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  3. Staff Favorites: The 106 Best Recipes of 2016

Staff Favorites: The 106 Best Recipes of 2016

November 21, 2016
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Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
While all Cooking Light recipes have to meet high standards, nutritionally and taste-wise, a few stand out in each issue. These favorites are discovered during our testing and tasting phases for the magazine. Judged on flavor, practicality, and creativity, many of these recipes have become staples in the kitchens of our staff. We're proud to present this year's tried-and-true staff favorites.
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Butternut Squash Queso Fundido

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Butternut Squash Queso Fundido

Butternut squash adds distinct flavor (and color) to this satisfyingly cheesy dip. To make it vegetarian, sub vegetable stock for the chicken stock. If you prefer, you can roast a halved, seeded butternut squash at 350° for 45 minutes or until soft. Scoop 10 ounces of flesh, and use in place of the puree.

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Workout Recovery

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Workout Recovery

We were amazed at how delectably creamy the sweet potato becomes in the juicer, plus it's a bit higher in calories and loaded with potassium to balance and replenish your electrolytes after exercise.

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Tangy Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Tangy Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Classic lemon squares can contain up to 36 grams of sugar per piece. By putting a tangy cheesecake spin on ours, we’ve cut the sugar down to only 6 grams per pop. Your sweet tooth will agree that these bars are good enough to enjoy year-round.

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Chicken Yakitori

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Chicken Yakitori

Kids will love swapping forks for skewers to build their own kebab bites. The sweet-savory glazed chicken is perfect served with basmati rice and crisp steamed veggies.

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Skillet Chicken with Seared Avocados

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Skillet Chicken with Seared Avocados

The tiniest bit of sugar helps the avocado halves char in the pan, adding robust toasty flavor.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

We love the heat level in this slow cooker take on tikka masala to fend off winter chill. If the spice kick is too much for your family, you can cut the red pepper down by half without losing any of the dynamic flavor layers.

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Apple-Sunchoke Salad With Smoked Trout and Cider Vinaigrette

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower
View Recipe: Apple-Sunchoke Salad With Smoked Trout and Cider Vinaigrette

Sunchokes, the knobby, thin-skinned tubers also misleadingly referred to as Jerusalem artichokes (they're not artichokes and have nothing to do with Jerusalem), offer beguilingly nutty, sweet flavor. North Carolina chef Scott Crawford (of Standard Foods in Raleigh, NC) makes these root veggies shine in this elegant salad featuring 2 apple varieties—one sweet and one tart—and salty smoked trout.

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Fava Bean and Mushroom Crostini

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Fava Bean and Mushroom Crostini

Nutty fava beans get the spotlight here in this festive spring appetizer. Lemon and goat cheese balance the deep umami notes from the mushrooms.

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Slow Cooker Barbacoa Brisket

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Slow Cooker Barbacoa Brisket

Traditional Mexican barbacoa involves wrapping meat in banana or avocado leaves and slowly cooking it over hot coals, partially steaming the meat to tender perfection. This slow cooker version replicates the flavors and a bit of that traditional method: Chipotle chiles, ground cumin, and oregano offer bold, smoky flavor, and the beef brisket steams to tenderness as it cooks gently in the slow cooker. For tacos, serve the saucy barbacoa in tortillas with green and red onion, cilantro leaves, jalapeño slices, and fresh lime wedges. Or build yourself one awesome burrito bowl with those same components by putting them over brown rice or quinoa instead of in tortillas.

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Salmon in Smoky Tomato Broth

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Salmon in Smoky Tomato Broth

This delicate broth is a grade-A example of how to build big flavor—fast. Keep this recipe on deck for last-minute company.

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Dad's Grilled Leg of Lamb

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Dad's Grilled Leg of Lamb

Barton Seaver likes to serve this to his own family with turnips glazed with brown sugar, vinegar, and butter. Haricots verts also make a good companion. Look for a boneless, butterflied leg of lamb, preferably Colorado or Icelandic, and trim any excess fat.

