Meatless Monday: Mac 'n' cheese, vegetable salad and curried chickpeas

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Sweet and tangy, these wings are sure to please. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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Deviled eggs get special treatment with the addition of smoked salmon, fennel, capers and red onion. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Top a prepared pizza crust with a little sour cream and smoked salmon, along with chopped red onion, fresh dill and capers. It takes all of 15 minutes to whip up. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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The tuna salad comes together in minutes and is great served either as a sandwich or on its own. Read the recipe » (Anne Cusack/ Los Angeles Times)

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Great flavor, and simple to prepare.
Recipe: Italian tuna and shiso sandwich
(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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Paella’s always a perfect choice when you want to dazzle dinner guests but don’t want to spend all your time in the kitchen. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Mushrooms lend rich depth to this frittata. (Eric Boyd / Los Angeles Times)

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Fresh nettles may be known for their sting, but cooked, they add delicate, almost nutty notes to many a dish. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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Artichoke and sun-dried tomatoes combine with two types of cheese and fresh herbs in this colorful dish. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Rich, tender flavor in minutes. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Fresh broccoli flavor with a velvety texture. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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They’re not just for breakfast. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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The Buttery’s take on peanut butter cookies, massive enough that you almost need two hands to hold them, is at once rich, sweet and perfectly crumbly.
Recipe: The Buttery’s peanut butter cookies

(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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You’ll never miss the gluten in this rich and flavorful carrot cake (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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This creamy pudding is flavored with aromatic orange flower water and almond oil and comes together in only 35 minutes. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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One bite and you’d never guess these tempting treats are gluten-free. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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This simple sandwich comes courtesy of chef and cookbook writer Deborah Madison and her husband, Patrick McFarlin. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Chicken curry sandwich. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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A rich and creamy take on this classic comfort food. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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A remarkably easy but elegant meal. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Fresh and bright and ready in less than 30 minutes, this dish goes perfectly with grilled salmon or other fish. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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An almost infinitely flexible recipe. (Ifran Kahn / Los Angeles Times)

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Best Chinese chicken salad ever? According to at least one reader, it is. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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It may take a little work prepping the ingredients, but Ciopinot’s take on the classic cioppino contains a lot of flavor in just a few simple steps. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Artichoke lovers, rejoice! (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Sweet pea soup -- bright, earthy and easy. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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In this variation, tortillas are stuffed with quickly cooked greens and chunks of feta and mozzarella, the tortillas warmed until lightly browned and the cheese oozes just slightly. The recipe comes together in minutes, perfect after a long day. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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Huitlacoche lends an earthy richness, and a robustness similar to truffles, to these quesadillas. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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For a wonderfully rich, meaty filling, try adding sauteed mushrooms cooked with shallots and butter and a touch of mint. The recipe comes together in minutes, perfect after a long day. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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A rich vegetarian take on this comforting classic. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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This hearty dish works wonders as a side or main course, and the whole thing comes together in less than 30 minutes. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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A touch of spice. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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Soft and tender. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Chef Michael Mina’s interpretation of a Caesar salad. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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There’s a secret to the croutons. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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A perfect light main course or flexible side dish. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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The flavors only get better with time. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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With the depth of flavor in this soup, you’d never guess this rich and creamy salmon bisque comes together in under an hour. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Add extra flavor with a touch of barbecue sauce, corn niblets and fresh parsley. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Recipe: BLD’s fresh vegetable salad

(Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Fresh and bright with large shrimp, tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic and a sprinkling of fresh parsley. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Bright and fresh and mildly spicy. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Recipe: Cafe des Artistes’ fillet of sole Provencal

(Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Roasted salmon with red pepper hazelnut pesto. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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For this slaw, incredibly simple to make, thinly sliced kale is tossed with colorful carrots, red cabbage and fresh fennel, then coated with a light but tangy dressing. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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A fresh, filling salad using only a handful of ingredients. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Give kale a good rubdown and it makes a delicious salad. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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The kale salad from Napa Valley Grille. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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These oatmeal cookies are big on size and flavor. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Light in texture and delicately flavored. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Pile the fish into warm tortillas with plenty of shredded cabbage and a fresh tangy lime-garlic vinaigrette. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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This easy dish comes together in under an hour, the plump shrimp cooked in a simple sauce flavored with toasted pumpkin seeds, olive oil, garlic, jalapeno chiles and fresh cilantro. (Eric Boyd / Los Angeles Times)

