Recipe Sifter

Crustless chicken pie: layers of cooked chicken, celery, parsley, and bread crumbs bound by an egg-and-broth custard, water-bath baked. A vintage savory pudding that uses up leftover roast chicken.

Retro cucumber gelatin ring mold filled with a lemon-tarragon chicken salad. An elegant, make-ahead appetizer or luncheon centerpiece that's cool, creamy, and refreshing.

Grilled oysters on the half shell drenched in a rich curry cream sauce made with homemade fish fumet, topped with a tropical red banana salsa spiked with serrano chiles, tamarind, and fresh mint. A showstopper.

Quick DIY lamb stock made with browned lamb bones, shallots, carrots, celery, tomato, and white wine in a veal-stock base. Builds rich roasted flavor in just 30 minutes of simmering.

Dad's chicken fried steak, minute steaks pounded thin, breaded crisp and pan-fried, then smothered in a creamy milk gravy built right from the pan drippings. A down-home Southern supper.

Dad's shepherd's pie: ground beef with mushrooms, tomato and brown gravy, topped with fluffy mashed potatoes and baked until the crust turns golden brown. Sunday-supper comfort food.

Creamy potato cheese soup brightened with a generous full cup of fresh dill and finished with sharp cheddar. A warming bowl with golden carrots, soft potatoes, and a pop of fresh herb.

Diner-style macaroni and cheese with sharp cheddar cheese spread, shredded cheddar, sauteed onions, and green bell pepper, baked until bubbly. No roux needed for this creamy classic.

Hearty potato cheese chowder thickened with a quick roux and brightened with chopped tomatoes and parsley. A vegetarian dinner soup ready in 40 minutes from pantry staples.

Chickpea dip with 6 cloves of garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice pureed smooth. A tahini-free hummus-style appetizer served with pita bread, scallions, crackers, or red cabbage.

Dressed crab is a classic British seafood centerpiece. White crab meat tossed with lemon, parsley, and mayonnaise, served in the shell alongside a brown meat mixture spiked with dijon mustard and breadcrumbs.

Easy ham, bean and tomato soup turns leftover holiday ham and a ham bone broth into a hearty navy bean soup with onions, celery, and tomato. A pantry-savvy meal.

Chicken drumsticks cooked with potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, and onions in one dish, finished with crispy bacon and fresh parsley. A complete harvest-style dinner for six made in the microwave.

Tomatoes are packed with lycopene, an antioxidant that helps prevent heart disease and cancer. They are a good source of vitamin C as well as vitamin E to help protect the body from oxidative damage. Cucumbers provide anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits. Capsicum is a great source of beta-carotene which is an antioxidant and precursor to vitamin A, helping to promote vision and support reproduction, growth as well as a healthy immune system. Olives are antioxidant powerhouses and contain anti-inflammatory compounds, known for their role in preventing coronary artery disease.

Grilled eggplant rollups with sun-dried tomato goat cheese, fresh basil, and garlic. A no-bread vegetarian appetizer with smoky char and a creamy tangy filling.

German Eierschwaemme: wild mushrooms sauteed in butter with onion and parsley, folded into soft scrambled eggs. A simple Alpine dish that showcases foraged boletes or chanterelles.