Simple Cooking

This vegetarian take on a classic uses brown rice instead of white, cannellini beans instead of ground beef, and an herby wine vinegar mixture instead of tomato sauce to fill roasted bell pepper halves.

Köfte (KAAF-tee) are Turkish meatballs, usually made with lamb, herbs, and spices. This vegetarian version is sure to become a weeknight standby. Try it with steamed carrots and a romaine-based salad.

On their own, scallops have a rich, sweet flavor. When topped with this bold balsamic sauce, they’re transformed into an extraordinary dish. Serve the scallops and vegetables over steamed rice and add a tossed salad with Sesame-Ginger Dressing (page 95) for a delectable dinner.

As these patties cook, the mozzarella cheese browns and creates a deliciously crisp crust. Prepare the sauce while the patties chill and let it stand at room temperature so the flavors blend.

The delicate crunch of snow peas and the burst of flavor from lemon zest add interesting surprises to this creamy dish.

Colorful and quick, this stir-fry is tossed in hoisin sauce and toasted sesame oil, then served over brown rice and garnished with chopped nuts.

You won’t need a separate pan to cook the spinach for this attractive dish. Just pour the pasta and cooking water over the spinach to blanch it. Quick and easy!

This recipe offers powerful nutrition, plus a pleasing mix of colors, shapes, and textures.

For a rainy-night supper, serve this “sunshine on a plate.”

Stir-fry fresh albacore tuna, plump sugar snap peas, and thin slices of green onions, carrot, and red bell pepper, then serve over brown rice.

Curry powder provides a Middle Eastern twist for homey tuna casserole. Using cornstarch and milk instead of a canned cream soup really cuts the sodium in this comfort-food dish.

Swiss chard and a Swiss-like (Jarlsberg) cheese combine to make a yummy crustless quiche. While it bakes, toss a salad to complete the meal.

Mild yet rich tasting, this easy-to-make dish gets a lot of Mediterranean flavor from the Greek seasoning blend and mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.

Bursting with Italian flavor, this frittata is equally at home at brunch or dinner.

A summery salsa tops these simply prepared trout fillets. If trout isn’t available, serve the salsa with any other sautéed or grilled fish or with shrimp.

Garlic-enhanced wilted spinach is the perfect accompaniment for tuna steaks seasoned with smoked paprika and oregano.

You’ll have time to do some stretches, go for a walk, and even begin to make a green salad while the tuna absorbs the flavors of an herby lemon juice mixture.

Creamy, cheesy polenta tops a chunky mixture of vegetables in this hearty casserole.

A simple citrus marinade is a perfect complement to trout’s delicate flavor. Whether you grill or broil the trout, you’ll love how easy it is to prepare this dish.

Using potatoes instead of tortilla chips as the base for beans, salsa, and other traditional nacho toppings helps you control your sodium intake. The potatoes are a good source of potassium, an important nutrient in helping lower blood pressure.