Recipe Sifter

Gold Room scones with honey-brushed golden tops, plump raisins, and a tender egg-rich crumb. Tearoom-style drop scones served warm with butter, jam, and whipped cream.

Rolled animal cookies made from buttery sugar cookie dough with cream, cut into animal shapes and decorated with colored sugar, chocolate sprinkles, and raisins. Great for Christmas tree ornaments.

Thai hot and sour shrimp soup (Tom Yum Goong) with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, chile paste, and straw mushrooms. A bright, aromatic broth built from shrimp shell stock.

Avocado veggie burgers blended from creamy avocado, cooked soybeans, onion, and mustard, then bound with whole wheat breadcrumbs and pan-fried until golden. Vegan and high-protein.

Tropical coconut poke cake soaked with cream of coconut and warm crushed pineapple, then piled high with whipped topping and shredded coconut. A potluck showstopper that starts with a box mix.

Chicken liver mousse baked in ramekins with shallots, thyme, garlic, and cream, unmolded and served with fresh tomato sauce and herb garnishes. A French restaurant classic, home-kitchen achievable.

Palak raita with wilted fresh spinach stirred into cool yogurt with green chile, black pepper, and cayenne. A classic Indian condiment that pairs with any curry.

Hazelnut shortbread with toasted ground hazelnuts pressed into a buttery dough and drizzled with melted semi-sweet chocolate. A simple, elegant cookie with a Nutella-like flavor combination.

Old-fashioned stovetop fudge made with molasses, semi-sweet chocolate, brazil nuts, and flaked coconut. Rich, chewy, and packed with tropical crunch. Yields 2 pounds of homemade candy.

Twice-baked almond biscotti packed with walnuts and optional chocolate swirl. Crisp, crunchy Jewish cookies perfect for dunking in coffee or tea.

Creamy potato and mushroom salad with new potatoes, raw mushrooms, scallions, celery and hard-cooked egg in a Dijon-mayonnaise dressing. A fresh twist on classic American potato salad.

Pear and parsnip salad with blanched parsnips, fanned fresh pear slices, green onions, and a light honey yogurt dressing. A low-fat, elegant side for fall and winter.

Curry chicken salad with seedless grapes in a spiced mayonnaise dressing with cayenne and fruit vinegar. Broiled chicken breast diced and tossed cold with whole grapes.

Homemade green basil fettuccine tossed with fresh tomato-vermouth sauce and crumbled feta. A scratch-pasta Italian dinner with herb-infused noodles and a bright summer sauce.

Elegant baked pear halves glazed with chutney and apple juice, dotted with butter and basted until tender and glossy. A refined side dish or light dessert that serves 12.

Georgia Waldorf salad with a Southern twist: crisp apples, celery, and chopped peanuts in a creamy peanut butter mayonnaise dressing. Served on a bed of mixed greens.