Recipe Sifter

New Orleans-style red beans simmered with smoked ham hocks, kielbasa, the holy trinity, and a kick of Tabasco. Thick, smoky, and good enough to make on a Monday or any day.

Chicken Ya-Hah simmers chicken breast with jalapenos, water chestnuts, Szechwan chili sauce, curry, cumin, and red wine in tomato sauce. A spicy fusion stew over cornbread or rice.

Grilled herbed steak marinated overnight in a tomato juice, basil, and oregano blend, served over tender foil-packet onions with a tangy pan sauce.

Howard Karten's salsa is a Mediterranean-leaning chunky tomato dip: peeled tomatoes, red onion, black olives, cumin, garlic, oregano, and red wine vinegar. No chiles, no cilantro, all flavor.

Healthy meat loaf packed with sauteed cabbage, shredded carrots, and potatoes mixed into lean ground beef with whole wheat bread crumbs. More vegetable than meat, baked covered then uncovered for a golden crust.

Tomato and herb salad layers sliced ripe tomatoes over crisp lettuce with a chopped-tomato oregano vinaigrette. Fat-free, low calorie, diabetic-friendly side ready in 20 minutes.

Roux-thickened Creole onion soup loaded with golden onions, three cheeses, cayenne, and herbs, topped with seasoned bread cubes. French onion goes full Louisiana.

Wild boar saddle slow-roasted over Cuban-style black beans with dark rum, smoked ham, and salt pork. Hunter's chili with deep, layered flavors and traditional egg-and-scallion garnish.

White chicken chili with white beans, green chiles, poblano pepper, cumin, and oregano. A lighter, brothy chili loaded with garnish options.

Creole beans and rice layers a tomato-spiced kidney bean stew over fluffy rice, finished with a fresh cucumber-tomato salsa for crunch. Vegan, high-fiber Louisiana classic.

Steak and kidney pudding, the British pub classic: cubes of round steak and kidney slow-braised with onions, Worcestershire and herbs into a rich gravy, then topped with flaky pastry and baked golden. Hearty old-country comfort.

French style herbed cheese spreads softened cream cheese with oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and milk into a five-minute Boursin-style appetizer for crusty bread or crackers.

Velveted chicken stir-fry seasoned with oregano, lemon pepper, and white wine instead of soy and ginger. The Greek-Chinese mashup that actually works. Two-serving size.

Caribbean shrimp sautéed with a warm spice rub, fresh mango, white wine, orange juice, cilantro, and toasted coconut. Tropical, vibrant, and on the table in 35 minutes.

Pizza-style chicken meatloaf baked in a clay pot with oregano, pizza seasoning, and Parmesan, topped with pizza sauce, mozzarella, and mushrooms.

Spanish pan con tomate with Serrano ham slow-roasts plum tomatoes for a sweet, garlicky spread piled onto toasted baguette and topped with thin slices of jamón. A classic tapas party platter.