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Looking for diet-friendly options for your party? These Philly cheesesteak cups have all the flavor for a fraction of the calories. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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With no fewer than four types of cheese, mac ‘n’ cheese couldn’t get much better than this version. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Three kinds of cheese and prosciutto come together in cheesy goodness. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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This take on the classic includes chicken, prosciutto, a bread crumb topping and plenty of cheese. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Lentil and barley stew. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Best of all, the salad can be made ahead of time; the recipe comes together in a little over an hour, and the flavor only improves with time. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Try this combination of quinoa, meaty shiitake mushrooms, caramelized fennel and crunchy toasted cashews. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Quinoa is cooked with finely diced beets, which tint the quinoa a vibrant shade of red. (Ann Johansson / For the Times)

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This rich Andalusian chowder has its roots in gazpacho. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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The clam chowder at La Conner Brewing Co. in the San Juan Islands has a bit of spice to it. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Rich Paris bistro flavor in only 30 minutes. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Quick potato leek soup gets a last-minute boost of flavor from a blend of finely diced cilantro, anchovy and garlic. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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Such a simple combination, but so delicate and complex. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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You can’t go wrong here when you’re craving a great noodle bowl. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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With its rich flavor, you might not guess this dish is both gluten-free and vegan! (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Serve warm with a big glass of milk. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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It’s as if Lawry’s took everyone’s favorite flavors and combined them in an easy-to-make dessert, with Nutella, chocolate, espresso and Kahlua liqueur folded into a mousse. And the best part? It comes together in just 15 minutes. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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This rich and creamy dessert delivers chocolate accented with a hint of port. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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A rich chicken soup that comes together in minutes. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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The combination of coconut milk, lime juice, fish sauce and lemon grass from the stock is sweet and fragrant. (Paul Morse / Los Angeles Times)

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This isn’t your ordinary chicken soup; each bite is flavored with bits of carrot and celery, garbanzo beans and cracked wheat. It’s rich, yet delicately spiced with notes of cinnamon and curry. Best of all? The whole thing comes together in about 45 minutes. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Nettle leaves add bright flavor and deep emerald color to this creamy polenta dish. (Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times)

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Saute escarole with garlic and a tough of crushed red pepper just until the leaves begin to wilt and are tender, then spoon over a bowl of creamy polenta. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

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Polenta is slowly cooked in the oven with this simple gratin. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Rich with bright flavors, this salad comes together in only 20 minutes. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Eggs for dinner? You bet! (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

By Noelle Carter

March 24, 2014 9:16 AM PT

It’s Meatless Monday. Even if you have no intention of going vegetarian, these hearty dishes are so rich and satisfying you might never guess they’re meat-free.

Famous Dave’s mac ‘n’ cheese: A medley of original flavors make this mac ‘n’ cheese shine. It starts with four different types of cheeses, the sauce built out with corn niblets, spicy jalapenos, fresh parsley and a touch of barbecue sauce. Top it with a crumbly breadcrumb topping and bake it until its wonderful aroma is simply too much to bear. (This dish can also be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until you’re ready to bake.)

Curried chickpeas: The curry blend in this recipe gives an otherwise simple salad wonderful depth and robust flavor. Coriander and cumin lend fragrant earthiness, with a little cayenne pepper added for a hint of heat. The caramelized onions add richness, and the cilantro and lemon juice brighten the salad nicely, distinguishing the flavors. You can make it in advance; this is one salad that improves with chilling time.

QUICK & EASY: 99 terrific recipes in about an hour or less

BLD’s fresh vegetable salad: BLD tosses its homemade dressing -- fresh, lightly herbal, sweetened with a touch of honey and with just the right amount of tang -- with a wonderfully bright and colorful salad of crunchy fresh corn, edamame, roasted bell peppers and green beans, along with diced avocado and toasted cashews. They top the salad with fresh sprouts and a drizzle of nutty hemp seeds. This recipe contains soy products, which may not be suitable for certain gluten-sensitive people.

You can find the recipes below.

And for more ideas, click through our easy dinner recipes gallery and check out our Dinner Tonight page, devoted to recipes that can be made in an hour or less. Looking for a particular type of recipe? Comment below or email me at [email protected].

RECIPES: 99 easy dinner ideas in about an hour or less

FAMOUS DAVE’S MAC ‘N’ CHEESE

Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Servings: 8 to 12

Note: Adapted from Famous Dave’s.

