Simple food, shared inspiration. These starter recipes are sample website content for review and are not presented as the photographer’s own family recipes.

Lemon Herb Pasta

Serves 4 | Prep 10 minutes | Cook about 12 minutes

Ingredients

• 12 oz dried pasta
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Zest of 1 lemon and 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp salt, plus salt for the pasta water
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, optional

Method

1. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to the package directions. Reserve 1 cup of cooking water before draining.
2. Warm the olive oil in a large pan over low heat. Add the garlic and stir for 1 minute without browning it.
3. Add the drained pasta, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, salt and pepper. Toss, adding a little reserved water at a time until lightly coated.
4. Serve with the optional Parmesan.

Tomato Basil Toast

Serves 2 | Prep 10 minutes | Cook 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 slices of bread
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 6 fresh basil leaves, torn
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Black pepper, to taste

Method

1. Toast the bread until golden and crisp.
2. Mix the tomatoes, olive oil, vinegar, basil, salt and pepper.
3. Spoon the mixture onto the warm toast and serve immediately.

Cinnamon Baked Apples

Serves 4 | Prep 10 minutes | Bake 30–40 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 medium apples
• 2 tbsp softened butter
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup water

Method

1. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Core the apples, leaving the bottoms intact to hold the filling.
2. Mix the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and oats. Divide the filling among the apples.
3. Place the apples in a baking dish and pour the water around them.
4. Bake for 30–40 minutes, until the apples are fork-tender. Let cool slightly before serving.

Have a recipe idea to share? Email suman0@aol.com. Any stock food photographs used are illustrative examples.