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Golden Chicken with Cilantro-Cashew Pesto and Coconut Rice

Credit: Photo: Christopher Testani
View Recipe: Golden Chicken with Cilantro-Cashew Pesto and Coconut Rice

Tart lime and tangy yogurt provide a necessary fresh, bright kick to balance robust earthy notes from spices like curry.

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Sweet and Sour Turkey Meatballs with Polenta

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Sweet and Sour Turkey Meatballs with Polenta

This Asian twist on an Italian-style favorite just plain works. The four sauce ingredients create an instant, incredibly balanced barbecue-type lacquer, full of vinegar and chile punch, caramel notes, and umami richness.

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Bucatini Puttanesca

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Bucatini Puttanesca

Tomatoes simmer with anchovies, olives, and capers for a tangy, rustic meal sure to please all tastebuds. Bucatini are long noodles with a hole through the center that captures some of the sauce. As a substitute, use thick spaghetti.

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Roasted Tomato Mac and Cheese

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Roasted Tomato Mac and Cheese

The gorgeous tomatoes are the icing on top of this creamy, decadent mac and cheese. You’ll love the artichokes, too. Make this dish gluten-free by using the brown rice elbow pasta and brown rice flour options listed in the ingredients. 

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Asparagus and Peas with Warm Tarragon Vinaigrette

Credit: Photo: Dylan plus Jeni
View Recipe: Asparagus and Peas with Warm Tarragon Vinaigrette

Fresh spring produce needs little embellishment, although a quick toss with bacon never hurts.

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Pork and Chive Dumplings With Red Chile Oil

Credit: Photo: Christopher Testani
View View Recipe: Pork and Chive Dumplings With Red Chile Oil

The pleating of these dumplings is a bit more advanced; if guests have trouble, they can make half-moons and skip the pleating. Make the chile oil up to 5 days ahead; store in the fridge, but bring to room temperature before serving.

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Spinach, Herb, and Cheese Phyllo Rolls

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Spinach, Herb, and Cheese Phyllo Rolls

This kind of dish is traditional street food in Greece. The key is to think of it like a sandwich, an Eastern Mediterranean sandwich: There is an ideal balance between the crust and the filling. Freeze leftover rolls up to 6 months. To reheat, cover loosely with foil and bake at 375° for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 minutes, turning after 5 minutes.

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Carrot Cake Gelly Shots

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Carrot Cake Gelly Shots

Dessert meets cocktail: Bourbon-y spiced carrot gelatin delivers familiar warming flavors, and creamy vermouth is absolutely the "frosting" on the cake.

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Crunchy-Chewy Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Crunchy-Chewy Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookies

This has been Pittman's go-to "house" cookie for years—when she tells the kids she's making cookies, it's these guys, made with no-frills, good ol' whole-wheat flour. The good news is that they work with other flours, too (like brown rice flour, buckwheat flour, white whole-wheat flour and whole-wheat pastry flour). They're wonderfully crisp around the edges and chewy in the middle; that soft center comes from using all brown sugar (no granulated) and a drizzle of honey.

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Whole-Grain Veggie Burrito Bowl

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop: Lindsey Lower
View Recipe: Whole-Grain Veggie Burrito Bowl

This is a Tex-Mex riff on the Korean rice dish bibimbap, in which various toppings are arranged over a bed of rice. Here, burrito bowl must-haves such as smoky black beans, fresh pico de gallo, and slaw top brown rice.

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The Cheeseburger Salad

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: The Cheeseburger Salad

Classic burger elements become a fast, fun salad for the entire family—a deconstructed take on a diner favorite. Instead of four burger patties, we cook just two, then chop and sprinkle them over the top. A handful of crushed potato chips adds crunch. Kick up the dressing with a pinch of ground red pepper.

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Waffle Iron Turkey Melt Panini

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Waffle Iron Turkey Melt Panini

This playful turkey melt's abundant crisp crevices and gooey interior will have the whole family wondering, "What can we waffle next?"

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Charred Eggplant with Chermoula

Credit: Photo: Christopher Testani
View Recipe: Charred Eggplant with Chermoula

While not Israeli in origin (chermoula is actually a Moroccan condiment), this dish speaks to the many culinary influences of Israel's North African and Middle Eastern neighbors. The sauce is wonderfully complex—bright, herbaceous, and spicy. Israel has a vegetable-centric cuisine (they are eaten at every meal); cooking vegetables over an open flame until deeply charred is a favorite cooking method.

