Recipe Sifter

Basic Rice: a foolproof 3-ingredient method for fluffy white or brown rice. Classic 2:1 water-to-rice ratio, simmered low and covered. Two-cup yield, ready in 20 to 40 minutes.

Choose-A-Fruit Ice is a flexible fruit sorbet made with your pick of strawberries, raspberries, oranges, or mandarins blended with sugar syrup and lemon. No ice cream maker, four ingredients.

Indian-style fresh kachumber: tomato, red onion, fresh chili, and ginger tossed with lemon juice and salt. The crisp, tangy 5-minute side dish for channa masala, dal, or aloo parathas.

A special fruit treat for kids perfect for after school.

Make amazing sandwiches with this recipe that uses cucumbers, tomatoes and garlic.

Fresh strawberries and blueberries macerated in Amaretto and topped with toasted slivered almonds. A four-ingredient summer dessert that needs only chilling time before serving in dessert cups.

Apothecary weight conversions for historical recipes and old-time preparations. Scruples, drams, and apothecary ounces explained for anyone working with pre-metric or early modern formulas.

Apple nut cake built on applesauce and olive oil with overlapping apple slices and a toasted cinnamon-sugar nut topping. A dairy-free, butter-free autumn cake that bakes into something moist, rustic and crowd-ready.

Brown sugar apple pie thickened with tapioca and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Granny Smith apples and lemon juice give it a sharp, bright filling.

Chilled fruit soup with tender apple chunks, plump raisins, and warm cinnamon sticks simmered in apple cider. A splash of brandy and brown sugar add sophistication. Serve cold as a refreshing starter or dessert.

Apricots in brandy, an 1831 American recipe: fresh apricots blanched in light syrup, bottled, and covered with equal parts syrup and French brandy. A heritage spirit-preserved fruit.

Cool, green, and refreshing, this avocado aperitif blends ripe avocado with cucumber, fresh parsley, and lemon juice over crushed ice. A silky, savory sip to kick off any meal. Ready in 15 minutes.

Aztec Punch is a big-batch tequila cocktail with grapefruit juice, dark tea, lemon juice, and cinnamon served over ice. Tart, warm-spiced, and built to serve 20 thirsty guests.

Baked bananas and pancakes with quartered bananas, beer-batter pancakes, Calvados or Grand Marnier, orange juice, and molasses. A British-style pudding-dessert that's part crepe, part bananas Foster.

Banquet Nut Wafers spread Italian meringue - hot sugar syrup beaten into stiff egg whites - over wafer crackers, sprinkle with ground nuts, and brown briefly in a hot oven. A vintage tea party treat.

Basic rack of lamb: a French-trimmed rack marinated, then roasted hot to a rosy medium-rare and carved into elegant double-bone chops. The foundation technique for an impressive special-occasion main.