Dinner Tonight

Roast Beef Tenderloin With Port-Mushroom Sauce

2 teaspoons dried thyme
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (2 1/2 pound) center-cut beef tenderloin, trimmed
Cooking spray
4 teaspoons butter
12 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms
1 cup less-sodium beef broth
1/2 cup port or other sweet red wine
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water

Preheat oven to 350°. Combine thyme, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper; coat beef tenderloin with mixture. Heat a large ovenproof skillet with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook 2 minutes on 1 side until browned. Turn beef over.

Transfer skillet to oven; bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 125°. Transfer beef to a carving board; tent with foil and let stand 10 minutes (internal temperature will rise to 130° for medium-rare).

Meanwhile, melt butter in same skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and remaining salt; cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add broth and wine; simmer 8 minutes. Combine cornstarch and water; mix well. Stir into sauce; simmer 2 minutes or until slightly thick. Cut beef crosswise into 16 slices; transfer to serving plates and top with mushroom sauce. Makes 8 servings

Champion Chicken Parmesan

Tomato sauce:
1 ounce sun-dried tomatoes, packed without oil (about 1/4 cup)
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 cups chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped onion
2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced

Chicken:
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 (4-ounce) skinned, boned chicken breast halves
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon olive oil
Cooking spray
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
3 cups hot cooked linguine (about 6 ounces uncooked pasta)

To prepare tomato sauce, combine sun-dried tomatoes and water in a bowl; cover and let stand 30 minutes or until soft. Drain and finely chop tomatoes.

Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sun-dried tomatoes, bell pepper, and onion; sauté 7 minutes. Stir in canned tomatoes; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in parsley, basil, vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and garlic. Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare chicken, lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, Parmesan, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a shallow dish. Place each breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; flatten to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.

Dip each breast half in egg white; dredge in flour mixture. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 5 minutes on each side or until golden. Arrange in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour the tomato sauce over the chicken. Sprinkle with mozzarella. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Serve over linguine. Makes 4 servings

Apple-Glazed Pork Loin Roast with Apple-Ham Stuffing

Stuffing:
6 cups (1/2-inch) cubed white bread (about 8 slices)
1 tablespoon butter or stick margarine
1 1/4 cups diced ham (about 6 ounces)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped carrot
1/3 cup chopped celery
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 cups chopped Granny Smith apple (about 1/2 pound)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup apple juice

Roast:
3 pounds boned pork loin roast
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray
2/3 cup apple jelly
2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

Preheat oven to 400°. To prepare the stuffing, arrange bread cubes in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan. Bake at 400° for 6 minutes or until toasted; set aside. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

Add ham; sauté 4 minutes or until lightly browned. Add onion and next 5 ingredients (onion through garlic); cook over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until tender. Add apple, salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; cook 2 minutes. Add bread cubes and apple juice to stuffing mixture, stir gently. Set aside.

To prepare roast, trim fat from pork. Combine garlic powder and next 6 ingredients (garlic powder through 1/4 teaspoon pepper) in a small bowl; rub evenly over pork. Place pork on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray; insert meat thermometer into thickest portion of pork. Bake at 400° for 30 minutes.

Combine the jelly, ginger, and lemon rind in a small bowl. Brush jelly mixture over roast. Spoon the stuffing onto the broiler pan around pork. Cover with foil, and bake at 400° for 15 minutes; uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes or until thermometer reaches 155°, basting pork occasionally with jelly mixture. Cover and let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Makes10 servings (serving size: 3 ounces pork and 1/2 cup stuffing)

Chicken-Fried Steak

1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 (4-ounce) cube steaks
38 saltine crackers (1 sleeve), crushed
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons salt, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
4 3/4 cups milk, divided
2 large eggs
3 1/2 cups peanut oil
Garnish: chopped fresh parsley

Sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over steaks. Set aside. Combine cracker crumbs, 1 cup flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and red pepper.

Whisk together 3/4 cup milk and eggs. Dredge steaks in cracker crumb mixture; dip in milk mixture, and dredge in cracker mixture again.

Pour oil into a 12-inch skillet; heat to 360°. (Do not use a nonstick skillet.) Fry steaks 10 minutes. Turn and fry 4 to 5 more minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack on a jellyroll pan. Keep steaks warm in a 225° oven. Carefully drain hot oil, reserving cooked bits and 1 tablespoon drippings in skillet.

