Rice & Grains

"I literally didn't know how to boil an egg until I was in my 20s — when I tried to impress a guy by making dinner for him," writes Sally Siegel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "I didn't have much success with the dinner or the guy, but I regrouped and put together a repertoire of fairly elegant dishes I felt confident making. Over the years, my cooking style has become more casual; I make dishes that are not too demanding, but still special for company."

A colorful one-dish meal with lots of flavor. If you like things spicy, use the larger amount of cayenne pepper.

A rich side dish for pork or lamb chops.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe is used to prepared Grilled Lemongrass Beef and Noodle Salad. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Portobello and button mushrooms, along with herbs and garlic, enhance a creamy dish-which has no cream.

(RISOTTO WITH PARMESAN)

Achiote paste is a combination of vinegar, spices and annatto seeds, which have a unique, earthy taste. Basting the turkey with butter and achiote yields a moist, richly flavored bird, and the slightly piquant sauce is a refreshing change of pace from traditional gravy. Offer your favorite mashed potatoes, and pour a Pinot Noir.

Barley replaces rice in this twist on the classic Italian risotto.