10,000 bitter recipes

Oreo Midnight Cake with a crushed Oreo crust, semi-sweet chocolate cake, vanilla cream filling, and cocoa frosting. A multi-layer chocolate-Oreo showstopper from scratch.

Sauteed veal scallops in a wild mushroom cream sauce with demi-glace, shallots, thyme, and a splash of white wine. Classic French bistro main dish with velvety pan sauce for special occasions.

Just the thing to nibble with a cup of mulled wine or hot spiced apple cider, these simple, versatile crackers also lend themselves beautifully to cheeses, dips, and spicy spreads.

Old-fashioned salmon loaf bound with cooked rice instead of breadcrumbs, brightened with mustard and a glossy egg-and-butter bind. A thrifty five-ingredient pantry supper from a vintage clipping.

A buttery base complements the crunchy almond and lemon topping in these feather-light bars.

Baked green tomatoes with brown sugar, butter cracker crumbs, and a sweet-savory contrast. A classic Southern side dish that's an oven-baked alternative to fried green tomatoes.

Bienenstich (Bee Sting Cake), a classic German yeast cake with a caramelized almond topping and vanilla pudding filling. A bakery favorite made at home.

Sweet and tart with the perfect flake-to-crunch ratio. It's all about the butter pats.

Chicken liver stroganoff: quickly seared livers, sauteed mushrooms, and sweet softened onions in a tangy soured cream and yogurt sauce. A rich, economical twist on stroganoff over rice or pasta.

Festive peppermint cheesecake with crushed candy canes swirled into cream cheese filling on a graham cracker crust, garnished with chocolate leaves.

Really easy to make, and good flavour, especially with some good cheese!

New England clam chowder ready in 20 minutes. Canned clams, diced potatoes, onion in butter, and milk warmed just under a boil. A splash of sherry for the old-school finish.

Classic Italian polenta made with yellow cornmeal, butter, and Parmesan. Serve it creamy and hot, or chill the leftovers and pan-fry crispy slices.

Vincent Price's elegant take on kedgeree layers flaked salmon with rice pilaf, bechamel, and chopped egg, then bakes in a water bath. Serve with curry sauce for a British-Indian classic.

Classic asparagus almondine with a microwave-browned butter and almond sauce finished with tarragon vinegar. Ready in under 5 minutes, served hot or cold over cooked asparagus.

Warm pudding cake studded with chopped apples, served with homemade cinnamon butter sauce. The cake bakes up tender with brown sugar and spices. Drizzle the hot sauce over each slice.