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Matzo Ball Soup

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Matzo Ball Soup

This staple Passover food can be enjoyed whether you're celebrating a Jewish holiday or not. Featuring soft, dumpling-like matzo balls made from matzo meal and eggs, this soup is the ultimate comfort food. While requiring a bit more effort than a jarred version, this homemade alternative is easy and definitely worth the results. Enjoy it as is, or garnish with parsley leaves. If you're making this for a crowd, make sure to start the day before so that it's served fresh and hot, and double the recipe to make sure everyone gets seconds.

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Cantaloupe Margarita with Hint of Mint

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez
View Recipe: Cantaloupe Margarita with Hint of Mint

Want to make a bigger batch? Doubling the melon should yield enough juice to make 6 drinks. Process and strain in 2 batches, and then mix up 3 times the rest of the ingredients in a pitcher.

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Fresh Blackberry Granita with Lemon Syrup

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Fresh Blackberry Granita with Lemon Syrup

Make the lemon syrup while the granita freezes, and refrigerate; strain before serving. Top with extra berries, if desired.

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Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Red Onion

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Red Onion

The pork gets a big flavor boost from achiote paste, a mix of ground annatto seeds, vinegar, salt, and spices. Find it at Latin markets.

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Spaghetti Aglio E Olio

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez
View Recipe: Spaghetti Aglio E Olio

"When I cook at home, I use fish sauce in a lot of Italian food," says Quealy Watson of Hot Joy. "I took Latin for four years and read most of Apicius [a collection of ancient Roman recipes]. After seeing the prevalence of garum, a fermented fish sauce, in ancient Roman cooking, using fish sauce in Italian food just made sense. It's essentially anchovy juice." Look for crispy fried garlic at your local Asian market.

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Cranberry-Almond Broccoli Salad

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Cranberry-Almond Broccoli Salad

Broccoli salad is usually drowning in a creamy, often very sweet, dressing and studded with 1/2 pound crumbled bacon, making it more about the creamy dressing and bacon than about the actual broccoli. Ours uses a combination of canola mayonnaise and Greek yogurt to keep the calories in check. We opt for center-cut bacon (a bit less of it) and swap the usual raisins for lower-sugar dried cranberries to pack a subtle punch of tart. The best part of this salad? The longer it sits, the better it gets.

This creamy-crisp salad saves over 269 calories, 5g sat fat, and 121mg sodium over traditional broccoli salad.

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BBQ Chicken Sandwiches With Coleslaw

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: BBQ Chicken Sandwiches With Coleslaw

Our quick homemade BBQ sauce is lower in sodium than bottled versions, and you can put this meal on the table in less than 30 minutes.

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Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Green Onions and Cilantro

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez
View Recipe: Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Green Onions and Cilantro

"Brussels sprouts are best when caramelized," says Gavin Kaysen of Spoon and Stable. "Tossing the roasted vegetables with rich, salty fish sauce enhances the sweet notes created by the cooking process.

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Grilled Camembert

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Camembert

It’s hard to believe there’s anything you can do to make a creamy French cheese any better than it already is, but we found a new way to take it to a new level. As the summer beats on, you can still keep this party starter on the roster—just exchange the cherries for the most seasonal fruit: nectarines, plums, peaches, and blueberries all make a delicious pairings.

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Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez
View Recipe: Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs

Dress this staff favorite with cold-smoked salmon atop a creamy filling seasoned with fresh dill. You can easily double or triple the recipe to feed a crowd.

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Bordeaux-Style Strawberries

Credit: Photo: Erin Kunkel
View Recipe: Bordeaux-Style Strawberries

In Bordeaux, where châteaus and vineyards abound, a typical dessert is fresh strawberries sliced into a red wine glass and then topped with a great Bordeaux. Here, that regional tradition is adapted to make it more dessert-like. If you're pressed for time, do as the Bordelais do—quick and easy.