Whisk together remaining 1/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 4 cups milk. Pour mixture into reserved drippings in skillet; cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, 10 to 12 minutes or until thickened. Serve gravy with steaks and mashed potatoes. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired. Makes 4 servings

Beef-and-Green Onion Stir-Fry

1 1/2 bunches green onions
1 pound top round steak*
3 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
3 tablespoons lite soy sauce
1 medium-size red bell pepper, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
1 cup beef broth
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
Peanuts (optional)

Thoroughly wash green onions. Remove root ends and tips of onions; cut into 2-inch pieces. Place pieces in a large bowl. Cut steak across the grain into thin slices, and add to green onions in bowl. Sprinkle with 2 Tbsp. cornstarch and soy sauce, tossing to coat.

Sauté beef mixture and red bell pepper, in 2 batches, in hot vegetable oil and, if desired, sesame oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat 3 minutes or until beef is done and bell pepper is crisp-tender.

Whisk together beef broth, vinegar, red pepper flakes, and remaining 1 Tbsp. cornstarch. Add to beef mixture in skillet, and bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute or until thickened. Top with peanuts, if desired.

Note - 1 lb. skinned and boned chicken breasts may be substituted. Makes 4 servings

Beef Stew

1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 1/2 cups halved mushrooms (about 8 ounces)
2 cups diagonally cut carrot
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped onion
1 1/2 cups sliced celery
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup Cabernet Sauvignon or other dry red wine
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
2 (14.5-ounce) cans no-salt-added stewed tomatoes, undrained
2 bay leaves
1 (2 1/4-ounce) can sliced ripe olives, drained
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook 5 minutes, browning on all sides. Remove from pan. Add mushrooms and next 4 ingredients (mushrooms through garlic) to pan; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Return beef to pan. Stir in water and next 6 ingredients (water through bay leaves); bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour. Stir in olives, and cook for 30 minutes or until beef is tender. Discard bay leaves. Stir in vinegar. Sprinkle with parsley. Makes 6 servings

Sloppy Joes

3/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
3/4 pound ground round
2 cups no-salt-added tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
12 (1 1/2-ounce) rolls, split

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add first 3 ingredients; cook until beef is browned, stirring to crumble. Stir in tomato sauce and next 8 ingredients (tomato sauce through black pepper); reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Spoon 1/4 cup beef mixture over bottom half of each bun. Cover with top halves. Makes 12 servings

Easy Cheesy Kielbasa with Beans

1 pound ground chuck
1 large green bell pepper, diced
1 large onion, chopped
1 pound kielbasa sausage, thinly sliced
2 (10 3/4-ounce) cans tomato soup, undiluted
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (10-ounce) can diced tomato and green chiles, undrained
4 (16-ounce) cans pinto beans, undrained
4 (15-ounce) cans pork and beans, undrained
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese

Cook first 3 ingredients in a stockpot over medium-high heat, stirring until meat crumbles and is no longer pink. Remove from pot, and drain. Brown sausage in stockpot; drain and return to pot. Add ground chuck mixture, tomato soup, and next 6 ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes. Stir in cheese.

Note: To prepare in a slow cooker, brown ground chuck and sausage as directed. Place ground chuck mixture, sausage, and next 7 ingredients in a 5-quart slow cooker. Cook, covered, at low 8 to 10 hours. Stir in cheese just before serving. Makes 12 servings

Chinese-Style Stove-Top Pot Roast with Noodles

4 teaspoons peanut oil, divided
1 (2 1/2-pound) sirloin tip roast, trimmed
1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
5 cups fat-free, less-sodium beef broth
1/2 cup dry sherry
1/4 cup thinly sliced peeled fresh ginger
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
4 garlic cloves, crushed
3 star anise
2 cups sliced shiitake mushroom caps
2 cups (2-inch) julienne-cut carrot (about 2 large)
4 baby bok choy, halved lengthwise (about 1 3/4 pounds)
12 ounces fresh uncooked Chinese egg noodles
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sprinkle roast evenly with five-spice powder and salt. Add meat to pan; cook 5 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Add broth and next 6 ingredients (through star anise) to pan; bring to a simmer. Cover, reduced heat, and simmer 3 1/2 hours or until meat is tender. Remove meat from pan. Cover and keep warm.

Strain cooking liquid through a sieve over a bowl; discard solids. Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil in pan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and carrot to pan; sauté 5 minutes. Add bok choy and 4 cups reserved cooking liquid to pan. Cover and cook 5 minutes or until bok choy is tender.

Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain. Divide noodles evenly among 8 bowls. Shred the meat with 2 forks; arrange 3 ounces meat over each serving. Top each serving with 2 tablespoons vegetable mixture and 1/2 cup broth. Place 1 bok choy half on each serving; sprinkle each serving with 1 1/2 teaspoons green onions. Makes 8 servings

Chile con Queso

1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimiento, undrained
2 (4-oz.) cans roasted diced green chiles
1 cup cottage cheese
2 (16-oz.) loaves pasteurized prepared cheese product, cubed
1 (5-oz.) can evaporated milk
Assorted tortilla and corn chips
Toppings: grape tomato halves, pickled jalapeño slices

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add onion, and sauté until tender. Stir in diced pimiento and roasted green chiles, and sauté 1 minute. Set aside. Process 1 cup cottage cheese in blender until creamy.

Place onion mixture, cottage cheese, and cubed cheese in a 4-qt. slow cooker; stir in evaporated milk. Cover and cook on low 1 hour and 20 minutes, stirring gently every 20 minutes. Stir before serving. Serve with assorted tortilla and corn chips and desired toppings. Makes about 8 cups

Crab Cakes with Remoulade

Crab cakes:
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/2 pound lump crabmeat, shell pieces removed
1 (4-ounce) jar diced pimiento, drained
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg

Rémoulade:
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons milk
1 teaspoon capers, chopped
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 small garlic clove, minced

To prepare crab cakes, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Combine breadcrumbs, onions, crabmeat, and pimiento in a medium bowl. Combine mustard, juice, salt, and egg, stirring with a whisk.

Add egg mixture to crab mixture, tossing gently to combine. Divide crab mixture into 4 equal portions, shaping each into a 1-inch-thick patty. Add crab cakes to skillet; cook 2 minutes. Turn cakes; reduce heat to medium. Cook 3 minutes or until golden brown.

To prepare rémoulade, combine mayonnaise and remaining ingredients, stirring with a whisk. Serve with crab cakes. Maks 4 servings

Jamaican Chicken with Mango Salsa

1/2 teaspoon Jamaican jerk seasoning (such as Spice Islands)
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
Cooking spray
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 (16-ounce) jar sliced peeled mango, drained and chopped (such as Del Monte SunFresh)

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon of salt evenly over chicken. Coat chicken with cooking spray. Add chicken to pan; cook 4 minutes on each side or until done.

While chicken cooks, combine 1/4 teaspoon salt, cilantro, and remaining ingredients. Serve salsa with chicken. Makes 4 servings

Pressed Cubano with Bacon

1 teaspoon extravirgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
4 (3-ounce) Hawaiian rolls, sliced in half horizontally
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
8 (1/2-ounce) slices Swiss cheese, divided
4 bacon slices, cooked and halved
12 dill pickle slices
2 teaspoons minced fresh cilantro
6 ounces thinly sliced ham
2 ounces thinly sliced deli roasted turkey breast

Combine oil and garlic. Spread cut sides of rolls evenly with mustard. Place 1 cheese slice, 2 bacon halves, 3 pickle slices, and 1/2 teaspoon cilantro on bottom half of each roll. Divide ham and turkey evenly among bottom halves of rolls; top each serving with 1 cheese slice and top half of roll. Brush garlic oil evenly over outside of rolls.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 2 sandwiches to pan. Place a cast-iron or heavy skillet on top of sandwiches, and press gently to flatten. Cook 3 minutes on each side or until cheese melts and bread is toasted (leave cast-iron skillet on sandwiches while they cook). Repeat with remaining sandwiches. Makes 4 servings

Pan-Grilled Snapper with Orzo Pasta Salad

1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
Cooking spray
4 (6-ounce) red snapper fillets
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
1 1/2 tablespoons minced shallots
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons orange juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 1/2 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil

Cook pasta according to the package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and keep warm. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle fish evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Add fish to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness.

Combine remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/8 teaspoon pepper, shallots, parsley, lemon juice, orange juice, and mustard in a small bowl, stirring well. Slowly add olive oil, stirring constantly with a whisk. Drizzle the shallot mixture over pasta; toss well to coat. Makes 4 servings

Sirloin Steak with Dijon-Port Sauce

3 cups uncooked medium egg noodles
1 pound trimmed sirloin (about 1 inch thick)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray
1/2 cup port or other sweet red wine
1/4 cup minced shallots
1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
1/2 cup less-sodium beef broth
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain; keep warm. While noodles cook, heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle both sides of steak with salt and pepper. Lightly coat steak with cooking spray. Add steak to pan; cook 4 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Transfer meat to a platter; keep warm.

