Cheese
Spinach and Feta-Stuffed Potatoes
This recipe gives potatoes a Greek-flavored spin. It’s delicious with Warm or Cold Tomato and White Bean Soup (page 15).
Broccoli and Cheddar-Stuffed Potatoes
This is a great main dish for kids and teens who have a taste for broccoli. This one’s a family favorite, because we all like broccoli so much. For an easy meal, serve with tossed salad and corn on the cob.
Mushroom-Stuffed Potatoes
A small amount of light cream cheese gives these stuffed potatoes a rich flavor. Serve them with a big tossed salad with chickpeas or black-eyed peas, and some steamed green beans or asparagus.
Eggplant Parmigiana Wraps
Here’s an enjoyable way to serve a modified version of eggplant Parmigiana that’s lighter than the more customary eggplant hero sandwich.
Goat Cheese and Red Pepper Wraps
Soft goat cheese is a splendid spread for wraps, with a special affinity for red peppers.
Salsa Verde Goat Cheese Wraps
Look for tomatillo salsa shelved near the standard tomato-based salsas. It’s a nice change of pace for serving with tortilla specialties.
Mushroom, Spinach, and Cheddar Wraps
Spinach and mushrooms are nicely flavored with sharp cheddar in these delectable wraps.
Mushroom and Bell Pepper Quesadillas or Soft Tacos
A lighter tortilla dish, this is good served with a hearty grain pilaf or a bean dish.
Avocado and Ricotta Soft Tacos
I opted to make these only as soft tacos, as the filling is a bit too sensuous (a polite word for “messy”) for quesadillas. This is definitely a knife-and-fork dish.
Sweet Potato Quesadillas or Soft Tacos
The combination of sweet potatoes, chilies, and cheese is downright sensuous. Serve with Summer Squash and Corn Sauté (page 209) and a simple tossed salad.
Refried Bean and Corn Quesadillas or Soft Tacos
Here are those handy refried beans again, in a different guise. They help hold this tortilla specialty together.
Tortilla Flat
I always keep a can or two of refried beans in the pantry and flour tortillas in the freezer for those nights when I am on the verge of reaching for a take-out menu. Even if you are bone-weary by dinnertime, these two ingredients are the ticket to nearly effortless yet highly satisfying meals such as this one and the following burritos.
Green Pea and Black Olive Pizza (White or Red)
Briny olives and sweet green peas have a pleasant synergy that results in a delicious pizza topping.
Artichoke, Green Pea, and Cheddar Pizza
Cheddar cheese is a pleasing change of pace from the usual mozzarella.
Asparagus and Red Pepper Pizza (White or Red)
See the accompanying menu for a pizza meal that celebrates spring.
Mexican Pizza
Layer on the Southwestern flavors in this playful pizza variation. Serve with a tossed salad and stone-ground tortilla chips. This tastes best with sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack, but use reduced-fat cheddar if you prefer.
“Pepperoni” Pizza
Soy “pepperoni” has a convincing flavor, but not the greasiness of its meaty counterpart. Predictably, it’s low in fat (and sometimes fat-free) and a terrific way to jazz up a homemade pizza. This makes a fun meal for kids and teens with any of the smoothies on pages 245 to 246.
Mushroom and Smoked Mozzarella Pizza (White or Red)
Pizza goes gourmet with the use of smoky mozzarella and tasty mushrooms. Like a number of the other pizzas in this chapter, this one makes a complete meal with the addition of a big salad and fresh fruit or a fruity dessert from Chapter Eleven.
Two-Onion Pizza
With this luscious treat, you’ll need only a bountiful tossed salad (and perhaps a steamed green vegetable—broccoli is a nice addition) to make a delightful meal.
Roasted Red Pepper and Artichoke Pizza (White or Red)
Roasted peppers and artichokes give this easy pizza a touch of elegance.