Gourmet

Instead of settling for take-out on a busy weeknight, try this quick, healthful Tuna Penne Pasta. Penne is the perfect shape for this hearty tomato and tuna sauce, but any other short pasta, such as shells or elbow macaroni, can be used. Tuna Penne Pasta Makes two servings 1. Bring 3 to 4 quarts water to boil in a large saucepan. Add penne, and cook 9 minutes or until pasta is al dente. 2. Mix tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, basil, and tuna together. Pour mixture into a large serving bowl; add olives, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.

Here is a weeknight-friendly version of this classic vegetarian Egyptian street food. Koshary Makes 8 servings 1 1/2 cups basmati rice 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon each: cayenne pepper, ground dry ginger 28-ounce can diced tomatoes 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced 12 ounces elbow or ditalini pasta 15-ounce can...

Try this Carne Asada with a punchy marinade of lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic. Carne Asada With Salsa Makes 6 servings For the meat: 2 pounds sirloin tips 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 cloves garlic, smashed For the salsa: 1 yellow bell pepper, cored...

It's a beet, minus the root. Chard is a relative of the beet, but puts its energy into producing tender leaves and crunchy stalks instead of its root. Generally, any flavor that works well with spinach will partner with chard: butter, lemon, cream, garlic, shallots and vinaigrette. Try it in this easy quiche. Rainbow Chard, Bacon and Brie Quiche Makes 6 servings 1 prepared uncooked pie crust 8 ounces bacon, cut into small chunks 1 small yellow onion, diced 6 cups chopped rainbow chard (about ?

Much as I love a big, beefy steak on the grill, sometimes I need something lighter. My new favorite is cauliflower — sliced into two thick "steaks. " In this recipe, I've topped them with poached eggs and truffle oil, creating a delicious sauce. Grilled Cauliflower Steaks With Poached Eggs and Truffle Oil Makes 2 servings 1 large head cauliflower Olive oil Salt, ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder Juice of 1/2 lemon 1 tablespoon vinegar 2 eggs Truffle oil (or truffle-flavored olive oil)

What's to eat? Real South Philly Italian sandwiches: Slick Nick ($6.50), breaded chicken cutlet with spinach or broccoli rabe and provolone on a Liscios Bakery roll; the Bella ($6), balsamic chicken with spinach or broccoli rabe and roasted peppers. Plus Italian pork, homemade meatballs, Maglio sausage ($5.50-$7.50). Get the picture? Find it: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday and Friday at LOVE Park, Tuesday at 8th and Poplar, Thursday at Drexel (33rd and Arch). Call: 215-252-1677.

This variation on the traditional pasta carbonara dish used crispy salami instead of pancetta or bacon as a topper. I added asparagus to the recipe as an ode to to spring.   Spaghetti Carbonara With Asparagus and Crispy Salami Makes 4 servings 2 large eggs 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving) 1/4 cup half-and-half 3/4 pound dry spaghetti 1/2 pound trimmed asparagus, cut into 2-inch pieces 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/4 pound salami, cut into 1/4-inch-wide strips 3 cloves garlic, peeled, chopped 1/4 cup white wine Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1/2 cup chopped parsley for garnish 1. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, Parmesan cheese, and half-and-half.

Try this Guinness-marinated steak sandwich for St. Paddy's Day, a refreshing change from stew or corned beef and cabbage.   Guinness Marinated Flank Steak Sandwiches With Grilled Onions and Boursin Cheese Makes 4 servings 2-pound flank steak or London broil, at least 1-inch thick 14.9-ounce can Guinness beer 2 large red onions, cut into 1/2-inch slices 1 small container Boursin...

Charles H. Taylor was having lunch at his Center City eatery with actress Julie Harris when a poignant moment intruded. The pianist on duty realized that Harris had starred in the film East of Eden with the troubled James Dean, who died in 1955, the year the film was released. "He shifted into the music from East of Eden , and she began to cry," Mr. Taylor told an Inquirer interviewer in 1988, suggesting that Harris was comfortable enough to show emotion with him. Though a small lunch place, Taylor's Country Store had its fans, even some marquee names.

Irvin "Ernie" Isen, 87, of Penn Valley, retired president of Paramount Packaging in Chalfont, died Friday, March 2, at Lankenau Hospital of complications from Parkinson's disease. After service in World War II, Mr. Isen began working with his three brothers in the family's paper businesses. Eventually the brothers hired managers for two of the companies and ran the day-to-day operations of the third, Paramount. By the 1960s, the firm was focusing on polyethylene packaging.

On busy weeknights, we take our dinner shortcuts wherever we can find them. But this doesn't require sacrificing healthy home cooking. Make smart choices - as in this recipe for red curry potatoes and chickpeas - and you can have a great from-scratch dinner on the table in under 30 minutes. For deep, lush, and totally effortless flavor, I use canned coconut milk for the liquid. Looking to cut fat? Don't hesitate to use low-fat coconut milk. It won't be quite so lush, but the flavors will still be great.