Vegetarian

A great topping on fish, this fresh pesto also makes a wonderful pasta sauce or dipping sauce for bread. This recipe is a good excuse to experiment with different cheeses.

THIS IS THE SAME GREAT BEECHER’S MAC AND CHEESE recipe taken to a new level, with the spice of chiles and the addition of vegetables. Feel free to experiment with leftover cheeses for new flavor combinations.

This was the first recipe we came up with for Beecher’s. It was created specifically for the mac and cheese, but then we realized we could use the sauce in all sorts of dishes: Mix it with a little white wine for a rich fondue sauce, spoon it over poached eggs (see Poached Eggs with Cheese Sauce, page 214), or pour it over steamed broccoli for an easy veggie dish. You can experiment with other leftover cheeses to create new flavor combinations.

RISOTTO ISN’T LIMITED TO RICE. Here, toasted barley and orzo are included with the Arborio rice, adding great flavors and textures to the standard risotto. Toasting the barley is a key step to achieving its maximum flavor. This hearty dish is the perfect accompaniment to meat and poultry dishes, and it makes a satisfying vegetarian main course as well.

RISOTTO IS A SIMPLE, ELEGANT DISH that acts as a vehicle for a variety of flavors. Adding lemon to risotto is common in Italy, where the subtly flavored dish is often served as an appetizer. I like it as a side to Butter-Rubbed Salmon (page 103) with Blueberry Sauce (page 104) or simply enjoy it as a vegetarian main course, perhaps accompanied by blanched asparagus.

VELVETY EGGPLANT, that beloved summer vegetable, comes to life in this easy pasta sauce. If you’re short on time, you can make the sauce ahead; it tastes even better the next day. For a more substantial dish, serve it with your favorite Italian-style chicken sausage. A short, sturdy pasta like rigatoni, rotini, or penne is the best choice for this chunky sauce.

THIS HEALTHY, LIGHT, AND COLORFUL PASTA SALAD, a longtime Pasta & Co favorite, makes a quick lunch and is a welcome addition to any picnic basket. The bright colors of the vegetables remind us of polka dots.

WHILE FRESH MOZZARELLA IS USED IN AN ENDLESS VARIETY of pastas, pizzas, and salads, smoked mozzarella adds more flavor. It is made by smoking cheese over wood to produce a smoky, creamy result. This easy pasta salad makes a standout lunch dish, with the mayonnaise lending extra creaminess. You can adjust the amount of dressing according to taste.

THIS IS A PASTA & CO RECIPE that’s been a customer favorite for years. Inspired by the classic Southern ingredient black-eyed peas, this healthy salad has the sharp flavor of mustard greens, while fresh tarragon adds an extra zing. For a heartier salad, add a few slices of leftover grilled, roasted, or poached chicken.

TRADITIONAL ICEBERG WEDGE SALADS arrive smothered in heavy blue cheese dressing. Our version has a lighter dressing, thanks to rice vinegar and lemon, but still maintains that tangy blue cheese flavor.

SALADS NEED NOT FOCUS ON THE LETTUCE. Here the greens take a back seat to vibrant golden beets. The salty, creamy blue cheese and the crunchy walnuts complement the sweet beets. Roasting the beets in water prevents them from drying out.

THIS SALAD SHOWS OFF PERFECTLY RIPE TOMATOES and creamy cheese curds. Cheese curds are a type of fresh cheese that remains when the whey is drained. The curds are compressed, cut into loaves, and then milled into larger curds. The reduced tomato liquid adds to the salad’s savory flavor without creating excess liquid in the bowl, preventing the salad from getting soggy. Skip this recipe if tomatoes aren’t in season; only the ripest summer tomatoes will do.

This is a great all-purpose vinaigrette that can dress a salad as easily as it can be poured on grilled vegetables or served as a dipping sauce for bread.

JÍCAMA IS A ROOT VEGETABLE that is used throughout Latin America. It looks like a large radish and has a clean, neutral flavor that adds a crisp texture to any dish. This refreshing salad, with its Asian vinaigrette, will be a welcome addition to a summer picnic or barbecue. I leave out the salt and pepper because the soy sauce provides the seasoning.

THE TENDER FLAVOR OF BUTTER LETTUCE, often called Boston or bibb lettuce, is celebrated in this simple salad. We find locally grown butter lettuce from May through October, but it’s also available year-round from slightly farther afield. Herbs, oranges, and olives complete this light and luscious salad.

GOOEY, OOZING CHEESE IS ALWAYS A HIT, especially when it’s sandwiched between two slices of crisp toasted bread. The contrast of rich Brie and the sweet and spicy chili sauce in this combination is sublime. Leave the rind on the Brie; it’s a natural, edible part of the cheese.

THIS IS A SANDWICH THAT REALLY SHOWS OFF THE CHEESE. We use Flagship and Just Jack cheeses, but any semihard cheese, such as Cheddar or Gruyère, will work beautifully. For a heartier sandwich, add a few slices of smoked turkey.

This sweet and savory sandwich spread or dipping sauce is a natural pairing for cheese.