Recipe Sifter

A from-scratch lemon meringue pie with a tangy five-egg-yolk filling, fresh lemon juice, and a tall, golden meringue topping. Bold citrus flavor in every silky bite.

No-noodle turkey spinach lasagna layered with low-fat ricotta, spaghetti sauce, and non-fat mozzarella. A lighter take on lasagna that skips the pasta entirely and uses spinach as the base.

English toasting bread made in a bread machine with bread flour, milk, cornmeal, and a touch of baking soda. A soft, slightly tangy white loaf that crisps beautifully when toasted.

Kale gratin with pancetta blanches hearty greens and folds them into a rich garlic cream sauce with crispy pancetta, then crowns with golden Parmesan breadcrumbs. A holiday-worthy alternative to creamed spinach.

Masala Vangi: baby eggplants stuffed with toasted coconut, coriander, and cayenne, then simmered and drizzled with tangy ginger-tamarind sauce. A vegetarian Indian classic.

Nantucket donuts: classic New England cake donuts with cinnamon and nutmeg in the batter, fried golden and tumbled in a bag of cinnamon sugar. Old-fashioned donut shop nostalgia.

Linguine with garlic shrimp in a Marsala wine and chicken broth sauce thickened with a light roux. Italian parsley, three cloves of garlic, and a pound of shrimp make this a weeknight favorite.

Lobio tkemali, a Georgian red bean dish dressed cold in a tangy sauce of prunes, tamarind, and balsamic, spiked with coriander, fenugreek, and chili. A vegan Caucasian bean salad bright with cilantro.

Stir-fried tofu and bean sprouts with serrano chiles, oyster sauce, and fish sauce. A fast Thai-style wok dish that's vegetable-forward, protein-rich, and ready in 10 minutes.

Baked figs and pears spiced with cinnamon and brown sugar, served warm straight from the dish. A naturally sweet, no-fuss breakfast or light dessert built on just five ingredients.

Savory cabbage strudel wrapped in crispy phyllo dough with sauteed mushrooms, bok choy, fresh dill, and currants. A vegetarian main or side with flaky, golden layers and a tender vegetable filling.

Bread machine gingerbread loaf scented with molasses, ginger, and cinnamon. A soft yeasted bread (not a quick bread) with spicy holiday warmth and a tender crumb. Just dump and press start.

Three-layer cookie bars with a buttery shortbread crust, gooey brown sugar pecan filling, and melted chocolate chips on top. Irresistibly rich and totally addictive.

Mandeltorte, a classic German almond torte made with ground almonds, bread crumbs, and whipped egg whites. Filled with lemon orange custard and dusted with powdered sugar.

Orange blossom muffins: tender bakery-style muffins with sour cream, fresh orange juice, zest, and a splash of Grand Marnier. Brown sugar tops for a caramelized crackle finish.

A three-meat, no-bean chili loaded with ground beef, pork, and hot Italian sausage simmered with Mexican beer and V8 juice. Florida-style heat that feeds a crowd.