Recipe Sifter

Miss Hulling's chicken pot pie made from scratch with a whole stewing hen simmered into rich broth, loaded with potatoes and carrots, and topped with golden pastry. Old-fashioned comfort food done right.

Pan-seared fish fillets in a Mediterranean sauce of kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and capers. Ready in 25 minutes with trout, sole, or orange roughy. Quick, elegant weeknight dinner.

Cajun black bean soup simmers dried beans with smoky ham hock, paprika, cayenne, chili powder, and cumin into a thick, half-puréed pot. Serve with Monterey Jack, sour cream, chives, or chopped egg.

When spring arrives, asparagus is always one of our favorite vegetables; and the best way to cook them is roasting or grilling that develops tons of flavor, simply toss with the marinated artichoke hearts, hmm, now there is a good reason to allow yourself to indulge.

Roast prime ribs of beef with a simple salt and pepper crust, seared at high heat then slow-roasted until perfectly done. Includes a quick pan sauce with beef stock, thyme, and Worcestershire.

Fudgy brownie cookies made from boxed mix, lightened with yogurt and egg whites instead of oil and eggs. Frosted chocolate treats at 85 calories each.

Armenian-style artichoke hearts and potatoes braised in olive oil, lemon juice, and a spiced broth of fennel, coriander, and bay leaf. Served cold.

These are cute little turkeys made out of oreo cookies and candy pieces. They are even easy enough for young children to help make. Gobble! Gobble!

Homemade char siu made with pork loin strips marinated in hoisin, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic, then baked until caramelized and glossy. Simple enough for a weeknight, impressive enough for company.

Guilt-free pumpkin swirl cheesecake uses yogurt cheese and egg substitute to drop the fat without losing the creamy body. Marbled pumpkin filling, spiced cinnamon graham crust, holiday-worthy flavor.

Peaches with white wine: ripe peeled peaches steeped in dry white wine for an hour, then served in wine glasses topped with sweetened mascarpone-yogurt cream. The Italian summer dessert that cooks itself.

Magical fruit salad: pineapple, grapes, and banana tossed in a quick creamy dressing made from milk and instant pudding mix, no cooking or whipping. A 10-minute, kid-friendly potluck favorite.

Thick-cut pork loin steaks marinated in soy sauce, molasses, sherry, ginger and garlic, then grilled or broiled in just 10 minutes. A rich, glossy teriyaki dinner for two.

Susan's Turkey Soup: a hearty post-Thanksgiving soup made from the turkey carcass with yellow and green split peas, chickpeas, small pasta, and aromatic vegetables. Three legumes, one pot.

Four-layer no-bake candy bar dessert with chocolate-butterscotch, peanut butter nougat, salted peanuts, and gooey caramel. Homemade Snickers bars in a 13x9 pan.

Pork chops simmered in a bright radish and cilantro relish with tomatoes, orange juice, and lime. A unique braised pork dish with Latin-inspired flavors served over rice.