Recipe Sifter

Eggplant guacamole dip made with roasted eggplant, tomatoes, cumin, cilantro, and chili powder. A creamy, smoky avocado-free twist on classic guacamole that's naturally low fat.

Pasta e fagioli the proper Italian way: dried red kidney beans slow-baked with sage and garlic, then simmered with pancetta and a sofrito of carrot, celery, and onion. Half the beans get pureed for that signature silky, stew-thick body.

Old-fashioned headcheese from pig knuckles simmered with onion, cloves and cinnamon, then chilled into a savory aspic terrine. A heritage charcuterie.

Lentil soup simmered with tomatoes, carrots, marjoram, and thyme, finished with dry white wine and topped with grated cheddar. A hearty, high-fiber one-pot meal.

Florida coleslaw with dill, red wine vinegar, green onions, and a light mayo dressing. A tangy, herb-forward slaw that's lighter than the traditional creamy style.

Flounder au gratin baked under a creamy Swiss cheese sauce with scallions and celery. A light, elegant fish dinner ready in 40 minutes.

Vegetable-packed beer chili with kidney beans, chickpeas, zucchini, and carrots simmered in a cumin-chili spice base. Topped with cheese, sour cream, and sunflower seeds.

Baked pinto beans with chorizo, roasted poblano peppers, tomatoes, and green onions. A spicy, smoky Mexican-style bean casserole ready in 40 minutes.

Texas-style no-bean chili with hand-cubed beef and pork, beer, whiskey, dried chiles, and masa harina. A fiery, competition-worthy pot that feeds a crowd.

German braised red cabbage in red wine with apples, cinnamon, and cloves. Sweet-tart Rotkraut simmered until tender but still crisp, a classic side for roast pork or sauerbraten.

Green tomato and onion pickles in a sweet cider vinegar brine with mustard seeds, whole allspice, and cloves. A big-batch canning recipe that turns 4 quarts of unripe tomatoes into tangy, spiced pickles.

Green olive relish with red onion, garlic, fresh parsley, and lemon juice in extra-virgin olive oil. A quick no-cook condiment for grilled fish and Mediterranean dishes.

Gringo chili: retro American chili built on canned tomato soup, French onion soup, kidney beans, and ground beef. Loaded with ground chile, cumin, and oregano. Weeknight chili with zero apologies.

Hearty burgundy spaghetti sauce with red wine, stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, green pepper, basil, and oregano. A meatless pasta sauce with rich, wine-deepened tomato flavor.

Home-style vegetable soup loaded with zucchini, carrots, chickpeas, spinach, mushrooms, and pasta in a tomato broth with Italian herbs. A filling one-pot meal.

Good, inexpensive hearty meal although I would spice it up a little more probably with garlic and more onion.