Recipe Sifter

Hellenic marinated celery poached in olive oil, lemon juice, fennel, thyme, and parsley, then chilled. A light Greek-style cold appetizer, low calorie.

Peanut burgers: pan-fried vegetarian nut burgers with roasted peanuts, cashews, herbes de Provence, and yeast extract for deep savory flavor. A meat-free burger with genuine character.

Minestrone casalinga: a homestyle Italian vegetable soup packed with white beans, leeks, cabbage, zucchini, and orzo. Rustic, layered, and exactly what cold weather calls for.

Stewed lamb shanks braised with great northern beans, tomato, red wine, rosemary, and bay. A rustic Italian-style one-pot dinner with fork-tender meat falling off the bone.

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.

This hearty vegetarian three-bean chili is loaded with mushrooms, roma tomatoes, and earthy cumin. Chickpeas, kidney beans, and pinto beans simmer for hours in a rich, smoky broth.

Braised veal shanks (osso buco-style) with porcini mushrooms, white wine, rosemary, and a classic mirepoix. Oven-braised until fork-tender, with a reduced pan sauce.

Harvest chicken soup made from scratch with a rich homemade broth, tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, peas, and sliced avocado garnish. A vegetable-loaded fall chicken soup.

Brown rice summer salad with tarragon vinaigrette, fresh vegetables, peas, and pimentos. Low-fat, no-mayo, and served cold. A make-ahead side dish for hot weather meals.

Creamy vegetable soup thickened with instant mashed potatoes and made from frozen mixed vegetables, milk, and chicken bouillon. A pantry-friendly shortcut soup.

Potato soup with tender egg dumplings, celery, sauteed onions, and a finishing swirl of sour cream. A Central European comfort bowl for cold nights.

A succulent and scrumptious chicken salad made with chopped celery, slivered almonds and swiss cheese.

Veal grillades and grits, a classic New Orleans Creole brunch dish. Flour-dusted veal steaks browned and baked in a rich tomato-pepper gravy, spooned over creamy grits.

German potato salad with beer marinade (Kartoffelsalat mit Biermarinade): warm sliced potatoes tossed with a tangy beer-mustard sauce, crisp bacon, celery, and onion. A Bavarian beer-garden classic.

Light and earthy wild rice dressing with brown rice, fresh mushrooms, celery, and watercress simmered in thyme-scented broth. A wholesome holiday side dish that won't weigh you down.

A Southern-style spinach casserole with chopped oysters, cornbread dressing, Worcestershire, and hot sauce, baked under a blanket of melted cheddar. This bayou-inspired dish brings Gulf Coast flavor to your supper table.