Chimichurri is the star salsa of the Argentine grill, but the lesser known salsa criolla was my favorite when I visited that country. Full of onions, red peppers, and herbs, the mixture is a light but intensely flavorful condiment for grilled steak.
A simple baked French toast that won't have you slaving over a hot stove. An orange batter and caramel pecan coating make this baked French toast so delicious, you won't need any syrup.
Spunky Cajun seasoning, velvety black beans and colorful vegetables keep this Cajun-Seasoned Vegetarian Gumbo lively, loaded and interesting. There's plenty of saucy liquid to flavor accompanying rice.
Italian ragus tend to be long-simmered dishes, but a French ragout is a quicker affair, a thick, cheesy stew. Tossed over pasta, this one is a true fusion, a halfway point between ragu and ragout.
In this dish, tofu "cutlets" are dredged and sauteed as you would a chicken breast or fish fillet. Try the technique using any of your favorite pan sauces.
Gourmet meal that's on your table in 30 minutes. The result was this dish and it's superb. If you don't have fresh thyme, I'd suggest using 1/2 tsp dried in it's place. And if you cannot find Asiago cheese, Romano or Parmesan is a decent substitute.
This bark makes a lovely holiday gift from the kitchen. Fill a plate or cup with candy, then gather up clear cellophane around it and tie with red and green ribbons. —Susan Wacek, Pleasanton, California
