Quick

We developed this little sauce, so easily made, to serve on Seared Scallops (page 169). But it’s so good that soon we were drizzling it on plain vegetables, fish, and grains, too.

At Moosewood Restaurant, we’re always coming up with new bean spreads. Here’s a multipurpose, hummus-like spread, enhanced with rich creamy pine nuts, roasted red peppers, and fresh basil.

This beautiful sunset-red sauce with flecks of green herbs turns pasta, vegetables, potatoes, or fish into a work of art. Leftover sauce keeps in the refrigerator for a week or two.

A rendition of creamy white sauce—capers, herbs, and lemon make it different.

This pungent, quickly cooked sauce studded with olives and capers imparts the zesty flavors of southern France.

Cumin salt is a handy seasoning for all sorts of dishes. Crisp crudités are delicious dipped into it, or you can use it to season as you would plain salt. Sprinkle into scrambled eggs or on plain rice, potatoes, fish, corn on the cob, or sliced fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes and cucumbers.

Flavored butter can make plain food instantly interesting by enlivening it with the flavors of fresh herbs, ginger, citrus, chiles, or roasted garlic. Keep some in the freezer to use in cooking or at the table. Give an instant flavor boost to plain steamed vegetables, broiled or grilled fish, eggs, grains, pasta, corn on the cob, or mashed potatoes. Slather it on fresh bread, rolls, or biscuits.

We use this aromatic spice mix to flavor roasted vegetables and baked or grilled shrimp or fish.

A fresh curry powder that is mildly hot and packs a flavorful punch compared to commercial blends, which may sit on store shelves for months past their prime. Stir into butter or mayonnaise and use to flavor rice, roasted potatoes, or fish.

Refreshing and pretty, this sauce makes a tangy and colorful garnish for curries, stews, and soups.

Spruce up your favorite homemade or store-bought salsa.

Once you’ve made this easy Duck Sauce, you’ll never go back to store-bought!

This colorful chutney, better than any you can buy in a jar, adds a sweet-and-sour note to curries, baked tofu, or any spicy dish and can even put a new spin on that same old peanut butter sandwich.

Easy, no-fuss sauce for your favorite barbecue.

Crimson red with a bright fruit flavor, this chutney is a great condiment for all curries.

Who knew that putting together a robust little cocktail sauce was so easy? Plus it doesn’t have the corn syrup and flavor enhancers of commercially prepared sauce.

Homemade Russian Dressing can be made in minutes from stuff you probably have on hand, and its flavor is fresher and brighter than bottled.

Take a few minutes to turn mayonnaise into something special. Aioli is a flavorful topping for steamed vegetables of all types, potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, fish, and shrimp, as well as a dressing for a simple salad, a dip for artichokes—even a sandwich spread.