Add port to pan, scraping to loosen browned bits. Stir in shallots and garlic; cook 45 seconds, stirring frequently. Add beef broth; bring to a boil. Cook 20 seconds; remove from heat. Add mustard and thyme, stirring with a whisk. Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices. Serve steak and sauce with the pasta. Makes 4 servings

Chinese Five-Spice Steak with Rice Noodles

4 ounces uncooked wide rice stick noodles
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon five-spice powder
1 (1-pound) flank steak, trimmed and cut into 1/4-inch strips
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons minced green onions
2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
2 medium tomatoes, each cut into 6 wedges
2 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Cook noodles according to package directions. While noodles cook, combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, five-spice powder, and steak in a large bowl. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

Add minced green onions and garlic; saute 30 seconds. Add beef mixture; cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in tomato wedges, green onion pieces, and chopped basil; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Makes 4 servings

Cod Poached in Spicy Tomato Broth

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
1 cup water
3/4 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons capers
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
4 (6-ounce) cod fillets
10 kalamata olives, pitted and chopped

Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute or until lightly browned. Add water and next 4 ingredients (water through tomatoes); bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 2 minutes. Add fish; cover and simmer 5 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Top with olives. Makes 4 servings

Sirloin Steak and Pasta Salad

2 cups uncooked penne or mostaccioli (tube-shaped pasta)
1/4 pound green beans, trimmed
1 (3/4-pound) boneless sirloin steak, trimmed
1 tablespoon salt-free garlic-pepper blend (such as Spice Hunter)
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced red onion
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced red bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon extravirgin olive oil
1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled blue cheese

Preheat broiler. While the broiler preheats, bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a large Dutch oven. Add pasta; cook 5 1/2 minutes. Add beans, and cook 3 minutes or until pasta is done. Drain and rinse with cold water. Drain well.

Sprinkle steak with the garlic-pepper blend. Place on a broiler pan; broil 3 inches from heat 10 minutes or until desired degree of doneness, turning after 5 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices.

Combine onion and next 8 ingredients (onion through black pepper) in a large bowl. Add pasta mixture and beef slices; toss well to coat. Sprinkle with cheese. Makes 4 servings

Country-Fried Steak with Mushroom Gravy

3 tablespoons milk
2 large egg whites
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 (4-ounce) sirloin cubed steaks
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 2/3 cups frozen mashed potatoes (such as Ore Ida)
1 1/3 cups milk
2 cups mushrooms, quartered
2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (14-ounce) can beef broth

Combine 3 tablespoons milk and egg whites in a shallow dish, stirring with a whisk. Combine 1/3 cup flour and next 4 ingredients (1/3 cup flour through pepper) in a shallow dish. Working with 1 steak at a time, dip in egg mixture; dredge in flour mixture. Repeat procedure with remaining steaks, egg mixture, and flour mixture.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add steaks; cook 3 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove steaks from pan; keep warm. While steaks cook, prepare mashed potatoes according to package directions, using 1 1/3 cups milk. Keep warm.

Add mushrooms to pan; sauté 3 minutes. Combine 2 1/2 tablespoons flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and broth, stirring with a whisk. Add broth mixture to pan. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Spoon over steaks. Serve with mashed potatoes. Makes 4 servings

Broiled Flank Steak with Warm Tomato Topping

1 1/4 teaspoons ground cumin, divided
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 (1-pound) flank steak, trimmed
Cooking spray
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (about 1 tablespoon)
2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preheat broiler. Combine 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and red pepper; sprinkle evenly over steak. Place steak on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray; broil 10 minutes or until desired degree of doneness, turning once. Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and jalapeño to pan; cook 1 minute. Add remaining 1/4 teaspoon cumin, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and tomatoes to pan; cook 3 minutes or until tomatoes begin to soften. Remove from heat; stir in cilantro. Serve tomato topping with steak. Makes 4 servings

Pan-Fried Sole with Cucumber and Tomato Salsa

2 cups quartered cherry tomatoes
3/4 cup finely chopped cucumber
1/3 cup finely chopped yellow bell pepper
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons capers
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 (6-ounce) sole fillets, skinned

Combine first 8 ingredients in a bowl; stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle fish with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Add fish to pan; cook 1 1/2 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Serve with salsa. Mkes 4 servings

Meatloaf and Tomato Relish

Tomato Relish:
1 onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
2 red bell peppers, cored, seeded and finely diced
2 tomatoes, halved, seeded and finely diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 (12-ounce) bottle ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil

Meatloaf:
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
3 eggs
Leaves from 2 fresh thyme sprigs
3 slices white bread, crusts removed and torn into pieces
1/2 cup whole milk
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 350. Coat a skillet with a 2-count of oil and place over medium heat. Saute the onion, garlic and bay leaves for a few minutes to create a base flavor. Throw in the red peppers and cook them for a couple of minutes to soften.