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Slow Cooker Beef Lettuce Wraps with Quick Pickles

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Lettuce Wraps with Quick Pickles

The low, even heat of the slow cooker helps flavor powerhouses like miso, sesame oil, and soy sauce to impart tenderizing moisture, umami depth, and savory personality to common pot roast.

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Spicy Thai Red Curry Beef

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Spicy Thai Red Curry Beef

This single-skillet supper is a quick ticket to rich, exotic flavor. Don't shake the coconut milk before opening; you want to keep the thick cream layer separated.

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Zucchini-Ricotta Pizza

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Zucchini-Ricotta Pizza

Ribbons of zucchini and bright cherries bursting with flavors are the perfect pair for this creamy ricotta base.

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Vietnamese Pork Salad

Credit: Photo: Erin Kunkel
View Recipe: Vietnamese Pork Salad

Think of this impressive salad as a deconstructed version of a spring roll. Rice noodles cook in just 2 minutes; be sure to drain and rinse promptly with cold water so they don't overcook.

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Tempeh Reubens

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch Styling: Lindsey Lower
View Recipe: Tempeh Reubens

Why we love tempeh: It makes a delicious plant-based riff on a Reuben and packs 9g fiber (a third of your daily needs) into just 3 ounces.

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Quick Summer Squash and Bell Pepper Gratin

Credit: Photo: Erin Kunkel
View Recipe: Quick Summer Squash and Bell Pepper Gratin

You could also layer sliced tomatoes in between the onion mixture and the squash and bake a few minutes longer. We like the look of a baking dish, but you could use an ovenproof or cast-iron skillet: Sauté the peppers and build the gratin in the pan, and transfer to the oven.

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Summer Squash and Chicken Chowder

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Summer Squash and Chicken Chowder

This silky, veggie-forward soup is a fantastic way to use up a load of fresh summer squash. This would also work well with zucchini.

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Steven Brown's Beet-Cured Salmon

Credit: Photo: Christopher Testani
View Recipe: Beet-Cured Salmon

Steven Brown (chef and owner of Tilia) uses beets to bring earthy flavor and bright, bold color to cured salmon, which he serves on sourdough toasts with fromage blanc, hard-cooked egg, radish slices, and a few drops of tangerine-infused oil. Feel free to sub store-bought smoked salmon that's thinly sliced. You can also go low-carb and serve the salmon on long cucumber slices.

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Lighter "Fried" Green Tomatoes

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Lighter "Fried" Green Tomatoes

Fried green tomatoes are a classic Southern summer treat often cooked in bacon grease and dunked in a mayo-based sauce. They are wonderfully delicious, with their combination of tart, juicy tomato slices and crisp, seasoned breading. This is a dish that absolutely needs to break away from its regional roots.

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Seared Tofu with Sweet Chili Sauce and Broccoli

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Seared Tofu with Sweet Chili Sauce and Broccoli

Halve the tofu lengthwise for more surface area so the water can drain out quickly; then pat dry so it won't spatter in the pan. Sweet chili sauce has less heat than Sriracha. A bit of sugar balances its vinegar punch. Find it in the international aisle.

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Heirloom Tomatoes with Charred Okra, Vidalias, and Malt Mayo

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Heirloom Tomatoes with Charred Okra, Vidalias, and Malt Mayo

"Okra doesn't have to be fried. Charring the pods is really fun—it shuts down the sliminess and gets beautifully crisp. Tomatoes just need a little salt, pure and simple," Christensen says.

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Tracy Singleton's Sprouted Quinoa with Marinated Veggies

Credit: Photo: Christopher Testani
View Recipe: Sprouted Quinoa with Marinated Veggies

Sprout a grain like quinoa (it takes time but almost no attention) for a pleasing bite and a nutrient boost. Add veggies and nasturtiums and marigolds (flowers optional) for a peppery kick.

This raw-food dish needs planning and patience, but the payoff is a salad that pops with each crunchy bite. Tracy Singleton (owner of Birchwood Cafe) says using cooked and cooled quinoa instead of sprouted quinoa is a fine shortcut, but the salad won't be 100% raw.

