While regular couscous is one of our household staples since it cooks so quickly, I love the chewy texture of Israeli couscous just as much. It's great warm and cooked like a pilaf, but it works just as well in a salad. Dressed with olive oil, lemon juice, and shallot, the salad is rounded out with white beans, crunchy cucumber, and lots of fresh dill. I like to mix in smoked salmon since it plays so nicely with dill, but tuna would be a tasty, inexpensive substitute. This salad comes together in less than 30 minutes and keeps well, making it a perfect thing to pack for a picnic, barbecue, or satisfying lunch. (Click "Read More" below for the full recipe.)

One of the first things I proudly learned to "cook" in my teens was the hamburger or tuna meals in a box. I was amazed that I could brown some meat, add noodles, a packet of seasoning, and water or milk, then watch turn into a salty, creamy, satisfying meal.  And all made in one pan!

I've been on a mission to recreate these casseroles, starting with a hamburger stroganoff. In that recipe, I learned to use a flavorful cooking liquid, a bit of flour for thickening, and egg noodles for quick cooking. This recipe is a grownup creamy stovetop tuna casserole, with a from-scratch sauce and good-quality tuna. Simmer seared mushrooms, onion, and egg noodles in milk flavored with a bit of Dijon mustard. Stir in peas, cheddar cheese, tuna, and sour cream at the end, and if you feel a little nostalgic, sprinkle on some toasted breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs when serving. I love that this homey dish comes together in one pot quickly and that I usually have most of the ingredients in my pantry! (Click "Read More" below for the full recipe.)