Recipe Sifter

Vegan mushroom spread made with sauteed leeks, garlic, oregano, and a hit of horseradish, pureed smooth. A savory appetizer for crackers, crostini, or turnover filling.

San Antonio chili made Texas-style with coarse ground beef chuck, no beans, no tomatoes. Slow-simmered with chili powder, cumin, oregano, and cayenne, thickened with cornmeal.

Mexican-style meatloaf stuffed with roasted poblano peppers, hard-boiled eggs, and nuts. A layered ground beef loaf with milk-soaked bread and warm spices.

Italian asparagus baked in oregano-seasoned tomato sauce and topped with Swiss cheese. A simple, diabetic-friendly side dish with an oven or microwave option.

Grilled chicken marinated in gin, lemon juice, lemon zest, and fresh oregano. The juniper botanicals in the gin add a piney, herbal depth to the marinade.

Pot roast in savory cheese sauce made with beef chuck braised in cream of cheddar soup, tomato sauce, mushrooms, and Italian herbs. Fork-tender and rich with cheesy gravy.

Slightly Italian crockpot chicken: slow-cooked chicken breasts with artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and Italian dressing sauce thickened with tapioca. Set-and-forget weeknight dinner for four.

New Orleans-style muffaletta on focaccia piled with ham, turkey, provolone, and a tangy olive relish of green olives, artichokes, anchovies, capers, and garlic. Chilled overnight for full flavor.

Fresh tomato salsa with jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, and lime. Basically classic pico de gallo with a sharp Mexican kick, ready blender-free in about 15 minutes.

Veal Parmesan breaded with Parmesan and oregano, pan-fried golden, deglazed with white wine, then topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella under the broiler.

Broiled swordfish steaks topped with a lemon, oregano, and sweet red pepper sauce. Cooked over white wine for a bright, Mediterranean-style seafood dinner.

Grilled vegetable garden burgers with marinated eggplant, zucchini, summer squash, Bermuda onion, and tomato layered into whole wheat pita. A vegan, herb-laced summer sandwich for cookouts.

Roasted eggplant and pepper salad with celery, garlic, black olives, red wine vinegar, and oregano. A make-ahead Italian antipasto served at room temperature.

Mystery pizza with a ricotta cheese crust made from just ricotta and flour, topped with tomato paste, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, mushrooms, and mozzarella. A gluten-light, no-yeast personal pizza.

Mexican-style broiled flank steak marinated overnight in lime juice, garlic, and oregano. Slice thin against the grain and serve with tortillas and guacamole.

Pedernales River chili made Texas-style with coarse ground beef, lard, ground chile, and no beans. A bold, no-frills LBJ-era recipe simmered low for an hour.