Recipe Sifter

Crispy bacon bits and melted cheddar coat tender red potatoes roasted until fork-tender. Ranch dressing adds creamy tang to this crowd-pleasing side that feeds a group.

Bread machine wheat bread with shredded carrots, ground ginger, toasted sesame seeds, and applesauce. Just load the machine and press start for a wholesome homemade loaf.

Butterflied shrimp pressed with a lemon-lime zest crust, seared with jalapeno and white pepper, then finished with sliced starfruit, fresh ginger, and a splash of rum. Tropical, bold, and ready in 40 minutes.

Uncle Ben's ham and bean soup slow-simmers navy beans with ham shanks, garlic, carrots, celery, and potatoes for a hearty, smoky bowl. Old-fashioned thrifty cold-weather meal.

Ajvar: smoky Balkan roasted pepper and eggplant spread with garlic, lemon, and olive oil. The 'Serbian caviar' that goes on grilled meats, fresh bread, and cheese boards.

Fresh garlic and cilantro sauce with jalapeno, lime juice, and extra-virgin olive oil. A bright, no-cook topping for grilled fish that comes together in 10 minutes.

No-bake chocolate wine balls rolled in sugar, made with crushed vanilla wafers, ground walnuts, honey, and sweet red wine. They get better with age, like a fine confection should.

Low calorie clam dip made with cottage cheese instead of cream cheese, canned clams, chives, and thyme. A lighter take on classic clam dip that's ready in 5 minutes.

Pork shoulder marinates for days in red wine, warming spices, and orange zest, then roasts until fork-tender in this historic Tudor-era feast centerpiece.

Homemade barbecue sauce with tomato juice, vinegar, Worcestershire, dry mustard, paprika, and cayenne. Simmers in 15 minutes. Enough to coat 3 pounds of ribs. A family original.

Chicken Provencal braised with marjoram and topped with sauteed eggplant, cherry tomatoes, and ripe olives. A rustic French one-skillet dinner full of Mediterranean flavor.

Ajat: Thai cucumber relish with thinly sliced cucumber, red onion, cilantro, and fresh chili in a sweet-tangy rice vinegar marinade. The crisp side that cuts through rich Thai curries and satay.

Quick Rotel salsa made with canned Rotel tomatoes and chiles, fresh tomato, scallions, garlic, and lime juice. No cooking required. Mix and serve with chips, on salads, or over Southwestern dishes.

Spicy Mexican bean burgers made with kidney beans, picante sauce, bell pepper, carrot, and chili powder. Oven-baked vegetarian patties for a healthier handheld meal.

A quick microwave brownie made with Alba chocolate mix and artificial sweetener for a low-calorie chocolate fix. Mix, microwave for 7 minutes, and you're done. Just 6 simple ingredients.

Homemade red horseradish (chrain): freshly ground horseradish root tinted ruby with beets, sharpened with lemon juice. The classic Passover condiment for brisket, gefilte fish, or matzo.