Recipe Sifter

Protein paleo burger: a seasoned beef patty mixed with scallion, garlic, and serrano, stacked bunless on lettuce with a fried egg, grilled portobello, avocado, and chimichurri. High-protein, grain-free.

Beef and Italian sausage chili with a tablespoon of instant coffee for depth, two kinds of beans (kidney and refried), and a Monterey Jack topping. Captain's recipe.

A succulent dish that brings some variety to dinner and a tantalizing flavor everyone will enjoy!

Rigatoni with ground lamb, pine nuts, feta, and fresh mint in a light tomato-broth sauce. A Mediterranean pasta dish with bold Greek-inspired flavors ready in 45 minutes.

Vegan split pea soup: green split peas simmered with celery, carrot, onion, potato, and herbs into a thick, hearty bowl finished with frozen sweet peas and a splash of tamari. No ham needed.

Turkey meatloaf with sun-dried tomatoes, Italian herbs, and egg whites instead of whole eggs. Sauteed aromatics cooked into the mix give this lighter meatloaf deep, savory flavor.

Grami's meatloaf: Italian-leaning meatloaf with ground beef, cottage cheese, rolled oats, oregano, basil, and parmesan crust. A lighter, juicier take on the Sunday dinner staple.

Vegetarian tamale pie layered with spiced kidney beans, corn, tomatoes, and cornmeal polenta topped with Monterey Jack cheese. Baked until bubbly and golden.

Lobster or shrimp fra diavolo in a spicy tomato sauce with red wine, hot peppers, garlic, and fresh herbs, tossed with pasta. Italian-American seafood at its boldest.

Spicy Spam kabobs grilled with pineapple chunks wrapped in snow peas and red bell pepper, marinated in a lemon-thyme-oregano sauce with red pepper flakes. Served over rice for a fun, retro cookout meal.

Pork tenderloin rubbed with oregano, cumin, ancho chile, and smoked paprika, seared golden then roasted alongside honey-glazed baby carrots with jalapeño and garlic. A smoky, one-pan dinner for six.

In Sicily bistecche like these are served as an antipasto, a contorno, or, when a charcoal fire is going, as one of many dishes in a mixed grill.

Squid spaghetti in a fresh tomato sauce with basil, oregano, marjoram, and thyme. Tender squid simmered gently in Roma tomatoes for a simple Italian seafood pasta.

Mike's Baked Stuffed Eggplant fills eggplant shells with a Parmesan, breadcrumb, and egg stuffing, then bakes over a rustic potato-tomato sauce for 90 minutes. A hearty Italian-style vegetarian main.

Vegetarian Mexican chili burgers made with seven-grain cereal, brown rice, tofu, green chilies, and cumin. Pan-fried golden brown with no meat needed. Makes 12 patties.

Champagne-braised chicken casserole layered with peas, baby carrots, new potatoes, and cream of mushroom soup. A showstopper one-dish dinner.