Recipe Sifter

City chicken is a Depression-era classic of cubed beef, pork, and chicken stacked on skewers shaped like drumsticks, dredged in egg-milk and flour, then slow-baked until fork-tender. Old-school Pittsburgh comfort.

Kasseropites are Greek cheese-filled crescents with kasseri, fresh tomatoes, and basil wrapped in homemade olive oil pastry. A golden, hand-shaped vegetarian appetizer dusted with paprika.

Low-fat fettuccine primavera tossed with broccoli, red bell pepper, and a microwave cheese sauce made from skim milk, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Light, creamy, and under 30 minutes.

Turkey breast Marsala pounded thin, dredged in herbed flour, and sauteed in butter with a quick Marsala wine and chicken broth pan sauce. An Italian-style dinner ready in 30 minutes.

A hearty Maritime fish pie with haddock chunks, zucchini, and tomatoes seasoned with thyme and basil, baked under a flaky golden pastry crust. Coastal comfort in every slice.

Fruited turkey roll stuffed with sauteed mushrooms, tarragon, onions, and cheddar, glazed with apricot-mustard, and served with a ginger-apricot fruit sauce. An impressive weeknight dinner.

Vegan eggplant bake layered with a savory nutritional yeast and tahini sauce. Sliced eggplant and sauteed onions in a creamy, dairy-free, cheese-like sauce with tamari and basil.

Toasted French bread replaces noodles in this layered lasagna with seasoned ground beef, fresh tomato slices, a creamy Parmesan white sauce, and bubbly golden mozzarella on top.

Fettuccine tossed with julienned SPAM, broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower in a light basil cream sauce finished with Parmesan. A veggie-loaded primavera that comes together in 35 minutes.

Keftethes from Pontos, Greek meat patties with veal, pork, fresh herbs, tomato, and vinegar. Shallow-fried until puffed and golden, served with fried potatoes.

Basil and garlic focaccia with fresh herbs in the dough and sauteed onions on top. A food-processor Italian flatbread with dimpled olive oil pockets and a crisp golden bottom.

Tomato basil quiche layered with caramelized onions, flour-dredged sauteed tomato slices, and melted cheese in a flaky pastry crust. Summer's tomato glut turned into a vegetarian main dish.

Crispy fried falafel balls with chickpeas, herbs, and warm spices. Classic Middle Eastern vegetarian patties served in pita with fresh vegetables and tahini sauce.

Ripe tomatoes and sweet onions layered with fontina, mozzarella, and Parmesan in a spiced homemade crust, baked until bubbly and golden. This Southern-style tomato pie is summer in every single bite.

Pressure cooker beef stew with chuck, carrots, celery, peas, and leeks in a tomato-Worcestershire broth. Fork-tender beef stew in under 45 minutes total.

Southwest pork stew with chorizo, butternut squash, and corn, baked under a sour cream cornbread crust. A hearty one-dish Mexican-inspired dinner.