Recipe Sifter

Crostini with chicken livers sauteed in butter and white wine, finished with cream and brown gravy, spread on thin toasted French bread. A rich Tuscan-style appetizer ready in 35 minutes.

Broiled crab melts on Melba toast rounds with lime, green onion, and hot mustard, topped with bubbling Swiss cheese. A two-bite appetizer for parties, ready in 20 minutes.

Crusty lamb con ajo with a thick garlic and parsley paste coating a whole leg of lamb. Three full bulbs of garlic blended with oil create a fragrant, golden crust.

Cucumber salsa is a creamy yogurt and sour cream dip with shredded cucumber, fresh herbs, and cumin. Cool, tangy, raita-meets-tzatziki crossover for tacos, grilled meats, or chips.

Beer and cheese soup blends sharp cheddar with a bottle of ale, mirepoix, mustard, Tabasco, and Worcestershire. A Wisconsin tavern classic with a velvety bite of malty heat.

Lighter egg noodle casserole with cottage cheese, yogurt, mushrooms and sharp cheddar. Creamy homemade sauce with worcestershire and cayenne bakes into comfort food that won't weigh you down.

Deviled crab croquettes with Old Bay seasoning, mashed potatoes, hard-boiled egg, and green pepper, rolled in cracker meal and fried golden.

Curried corn chowder pulses half the corn into a silky puree, then folds in whole kernels with onion, peppers, cumin, and curry powder. Dairy-free, light-bodied, and ready in 40 minutes.

Greek-style stuffed tomatoes filled with herbed rice, pine nuts, currants, sunflower seeds, and fresh mint, baked until the skins just begin to split. A light, vegetarian Mediterranean side for four.

This old-fashioned egg drop soup drizzles a thin batter through a colander into rich beef broth, creating tender, wispy noodle-like strands in minutes. A frugal, warming bowl that stretches pantry staples into something special.

Drunken leeks braised in red wine with garlic, finished with a splash of red wine vinegar and fresh parsley. A simple, elegant side dish ready in 30 minutes.

Mediterranean grilled shrimp marinated in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and oregano with a kick of hot sauce. Broil or grill in 6 minutes for a fast, protein-packed dinner.

Veal piccata with lemon, butter, and fresh parsley over flour-dredged cutlets. A 5-ingredient Italian classic that tastes like a trattoria but cooks faster than takeout.

Pan-fried soft-shell crabs in a Parmesan-cornmeal crust, served with a silky red chili beurre blanc made from shallots, lime juice, white wine, and cold butter. Restaurant plating, home kitchen.

Microwave creamy mushroom soup with fresh mushrooms, onions, sour cream, and Worcestershire. A quick single-serving soup ready in 15 minutes for two with no stovetop required.

Roasted tomato soup purees caramelized roasted tomatoes with potato, onion, and vegetable stock for a creamy bowl with no cream needed. Vegetarian comfort soup ready in 45 minutes.