Recipe Sifter

A from-scratch double-crust chicken pot pie packed with potatoes, peas, corn, and carrots in a light thyme-scented milk gravy. No canned soup, just real chicken and garden vegetables under a flaky golden crust.

Hot and sour soup: the authentic Chinese classic with shredded pork, tofu, shiitake, and bamboo shoots in a peppery, vinegar-sharp broth thickened to a silky body and finished with egg ribbons.

Red beans and rice with green and red bell peppers, tomatoes, celery and a kick of chili and hot sauce. A Louisiana-leaning bean pot built on dried kidney and pinto beans, finished with a splash of cider vinegar.

Creamy mushroom zucchini soup pureed with chive cream cheese for a velvety, rich texture. Just 30 minutes and a handful of ingredients for a satisfying bowl with optional curry warmth.

Curried pork with sweet potatoes deep-fries sweet potato slices first, then simmers them in a curry-spiced pork stew with ginger, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Asian-inflected curry comfort dish.

Mussel and saffron soup built on the briny steaming liquor with leeks, fenugreek, and a finish of cream. A French bistro classic with deep golden color and shellfish-rich broth.

Oysters and bacon soubise with pan-fried oysters and chopped bacon served over fettuccine or wild rice, topped with a Chablis-tarragon cream sauce thickened with arrowroot.

Authentic Mexican white rice using traditional technique: soaked, fried in oil until pale gold, then simmered in chicken broth with garlic and onion until each grain is fluffy and separate.

Santa Fe pumpkin soup blends canned pumpkin with enchilada sauce, fire-charred red peppers, and half-and-half for a creamy, smoky bowl with Southwestern heat. Topped with sour cream and fresh cilantro.

Escarole soup with creamy white beans, garlic, and a hit of olive oil simmered in chicken broth. The classic Italian-American minestra di scarola, ready for crusty bread on the side.

Chinese cashew chicken stir-fry with snow peas, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and toasted cashews in a soy-cornstarch sauce. A classic takeout favorite made from scratch at home.

Hearty chicken stew with mushrooms, carrots, and radiatore pasta simmered in a sage-seasoned broth. A comforting one-pot meal using cooked chicken for speed.

Red bell pepper bisque thickened with overcooked rice instead of flour, pureed silky smooth with cream, milk, and a touch of cayenne. A make-ahead soup with vibrant color.

Vietnamese-style lemongrass chicken: marinated in fragrant lemongrass and scallions, stir-fried hot with chili, then topped with peanuts and cilantro. Aromatic, spicy, and fast over steamed rice.

Red wine pot roast braised low and slow with 24 cloves of garlic, carrots, celery, and thyme. Fork-tender beef with a rich, butter-finished pan sauce strained from the vegetables.

Restaurant-style French onion soup with a dual broth of chicken and beef, topped with crusty French bread and broiled Swiss and Parmesan cheese. Freezes for up to 6 months.