The toppings for this pizza are a tantalizing mix of tart, smoky and tangy, the main focus here being marinated sun-dried tomatoes. Sprinkled with shredded mozarella and fresh basil and a few dashes of red pepper flakes, the flavors here are basic, but at the same time combining for a complexity of flavors that qualifies this as a gourmet pizza with little fuss.

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Craving a chocolate chip cookie but one with a little less sugar than more traditional versions, I came up with this recipe that includes chunks of fine dark chocolate. It's a snap to whip up a batch, and though I have multiple recipes for this classic, ever-popular cookie, this recipe is now one of my favorites. Applesauce is used here in place of eggs. Chewy and soft, these cookies will keep in a well-sealed container for up to a week.

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A popular Indian steet food, aloo chaat is a wonderful medley of flavors with cooked potatoes tossed with sweet and sour spicy chutneys—often a green cilantro or mint chutney and a tamarind chutney—seasoned with crunchy chickpea flour noodles and pomegranate seeds. The combination of tastes and textures makes aloo chaat a well known snack but it is also a refreshing accompaniment to a North Indian meal. The cooked potatoes absorb the striking contrast of flavors present in this dish, and the chickpea flour noodles provide a pleasing crunch that complements the fresh burst of the pomegranate seeds.

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I consider myself a mushoom aficionado, so when I had an opportunity to receive a complimentary copy of Mushroom Gastronomy by Krista Town I was more than happy to accept. Within the covers are recipes for each and every mushroom variety that you can think of and some you didn't even know of. Beautifully presented with plenty of mouthwatering photos, the book begins with mushroom cooking and preservation tips, and then is arranged in a series of chapters devoted to each variety of mushroom, complete with relevant nutritional and cooking tips and a selection of recipes for the featured mushroom.

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