Recipe Sifter

Jerk beef marinated 24 hours in allspice, thyme, hot sauce, and crushed tomatoes, then sauteed until browned. Serve over white rice for a Caribbean weeknight dinner.

Casserole de Santa Fe layers spiced cornmeal cornbread batter with pinto beans, tomato sauce, and cheese for a hearty vegetarian Southwestern bake. Cumin and chili powder built in.

Herbed potato salad with red-skinned potatoes, Dijon mustard, yogurt-mayo dressing, and plenty of scallion, dill, and parsley. A lighter picnic side that skips the heavy gloppy stuff.

Steamed salmon with black bean sauce, ginger and colorful peppers. Chinese-style fish recipe ready in 40 minutes with aromatic Asian flavors.

Louisiana gumbo built on a classic roux with okra, bell pepper, celery, onion, tomatoes, and your choice of shrimp, chicken, or crawfish. A Creole one-pot served over rice.

Apple and endive are tossed with a light yet tasty cranberry vinaigrette, and topped with fresh cranberries, scallions and toasted walnuts.

Vibrant rice salad tossed with crisp vegetables, toasted sesame seeds, and a tangy Asian-style dressing. Perfect way to transform leftover rice into a refreshing side dish or light lunch that travels well.

Delicate open-top dumplings filled with plump shrimp, water chestnuts, and aromatic seasonings. These steamed parcels showcase fresh seafood with a satisfying bite that's easier to make than traditional pleated dumplings.

Pea purée can serve as a garnish, a side dish, or as a spread on crackers or vegetable sticks. Use it as a bed upon which the main item in your entrée can rest. For example, sauté some scallops and place them on a pool of the pea purée.

Fluffy couscous salad with tomatoes, cucumber, feta, and fresh parsley tossed in a lemony oregano-olive oil dressing. A refreshing Greek-inspired side ready in 20 minutes.

Silky avocado velouté soup built on a classic French roux base with chicken stock, egg yolk liaison, and cream. Garnished with avocado cubes, chives, and a cloud of whipped cream.

This salad is very easy to make, and combines the sour, sweet and salty flavors typical of Thai cuisine.

Hearty lima beans and black-eyed peas tossed with roasted cashews, crunchy veggies, and a smoky cumin-balsamic dressing. Vegetarian, protein-packed, and ready in 20 minutes.

Beef lo mein: a takeout-style stir fry with thin-sliced flank steak, cabbage, carrot, and soy-ginger marinade tossed with noodles. Home cooking that matches the takeout in under 45 minutes.

Lightning-fast beef and sea scallop stir-fry with garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and scallions in peanut oil. Surf and turf in a wok, done in under a minute of actual cooking.

A rich broccoli quiche layered with Swiss cheese, Parmesan, and scallions in a flaky prebaked crust. The custard gets extra savory depth from chicken broth and a dash of hot sauce. Brunch, lunch, or dinner worthy.