Recipe Sifter

Texas-style venison chili simmered in beer and beef stock with chili powder, cumin, coriander, and masa harina. No beans, no tomatoes, just bold meat-and-spice flavor that deepens overnight.

Crispy Sicilian flatbread topped with sauteed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, and Parmesan. Uses store-bought pizza dough for a 30-minute appetizer or snack.

Eggplant and pasta shells in a tomato-wine sauce with mushrooms, green pepper, red onion, and oregano. An oil-free vegetarian pasta sauteed in water and vinegar.

Gazpacho salad takes all the fresh vegetables from the classic cold soup and serves them chopped over lettuce with a tangy herb dressing. No cooking, no blender, just crisp tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers chilled until the flavors meld.

Italian potato salad tosses steamed red potatoes with green beans, Kalamata olives, Roma tomatoes, and fresh basil in a light cornstarch-thickened red wine vinaigrette.

Homemade beef and pork sausage seasoned with sage, cumin, aniseed, and red pepper flakes. Stuff into casings for links or shape into patties for grilling.

Bruschetta with chopped tomato salad featuring red and yellow bell peppers, capers, fresh basil, and balsamic vinegar. Low-fat, no oil, served as a mound alongside garlic-rubbed toast.

Orzo with marinated portabello mushrooms, simmered in a sundried-tomato and white wine broth with garlic, capers and herbs, then tossed with the orzo. A bold, oil-free vegetarian dinner in under 30 minutes.

Homemade Cajun spice blend with cayenne, black pepper, oregano, thyme, cumin, cardamom, fennel, and coriander. Makes 2 cups of bold, aromatic seasoning for any protein or vegetable.

Black beans and fettuccine topped with a spiced ketchup-tomato sauce, steamed broccoli, and colorful bell peppers. A low-calorie vegetarian pasta that feeds a crowd.

Homemade fresh tomato juice from ripe tomatoes with oregano, thyme, and a squeeze of lemon. No-cook, low calorie, and ready in 15 minutes.

Fresh green beans, mushrooms, zucchini, and tomato wedges simmered in a tangy Worcestershire-vinegar sauce with oregano. Serve hot as a side or chilled as a vegetable salad.

Greek potato salad with a creamy yogurt-feta dressing, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, oregano, and rosemary. A lighter Mediterranean twist on potato salad with no mayonnaise.

Low-fat fettuccine primavera tossed with broccoli, red bell pepper, and a microwave cheese sauce made from skim milk, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Light, creamy, and under 30 minutes.

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.

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.