Better Homes & Gardens April 2009 Recipes

For a fresh spin on the classic meat-and-potatoes dinner try this quick braise featuring asparagus, new potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, and a couple of chicken thighs for flavor.

Paella is a one-pan feast from Spain. Our spring version includes chopped shrimp, sugar snap peas, and sweet peppers. To save money, use turmeric instead of saffron, the spice traditionally used to make this dish.

Ideal for brunch or dinner, this dish features a combination of fried shredded potatoes, zucchini, and carrot topped with a slow-cooked egg. Drizzle white wine vinegar and Dijon mustard on top before serving.

Orzo, herbs, and Italian sausage make a hearty filling for bell peppers, which are simmered in carrot juice to enhance their natural sweetness. Save time by cooking the orzo and peppers in the same Dutch oven.

Cumin, cinnamon, and ginger coat beef cubes in this Moroccan-inspired skillet dinner. Dried cherries and apricots soak up garlicky pan juices. This recipe calls for Israeli couscous, also known as pearl couscous, but substitute regular couscous if you like.

This quiche features a cinnamon bread crumb crust and savory-sweet topping of fresh berries and crisp bacon. Save time by baking the crust the day before your brunch and storing it at room temperature.

A colorful mix of lettuce and fresh herbs are tossed with a lemony sour cream dressing, creating the perfect spring salad.

Topped with coarse sugar, these hearty cornmeal scones make the perfect breakfast bread or dinnertime side dish.

Sharp tomatoes, cooked down with sugar and a hint of spices, soften into a sweet, spreadable jam. Serve it with savory scones, such as our Crisp Cornmeal Scones (see previous slide).

These teeny sliders are anything but ordinary -- and they only take 20 minutes to make. Slices of pork tenderloin are dredged in chopped pecans and pan-seared to golden brown perfection. Spoonfuls of creamy broccoli slaw make a delicious topper.

Mashed black beans are tossed with a corn muffin mix and salsa, then lightly fried -- creating a hearty meatless meal with a Tex-Mex twist. Chili powder adds a touch of heat to the sour cream topping.

A topping of garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, green olives, and feta cheese dresses up pan-fried red snapper. Complete the meal with a side of couscous or pasta.

By starting with a deli-roasted chicken, you can whip up this Thai-inspired soup in minutes. Fresh cilantro and lime brighten it up.

Ravioli, fresh vegetables, and cheese are layered and baked together to create a quick and easy lasagna-inspired casserole.

Slow cooked in a savory broth, Scott Peacock's flavorful chicken and silken dumplings are a homemade treat well worth the extra effort.

This colorful veggie dish is not only delicious -- it's good for you, too. It calls for peanut oil, which, with its high proportion of monounsaturated fats, can help lower cholesterol.

You can toss our Olive Oil-Tomato Vinaigrette -- packed with good-for-you poly- and monounsaturated fats -- with ravioli and just-wilted spinach for a quick-to-fix dinner that's both healthy and hearty.

We've given classic carrot cake a healthier makeover -- without losing a bit of its luscious flavor. Canola oil has less fat but keeps the cake moist, while flax seed meal cuts down on fat and calories.

Featuring a crunchy bread crumb topping and creamy cheese filling, this salmon recipe is elegant enough for special occasions but easy enough to make on busy weeknights.

A zesty Asian-style marinade and glaze add a burst of flavor to salmon filets. A mixture of cilantro, jalapeno peppers, and green onions add bright spring color.

Featuring old-fashioned cream soda, a browned butter icing, and a crunchy toffee topping, these cupcakes are hard to resist.

Chipotle adds a subtle kick to these luscious cupcakes, while coffee crystals enhance their chocolaty goodness.