Recipe Sifter

Hawaiian cake starts with a yellow cake mix base topped with a cream cheese pudding layer, crushed pineapple, chopped nuts, maraschino cherries, and flaked coconut.

Triple cheese pasta with green peas tosses hot rotelle with gorgonzola-butter, plus mozzarella and Fontina that melt into creamy ribbons from the residual heat. Sweet green peas and fresh chives cut through the richness.

Pasta with zucchini and fresh mint sauce blends grated zucchini, cream cheese, Parmesan, and garlic into a silky, herb-bright sauce. A summer vegetable pasta that comes together in one pan.

Buttery almond cookies with brown sugar, cream of tartar tang, and chopped almonds throughout. Dough requires chilling before shaping into balls and baking.

Hobo hike lunch for kids with canned tuna, baked beans, and an orange tied in a bandana. A zero-cooking outdoor adventure meal that doubles as a fun activity.

Sturdy gingerbread dough engineered for building. Stiff enough to hold its shape, deeply spiced with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg, ready for cookie houses, churches, and edible structures.

Bakery-style cinnamon rolls from scratch with a soft yeast dough, cinnamon-sugar-nut filling, and maple icing. A big-batch recipe that makes 6 to 7 dozen rolls.

Light fudge brownie sundae with a self-saucing chocolate cake baked over a built-in fudge layer, topped with frozen yogurt. A reduced-fat dessert that uses applesauce in place of butter.

Hot turkey sandwiches on Italian bread with a Monterey Jack cheese sauce, sliced tomatoes, and sauteed onions. Made entirely in the microwave in about 30 minutes.

No-bake peanut butter pie with extra-crunchy peanut butter, cream cheese, and whipped topping in a graham cracker or chocolate crumb crust. Crushed peanuts on top for double-crunch.

No-cook couscous made by steeping the dry pasta in boiling water or broth off the heat. Five minutes of prep, 30 minutes of patience, and you have fluffy couscous ready for any North African dish.

Indian-spiced potatoes and green beans with turmeric, asafetida, dried chiles, and ghee, boiled then charred on the bottom for a crispy, smoky crust.

Blueberry crumb cake baked in a loaf pan with fresh blueberries folded into a simple batter and topped with a buttery cinnamon-sugar streusel. A homestyle cake that's easy to slice and share.

California pizza topped with melted cheddar, black olives, sliced avocado, alfalfa sprouts, sour cream, and crumbled bacon. A retro West Coast pizza in 25 minutes.

Patty's cake: a cornmeal-and-lemon tea cake with yogurt tang and fresh berries. Rustic, gently sweet, and built for an afternoon with a cup of tea.

Chicken salad with sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts, and lime mayo dressing. A crunchy, tangy twist on classic chicken salad loaded with celery, peppers, and fresh chives.