Recipe Sifter

Mediterranean lentil salad tosses green lentils with roasted red peppers, fresh basil, toasted walnuts, and balsamic, served over dandelion greens dressed with lemon.

Baked squid with garlic-anchovy capellini, the Italian-American Feast of Seven Fishes star reimagined for the home oven. Crispy crumb-coated calamari over silky anchovy-garlic pasta, all in 30 minutes.

Seafood lovers will love this succulent shrimp dish that is prepared with a savory sauce.

Bartlett pear muffins fold sweet diced pears and chopped walnuts into a lemon-zested batter. Tender, fruit-studded morning muffins ready in 40 minutes for breakfast or weekend brunch.

Old-fashioned heart of palm pickles with mustard, turmeric and cider vinegar. Bright yellow tropical pickle relish for canning, with sweet-tangy Southern flavor.

Moroccan lentil soup with chickpeas, wheat berries, saffron, and a lemon-egg finish called taktira. A hearty North African soup spiced with turmeric, ginger, and cilantro.

Why buy salad dressing when it's easy to make your own, here's a Raspberry Walnut dressing that can be made ahead and is ready when you are. Makes about two cups of dressing.

Old Munich sauerbraten: beef marinated for days in a spiced vinegar bath, then clay-pot braised until fork-tender in a sweet-sour gravy thickened with gingersnaps. Authentic Bavarian pot roast for potato pancakes.

Microwave shrimp scampi in garlic lemon butter with scallions, ready in under 20 minutes. A fast weeknight dinner for two, served over rice pilaf.

Old-fashioned raisin pie with a spiced orange juice filling, dual citrus zest, cinnamon, and cloves under a lattice crust. A sweet, fruity heirloom pie that deserves a comeback.

Israeli upside-down apple cake made with potato starch instead of flour, naturally gluten-free. Whole apples stuffed with walnuts and raisins bake in a caramel base topped with a light sponge.

Deep-fried pineapple fritters with crushed pineapple folded into the batter, served with a brown sugar and pineapple juice sauce. Crispy outside, fruity and tender inside.

Cape Cod cranberry-blueberry crisp with maple syrup, oat-almond topping, and whole wheat flour. A naturally sweetened, butter-free fruit dessert bursting with tart berry flavor.

McIlhenny's crawfish etouffee smothered in butter with the holy trinity, crawfish fat, Tabasco, and fresh lemon juice. A rich, roux-free Cajun classic that's even better the next day.

Elegant crawfish mousse with cream cheese, sour cream, brandy, and Tabasco set in a decorative mold. A make-ahead Cajun party appetizer that unmolds into a stunning centerpiece.

Middle Eastern halvah cake made with tahini, semolina, and warm spices, soaked in a citrusy orange-lemon syrup. Dense, fragrant, and not overly sweet.