Recipe Sifter

Fiery penne all'arrabbiata with pancetta, crushed Roma tomatoes, capers, green olives, anchovies, and hot chili peppers simmered in red wine. A bold, spicy Italian pasta ready in 45 minutes.

Creamy Irish colcannon with buttery mashed potatoes, tender cabbage, and fresh scallions. This classic comfort food side dish comes together in about an hour with just a handful of pantry staples.

Hummus Bi Tahini (Chick Pea and Sesame Puree) recipe

Homemade eggplant ravioli with a smooth pureed filling in fresh egg pasta, served with a Madeira and tomato cream sauce. A vegetarian Italian project recipe worth every minute.

Spanish-inspired shrimp baked in a brandy and white wine tomato sauce with thyme, chili flakes, and a golden Parmesan crust. A stunning make-ahead gratin that's ready when your guests arrive.

Lamb chops Madrid sears herb-rubbed rib chops, then crowns them with a sweet-savory glaze of dry sherry, dried apricots, and brown sugar. A Spanish-inspired lamb dinner that comes together in one pan.

Microwave meatloaf shapes seasoned ground beef into a ring around an inverted custard cup and cooks in 15 minutes flat. A weeknight shortcut for tender meatloaf without firing up the oven.

Ham and rice balls stuffed with fontina cheese, peas, and Parmesan, breaded and pan-fried until golden. Served with warm marinara sauce, these are Italian arancini with a ham twist.

Polpette di pollo in brodo: Italian chicken meatballs with Parmesan, lemon zest, and nutmeg poached in chicken broth. A light, comforting soup ready in 30 minutes.

Linguine with scallops in a reduced white wine and chicken broth sauce with capers, lemon, dill, and parsley. A light, low-calorie seafood pasta.

Mediterranean stuffed meatballs hide blanched vegetables inside seasoned beef with Parmesan and nutmeg, breaded and deep-fried, served over spaghetti with ratatouille sauce.

Chesapeake restaurant crab cakes: Maryland-style crab cakes bound with egg, mayo, dry mustard, and just a light breadcrumb coat. Almost all crab, pan-fried in butter until golden. The real deal.

Moroccan chickpea soup blends pureed chickpeas with tahini, lemon, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne for a creamy, protein-rich vegan soup ready in 30 minutes.

Greek roasted eggplant and feta dip blends smoky broiled eggplant with briny feta, sweet red pepper, fresh basil, and lemon. A vegetarian Mediterranean dip for pita, crackers, or crudités.

Fresh mussels steamed in a fragrant broth of fennel, Pernod, white wine, tomatoes, and garlic, served with crusty French bread for soaking. A bistro-style seafood dish ready in 40 minutes.

Old German cabbage rolls stuffed with seasoned ground beef and rice, simmered for 3 hours in a sweet-and-sour tomato sauce with lemon juice and onion.