Declaring this a light dish, would certainly be a misnomer, but compared to most macaroni and cheese or alfredo dishes, it’s undoubtedly lighter. Using a combination of buttermilk and sharp cheeses, imparts a lot of tangy flavor with a little less fat.And of course, including the brassicas not only lightens the calories but also adds contrasting flavor and texture. Butter can certainly be subbed for the olive oil for a more purist mac and cheese experience, but I like the depth of flavor that I get from olive oil.
CHILI QUICHE
BROCCOLI QUICHE
Give your holiday leftovers a makeover! Chunks of random cheese? Small rations of veggies? A couple of sprigs of tarragon ordinarily destined to die a slow death? Even that carton of cream can have a new purpose. Quiche it! Just pull out the scale and load it up with varying bits of cheddar, swiss, and gouda until you have about 4 oz for your pie. Substitute the broccoli for whatever veggies you have from your feast- any combination of cauliflower, brussel sprouts, peas, and such will do. With leftover veggies, you can toss them right in and skip the steaming. And feel free to use half-n-half instead of the milk or replace half of the milk with cream. Bake it up and avert leftover ennui!
Mushroom Bourguignon Pot Pie
The the mushrooms’ earthiness collaborates with the toasted flour and brown butter to deliver a deeply flavored bourguigon without the beef. This recipe requires a few steps, especially if you’re making your own crust… But consider making big batches of the filling and freezing it using the method for freezing soup. When ready, thaw the filling, assemble, and bake!
ASPARAGUS SAGE QUICHE
This pie takes full advantage of spring's bounty- a lot of asparagus and a little fresh sage! With its combination of milk, eggs, and cheese, quiche is calorie rich yet nutritious. Make it a little lighter by using skim milk or rush into decadence and replace half the milk with cream. And don't forget to serve with a side salad.
RED ENCHILADA SAUCE
A quick and easy red sauce to pair with your favorite Mexican inspired dishes. Try on poblanos, enchiladas, or with enchilada casseroles!
Polenta Stuffed Poblanos
GREEN ENCHILADA SAUCE
Unripened green tomatoes are a pragmatic substitute for tomatillos in green enchilada sauces and salsas. Because green tomatoes are more readily available here in the Northeast, I use green tomatoes almost exclusively. Come fall, instead of composting those seemingly hopeless unripe tomatoes, use them as a tomatillo substitute. Or can them, like red tomatoes, for later use.
WINTER IS COMING VEGETARIAN LASAGNA
Smoked mozzarella, fennel seed, and mixed mushrooms impart a "meaty" flavor otherwise absent in vegetarian lasagnas. Because this dish is a guest favorite, it's often featured at my Game of Thrones watch parties.
I love shiitakes in this recipe, but mix and match mushrooms as you see fit. If you have the time, try making the pasta and/or the ricotta cheese. Because fresh pasta readily absorbs the sauce, dried pasta really is dull by comparison. The casserole can be made in advance and freezes beautifully.
FRESH RICOTTA
Fresh ricotta is ridiculously simple to make, and the result is a delicately creamy flavor with which its store bought counterpart cannot compare. For almost every application, you're going to want to use vinegar as the acid. If you're pairing your ricotta with a cream based sauce or dessert, however, using lemon juice may be appropriate.
MUSHROOM & ONION QUICHE
SUMMER SQUASH & SAGE POT PIE
Browned butter and toasted flour impart an autumnal flavor into this savory pie. Zucchini, yellow squash, or patty pans all work. If you still have a bunch from your harvest, consider freezing the filling, using the method for freezing soup, and thaw & pour into a crust later.
ENCHILADA CASSEROLE WITH SUMMER SQUASH
Eggplant parmesan meet the enchilada! This recipe is full-on fussy, especially if you're breading and frying your squash in addition to making the enchilada sauce from scratch. But this is a great dish for using up that summer squash and zucchini. If you have eggplant, use them instead. If you have some breaded squash or eggplant in the freezer, that eliminates a big step. The components can be made in advance and assembled the next day. A great dish for party buffets!
WHOLE WHEAT PIE CRUST
SUMMER SQUASH PARMESAN
This twist on a parmesan casserole takes advantage of your harvest but doesn't leave you hovering over a hot stove. Let your oven do the work for this no breading, no fry, and sauce-free recipe. Broil your squash; prepare the tomatoes, basil, and cheese while you wait. Assemble the casserole and bake!