick dinner any time. Chicken breasts with or without the bone can be substituted…