Recipe Sifter

Black tea smoked chicken: Sichuan-and-five-spice-rubbed thighs hot-smoked over rice, black tea, and brown sugar, then tucked into lettuce cups with peanuts, scallion, and a soy-ginger glaze. An impressive, gluten-free-friendly appetizer.

Stuffed baked potatoes topped with a creamy chicken, scallion, and Parmesan mixture. A fast microwave-then-bake dinner that turns pantry cans into a weeknight meal.

Kasha stuffed tomatoes filled with toasted buckwheat groats, mushrooms, celery, pine nuts, and fresh herbs. A hearty Eastern European-inspired vegetarian side, perfect for late summer harvest meals.

Classic Louisiana Jambalaya made with andouille sausage, chicken, and the Creole trinity (onions, celery, green peppers) over rice. Traditional techniques for both brown and red jambalaya versions with detailed step-by-step instructions.

San Francisco-style cioppino with clams, lobster, shrimp, and red snapper in a saffron-tomato wine broth with fennel. Italian-American seafood feast.

Steamed pork dumplings (shumai-style) packed with ground pork, shrimp, chinese mushrooms, scallions, and sesame oil, then steamed open-top for 30 minutes. Classic dim-sum at home.

Seven layer salad with crisp iceberg, water chestnuts, peas, and a sweet parmesan-mayo dressing, finished with bacon and hard-boiled egg. A make-ahead potluck classic that chills overnight.

Veal ragout with red pepper braises cubed veal in white wine, plum tomatoes, and herbs, then finishes with sweet bell pepper and a bright lemon-garlic gremolata over fresh fettuccine.

Lightened-up Irish colcannon using instant potato flakes and skim milk for a fast, low-calorie version of the classic cabbage and potato side. Ready in 20 minutes.

Israeli salad with diced cucumber, tomatoes, radishes, green pepper, carrots, and lettuce in a fresh lemon juice dressing. A crisp, vegetarian chopped salad ready in 10 minutes.

Dairy-free pasta cheese sauce uses nutritional yeast, tahini, white miso, and soy milk to mimic the savory richness of a traditional cheese sauce. Vegan, ready in 25 minutes.

Silky, chilled crab mousse with Neufchatel cheese, yogurt, and a horseradish zing. A lighter take on the classic seafood spread that's elegant enough for any gathering.

Chinese steamed translucent dumplings (fun gor) filled with shrimp, ground pork, dried mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts in a wheat starch wrapper.

Quick pork and black bean burritos using leftover roast pork, cumin-seasoned beans, and a splash of hot sauce. Ready in 25 minutes with all the classic taco-night toppings.

Mapo tofu is a Sichuan classic: silky tofu simmered with ground pork, black bean garlic sauce, and red chili paste, ladled over steamed white rice.

Chilled orzo pasta salad with fresh corn, smoked chicken, red pepper, and basil in a sweet-spicy rice vinegar and lime dressing. Topped with toasted pine nuts.