Vegetarian

Impatience was the main reason I failed at searing tofu. For years, I had given in to the temptation to poke it, turn it, examine it, annoy it. Then I finally learned that, like any very moist ingredient (fish, mushrooms, tomatoes), the less you bother it, the browner and crisper it will get.

Depending on the size of your grill, you may have to cook the vegetables in multiple batches. When grilling more than one vegetable at a time, be prepared to take each off the grill as it is done cooking. 

This zesty mayo dip would also go well with sliced red bell peppers and celery sticks before dinner; it's amazing how many vegetables kids will eat when they're actually hungry.

Parmigiano-Reggiano adds salty, nutty richness to this ratatouille, which rivals the best oven versions. To speed preparation, feel free to skip the first step of salting and rinsing the eggplant and zucchini (this process draws off any bitter juices). Instead, just remove any particularly seedy and brown parts of the eggplant, or use smaller Japanese eggplants (which also do not need to be peeled). For pizzazz, add chickpeas and pitted, chopped oil-cured black olives.

 I found the recipe upon which this is based in Clifford A. Wright’s first cookbook, “Cucina Paradiso: The Heavenly Food of Sicily.” And it is heavenly. I love the way raisins or currants and saffron introduce a sweet element into the savory and salty mix.

In the authentic version of this frittata there is a lot more olive oil, as well as chopped hard-boiled eggs. This one is lighter and simpler. It is great for lunch or dinner and keeps well in the refrigerator.

The affinity that cauliflower has with black olives is seen throughout the Mediterranean, from Tunisia to Sicily to Apulia to Greece. This simple gratin from Sicily is traditionally made with green cauliflower, but the result is equally delicious and almost as pretty with the easier-to-obtain white variety.

Calling all vegetarians! This is by-far one of our most popular soups during the year. Our Asian Ginger Broth is a great, light soup that can be created to your likings with all the veggie toppings and any add-ons you want to include.

We offer sliced green onions, shredded carrots, chopped spinach, sliced mushrooms, wonton Strips and cubed tofu at our soup bar to mix in with the broth.

Apples, chestnuts, sage, and thyme make this a festive side dish that can also double as a substantial option for the vegetarian at your holiday table.

You can often find Brussels sprouts on the stalk at fall farmers’ markets. The extra work of delicately removing each tiny cabbage is worth the effort for these sweet rounds. Peel off and discard any damaged outer leaves, and halve the heads. Instead of boiling them, which leaves them mushy, roast them in a cast-iron skillet (or another heavy bottom pan) in a hot oven to char the outer layers, while the pale green centers remain pleasantly crunchy. Once tender, add shallot, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, sherry vinegar, and butter to make a sweet and sour glaze.