Recipe Sifter

Mexican escabeche oysters pickled in vinegar with garlic, carrots, cauliflower, and herbs. Briefly cooked then marinated overnight for a tangy, briny cold appetizer with lime and jalapeno.

Aunt Bunny's Stuffing combines apple, orange, pineapple, water chestnuts, and preserved ginger with raw sausage and 13 herbs and spices for a holiday turkey stuffing that's genuinely unlike any other.

Vegetarian gumbo with black-eyed peas, okra, corn, tomatoes, and the holy trinity in a homemade vegetable stock. A plant-based bayou bowl ready to ladle over cornbread.

Roasted tomato and red chile arrabiata sauce with New Mexico chile, garlic, oregano, and cilantro over pasta. A Southwestern twist on Italian arrabiata with fire-roasted depth.

Cuban-style black beans simmered slow with cumin, oregano, green pepper, garlic, sherry, and apple cider vinegar. The classic Cuban frijoles negros that earn their place beside any Caribbean meal.

Cajun skillet beans with black-eyed peas, the holy trinity of onion, celery, and bell pepper, plus tomatoes, thyme, and a pinch of cayenne. A quick, hearty vegetarian Cajun side.

Simple guacamole with avocado, cumin, oregano, parsley, and taco seasoning. No-cook dip ready in 10 minutes, great with tortilla chips or raw veggies.

Honey and lemon marinated leg of lamb roasted with potatoes, fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano. One pan, up to a 24-hour marinade, and a beautifully gilded finish.

Southwest baked beans with three types of beans, Roma tomatoes, molasses, honey, cumin, and apple cider vinegar. A smoky-sweet, slow-baked side dish that feeds a crowd.

Chicken sherry bakes bone-in legs with a sauce of tomato, dry sherry, basil, oregano, and garlic. A hands-off Italian-inspired oven braise with just 5 minutes of prep and rich, saucy results.

Rustic white bean and eggplant stew with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Italian herbs. Slow-simmered, naturally vegan, and rich with Mediterranean flavor.

Corn chili: a vegetarian Mexican-style chili built on rehydrated ancho chiles, fresh corn, and beer. Deep smoky heat balanced by sweet corn puree and finished with lime. Meatless chili that tastes serious.

A simple but succulent chicken dish that can be served with pasta, rice or a crusty bread.

Rustic dried tomato soup simmered with garlic, olive oil, basil, oregano, and a touch of ginger. Made entirely from pantry staples, this low-effort soup deepens in flavor the longer it cooks.

Vegetarian chili with soybeans and wheat berries instead of traditional kidney beans. Simmered with fresh tomatoes, jalapeno, red bell pepper, and warm spices. Better the next day.

Use as a dip or topping for grilled chicken, seafood, etc., inspired by Diana Rattray