Recipe Sifter

Smooth shrimp butter spread made with fresh shrimp, cream cheese, butter, and hard-boiled egg blended silky in a food processor. A rich, molded appetizer for crackers.

Red bean soup with beef, celery, lemon, and Worcestershire sauce, pressed through a sieve for a smooth, thick puree. A hearty old-fashioned bean soup ready in about 40 minutes.

Ribs with peach barbecue sauce, a sweet-and-spicy Asian-fusion glaze of fresh peach puree, mirin, ginger, garlic and chili paste brushed over lamb or pork spareribs. Marinated overnight for deep flavor.

Fresh vegetable relish with celery, tomatoes, green pepper, and lettuce in a sweet vinegar-ketchup dressing. A no-cook condiment ready in 10 minutes.

Roasted garlic and almond spread with cream cheese, sour cream, and whipped cream folded in for a light, airy texture. A make-ahead dip or topping for crackers, potatoes, or sandwiches.

Pit-style pork shoulder roast smoked over hickory wood chips with a tangy mustard-vinegar BBQ sauce. Slow-grilled for 3 hours using indirect heat until falling-apart tender.

Round up beef with 10 pounds of round steak strips braised in a tangy ketchup, brown sugar, and red wine vinegar sauce. Feeds a crowd and freezes well.

Crispy deep-fried salmon croquettes made with flaked salmon, mashed potatoes, and anchovy paste for a savory umami punch. Breaded and fried until golden with a tender, creamy center.

Savory beef pie in a bacon dripping crust with ground beef, corn, green chiles, cheddar, and a chili-oregano spiced filling. A Southwestern meat pie with a cheesy, bubbly topping.

Savory stuffed meat loaf hides a sage-and-thyme bread stuffing inside a bacon-studded ground beef shell. Two classic Sunday-dinner sides merge into one hearty pan.

A creamy salmon chowder with sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, corn, and leeks simmered in clam juice, cream, and milk. Rich, hearty, and warming from the first spoonful.

Seasoned turkey patties with Worcestershire sauce, poultry seasoning, and breadcrumbs for a juicy, well-spiced burger. Grill, pan-fry, or bake in under 10 minutes for a quick lean protein dinner.

Sharp cheddar sesame cheese ball with Worcestershire sauce, pimentos, and scallions, rolled in toasted sesame seeds. A make-ahead appetizer for parties and holidays.

Sherried barley soup is a hearty mushroom and pearl barley soup deepened with a browned roux, a splash of sherry and Worcestershire. Earthy, savory and thick, the kind of cozy bowl that warms you through.

Short-cut chili con carne made in a slow cooker with lean ground beef, kidney beans, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire. A simple set-it-and-forget-it weeknight chili.

Appetizers have long been a part of the culinary tradition in Europe, but they're relatively new to America. One of the first to appear in American cookbooks, at the turn of the century, was shrimp cocktail.