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Tomato and Cucumber Salad

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Tomato and Cucumber Salad

Tomatoes are a summer superstar. Enjoy them in a refreshing salad or simply sliced. Sweet peach dressing amps up the summery deliciousness in this simple salad.

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The Perfect Lobster Roll

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: The Perfect Lobster Roll

Neptune Oyster in Boston and Red's Eats in Maine, on which this recipe is based, both give the option of butter or mayo. Offering that choice means they can't hide anything about the quality of their lobster.

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Salsa Tatemada

Credit: Photo: Dylan + Jeni
View Recipe: Salsa Tatemada

A taco is only as good as the quality of its simple components, especially the salsa. Good salsa is about balance: not too spicy, too tart, or too watery. Charred tomato and serrano bring bold flavor to this versatile salsa.

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Coconut-Lemongrass Chicken Bowls

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Coconut-Lemongrass Chicken Bowls

Marinated chicken simmered in an aromatic coconut broth = flavor building at its finest. This Southeast Asian-inspire bowl is all about big flavor with minimal effort. When working with lemongrass, give the stalk a couple of whacks with the back of a knife before chopping to release its flavorful oils.

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Charred Shishito Peppers

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Charred Shishito Peppers

Charring refers to singeing and blistering the outermost layer of a food over extremely hot heat. This makes for a bolder flavor and adds a smoky nuance. Be aware: This type of high-heat cooking creates a lot of smoke, so be sure to ventilate the kitchen, or cook (in the pan) over an outdoor grill. Shishito peppers are tender, usually mild, and enjoyed whole. Serve with our spicy sauce or squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

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Cantaloupe-Basil Float

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez
View Recipe: Cantaloupe-Basil Float

This grown-up float gets classy with sweet wine and a hit of fresh basil (you can substitute sparkling grape juice or cider). Blending the frozen cantaloupe makes the drink wonderfully frothy and refreshing. Freeze the fruit ahead; then blend and assemble just before serving. This staff favorite can't be beat when you want a seasonal summer drink to serve at a backyard barbecue, al fresco dinner party, or as a quick weeknight pick-me-up. One batch serves six, so double or triple for a group as needed. Garnish with basil springs and cubed cantaloupe to add to the summertime appeal.

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Nori-Crusted Steaks

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Nori-Crusted Steaks

Nori (dried seaweed) adds a layer of toasty umami and this flavor bomb ingredient works magic on more than just fish. Keep the steak juicy and tender by letting it rest for several minutes after cooking, then slicing thinly against the grain.

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Sticky Asian Chicken Wings

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Sticky Asian Chicken Wings

Because the wings get a good bit of char, the type of honey you use isn't as important here (it'll lose its subtler nuances). Though we remove the skin from the wings, you'd never know it—they pick up an irresistible crispy crunch as the glaze cooks under the broiler. Give yourself a better grip when skinning each wing by holding it with a paper towel in one hand and pulling the skin with another paper towel in the other hand.

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Fresh Corn Cakes with Summer Salsa

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Fresh Corn Cakes with Summer Salsa

This speedy vegetarian entrée is absolutely bursting with peak-season produce. Side suggestion: an herby white bean and arugula salad.

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Golden Beet Nachos

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower
View Recipe: Golden Beet Nachos

With their awesome crunch and yellow color, thinly sliced golden beets make a great stand-in for tortilla chips. A mandoline works beautifully for slicing; try to cut the beets between 1/8- and 1/16-inch thick. If you use a knife instead, aim to get the thinnest slices possible.

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Cashew Cream Pad Thai

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Cashew Cream Pad Thai

Thanks to the nifty spiralizer, raw vegetable "oodles" can be cranked out in a jiff. Packed with plant-based ribbons, whole grains, cabbage, peas, nuts, and herbs, this version of Pad Thai is satisfying and refreshingly raw, saving 400 calories over the classic. 

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California Steak Salad

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: California Steak Salad

This salad is ideal for cold grilled steak, as reheating may overcook the meat or cause the basil and arugula to wilt. Grilling the red onion adds another layer of char and a bit of sweetness to counter the tartness of the vinaigrette.