Now add the tomatoes; adding them at this point lets them hold their shape and prevents them from disintegrating. Stir in the parsley, ketchup and Worcestershire; season with salt and pepper. Simmer the relish for 10 minutes to pull all the flavors together. Remove it from the heat; you should have about 4 cups of relish.

In a large mixing bowl soak the bread pieces in the whole milk. Set aside. In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with the ground pork and mix well. Squeeze out the milk from the bread and add the bread to mixing bowl.

Add the eggs, 1 cup of the tomato relish, and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Mix well with hands. To test, fry a small "hamburger" patty of the meatloaf until cooked; the patty should hold together but still have a soft consistency. Taste the patty for seasoning.

Take a small baking tray and line with parchment paper. Form the meat into a loaf shape on the tray and top with another 1/2 cup of the tomato relish.

Bake the meatloaf for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until the juices run clear and meat is tender -- it should spring back lightly when pressed. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it cool a bit before slicing. Serve with the remaining tomato relish on the side. Serves 6-8

Fettucini Diablo

1 box (16 oz) fettuccini
Kosher salt
Extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 dried red chiles (or equivalent in crushed red chile flakes)
1 can (28 oz) san marzano tomatoes
1/2 cup torn fresh basil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 cup of assorted pitted olives
3 sprigs thyme
1 bay leaf
Extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Salata ricotta for garnish

Begin with the sauce. Take a large skillet and add a 2-count of olive oil over medium heat. Once you get a shimmer, add the minced garlic and dried red chiles and cook for a minute until fragrant. Add the chopped onion, pitted olives, torn basil leaves, thyme and bay leaf then cook until translucent -- about 2-3 minutes.

Strain the san marzano tomatoes and hand crush into a separate bowl, than add to skillet. Bring to boil, turn heat to low and simmer, uncovered for 10 minutes.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil to cook the pasta. The salted water should taste like the sea. Cook the fettuccini al dente then drain and dump directly into the diablo sauce.

Use a ladle and add some of the pasta water to thin out the sauce if necessary. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with basil leaves and some shaved salata ricotta. Serves 4

Fish and Chips With Homemade Tartar Sauce

Vegetable oil, for deep frying
Rice flour for dredging
2 (8 ounce) haddock filets (or cod fish fillets) cut in 1/2 on an angle
4 large russet potatoes
1 3/4 cups rice flour
Rice flour for dredging filets
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1 bottle (12 ounce) beer, pale ale or lager works well

Tartar sauce:
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon capers, chopped
1 tablespoon cornichons, chopped
2 tablespoons flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon tarragon, finely chopped
1/2 lemon, juiced
Lemon wedges, for serving

Preheat oven to 350. Bake potatoes on a tray in hot oven for 30-45 minutes -- until knife-tender. This can be done the night before or ahead of time. Cut each potato into 6 or 8 wedges depending on the size.

Heat 3 inches of oil in a deep fryer or a deep pot. Begin by frying half the wedges at a time for 4 to 5 minutes until crispy and brown. Take out and drain.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the rice flour, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center and gradually pour in the beer whilst whisking to combine the dry ingredients and forming a smooth batter. Spread the rice flour for dredging on a plate. Dredge the fish pieces in the rice flour and then dip them into the batter, letting the excess drip off.

Submerge the battered fish into the bubbling oil for 4 to 5 minutes until crispy and brown. Remove and drain the fish with the chips on paper towels; season lightly with salt.

Serve wrapped in a newspaper cone with lemon wedges and/or tartar sauce.

To prepare the tartar sauce, combine all tartar sauce ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Makes about 1-1/4 cups. Chill before serving to let the flavors combine. Serve with fish and chips and some fresh lemon wedges. Serves 6

Tuna Stuffed Shells

18 jumbo pasta shells
1 can (6 oz) light tuna in oil, well drained
1 cup fresh white bread crumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 large egg
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of celery soup
1/2 cup milk
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan
Paprika (optional)

Heat oven to 350°. Use an 11 x 7-in. baking dish lightly coated with nonstick spray. Boil pasta as package directs until just firm-tender. Meanwhile mix tuna, bread crumbs, onion, egg, half the parsley and the lemon juice to blend.

Drain pasta shells. Rinse gently to cool; drain. Fill each shell with 1 Tbsp tuna mixture. Place in prepared dish.

Whisk soup and milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until hot. Remove from heat; stir in remaining parsley. Pour evenly over shells. Sprinkle with cheese and paprika. Bake and serve or cover with foil and refrigerate up to 1 day. To serve: Bake 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serves 6