Chicken Salad (Sandwich)

This is the Donna Reed of chicken salad sandwiches, meaning domestic perfection, of course. But you know the disreputable character she played in “From Here to Eternity?” Well, it’s got a little of that Donna Reed in it, too. It’s party-flavored comfort food made with chicken that was spit-roasted, partially eaten, and then cast aside.

Improv Soup

Improvise a thick, chunky tomato soup, starting with a store-bought pasta sauce. This method will help you sauté, simmer, and garnish your way to a soup that relies on the leftover ingredients you already have in your fridge or cupboard: pasta, kielbasa or sausage, spices, and vegetables.