2 tablespoons butter, plus 1/4 cup (1/2 stick), divided

3 tablespoons flour

2 cups milk

3/4 cup half-and-half

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons barbecue sauce

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

4 ounces aged white cheddar cheese, shredded

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 1/2 cups sweet corn niblets

2 jalapeños, finely chopped

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

1 pound jumbo elbow macaroni, cooked and drained

8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cubed

8 ounces Colby cheese, cubed

1/2 cup cracker crumbs

1/2 cup panko (Japanese-style) bread crumbs

1/4 cup unseasoned bread crumbs

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large, heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Whisk the flour into the butter until thoroughly combined to form a roux. Slowly whisk in the milk, then the half-and-half. Whisk in the mustard, barbecue sauce, salt and pepper.

3. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook, whisking constantly, 8 to 10 minutes to develop the flavors. Whisk in the white cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Stir in the corn, jalapeños and parsley, then remove from heat.

4. Stir in the macaroni, then the cubed sharp cheddar and Colby cheeses. Spoon the macaroni and cheese into a buttered 13-by-9-inch baking dish.

5. Melt the remaining one-quarter cup of butter in a small sauce pan. In a medium bowl, combine the cracker, panko and unseasoned bread crumbs with the melted butter. Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the macaroni and cheese.

6. Bake the mac ‘n’ cheese until bubbly and browned on top, about 40 minutes.

Each of 12 servings: 530 calories; 21 grams protein; 43 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber; 30 grams fat; 18 grams saturated fat; 86 mg cholesterol; 4 grams sugar; 691 mg sodium

CURRIED CHICKPEAS

Total time: 20 minutes, plus cooling time

Servings: 4

Note: Adapted from Joan’s on Third

1/2 cup diced onions

4 teaspoons best-quality olive oil

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried coriander

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1 tablespoon lemon juice, or to taste

Salt

1. In a large saute pan heated over medium-high heat, saute the onion in the olive oil until deep golden and crispy, about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently.

2. Add the turmeric, cumin, coriander and cayenne pepper and cook, stirring constantly, until aromatic and lightly toasted, about 3 minutes.

3. Add the chickpeas, cilantro and lemon juice and continue to stir to develop the flavors, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and season with one-fourth teaspoon salt, or to taste.

4. Cool the salad, then transfer it to a container, cover and refrigerate until chilled before serving, at least 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning and lemon juice as desired. This makes just over 3 cups salad.

Each of 4 servings: 238 calories; 9 grams protein; 37 grams carbohydrates; 8 grams fiber; 6 grams fat; 1 grams saturated fat; 0 mg. cholesterol; 2 grams sugar; 276 mg sodium.

BLD’S FRESH VEGETABLE SALAD

Total time: 40 minutes

Servings: 4 to 6

Note: Adapted from BLD in Los Angeles. Hemp seeds can be found at select well-stocked markets as well as most health food stores.

Salad dressing

1 1/2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

1 1/2 teaspoons coarsely chopped shallot

1 1/2 teaspoons coarsely chopped fresh rosemary

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons honey

3 tablespoons sweet rice vinegar

1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup canola oil

1. In a blender, grind the ginger, shallots and rosemary to a paste.

2. Add the soy sauce, honey, vinegar, lemon juice to the ginger mixture and blend until fairly smooth.

3. With the blender running, slowly add the oil. This makes about three-fourths cup dressing, more than is needed for the remainder of the recipe. The dressing will keep, up to 3 days, covered and refrigerated.

Fresh vegetable salad

2 cups shelled edamame beans

1 cup raw fresh yellow corn

2/3 cup diced avocado

2/3 cup toasted and salted cashews

1/2 cup sliced or diced roasted and peeled red bell peppers

1 1/2 cups French green beans (haricot vert), blanched, shocked and chopped

2 cups diced jicama

1/2 cup salad dressing, more as desired

1 cup daikon sprouts

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons hemp seeds

In a large bowl, combine the edamame, corn, avocado, cashews, peppers, green beans and jicama. Add one-half cup of the dressing and toss to coat. Taste, and add additional dressing if desired. Divide the salad among 4 plates and garnish with the daikon sprouts and hemp seeds. This makes about 8 cups of salad. Serve immediately.

Each of 6 servings: 387 calories; 14 grams protein; 29 grams carbohydrates; 8 grams fiber; 26 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 cholesterol; 10 grams sugar; 306 mg sodium.

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