Recipe Sifter

Indian cabbage, carrot, and onion curry with mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric, and coriander cooked in ghee. A vegetarian dry curry side dish ready in 35 minutes.

This easy version of the classic pepper sauce clearly illustrates why some old-time combinations just cannot be improved upon. Serve this with beef or game, especially pheasant.

Bob's easy beef stew is the one-pot weeknight classic: browned stewing beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, and bay leaves, thickened with a quick flour slurry. Hearty Sunday-supper comfort, ready in under an hour.

Roasted julienne carrots and potatoes with zucchini, yellow squash, and onion glazed in orange marmalade. Finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for crunch.

Vegan black bean soup brightened with vinegar and soy sauce. Sauteed mirepoix joins long-simmered beans for a brothy, refreshing alternative to richer pureed bean soups.

Curried corn and chicken salad with a creamy yogurt-curry dressing, red cabbage, bell pepper, and cumin. A no-cook, make-ahead lunch with bold Indian-inspired flavor.

Turkey A La King served in crispy whole wheat bread cups with a creamy vegetable-rich sauce. Classic comfort food made with leftover turkey and frozen peas.

Greek garbanzo bean soup with kidney beans, tomato sauce, and vegetables sauteed in broth instead of oil. Half-pureed for a thick, hearty texture that's naturally low in fat.

Vegetarian Mexican chili burgers made with seven-grain cereal, brown rice, tofu, green chilies, and cumin. Pan-fried golden brown with no meat needed. Makes 12 patties.

Stuffed flank steak with marsala mushroom sauce: Italian braciole-style pinwheel rolled around pork, pancetta, spinach, currants, and provolone, then finished in a porcini-marsala sauce.

Norene's chicken soup is old-school Jewish penicillin: whole hen simmered slow with carrots, celery, onion, and fresh dill until the broth turns golden. Stovetop or microwave method.

Savory chicken pot pies built properly: poached chicken, tarragon-scented gravy made from real stock, pearl onions, potato, broccoli, and mushrooms, all tucked under a rich pastry crust cracked with steam vents.

Braised fennel stew with caramelized pearl onions and carrots simmered in chicken broth. A French-inspired vegetable side with anise-sweet fennel, browned butter, and natural sugars.

Homemade cream of chicken noodle soup with shredded chicken, elbow macaroni, mixed vegetables, and a sage-and-thyme-scented cream base. A hearty one-pot soup that beats anything from a can.

Fish and leek chowder with shark, cod, and bay scallops in a white wine and tomato broth - lighter than cream-based versions and packed with flavor. Make-ahead friendly, ready in 50 minutes.

Grandma's chicken and dumpling soup with hand-made broth, cream of chicken and mushroom soups, vegetables, and feathery drop dumplings. A Midwestern comfort-food classic built for big gatherings.