Recipe Sifter

Spaghetti sauce from fresh tomatoes with fennel seeds, green pepper, Parmesan, and a triple tomato base of fresh, pureed, and paste. The longer it simmers, the better it gets.

Greek chicken and spaghetti tosses lemon-oregano marinated chicken strips with summer squash, zucchini, and a whisper of cinnamon. Mediterranean weeknight dinner, the whole pan in 40 minutes.

Middle Eastern-style lamb hand pies with pine nuts, mint, and lemon zest baked in biscuit dough. Served with a cool minted yogurt dipping sauce.

Sopa de elote is a Mexican corn soup blending pureed corn with whole kernels, sauteed onion, fresh tomatoes, garlic, and a finishing splash of cream. Gluten-free, late-summer comfort.

Chicken cheddar tortilla pizzas crisp corn tortillas in oil, then top them with seasoned chicken, tomato, onion, green pepper, pizza sauce, and melted cheese. A Tex-Mex pizza in 25 minutes.

A hearty Baja-style seafood stew loaded with clams, shrimp, fish, and crab simmered in a citrusy tomato broth with green chiles and white wine.

Italian hunter's-style chicken browned and baked in tomato sauce with red wine, garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Finished with Parmesan for a rustic, hearty dinner.

Classic baked lasagna layered with ground beef tomato sauce, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and cheddar. The kind of hearty, cheesy, from-scratch comfort food that brings everyone to the table.

Juicy Italian-style beef patties smothered in spaghetti sauce with sauteed mushrooms, peppers, and melted provolone over a bed of spaghetti. Ready in under an hour!

Hearty black bean cassoulet soup loaded with three kinds of sausage, a meaty ham bone, cumin, oregano, and a splash of dry sherry. Feeds a crowd of 16 with a sour cream finish.

Hearty no-bean beef chili built on 3 pounds of stewing beef, half a cup of chili powder, masa harina for body, and a secret weapon: a dash of Peychaud's bitters and nutmeg at the finish.

Microwave Cajun spiced chicken drumsticks marinated in vegetable juice, hot sauce, and vinegar. Served over rice with a tangy vegetable sauce. Quick, low-fat, and ready in an hour.

Caldo Verde: Portuguese green soup with kale, chorizo, white beans, potatoes, turnips, and smoked ham in chicken broth. One pot, one hour, and even better the next day.

A meatless kidney bean chili loaded with cashews, raisins, and a splash of apple cider vinegar for tangy depth. Spiced with cumin, chili powder, and oregano for a one-pot vegetarian feast.

Serve this scrumptious cheese bread with lasagna or any other kind of casserole you prepare for dinner.

A simplified cheesy zucchini quiche with an easy crescent roll crust and layers of flavor. Turns out more like a pie than a traditional quiche.