Recipe Sifter

Curried chicken breasts baked in a warm, fragrant curry gravy of onion, garlic, ginger and cinnamon, brightened with a squeeze of lime. The breasts are floured and browned first, then bake gently in the sauce until tender.

Frijoles borrachos drunken beans simmered with bacon, beer, garlic, oregano, and cumin until thick and rich. Tex-Mex side that doubles as a stand-alone supper with cornbread or warm tortillas.

Cold soups make for excellent summer fare. The best vichyssoise I ever had in my life was at a French restaurant during a Montreal summer. Humor me. Try the soup in the traditional manner but then, if you must heat it up, (sigh), go ahead.

Jerusalem artichoke soup: simple light soup made with boiled sunchokes, chicken broth, scallions, and fresh dill. Five-ingredient farm-to-table starter.

Favourite leek and potato soup is a classic British comfort bowl: sweet leeks, potatoes and onion gently sweated in butter, simmered in stock and pureed velvety smooth, finished with a swirl of yogurt or cream.

Fettuccini Portofino with regular and spinach fettuccine in a butter-cream Parmesan sauce, topped with mushrooms and toasted walnuts. A rich Italian pasta inspired by the Ligurian coast.

Green banana gratin (figue vert) simmered in chicken stock, mashed, enriched with eggs and cream, then baked under a cheesy bread crumb crust. A Caribbean-French side dish with warm spices.

Chinese-style fried rice made with nutty, chewy wild rice instead of white, tossed with shrimp, ham, peas, and silky golden egg threads in a savory oyster-soy sauce. A heartier take on takeout fried rice.

Fun gwau: Cantonese steamed dumplings stuffed with pork, shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts, all wrapped in translucent wheat-starch wrappers. A dim sum classic.

Roast up that chicken with this tasty recipe that uses chicken broth, garlic cloves and a bit of paprika.

Creamy garlic soup made with a full pound of garlic cloves slow-cooked in olive oil, pureed with chicken broth, and finished with milk. Surprisingly mellow and silky.

Chinese ginger beef stir-fries thin-sliced flank steak with julienned fresh ginger, garlic, oyster sauce, and silky ribbons of egg. A fast wok dinner with bold ginger punch.

Ginger chicken stir-fry with double ginger, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and a glossy soy-cornstarch sauce. Marinated chicken strips cooked in a wok with fresh and ground ginger.

Gingered snow peas stir-fried with mushrooms, scallions, sherry and soy sauce. Quick Asian-style vegetable side dish ready in 15 minutes.

Golden squash and carrot bisque: yellow summer squash, carrots, and onion puréed smooth and enriched with evaporated milk. A vibrant, make-ahead chilled soup.

Hearty bean soup simmered with ham, tomatoes, and herbs in chicken stock. A slow-cooked mixed bean soup that doubles as a thoughtful mason jar gift for the holidays.