Recipe Sifter

Mocha butterball cookies with cocoa, instant coffee, chopped nuts, and a powdered sugar coating. No-spread, no-chill cookie dough ready to bake in 25 minutes.

Mock guacamole made with steamed asparagus and picante sauce instead of avocado. A low-fat, avocado-free dip with the same creamy green look and tangy flavor.

Mokettes aux amandes, French chocolate truffles flavored with rum-pounded almonds, coffee concentrate, and powdered sugar, rolled in grated chocolate. The vintage Belgian-French confiserie classic.

Chewy molasses cookies loaded with warming ginger and cinnamon spice, perfect for holiday cookie swaps or cozy winter afternoons with hot cocoa.

Four-bean salad marinated for two days in a sweet wine vinegar and cider vinegar dressing with tarragon and basil. Green beans, wax beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas layered with sliced onion rings.

Mom's chili with ground beef, kidney beans, tomato paste, and a touch of ketchup simmered low and slow. A no-frills homestyle chili that gets better the longer it cooks.

Zucchini cake built on a yellow cake mix shortcut, with cinnamon, vanilla, grated zucchini, raisins, and walnuts baked in a tube pan. Moist, easy, and forgiving for new bakers.

Deep-fried choux pastry bites with pecans and maple extract, tossed in powdered sugar. A crispy, nutty treat using classic pate a choux dough ready in 15 minutes.

Monsters are quick yeast-raised donut holes dropped into hot oil and rolled in sugar. A fast, no-rise fried dough treat from a sticky batter, ready in 25 minutes.

Morning glory fruit shake with bananas, strawberries, pineapple, ice, and just a touch of honey. A dairy-free breakfast smoothie blended thick and served immediately.

Butter cookie press poinsettias for Christmas with red flower shapes and hand-formed green leaves topped with silver dragees. A beautiful, festive holiday cookie with almond and vanilla flavor.

Italian-style sauteed spinach with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of sugar. A simple side dish cooked in the water clinging to the leaves, with optional Parmesan.

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.

Fried mozzarella slices double-breaded with Italian breadcrumbs, layered with spaghetti sauce and Locatelli cheese, then baked until bubbly. Italian-American comfort food.

Lighter chicken and rice casserole made with skim milk, defatted broth, and reduced-calorie mayo. Topped with toasted almonds and baked until bubbly. All the comfort, less the guilt.

Mulligatawny soup simmers chickpeas, vegetables, and coconut milk with turmeric, coriander, and dried chili, then gets blended smooth and finished with lemon and cilantro.