Recipe Sifter

Honey whole wheat sesame bagels made from a yeast sponge, boiled briefly before baking for that classic chewy crust. Nutty, lightly sweet, and a real homemade win.

Iced cucumber yogurt soup: a no-cook chilled soup blended with mint, scallion, lemon, and garlic, then enriched with sour cream and yogurt. The summer starter that cools the room as it cools the palate.

Italian bean and barley casserole layered with sauteed zucchini, homemade tomato sauce, grated cheese, and wheat germ. A hearty vegetarian bake with a crunchy, golden topping.

Baked Italian chicken sticks marinated in tomato juice and oregano, coated in seasoned breadcrumbs, and oven-crisped without frying. No egg wash needed, just a tomato juice trick for crunch.

Jalapeno basted beer can chicken. Grilled and smoked to perfection, juicy and moist barbecued chicken.

After he perfected his original he made a crispy recipe that was marinated first then fried the conventional way. This one is double dunked into the coating to give it its great taste.

Lasagna in a bun: hollowed dinner rolls stuffed with seasoned ground beef, spaghetti sauce, ricotta, and melted mozzarella. All the layers of lasagna in a handheld, kid-friendly package.

Lime glazed chicken breasts get a crisp lemon-pepper crust from a double dredge, then a tart pan sauce reduced from lime juice and chicken broth poured over the top.

Grilled soft shell crabs basted in a tarragon and lemon pepper marinade. Cooked slow over indirect heat for crispy shells and sweet, tender meat. A Chesapeake Bay summer classic.

Marinated ginger chicken with lemon juice, soy sauce, and double ginger (fresh and ground) soaked overnight then grilled or broiled. Bold flavor, simple prep.

A no-cook marinated string bean salad with mushrooms, cucumber, cauliflower, and pimentos in a tangy champagne vinegar dressing. Make ahead, fat-free, perfect for picnics and potlucks.

Lighter chicken and rice casserole made with skim milk, defatted broth, and reduced-calorie mayo. Topped with toasted almonds and baked until bubbly. All the comfort, less the guilt.

Tofu veggie burgers with rolled oats, wheat germ, soy sauce, and Italian herbs. A simple meatless burger patty that holds together and bakes on a sheet pan.

Boneless chicken breasts pan-seared in butter under a generous paprika and garlic crust, then finished in a quick Alouette cheese sauce. A modern shortcut version of classic chicken paprikash, ready in 30 minutes.

Oriental garbanzo soup is a simple, soy-seasoned broth thickened with flour and flavored with sauteed onion, sweet basil, and garlic. A light, warming vegetarian soup in 30 minutes.

Deep-fried chicken wings coated in seasoned flour, then glazed with a sticky honey-teriyaki sauce. Crispy, sweet, savory, and gone in minutes.