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Cold Noodle Salad with Sesame Crab

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Cold Noodle Salad with Sesame Crab

Minneapolis Chefs Jamie Malone and Erik Anderson lay Asian flavors on this stone-cold stunner. "Varying texture keeps things interesting," Chef Malone says. "Don't overcook your noodles," Chef Anderson says. "You don't want them to be too soft or mushy. You want a pleasant, chewy texture. It's all part of the fun of eating noodles."

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Mushroom-Potato Salad with Miso "Mayo"

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Mushroom-Potato Salad with Miso "Mayo"

White miso is the umami-bomb base of the dressing that will have you licking the bowl. It's potato salad like you've never had before, guaranteed to steal the show at your next barbecue.

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Chile-Infused Honey

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Chile-Infused Honey

Honey will never expire. The acid content is so high that bacteria can't survive and multiply. The high acidity comes from the super-concentrated sugar solution, with only 1/5 of the original water content. But if you leave your honey unsealed, it will absorb water from the air and create a less acidic environment where bacteria can thrive. Bottom line: If you want to keep any honey good forever, keep a lid on it.

You'll love the intense flavor of this infused honey. Use it in salad dressings or marinades; drizzle over cheese, toast, or ice cream; or package in a cute jar, give as a gift, and make someone very happy.

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Sea Salt and Vinegar Zucchini Chips

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Sea Salt and Vinegar Zucchini Chips

Light, crisp, and just as good as their junk-food counterparts, these veggie chips are a revelation. Malt vinegar is made from fermented ale and is mildly sweet. If you prefer a sharper flavor, substitute cider vinegar or white vinegar. The best way to get uniform slices? Use a mandoline.

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Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Credit: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Muffins

We transform the cinnamon roll into a portable muffin that's packed with whole grains, ribboned with nutty streusel, and topped with a tart-sweet yogurt glaze. Yeasted cinnamon rolls take hours. These speedy muffins are done in just 30 minutes. Keep leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days, or freeze up to 1 month.

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Banh Mi Bowls

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio
View Recipe: Banh Mi Bowls

We deconstruct the classic Vietnamese sandwich for a whole-grain bowl that's perfect for make-ahead lunches or dinner. Precooked brown rice takes the place of the traditional baguette. Our quick vegetables are ready in just 20 minutes. If you haven't pickled your own vegetables before, you'll be surprised by how easy it is. Not sure how to use the rest of the chile paste? Try tossing green beans with a couple teaspoons (along with honey, soy sauce, garlic, and canola oil) and roasting, spread a little on grilled cheese, or try it in our Hot and Sour Soup with Tofu.

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Burger Steaks with Mushroom Gravy, Sweet Potato Wedges, and Haricots Verts

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Burger Steaks with Mushroom Gravy, Sweet Potato Wedges, and Haricots Verts

Microwaving the potatoes gets them tender in minutes; roasting gets them the crispy edge we love. One package of poultry herbs includes just enough fresh sage, rosemary, and thyme, while packages of single herbs tend to spoil before they're used.

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Quinoa Bibimbop Bowls

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Quinoa Bibimbop Bowls

Jalapeno seeds add heat to the spicy-sweet beef mixture; remove the seeds and membranes before mincing for sensitive palates. Haricots verts are the snap bean's slender French cousin and cook in a couple of minutes for an easy side or crisp-tender stir-in for many dishes. Raw radishes are fine, but pickled, sautéed, or roasted is divine. You'll wonder how you ever did without them.

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Sheet Pan Swedish Meatballs

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio
View Recipe: Sheet Pan Swedish Meatballs

A big batch of meatballs transforms from comfort food tonight to global twists during the week. Pork adds richness, but you can use all beef if you prefer. If you won't be using the rest of the meatballs soon, freeze them in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months; thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. Serve this dish with mashed potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts for an easy dinner. Use leftovers on top of Banh Mi Bowls, or stuff them into pitas for a Greek-style sandwich.

