Recipe Sifter

Marinated eggplant, an Italian antipasto of golden-fried eggplant slices layered with garlic, bay leaf, rosemary, and red wine vinegar. Keeps up to two weeks in the fridge.

Louisiana red beans and sausage simmered low and slow with the holy trinity, smoked sausage, and warm Cajun spices. Serve over rice with garlic bread for the classic New Orleans Monday meal.

Creamy fish soup with fennel, hake and flounder, simmered in homemade fish stock with leek, carrot, and lovage. A two-fish European-style chowder finished with sour cream and chopped fennel fronds.

Indian-style fried potatoes simmered in a tomato curry with asafetida, fenugreek, fennel, mustard seeds, and turmeric. Bold, layered spice work over crispy potato cubes.

Rich roasted lamb stock made from rack bones and trimmings with tomatoes, mirepoix, garlic, and thyme. A deep, savory base for soups, sauces, and braises.

Mussels with saffron and tomatoes over pasta steam fresh mussels in a fish stock infused with saffron, then simmer in a brick-red tomato sauce. Spooned over linguine for a Mediterranean coastal classic.

Louisiana courtbouillon with red snapper and oysters in a dark roux-thickened tomato sauce with the Creole holy trinity, mushrooms, and bay. Served over hot rice. A classic Cajun seafood stew.

French ratatouille of eggplant, zucchini, peppers, tomato, onion and garlic, stewed in olive oil with thyme and bay leaf. Each vegetable cooked separately first so nothing turns to mush. Serve hot or cold.

Aloo matar rasedaar: North Indian potato and pea curry in a thin tomato gravy with garam masala, ghee, and warming whole spices. The 25-minute weeknight vegetarian comfort dish.

Cajun file gumbo built on homemade chicken stock with a dark butter roux, andouille sausage, and the holy trinity. Thickened with file powder and served over rice.

Stuffed squid in saffron sauce: whole squid bodies filled with chopped tentacles, smoked ham, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs, then braised in a saffron-tomato-white wine sauce. Spanish-Italian dinner-party seafood.

Sweet pepper and basil frittata with slow-cooked red and yellow peppers, fontina, Parmesan, and fresh basil, finished with a brushed-on balsamic reduction for a tangy glaze.

Italian-style lentil soup with diced ham, fresh tomatoes, carrots, celery, and bay leaf simmered into a hearty, protein-rich pot. Top each bowl with grated Parmesan for restaurant flavor.

Sauerbraten with Coke uses cola in the vinegar marinade for a sweeter, more caramelized take on the classic German pot roast. Marinated 2 to 4 days, braised until fork-tender, and finished with gingersnap gravy.

Authentic New Mexican chili with cubed beef chuck, pork, mild and hot ground chilies, amber beer, and a long simmer. Serve beans on the side, Southwest-style.

Greek lamb souvlaki with leg of lamb, sweetbreads, and kidneys marinated in olive oil, lemon, wine, and herbs, then grilled on skewers with bay leaves and vegetables. An authentic taverna-style feast.