3,048 bitter recipes

Golden saffron cake with rose water and pistachios, soaked in vanilla sugar syrup and cut into diamonds like baklava. A fragrant Middle Eastern-inspired low-fat dessert.

Illinois apple pie stars Granny Smith apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg tucked under a milk-washed, sugar-dusted double crust. A Midwestern classic that bakes up golden and bubbly.

Creamy homemade coffee fudge topped with a glossy layer of melted chocolate and chopped nuts. Old-fashioned candy-making that yields about 49 squares of pure indulgence.

Fennel and potato puree broiled with Parmesan and bread crumbs until golden. A creamy, anise-scented side dish that upgrades mashed potatoes with pureed fennel and a crispy gratin topping.

Full-flavored borscht in 40 minutes flat, thanks to the pressure cooker. Beets, cabbage, carrots, parsnips, and tomatoes in a rich beef stock with caraway and allspice. Finished with vinegar and sour cream.

Maraschino pecan bread for the bread machine studded with cherries, raisins, pecans, and sunflower seeds, spiced with cinnamon and ginger. A festive, fruit-and-nut loaf.

Layered Creole vegetable casserole with okra, lima beans, corn, peppers, and tomato, topped with crumb-coated sautéed okra. A vegetarian gumbo-inspired bake that gets better the next day.

Classic French truite au bleu: whole trout gently poached in a white wine court bouillon with shallots, herbs, and tarragon vinegar. Serve hot with herb butter or cold as an elegant first course.

Chewy oatmeal chocolate chip bars with brown sugar and butter, baked in one pan and cut into bite-sized squares. Easier than drop cookies with the same great flavor.

Stuffed pork chops filled with chopped apples, cheddar cheese, toasted pecans, and Italian bread crumbs with apple pie spice, baked in orange juice until golden and juicy.

No-bake chocolate date and ginger fans made with crushed graham crackers, semi-sweet chocolate, crystallized ginger, and chopped dates. Set in a flan pan, chilled, and sliced into elegant wedges.

Roasted beet puree with a seven-herb and spice crust of oregano, thyme, fennel seed, coriander, rosemary, and peppercorns. Finished with butter for a glossy, earthy side dish.

Anise-scented raisin biscotti with walnuts, lemon zest, and orange zest. Butter-based dough double-baked until crisp. A traditional Italian dunking cookie with citrus and spice.

Three-layer pineapple meringue torte with crushed pineapple cake, cashew-studded meringue baked right on top, and a pineapple whipped cream frosting.

Sweet raisin sauce for ham or tongue made with brown sugar, currant jelly, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire, cloves, and mace. Make-ahead friendly and ready in 20 minutes.