Recipe Sifter

Sauteed beef tips with shiitakes: pan-seared tenderloin cubes with earthy shiitake mushrooms, shallots, spinach, white wine, and a cream-butter pan sauce. 20-minute restaurant plate.

Louisiana-style deviled crab baked in individual shells with a creamy white sauce, Worcestershire, hot sauce, and buttery breadcrumb topping. A Creole classic ready in 40 minutes.

Fresh tuna sauteed with anchovies, capers, garlic, and parsley, finished with lime juice or white wine and tossed with linguini. A 30-minute Italian seafood pasta.

Breaded pork tenderloin medallions pan-fried in butter and olive oil, then topped with a white wine mushroom sauce finished with lemon juice. Classic bistro technique, weeknight timing.

Baked bay scallops with sauteed mushrooms, shallots, and breadcrumbs served in seafood shells. A classic French-style appetizer finished under the broiler.

Spinach fettuccine in a quick Romano cheese cream sauce with garlic and white wine. A simple Italian pasta dish ready in 20 minutes for two.

Crab puff Savannah layers flaky phyllo dough with seasoned crab meat, sauteed red peppers and mushrooms, a ricotta-spinach filling, and Swiss cheese. Scored into diamonds and baked golden.

Florida bouillabaisse: a Gulf Coast riff on the French classic with fish, shrimp, crab, clams, and softshell turtle in a saffron-tomato broth. Wine, herbs, and white bread for sopping. Feeds a crowd.

Bubbie's chicken soup, the classic Jewish-style comfort bowl simmered from a whole chicken with onion, carrot, parsnip, and a generous bunch of dill. Golden, soul-warming, and it freezes beautifully.

Spinach ricotta stuffed shells with a cabbage twist, baked in tomato-broth sauce with nutmeg. A lighter Italian-American main with hidden-vegetable smarts.

Rutabaga puree with sweet potato, a pinch of cayenne, and nutmeg. A creamy, low-fat side dish that rivals mashed potatoes without the guilt.

Mussel and corn chowder with a silky milled corn base, steamed mussels, and sweet red pepper. A coastal New England twist on classic corn chowder, ready in about 40 minutes.

Beef stroganoff braised with cola for a sweet, caramelized gravy with mushrooms, sour cream, and Worcestershire. A clever twist on the Russian classic that tenderizes tough cuts.

Lentil salad with smoked turkey, fresh tarragon, and a tangy yogurt-Dijon dressing. A protein-packed main-dish salad that holds up beautifully for lunch the next day.

Crustless spring vegetable pie layered between fresh breadcrumbs with carrots, cauliflower, peas, scallions, eggs, feta, and thyme. A vegetarian quiche-style main that bakes in 25 minutes.

Fettuccine Alfredo lightened up with skim milk and cream cheese, finished with garlic-bloomed butter and a thick blanket of Parmigiano-Reggiano. Silky, garlicky, and surprisingly rich.