Recipe Sifter

Layers of steamed cauliflower, sliced tomatoes, and water chestnuts smothered in a homemade cheddar cheese sauce with basil and a hint of cayenne. Topped with seasoned breadcrumbs and baked until bubbly and golden.

Gingery maple chicken drumsticks browned in a skillet then baked in a maple syrup, soy sauce, sherry, and ginger glaze. The sauce thickens into a sticky, caramelized coating as it bakes.

Seafood enchiladas with a dual-sauce finish: tangy tomatillo salsa verde on top and a cilantro-cumin cream sauce underneath. Stuffed with crab, Mexican cheese, and cream cheese.

Happychicken burgers blend pressed tofu, cabbage, carrots, and nutritional yeast into a savory plant-based patty seasoned with poultry herbs. Vegan-friendly and gluten-adaptable.

Ground ham shaped into bite-sized balls with fresh dill and Dijon mustard, browned in butter, then smothered in a creamy dill sour cream sauce. Serve over noodles for a cozy dinner for six.

Slow cooker shrimp and andouille sausage gumbo built on an oven-toasted dry roux, the holy trinity of onion, bell pepper, and celery, plus Creole seasoning. Six hours on low for real Louisiana depth, no roux-stirring required.

My favorite pierogi are filled with the veal lung or the brown lentils. Why not to combine these ingredients into the one filling?

Crispy, savory whole-wheat scallion pancakes, a Chinese restaurant favorite, made healthier with whole-wheat flour. Perfect as a side or appetizer, these pancakes are flaky, golden, and packed with green onion flavor. Make the dough ahead and freeze for quick meals.

This hearty Cajun chicken and andouille gumbo starts with a deep chestnut roux, the holy trinity, and smoky sausage simmered into a rich, soul-warming bowl. Serve over rice with a splash of sherry.

Soft steamed buns filled with mushrooms, water chestnuts, bell pepper, and hoisin sauce, served with a soy-chili dipping sauce. Homemade Chinese bao that freeze beautifully for later.

Pork chops with dill cream gravy, simmered in white wine with mushrooms and scallions, then finished with sour cream. A one-skillet dinner served over rice.

Margarita shrimp with fettuccine: tequila-lemon-marinated shrimp dipped in egg and flour, seared, and served over pasta with a lemon-ginger-wine butter sauce.

Hearty skillet cake with brown rice, ham, zucchini, carrots, and cheese. Crispy bottom, soft center, and golden top from the broiler. A perfect way to use up leftover ham and vegetables for a quick weeknight dinner.

Fat-free Alfredo sauce over fettuccine made with skim evaporated milk, garlic sauteed in white wine, and nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without the cheese. A lighter take on the classic cream pasta.

Hearty Cajun corn soup loaded with smoked sausage, cubed ham, tomatoes, and corn kernels in a roux-thickened broth with cayenne and hot sauce. Feeds a crowd and simmers for an hour.

Cajun wild duck and andouille sauce piquant simmered low and slow in a dark roux with tomato sauce, white wine, and hot pepper. Louisiana bayou cooking at its boldest.