Betsy Nelson

Croquettes are very simple to make, and they’re a great vehicle for leftover tidbits, such as chopped olives, cheese, sausage, ham or minced cooked veggies.

Pairing a high-quality jarred curry sauce with your favorite protein and veggies makes dinner a snap!

Almost as easy as opening a can — and far more enjoyable. This version amps up the flavor by using coconut milk instead of cream.

Hearty salads made with grains and beans are a great way to use your pantry. Get creative, and let your palate be your guide. Try experimenting with other grains, such as quinoa or brown rice, and a variety of veggies.

These fish cakes are traditionally made with raw fish that has been ground up, flavored with spices and fried. This recipe calls for canned salmon, but sardines, mackerel or kippers are perfectly tasty substitutions.

This fresh, Mediterranean-inspired salad is endlessly adaptable. Try adding canned artichoke hearts, olives, capers, feta cheese or cucumbers.

The perfect brunch dish hits an Indian-inspired note. Not a tofu fan? Scramble up a few eggs instead.

To turn this hearty main dish into a side dish, cut out the sausage completely or include only half the amount.

This tangy stir-fry is a great way to enjoy abundant summer tomatoes. Try with pork, beef, chicken, tempeh or tofu.

It may sound like a strange combination, but this earthy version of the traditional Sicilian dish Pasta con le Sarde has a delightful flavor and texture. It can also be prepared with fresh fennel bulb instead of cauliflower, or by adding crushed tomatoes, tomato paste or pine nuts.

It’s easy to customize this luscious dish. Substitute diced peppers or sautéed mushrooms for the tomatoes and scallions, try different herbs such as chives or marjoram, or add a little grated cheese on top of the cream.

This fresh and vibrant slaw is a great way to serve asparagus in its natural state, and is excellent with fish or seafood. Feel free to experiment with various herbs, such as mint, cilantro or parsley.

This soup is very quick to prepare and can also be made with chicken, pork or beef. Add a handful of chopped baby bok chou, Napa cabbage or kale if you want more greens.

A quick side dish that can be adapted in so many ways. Try a different combination of citrus, nuts and cheese, such as orange zest, pistachio and Pecorino. For a cheeseless version, try lime zest, almonds and fine shredded coconut.

A light stir-fry that showcases the delicate flavor of asparagus. Make it a heartier meal by adding tofu, meat or seafood.

This salad subs cabbage for Romaine, creating a nice twist on the classic Caesar. Any variety of kale would also work well. For a heartier salad, try adding cannellini beans or chickpeas.

Made with sardines or kippers, these satisfying fish cakes make a nice meal when paired with a green salad.

Adding refried beans helps make this soup thicker and richer in flavor. To make an even heartier dish, add chicken, chorizo or andouille sausage.

This fresh summer salad can be prepped the day before, but toss the salad ingredients with the dressing right before serving for the freshest taste. Try adding 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper for more color. If you can’t find Thai basil, use regular basil. If you don’t care for fish sauce, substitute tamari or soy sauce.