Recipe Sifter

Light mixed bean salad with green beans, broad beans, kidney beans, and firm tofu tossed in lemon juice and served with a fresh herb fromage frais dressing. A low-fat vegetarian side dish ready in 15 minutes.

Rich Creole-style mock turtle soup with beef, tasso, and a dark roux, simmered until the meat melts into a spicy, tangy broth. Finish with hard-boiled eggs and a splash of sherry.

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.

Non-alcoholic peach daiquiri blended with canned peaches, peach juice, milk, lemon juice, ice, and rum flavoring. A kid-friendly frozen mocktail ready in 10 minutes.

Molded ambrosia salad with orange juice gelatin, fresh banana, oranges, and shredded coconut. A vintage Southern gelatin salad that unmolds onto a bed of salad greens for a retro presentation.

Molded borsch with diced beets set in a jewel-toned consomme gelatin ring, served cold with sour cream. A retro chilled appetizer that looks as stunning as it tastes.

Mom's lemon pie cooks a fresh-lemon curd with the zest of two whole lemons over the stovetop, thickened with both flour and cornstarch. A traditional water-based lemon meringue pie filling.

Monkfish kebobs marinated in white wine, lemon, garlic, and herbs then broiled with onions, peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and corn on the cob. Firm, meaty fish that holds up on skewers.

Italian-style sauteed spinach with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of sugar. A simple side dish cooked in the water clinging to the leaves, with optional Parmesan.

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.

Mulled summer fruits in Chenin Blanc, a make-ahead dessert of peaches, berries, and apricots soaked in spiced white wine syrup. Served chilled with sorbet or whipped cream.

Mulligatawny soup simmers chickpeas, vegetables, and coconut milk with turmeric, coriander, and dried chili, then gets blended smooth and finished with lemon and cilantro.

Mushroom tart with caramelized mixed mushrooms, thyme cream, Parmigiano, and crumbled blue cheese in a flaky puff pastry shell. A showstopper appetizer or light dinner with deep earthy flavor.

Mushroom turnovers in a cream cheese pastry with a sauteed mushroom-cream filling and optional sherry. An elegant make-ahead appetizer that freezes well before baking.

Curried shrimp in coconut milk with a freshly toasted and ground spice blend of cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and dried chiles. Poblano peppers and tomatoes round out this aromatic, from-scratch curry.

Nanny's honey tea sandwiches pair a soft honey-and-tea loaf with lemony banana filling, cut into flower shapes and dotted with chocolate sprinkles. A dainty treat for showers, birthdays, and tea parties.