Recipe Sifter

Herb garden couscous salad with black beans, fresh dill, mint, parsley, tomatoes, olives, and a lemon-olive oil dressing. A bright, no-cook grain salad.

Spaghettini tossed with oil-packed sundried tomatoes, golden-seared zucchini chunks, garlic-infused olive oil, and a lemon-zested vegetable broth. A vegetarian pasta with sunny Mediterranean flavor.

Tomato basil bread machine loaf made with whole wheat flour, tomato juice, honey, and vital wheat gluten. A savory, herb-scented yeast bread with no oil or butter.

Osso buco braises veal shanks in onion butter, white wine, and tomato until fall-apart tender, then finishes with gremolata of garlic, parsley, and lemon zest. A Milanese classic for special dinners.

Mediterranean lamb stew simmered with tomatoes, garlic, cinnamon, cumin, and green beans. Slow-cooked until fork-tender, served with yogurt and pita.

Snappy bean dip melts sharp American cheese with tomatoes, green chilies, and jalapeno bean dip into a hot, scoopable party dip. Ready in minutes and made for a big bowl of tortilla chips.

Oven-baked barbecue chicken breasts browned in a dry skillet, then baked under a tangy chili sauce, tomato sauce and Worcestershire glaze with sliced onion. No grill required.

Stuffed zucchini blossoms (kolokytholouloutha yemista) filled with rice, fresh mint, parsley, tomato, and olive oil, then simmered in water. A traditional Greek vegetarian appetizer.

Rustic vegetarian stew with carrots, leeks, red potatoes, and briny olives simmered in herbed vegetable broth. A one-pot meal that's naturally low in fat and full of earthy flavor.

Microwave brown rice stew with knackwurst sausage, tomatoes, carrots, celery, and Italian herbs. A one-pot weeknight dinner that cooks entirely in the microwave in about an hour.

Ancho chile, red pepper, and tomato soup: a silky Mexican-inspired pureed soup with rehydrated anchos, cabbage, and tomato, finished with creme fraiche and cilantro. Vegetarian and naturally gluten-free.

Slow-simmered spaghetti sauce with ground beef, three types of tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup, and chili powder. Two hours of uncovered cooking builds deep, rich flavor.

Southern chicken and okra gumbo with salt pork, fresh tomatoes, and hot pepper, served over fluffy white rice. A slow-simmered Plains-style gumbo with deep, smoky flavor.

Don's Turkey Mystery: a one-skillet dish with leftover turkey, soy sauce, stewed tomatoes, raisins, and pineapple over vermicelli. Sweet, savory, and ready in 30 minutes.

Mediterranean baked swordfish topped with a sundried tomato and kalamata olive tapenade, set over lemon slices. Four ingredients, 20 minutes oven time, restaurant-quality fish dinner.

Crispy chicken tostadas piled high with mashed black beans, shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, and a kick of hot sauce. A 30-minute Mexican dinner for two that's loaded with fresh toppings and bold flavor.