International

Grilled chicken salad with fruits and nuts

Cubes of marinated chicken grilled to perfection, sweet seedless grapes, chunks of fresh pineapple and toasted pecans are tossed in mayo, sour cream and a tiny drizzle of lime juice.

Cook time: 20

Servings: 3 people

Slow cooker bone marrow soup

With meagre meat and only scallions for greens, this slow cooker bone marrow soup is essentially bone broth served with the bone so that the marrow can be scooped out with a spoon for optimal experience.

Cook time: 12

Servings: 3 people

Lemon garlic mushrooms over mock saffron rice

A vegetarian dish, fresh mushrooms are substituted for meat to add bulk, flavor and texture to a meatless meal.

Cook time: 15

Servings: 4 people

Beef stew rice bowl

Browned beef, bacon, chorizo, herbs, spices and vegetables go into the slow cooker where the magic happens. To serve, rice is scooped in a shallow bowl, topped with the beef stew and drizzled generously with the rice sauce.

Cook time: 8

Servings: 4 people

Cauliflower, fried rice style

Some food bloggers call it cauliflower fried rice although there is no rice in this dish. Instead, chopped or grated cauliflower is substituted for rice for a low-carb side dish.

Cook time: 10

Servings: 4 people

Chicken and broccoli pasta with garlic butter cream sauce

Butter, cream, garlic, chicken and pasta. What’s not to like? The recipe is easy; it’s hard to mess up with this chicken broccoli pasta unless you start scrimping on the ingredients. Because that’s where the magic lies — the freshest chicken, the freshest broccoli and copious amounts of butter and cheese. No scrimping allowed

Cook time: 10

Servings: 2 people

Grilled skewered shiitake, bell pepper and tomato

Whole caps of shiitake, chunks of bell pepper and diced tomatoes are tossed in olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper (yes, essentially a salad dressing), skewered and grilled over charcoal.

Too plain? The smoky flavor and aroma will surprise you.

Cook time: 5

Servings: 3 people

Spinach and cheese breakfast muffins

Combine all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, throw in scallions and spinach, stir in cheeses — cheddar for sharpness and pepper Jack for bite — and you have a delicious breakfast. They're great for afternoon tea too.

Cook time: 25

Servings: 12 medium muffins