Recipe Sifter

Pappardelle smothered in a chunky red sauce with artichokes, roasted peppers, cannellini beans, and sun-dried tomato pesto. Hearty, rustic Italian comfort in 40 minutes.

Cocktail wieners simmer in a sweet-tart orange sauce spiced with cloves and cinnamon. A retro party appetizer in 20 minutes flat.

Mock guacamole made with steamed asparagus and picante sauce instead of avocado. A low-fat, avocado-free dip with the same creamy green look and tangy flavor.

Spicy beef lettuce cups loaded with sirloin stir-fried in soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and Chinese five spice. A crispy, low-carb appetizer that comes together in just 20 minutes.

Restaurant-style sesame beef stir fry with crisp asparagus and red bell pepper. Triple-fried strips get tossed in a savory soy, sesame paste, and Shaoxing wine sauce that clings to every bite.

Hard-boiled eggs and mixed vegetables layered over potatoes in a cheddar-mustard cream sauce, topped with tomato slices and baked. A budget-friendly, low-calorie meatless dinner.

Chocolate coffee coconut cream pie: a silky chocolate custard infused with coconut milk and a hit of espresso, folded with shredded coconut and chilled in a flaky pre-baked crust. Three-flavor showstopper.

Freezer-friendly chicken and noodle casserole in a red wine tomato-mushroom sauce with basil and garlic. Make it ahead, freeze in individual portions, and reheat on busy nights. Serves 4 to 6.

Spicy firecracker chicken wings simmered in a ginger-garlic stir-fry glaze with crushed red pepper and sherry. A sticky, glossy sauce coats every wing for bold Asian-inspired heat.

Chicken fillets (kip is Dutch for chicken) pan-seared and served with a creme fraiche and red grapefruit sauce brightened with shallots and coriander. A quick, elegant Dutch-style main.

Tofu cubes rolled in wheat germ and cornstarch, then deep-fried until crispy and golden. A 3-ingredient vegetarian snack or side, ready in 30 minutes with soy or sweet and sour dip.

Crispy pecan-potato pancakes topped with cilantro-marinated grilled shrimp, cool cucumber salsa, and a roasted red pepper cream sauce. A restaurant-style appetizer.

Sole fillets rolled around a buttery shrimp and mushroom stuffing, poached in white wine and dill, then napped with a silky cream sauce thickened with egg yolk. A classic French-style seafood dinner.

Whole flounder scored and stuffed with ginger, ham, and Chinese black mushrooms, steamed and finished with a soy-rice wine sauce. An elegant Cantonese-style steamed fish ready in 40 minutes.

A rich brown sugar cheesecake studded with cashews and pecans on a vanilla wafer crust. Creamy, nutty, and caramelly, this showstopper bakes in just 30 minutes in a springform pan.

Chocolate silk pudding with cocoa, three types of milk, egg yolks, and gelatin. A pot de creme-style dessert that sets overnight into a dense, velvety custard.