Recipe Sifter

Shaker herb soup with chives, chervil, sorrel, and tarragon simmered in chicken broth, ladled over toast, and topped with nutmeg and grated cheddar. A garden-fresh 40-minute bowl of pure simplicity.

Sherried cheddar cheese dip with sour cream, sherry, jalapeno, hot sauce, and garlic. A sharp, slightly boozy cheese dip for vegetables, melon, or Polish sausage.

Creamy shrimp and egg noodle casserole baked with mushroom soup, cheddar cheese, yogurt, and fresh dill. Whole shrimp arranged on top for a gorgeous presentation.

Shrimp pizza wedges on whole wheat tortillas with a spicy cream cheese spread, jalapeño, cumin, and cheddar. Crispy baked appetizer bites.

Three-ingredient sausage balls made with sausage, cheddar cheese, and Bisquick baking mix. A classic Southern party appetizer that freezes beautifully cooked or raw.

Hasselback-style sliced baked potatoes fanned open, drizzled with butter and herbs, then finished with melted cheddar and Parmesan. Crispy edges, creamy centers.

Spam Denver biscuit souffle with a pressed biscuit crust, cream cheese and cheddar filling, cubed Spam, green pepper, and onion. A puffy, Denver omelet-inspired bake with a biscuit base.

Baked russet potatoes stuffed with sautéed Spam, spinach, Parmesan, and thyme, then topped with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack. Comfort food meets Florentine flair.

Spicy black bean chili ready in 25 minutes with pre-seasoned canned beans, salsa-style tomatoes, corn, and melted cheddar on top. A vegetarian weeknight dinner in one skillet.

Just enough spiciness without over powering my palate, and the soup was very tasty.

Turning now to cooking with cheese, here's a recipe for a yummy spinach and cheese soufflé. This recipe comes from Lynne Kaplan, a chef who owns the Victoria House Bed & Breakfast in Spring Lake, NJ. For a gourmet B&B check them out at victoriahouse.net.

A Southern-style spinach casserole with chopped oysters, cornbread dressing, Worcestershire, and hot sauce, baked under a blanket of melted cheddar. This bayou-inspired dish brings Gulf Coast flavor to your supper table.

Spinach-turkey quiche with three cheeses (cheddar, cottage, ricotta), mushrooms, and chopped turkey in a pie shell. A protein-packed, dump-and-bake quiche.

Savory noodle pudding with sun-dried tomatoes, cheddar, and mozzarella baked in a rich egg custard. A water bath gives it a silky, set-not-rubbery texture that slices beautifully.

Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with creamy chili-seasoned ground beef, baked in taco sauce under a blanket of melted cheddar, Monterey Jack, and crushed tortilla chips. Taco night meets stuffed shells.

A quick and succulent pie that everyone will love with dinner! Perfect for that first dinner party you were invited to.