Recipe Sifter

Four hour beef stew baked low and slow with cream of mushroom soup, onion soup mix, and tapioca for a thick, rich gravy. No browning, no stovetop fuss.

Whole chicken roasted French-style in a covered casserole with sherry, baby onions, and potatoes. The herb-stuffed cavity perfumes the bird while pan juices reduce into a thin gravy.

Fresh herb turkey loaf with oats, egg whites, red bell pepper, celery, parsley, and basil. A lighter take on meatloaf that's leaner and packed with vegetables.

Fresh vegetable basil soup with potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, cauliflower, zucchini, and green peas in an herb-seasoned broth. A hearty, low-fat vegan soup.

Chinese-style fried rice made with nutty, chewy wild rice instead of white, tossed with shrimp, ham, peas, and silky golden egg threads in a savory oyster-soy sauce. A heartier take on takeout fried rice.

Duck pilaf that makes the most of leftover roast duckling: rice toasted golden, simmered in stock with celery, then baked with diced duck and sweet dried apricots. A smart, savory-sweet second act for last night's roast.

Fruit stuffed pork chops filled with diced apples, pears, and cinnamon-raisin bread crumbs, simmered until tender and served with glazed apple rings. An elegant fall dinner.

A colorful five-bean salad with green beans, lima beans, kidney beans, wax beans, and chickpeas tossed in a tangy sweet vinegar dressing with green pepper, celery, and green onions. Best made overnight.

Garlic broth made with two whole heads of garlic, saffron, curry powder, and sage. A pureed vegetarian soup with deep, aromatic flavor from simmered garlic and warm spices.

Garlicky black pepper shrimp and black-eyed peas is Low Country Southern cooking in one skillet: bacon, holy trinity, bay-scented peas, and wine-splashed shrimp finished with cracked pepper.

Homemade giardiniera with carrots, cauliflower, celery, peppers, and onions brined overnight and pickled in a spiced vinegar with mustard seed, celery seed, and chili peppers.

Golden noodle soup simmered with diced potatoes, carrots, and celery in a rich homemade broth. Whole wheat noodles and fresh parsley finish this hearty, warming bowl.

Golden vegetable noodle soup: a turmeric-tinted vegan broth with split peas, noodles, carrots, and nutritional yeast for cheesy umami. Fat-free, plant-based comfort in one bowl.

Hearty bean soup simmered with ham, tomatoes, and herbs in chicken stock. A slow-cooked mixed bean soup that doubles as a thoughtful mason jar gift for the holidays.

Grilled chicken salad with red leaf lettuce, juicy orange slices, ripe black olives, and a sharp red wine vinegar dressing scented with garlic and celery. A light, bright Mediterranean lunch in 18 minutes.

If you like chowder then you will adore this hearty alternative that will have you licking your chops and maybe even your bowl!