Recipe Sifter

Savory Southwest cheesecake appetizer with a tortilla chip crust, layers of seasoned cream cheese, ground beef, refried beans, and a sour cream topping loaded with fresh garnishes.

Sea bass fillets baked over a bed of black olives, garlic, oregano, basil, and parsley, basted in vegetable stock. A Mediterranean-inspired Turkish fish dish that's low calorie, high flavor, and effortlessly elegant.

Pounded chicken breast stuffed with ham, guava paste, and cilantro, then wrapped in crescent dough and baked golden. Topped with a sweet guava-sherry sauce for a Latin-inspired showpiece.

Meaty portobello caps marinate in lemon-herb oil with mozzarella slices, then hit the grill for smoky vegetarian burgers piled high with fresh tomatoes and romaine on toasted kaiser rolls.

Roasted lamb's head marinated in olive oil, red wine, oregano, and garlic then slow-baked until tender. A bold nose-to-tail dish with rich, succulent meat pulled straight from the bone.

Salmon scampi seared in bacon drippings and finished with marsala wine, butter, garlic, and herbs. A pan-to-oven main course served over rice.

Whole chicken basted in a rich butter sauce with sherry, curry powder, Worcestershire, oregano, and dry mustard. Slow-roasted and repeatedly glazed until the skin turns deep golden and lacquered.

Cornish game hens stewed in fruit and sugar -- I originally got this recipe from the Sunday magazine of the local paper. I served it last year for Christmas dinner, and it's very good. What's more, this recipe is easy: you just put everything in a bowl, marinate overnight, then bake until done!

Baked sea bass with black olive sauce of garlic, oregano, basil, and parsley in vegetable stock. A Mediterranean-style fish dinner ready in 30 minutes with bold, briny flavors.

Homemade marinara sauce with pureed Italian plum tomatoes, garlic, and fresh parsley simmered with bay leaves. A simple meatless pasta sauce ready in about 30 minutes.

Succulent grilled portobello mushroom has the meaty texture, which is ideal for burger. It's also marinated in a garlicky-herby-lemony marinade to build up more flavour.

Broiled zucchini planks topped with garlic, basil, oregano and parmesan, blistered under the broiler until tender with a browned cheesy crust. A fast, low-carb side that's ready in minutes.

Garlic butter shrimp scampi with lemon, herbs, and orange liqueur reduced into a concentrated sauce. Served over pasta or rice for a quick, elegant seafood dinner.

Homemade Mexican pork chorizo, ground pork blended with garlic, vinegar, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, and cloves. The mixture cures overnight, then crumbles into a skillet for tacos, eggs, or breakfast hash.

Homemade Mexican chorizo with ground pork shoulder, ancho chile powder, cumin, coriander, fresh oregano, and vinegar. No casing needed, ready overnight.

Meticulously seasoned ground chicken placed on top of a delicious golden brown fried plantain to create a scrumptious edible boat.