Recipe Sifter

Cajun smothered round steak braised low and slow with the holy trinity of onions, bell peppers, and celery until fork-tender. Serve sliced over rice with all that pot gravy.

Thai cucumber salad (ajad) with quick sweet-vinegar dressing, paper-thin onion, fresh red chile, and crunchy roasted peanuts. The classic 10-minute side for satay and grilled meats.

Pureed asparagus soup with a homemade asparagus stock, leeks, shallots, white miso, and blended tofu for creaminess. A dairy-free, vegan soup that uses every part of the asparagus for maximum flavor.

Mini crab tarts in flaky pastry shells with Swiss cheese, cream cheese, nutmeg, and shredded carrots. Baked until set and golden for an elegant, bite-sized seafood treat.

Vegetarian rasta pasta with a creamy pumpkin coconut sauce spiced with allspice, thyme, and ginger over angel hair. Loaded with broccoli, mushrooms, zucchini, and corn.

Creamy New England clam chowder simmers minced clams, potatoes, and crisp bacon in a milk-and-heavy-cream broth thickened with flour. A classic Boston-style chowder finished with parsley and basil.

Greek chicken and spaghetti tosses lemon-oregano marinated chicken strips with summer squash, zucchini, and a whisper of cinnamon. Mediterranean weeknight dinner, the whole pan in 40 minutes.

Southern seafood cakes with crab, shrimp, scallops, and flounder in a cornbread crumb coating, pan-fried in clarified butter. Four kinds of seafood in one golden, crispy cake.

Creamy cucumber dressing with nonfat yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and white pepper. Light, tangy, and cool. A falafel-friendly dressing that doubles as a fresh salad topper.

Crystal-clear dumpling wrappers reveal a savory filling of shrimp, pork, mushrooms, and water chestnuts. These bite-sized dim sum gems steam in just minutes and disappear even faster from the plate.

People who do not like ordinary pate seem to love this one. Vary the herbs and substitute the vegetables as you wish. Serve with water crackers, thick slices of crusty French bread, thin slices of whole wheat bread, or unsalted whole wheat crackers. May be frozen.

Greek lamb stew with egg-lemon sauce (avgolemono) features tender meat braised with vegetables and finished with creamy, tangy sauce for elegant spring dinners.

Classic bacon quiche Lorraine with crispy bacon, sauteed onions, and sharp cheddar in a silky egg custard seasoned with nutmeg and dry mustard. Brunch or dinner, it never disappoints.

This fish pie can use different kinds of fish, and mix all of them, it is a very nice recipe!

Mashed butternut squash with butter, brown sugar, and white pepper, topped with maple syrup-glazed pecans and broiled until toasted. A Thanksgiving-worthy side dish.

Cajun prime rib roasted with a thick crust of black pepper, garlic, and onion, then chilled and sliced into steaks for blackening in a screaming hot cast iron skillet. A two-day showstopper.