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To save time, use canned chickpeas instead of dried.

Brining the lamb before it is slowly braised results in flavorful meat.

If you think quinoa is only good for savory salads and pilafs, you're missing out. Pair it with steel-cut oats to amplify its hearty flavor. A little maple syrup brings out its sweet side.

Rösti is a large potato pancake made famous by the Swiss. This version omits the speck, but feel free to add a slice under the cheese. Chilling parboiled potatoes makes the grating step easier.

Tasty, and healthy, too: Coconut water is high in potassium and other electrolytes. And Flaxseeds are a good source of beneficial omega-3s.

This deeply savory tomato-based pasta sauce is flavored with garlic, red pepper flakes, and a mix of ground pork and hot (or sweet) Italian sausage. Use any short, tubular pasta you like.

Bonus points for serving one huge stack and making your family get all Jenga on it for seconds.

This one-pan shrimp dinner is just the thing for a busy weeknight when you want something warm, but also light and fresh.

"Pineapple is great for marinades; it lends amazing sweet-and-sour flavor and contains enzymes that help tenderize the meat." —Alison Roman, assistant food editor

For the ultimate nachos, layer tortilla chips with beer-braised carnitas, black beans, and shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack. Bake until the cheese is melty, then serve it with all your favorite toppings.

For this dish, balsamic vinegar adds the sweetness needed to balance the sharp flavor of red wine vinegar.

These dumplings are delicious with pomodoro sauce, or try them with brown butter and sage.

If you can't find fresh chorizo, use any fresh sausage. For less heat, choose a sweet (mild) Italian sausage.

Frittatas are excellent served warm or at room temperature, which means that this meatless main is a perfect do-ahead dish.

Chopped lemon pulp and peel are added to the couscous for a complex bittersweet flavor.

Although the Delta Queen's cooks enjoyed this dish made with leftover turtle, you can use just about any kind of meat. If you don't have leftovers, try boiling a less-tender cut of beef until tender and use the stock for the soup.

Don't say we didn't warn you! These hors d'oeuvre–size soft tacos will be gobbled up faster than you can say tinga de pollo. But no need to fear, because the recipe is easily doubled, which means you'll be tasting and toasting until the clock strikes midnight. Editor's Note: This recipe is part of Gourmet's Modern Menu for A New Years' Eve Pasrty. Menu also includes Turkish Spiced Meatballs with Pomegranate Yogurt Sauce and Parmesan Pepper Curly Kale Chips .