Recipe Sifter

Herbed fresh tomato soup blends six peeled tomatoes with basil, thyme, and a hit of hot pepper sauce, then purees smooth for a low-fat, freezer-friendly weeknight bowl. Light, herby, and budget kind.

Tender, bakery-style scones made with cake flour for a light crumb. The sticky dough scoops straight onto the pan, no rolling or cutting, and bakes right from frozen, so you can stash a batch and bake fresh whenever the kettle's on.

Quick banana muffins ready in 45 minutes with just one bowl and pantry staples. Moist, lightly sweet, and perfect for breakfast on the go or after-school snacking.

Crunchy chocolate chip oatmeal cookies with blender-fine oats, milk chocolate, semisweet chips, and a deep brown sugar base. A big-batch cookie that bakes up crisp at the edges and chewy at the center.

Cocoa-based brownies cut into star shapes for parties and patriotic occasions. A blend of butter and shortening keeps them tender and chewy with a deep chocolate edge.

Remember the Alamo Chili: a hearty Texas-style ground beef chili built on fresh hot chilies, garlic, cumin and citrusy Mexican oregano in a rich tomato base. Add beans if you must, and finish with a cool spoonful of sour cream.

Sailors' favorite chocolate chip cookies blend peanut butter into a classic chocolate chip dough for soft, peanut-buttery cookies loaded with chocolate. A pantry-friendly bake-sale staple.

Silky pumpkin mousse pie made with whipped egg whites, evaporated skim milk, and a hint of orange zest. A no-bake holiday dessert that's lighter than traditional pumpkin pie.

A Vietnamese twist on meat sauce with ground pork, fresh tomatoes, fish sauce, lime, and serrano chilies served over steamed rice. Ready in 30 minutes flat.

Chicken and dumpling casserole with a savory broth base, green peas, and fluffy Bisquick dumplings baked on top. Hearty comfort food that feeds a crowd in under an hour.

Grilled marinated tofu with a Mediterranean chopped salad of tomato, cucumber, kalamata olives and parsley. Bright vegetarian main with Greek flavors.

Hot and sour garlic chive soup with silky tofu, cloud ear mushrooms, seaweed, and miso. A vegetarian Asian-style broth with tangy rice vinegar, chili heat, and herbaceous garlic chive garnish.

Cooking potatoes and spinach combination is great.

Bread machine French onion cheese bread with sharp cheddar cheese spread, dried onion flakes, and a can of French onion soup. Savory, herby loaf for sandwiches.

German-style ground beef patties with applesauce and allspice, browned and simmered under a blanket of tangy sauerkraut. A hearty one-skillet dinner that's comfort food with a Bavarian twist.

Grilled steak crusted with coarsely ground mustard seeds and black peppercorns, served sliced over tomatoes, ice-water-crisped red onion, and Parmesan shavings. Bold and summery.