181 easy optional Recipes

red lentils, garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped, peeled fresh ginger, 1 inch square and 1/8 inch thick, chopped fresh coriander (cilantro), ground turmeric, cayenne pepper (optional), salt, lemon juice, vegetable oil (original recipe says three tbsp) or 2 tbsp ghee (original recipe says three tbsp), ground asafetida powder, whole cumin seed, lemons (optional) or lime wedge, to serve (optional)

tomato juice, hamburger, browned & drained, onion, chopped (or onion powder), brooks chili hot beans (or similar, i may be off on can size, guessing here...get a small can), spaghetti (in tomato sauce with cheese), salt & pepper, chili powder (optional) or cayenne pepper, for spice (optional)

vegetable oil, cider vinegar, sugar, prepared mustard, celery seed, salt, black pepper, coleslaw mix or 16 oz cabbage, shredded, sunflower seeds (optional) or 2 tbsp sliced almonds (optional)

pasta sauce, divided, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, shredded, parmesan cheese, grated, egg, beaten, italian seasoning (optional) or 1 tsp garlic powder (optional), cannelloni tubes, cooked (i always use fresh-made manicotti or cannelloni crepes shells), cooked chicken, shredded (optional)

red enchilada sauce, cooked shredded beef (optional) or 1 1/2 cups chicken (optional), shredded mozzarella cheese, flour tortillas or 6 corn tortillas

cream cheese, softened, canned fruit, chilled, white wine (optional) or sparkling water (optional), cinnamon , nutmeg or allspice

granny smith apples (cored and cut in 2cm cubes ), dried mango powder (aamchur, available in indian spice shops), tamarind extract, chili powder, whole green chili (optional for more heat ), cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, butter, gingerroot (fresh, grated ), salt, pecan nuts, broken

flour, rolled oats, sugar, brown, walnuts (optional) or 1/2 cup pecans, chopped (optional), salt, butter, dates, pitted and chopped, sugar, brown, water, vanilla extract

chicken broth , 1 can, eggs, cornstarch (optional), salt (optional) or onion (optional), green onion, chopped

vegetable oil, onion, chopped, fresh curry leaves (optional) or 10 curry powder, minced fresh ginger, minced garlic, ground coriander, salt, ground turmeric, tomato, finely chopped, ground red chili pepper, shrimp, peeled and deveined, water (or less if adding frozen cooked shrimp), garam masala, chopped fresh cilantro

vegetable oil, yellow onion, diced, fresh okra , cut lengthwise and then crosswise into 4 pieces (or any other veggie, chopped), garlic cloves, sliced (use less if you prefer ), chopped cooked chicken (if raw, cook with the veggies) or 2 cups cooked turkey (if raw, cook with the veggies), white mushrooms, cut into quarters (or any other veggie, chopped), diced tomatoes , with juice, fresh ginger, peeled and grated, hot green chili peppers (optional) or 2 -3 jalapenos, chopped (optional), mild curry powder, salt, black pepper or 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, your choice, water, garam masala (optional), steamed cooked basmati rice

vegetable broth or 4 cups chicken broth, butter, onion, chopped, garlic cloves, chopped, frozen peas, salt & pepper, dried herbs (like mint, dill or marjoram), nutmeg, sour cream (optional) or 1 tbsp yogurt (optional)

catsup, water, cider vinegar, sugar, worcestershire sauce, salt, celery seed, ground red pepper (optional) or bottled hot pepper sauce, to give the sauce a little heat, you may add a little (optional)

ground beef or 1 lb ground turkey, red onion , chopped reserve 1/4 for later use, jalapeno pepper, chopped and seeded (to your own heat level), garlic clove, chopped, black beans, drained, pace picante sauce, taco seasoning mix, drops hot sauce (optional) or 2 -3 dashes ground red pepper, if more heat is desired (optional), shredded mexican cheese , reserve 1/4 package for later use, crushed tortilla chips , preferably jalapeno peppers flavored

eggs, milk or whipping cream, cheddar cheese (optional and to your own taste ), butter

onions (chopped ), bacon, ground beef or 2 lbs lean, red kidney beans (do not drain), tomato soup, chili powder (more if you wish), dried chili pepper flakes (1-2 tsp or to taste) (optional) or hot sauce (1-2 tsp or to taste) (optional), salt and pepper

kidney beans i used dry, but canned works too, ground beef or turkey, sloppy joe mix big can, i used 1 that had meat added, whole medium onion chopped, chili seasoning i actually used taco seasoning becasue that was all i had, salsa or spaghetti sauce i used the spaghetti sauce, salt , pepper, and garlic powder, sugar optional, i prefer sweet chili over spicy

greens, any salad leaves, hamburger patty, can substitute with veggie pattie if vegetarian, onion, diced, pickled jalapeno pepper, diced (optional), potato salad (optional), you can substitute it with a medium sized microwaved potatoes, mashed (optional) or cubed sour cream (optional), sour cream (optional), taco shells , i have them in my pantry, salsa, grated cheese