Recipe Sifter

Pinto bean muffins with raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Beans puréed into the batter add moisture and protein without anyone knowing. Ready in 40 minutes.

Spinach alla Romana with pine nuts, raisins, and lard in the traditional Roman style. A classic Italian side dish of wilted spinach with sweet-savory contrasts ready in 25 minutes.

Rotisserie-style pork ribs basted with a homemade chili barbecue sauce of pureed tomatoes, red wine, soy sauce, and chili powder. Slow-roasted and deeply caramelized.

Tender new potatoes dressed in a warm sour cream sauce studded with crunchy cucumber, radishes, scallions, and green pepper. A fresh and easy spring side dish ready in under 45 minutes.

These banana fritters stay crispy thanks to a flour-dusted coating under a light egg-and-milk batter. Deep-fried golden in minutes and served hot for a crunchy, sweet snack or dessert.

Stir-fried flank steak with ginger and scallions tossed with noodles, bean sprouts, shredded carrots, and celery in a light soy sauce. Better than takeout beef lo mein in 40 minutes.

Steak sandwich with broiled sirloin strips on sub rolls topped with milk-soaked, pepper-dusted deep-fried onion rings. A steakhouse-quality sandwich with crunchy, spicy homemade onion strings.

Steak a la Stone broils thick-cut filet mignon, slices it thin, and tosses it in a buttery sauce of sauteed onions and pimientos. Served on toast points for an elegant retro dinner party main.

Two-layered Thai steamed coconut cups with a dark brown sugar coconut base and a creamy white coconut cream topping. A traditional vegetarian Thai dessert made with rice flour, naturally gluten-free.

Pressure cooker lamb stew with potatoes, carrots, and onions. Hearty chunks of meat and vegetables in a thick gravy, done in just 45 minutes.

Cake mix crumble bars with a crunchy oat and pecan topping over gooey strawberry pie filling. A one-pan, one-hour shortcut dessert that punches way above its effort level.

String beans Provencal braised in a sauce of plum tomatoes, onion, garlic, and thyme until meltingly tender. A French-style green bean side dish that's vegan and serves a crowd with simple ingredients.

Crab and mushroom stuffing for flounder with scallions, bread crumbs, lemon juice, and butter. Baked at high heat and served with Mornay sauce.

Indian-spiced braised cauliflower, potatoes, and mushrooms with cumin, curry, and jalapeno, rolled in cheesy flour tortillas with tomatoes and sour cream. Sabzi meets burritos.

French blueberry tart with a flaky homemade pate brisee and a filling of cooked and fresh blueberries. A classic summer tart served with whipped cream or creme fraiche.

Sundae brownie pie bakes a fudgy brownie batter loaded with chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and nuts right into a pie crust. Served warm with ice cream, it's a scoopable sundae in pie form.