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Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Radish and Green Bean Quinoa

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Lemon-Garlic Shrimp with Radish and Green Bean Quinoa

Radishes become tender and blushing pink when sautéed, a lovely addition to the quinoa. Move over, spuds and rice. Quick-cooking quinoa is a protein-packed whole grain that's the new everyday starch in your pantry. Red onion is pungent enough to hold its own, sturdy enough to add great crunch, and pretty enough to showcase.

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Lemon-Herb Risotto With Shrimp and Haricots Verts

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Lemon-Herb Risotto With Shrimp and Haricots Verts

Risotto requires no special technique, just the patience to keep stirring. Use a ladle to add liquid in even amounts. Sautéed fennel adds a touch of sweetness, but you can leave it out if you prefer and sprinkle on a little dill at the end instead. We pair this staff favorite with Grilled Balsamic Radicchio with Pine Nuts. Radicchio—that bitter, crunchy, scarlet and white vegetable Italians adore, becomes entirely different when roasted or grilled. Red and white-veined radicchio, like its chicory relatives endive and frisée, is loved and sometimes feared for its bitter edge. Tossed into a salad, radicchio is bright and assertive. Sautéed, grilled, or baked, its sharp character mellows. Its color deepens and the flavor turns mellow and nutty, with just a hint of bitterness remaining.

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Quinoa-Crusted Chicken Nuggets

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas
View Recipe: Quinoa-Crusted Chicken Nuggets

These crispy nuggets are worth nibbling—and a great way to use leftover quinoa. Kick the sauce up a notch with a dash of Sriracha, if you like. Garlic powder is great here, as it evenly distributes garlic flavor without having to worry about any mincing or the garlic burning in the oven. It's also important to chill the quinoa so that it adheres to the chicken. Rice flower keeps these nuggets gluten-free, but you can use whole-wheat or all-purpose instead.

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Pea, Tomato, and Bacon Gnocchi

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Pea, Tomato, and Bacon Gnocchi

Sweet peas, salty bacon, and slightly acidic tomatoes complete this colorful skillet main. Chop the bacon first, as we do, or cook whole slices until crisp, remove from the pan, and crumble. A faster alternative to pasta, gnocchi sear beautifully, meld well in a skillet sauté, and plump into tender pillows when added to soup.

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Pear-Prosciutto Toast

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Pear-Prosciutto Toast

We fancified the classic ham and cheesy sammy with prosciutto, Swiss, and pear. Fig preserves provide the can't-quite-place-it sweetness that elevates this toast; you can sub 1/2 teaspoon honey. The salty and sweet combination of pear and proscuitto creates a satisfying entrée with 14g of protein. Pair with one of our layered soups for a heartier meal. We can guarantee this kid-friendly staff favorite will be a hit when served as lunch or as a party appetizer. Put ripe fall pears to good use by savoring this seasonal fruit in cocktails, salads, and more, including our creative ideas for toast toppings.

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Provolone and Broccoli Rabe Beef Sliders

Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio
View Recipe: Provolone and Broccoli Rabe Beef Sliders

Pleasantly bitter broccoli rabe gives sliders a sophisticated edge and introduces a likely unfamiliar veggie in a delicious way. The Italian flavors of broccoli rabe and provolone cheese may sound like an unlikely combination but make for a truly great family-friendly meal. Simply seasoned with salt and pepper, paprika, and Worcestershire, these succulent sliders are flavorful enough to please both kids and parents. Use Broccolini for a milder flavor. To create a truly terrific burger use quality 93% lean ground sirloin and premium whole wheat buns. Lean ground sirloin and reduced-fat cheese help keep fat and calories in check.

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Miso Noodle Soup

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Miso Noodle Soup

This Japanese breakfast mainstay often served alongside eggs, pickles, rice, and fish also makes a quick and healthy lunch. You can throw it together in just 10 minutes for a dish that's low in sugar and calories. Brown rice noodles, mushrooms, and a hard-cooked egg make this vegetarian soup—and staff favorite—hearty and satisfying. That said, you could easily add meat if you like; leftover roast pork would be ideal. White miso gives a slightly sweet flavor to this Japanese soup, and we have plenty of uses for this versatile soybean paste packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals.

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