6 large baking potatoes
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
6 slices turkey bacon, cooked until crisp, chopped
1 medium tomato, diced
2 tablespoons sliced green onions
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 450 F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

Scrub potatoes and prick each several times with a fork. Microwave uncovered on high until tender, about 10 minutes. Remove the potatoes from the microwave and place on a wire rack to cool. When cool to the touch, cut each potato in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch of the flesh attached to the skin.

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, chili powder and hot sauce. Brush the olive oil mixture on the insides of the potato skins. Cut each half of the potato skin in half again crosswise. Place the potatoes onto the baking sheet.

In a small bowl gently mix together the turkey bacon, tomato and onions. Fill each potato skin with this mixture and sprinkle each with cheese.

Bake until the cheese is melted and the potato skins are heated through, about 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

4 large portobello mushrooms
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup pineapple juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger, peeled
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Directions:

Clean mushrooms with a damp cloth and remove their stems. Place in a glass dish, stemless (gill) side up.

To prepare the marinade, in a small bowl whisk together the vinegar, pineapple juice and ginger. Drizzle the marinade over the mushrooms. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for about 1 hour, turning mushrooms once.

Prepare a hot fire in a charcoal grill or heat a gas grill or broiler. Away from the heat source, lightly coat the grill rack or broiler pan with cooking spray. Position the cooking rack 4 to 6 inches from the heat source.

Grill or broil the mushrooms on medium heat, turning often, until tender, about 5 minutes on each side. Baste with marinade to keep from drying out. Using tongs, transfer the mushrooms to a serving platter. Garnish with basil and serve immediately.

1 large eggplant (aubergine), about 1 1/2 pounds
1 teaspoon mustard seed
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
Pinch of ground ginger
Pinch of ground nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved, or 1 cup tomato sauce
1 tablespoon light molasses
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (fresh coriander)

Directions:

Prepare a hot fire in a charcoal grill or preheat a gas grill or broiler. Away from the heat source, lightly coat the grill rack or broiler pan with cooking spray. Position the cooking rack 4 to 6 inches from the heat source.

Trim the eggplant and cut lengthwise into slices about 1/4-inch thick. Arrange the slices on the rack or broiler pan and grill or broil, turning once, until the eggplant is tender and browned, about 5 minutes on each side. Set aside and keep warm.

In a small bowl, combine the first 7 spices. In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add the spice mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for about 30 seconds. Quickly add the onion and saute until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes, molasses, garlic and vinegar. Cook the sauce, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 4 minutes. Season with the salt and pepper.

Transfer the eggplant to a warmed serving dish or individual plates, pour the sauce over, and garnish with the cilantro.

2 medium russet potatoes
Butter-flavored cooking spray
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 F.

Wash the potatoes and pierce with a fork. Place in the oven and bake until the skins are crisp, about 1 hour.

Carefully — potatoes will be very hot — cut the potatoes in half and scoop out the pulp, leaving about 1/8 inch of the potato flesh attached to the skin. Save the pulp for another use.

Spray the inside of each potato skin with butter-flavored cooking spray. Press in the rosemary and pepper. Return the skins to the oven for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

1/2 small head cauliflower, cut into florets
2 cups broccoli, cut into florets
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped

Methods:

1. Steam broccoli and cauliflower until tender (about 10 minutes).
2. In a small saucepan, mix the lemon juice, oil, and garlic, and cook over low heat for 2 or 3 minutes.
3. Put the vegetables in a serving dish. Pour the lemon sauce over the vegetables. Garnish with parsley.

3 cups water
1 cube vegetable bouillon, low sodium
2 cups white potatoes, cut in 2-inch strips
2 cups carrots, sliced
4 cups summer squash, cut in 1-inch squares
1 cup summer squash, cut in 4 chunks
1 15-oz can sweet corn, rinsed and drained (or 2 ears fresh corn, 1 1/2 cups)
1 tsp thyme
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 stalk scallion, chopped
1/2 small hot pepper, chopped
1 cup onion, coarsely chopped
1 cup tomatoes, diced

Methods:

1. Heat water and bouillon in a large pot and bring to a boil.
2. Add potatoes and carrots to the broth and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Add the remaining ingredients except for the tomatoes and continue cooking for 15 minutes over medium heat.
4. Remove 4 chunks of squash and purée in blender.
5. Return puréed mixture to pot and let cook for 10 minutes more.
6. Add tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes.
7. Remove from flame and let sit for minutes to allow stew to thicken.

3 cups water
1/4 lb smoked turkey breast, skinless
1 Tbsp hot pepper, freshly chopped
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp cloves, ground
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 tsp thyme
1 stalk scallion, chopped
1 tsp ginger, ground
1/4 cup onion, chopped
2 lbs greens (mustard, turnip, collard, kale, or mixture)

Methods:

1. Place all ingredients except greens into large saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Prepare greens by washing thoroughly and removing stems.
3. Tear or slice leaves into bite-size pieces.
4. Add greens to turkey stock.
5. Cook 20 to 30 minutes until tender.

2 cups frozen lima beans
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup fennel, cut in strips (4 oz)
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
4 cups leaf spinach, washed thoroughly
1 Tbsp distilled vinegar
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp raw chives

Methods:

1. Steam or boil lima beans in unsalted water approximately 10 minutes. Drain.
2. In a skillet, sauté onions and fennel in oil.
3. Add the beans and stock to the onions, cover, and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Stir in the spinach. Cover and cook until spinach has wilted, about 2 minutes.
5. Stir in the vinegar and pepper. Cover and let stand for 30 seconds.
6. Sprinkle with chives and serve.

1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes
1 medium onion, sliced
1/2 lb fresh green beans, sliced
1/2 lb fresh okra, cut into 1/2-inch pieces or
3/4 C 1/2 10-oz pkg frozen okra
3/4 C finely chopped green pepper
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp chopped fresh basil, or 1 tsp dried basil, crushed
1-1/2 tsp chopped fresh oregano leaves, or 1/2 tsp dried oregano, crushed
3 medium (7-inch long) zucchini, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 medium eggplant, pared and, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Methods:

1. Drain and coarsely chop tomatoes. Save liquid. Mix together tomatoes and reserved liquid, onion, green beans, okra, green pepper, lemon juice, and herbs. Cover and bake at 325º F for 15 minutes.
2. Mix in zucchini and eggplant and continue baking, covered, 60-70 more minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir occasionally.
3. Sprinkle top with parmesan cheese just before serving.

1 lb fresh or frozen green beans, cut in 1-inch pieces
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 large yellow onion, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp fresh parsley, minced

Methods:

1. If using fresh green beans, cook green beans in boiling water for 10-12 minutes or steam for 2-3 minutes until barely fork tender. Drain well. If using frozen green beans, thaw first.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet. Sauté onion until golden.
3. Stir in green beans, salt and pepper. Heat through.
4. Toss with parsley before serving.