Recipe Sifter

Sweet and sour turkey meatballs: lean turkey meatballs spiced with Chinese five-spice, simmered in a homemade sweet-and-sour sauce with pineapple, peppers, carrots and bean sprouts. A lighter take on the takeaway favorite.

Chuck's New England clam chowder layers tender chopped clams, potatoes, and celery into a silky roux-thickened half-and-half broth finished with a splash of sherry. Classic Yankee comfort in a bowl.

Chinese-style roasted spare ribs (Pei Quot) braised in black bean, soy, honey, and hoisin sauce, then roasted or grilled until sticky and dry. Spicy, sweet, and glazed.

Roasted pork tenderloin braised with Granny Smith apples, onions, garlic, honey, and white wine vinegar. A sweet-savory fall dinner with a rustic apple gravy.

Sweet and sour borscht: a hearty Eastern European beet soup with crumbled sausage, cabbage, and carrots, balanced with lemon juice and sugar. Serve hot or chilled with sour cream and dill.

Cornish hens Provencal style braised with tomatoes, saffron, olives, leeks, white wine, and fresh herbs. A one-skillet French country dinner with golden-skinned game hens in 50 minutes.

Open-faced sandwiches piled with sliced ham and chicken, smothered in a velvety cream sauce enriched with white wine and egg yolks, then broiled under a blanket of Parmesan until golden. Elegant comfort food in 20 minutes.

Mushroom barley bake with pearl barley simmered in chicken broth, tossed with sauteed mushrooms, onion, and thyme, bound with eggs, and baked until golden. A hearty, savory side dish.

Ribollita is a Tuscan bread soup layered with vegetables, chicken, kidney beans, spinach, stale bread, and Parmesan, then baked until thick and crusty. A hearty Italian peasant soup that improves overnight.

Spinach spaghetti in a roasted red pepper cream sauce with basil, garlic, and chicken broth. Six charred peppers pureed into a silky, vibrant sauce.

Macaroni and cheese soup with melted American cheese, elbow macaroni, corn, peas, carrots, and celery. A creamy, kid-friendly comfort soup ready in 30 minutes.

Chinese steamed spareribs with fermented black beans, ginger, garlic, and rice wine. Pork ribs cut into bite-sized pieces and steamed until fall-apart tender in about an hour.

Chicken and stuffing bread machine loaf with cooked chicken, stuffing mix, mushrooms, celery, and poultry seasoning. Savory yeast bread that tastes like Thanksgiving in slice form.

English cheddar and vegetable soup pureed smooth with butternut squash, potatoes, and carrots. Finished with sharp cheddar, cream, and crispy bacon garnish.

Cozy lentil and brown rice soup with diced tomatoes, carrots, garlic, and Italian herbs simmered into a thick, hearty one-pot meal. Gluten-free, low-fat comfort that gets better the next day.

Blueberry risotto with fresh boletus (porcini) mushrooms, white wine, thyme, and butter-finished arborio rice. A Swiss-inspired risotto where wild berries meet earthy wild mushrooms.