Chili without beans is as traditional as the popular bean-and-beef combo. But add pinto or red kidney beans (one 19-oz/540 mL can, drained and rinsed) if desired.
This quick version of a southern classic uses store-bought gnocchi instead of the traditional dumplings. Serve with a tossed salad and multigrain rolls or your favourite buttermilk biscuits.
Tiny quail eggs are dainty alternatives to large chicken eggs, especially when stuffed with this herb filling. Look for quail eggs in Asian or specialty food stores or farmer's markets. Garnish with fresh chervil, thinly sliced radishes or slivered cherry tomatoes — or, for a very special touch, top with a taste of caviar.
Canned corn, tuna, evaporated milk and dried pasta are always surefire items to keep on the pantry shelf. Here, they're baked together in a comforting casserole. Your favourite salsa on the side would add zing.
Toasting corn and beans brings out earthy flavours and transforms this dish into an exotic South American–style salad.
Kelp is an edible Pacific Ocean seaweed that grows in long, wide ribbons. Dried kelp comes whole or shredded. You'll find it at any Chinese, Japanese or Korean food store, as well as in some health food aisles. Szechuan, or Sichuan, peppercorns are the dried reddish brown berries of prickly ash and are used extensively in Chinese cooking. They are sold mainly at Chinese grocers and herbalists.
Jamie Hodgson, art director of The Hockey News, says this half-metre-long sandwich, pretzels and beer make a hat-trick combination. Assemble the sandwich ahead, then put it in the oven when guests arrive. Serve on a cutting board with a serrated knife for guests to cut off according to their appetites.
This mildly spiced dish gets a touch of sweetness from the plantains and sweet potatoes. Use green plantains because they are firm and will not fall apart during cooking. Serve over basmati rice.
Mushrooms add earthy flavour to this slow-cooked dish. Dried shiitakes are a good substitute for the porcini.
