Recipe Sifter

Rich sour cream quick bread loaded with cranberries, pecans, golden raisins, and dried apricots, topped with pecan halves and a powdered sugar drizzle. Makes 2 gorgeous gift-worthy loaves.

Crispy pinto bean cakes with jalapeno, cumin, cilantro, and liquid smoke, coated in cornmeal and pan-fried golden. A vegetarian main or appetizer served with fresh salsa.

Mung dal with black mustard seeds, turmeric, and ginger, finished with a hot ghee tadka of sputtering mustard seeds and green chile. A traditional Indian lentil dish with bright, bold tempering.

Dutch green split pea soup (erwtensoep) with kielbasa, leeks, celeriac, potatoes, and Canadian bacon. A thick, hearty traditional Dutch pea soup simmered low and slow.

Multi-grain bread with whole wheat, rye flour, cracked wheat, 7-grain cereal, wheat germ, bran, and sunflower seeds. A hearty, textured loaf using a bread machine for kneading.

Three-layer no-bake bars with a crunchy peanut butter cereal base, creamy vanilla buttercream filling, and a glossy chocolate topping. Like a homemade peanut butter cup in bar form, ready without turning on the oven.

Pasta in a light lemon wine sauce with thyme, dill, and Dijon mustard. A roux-based sauce using chicken broth and dry white wine instead of cream.

Microwave grains blend brown rice, pearl barley, and millet cooked together in 10 minutes on high. A simple, nutty whole grain base for chili, beans, or sauce.

Double-baked chocolate rusks (biscotti-style) with mini chocolate chips, cocoa, and melted unsweetened chocolate. Crispy, intensely chocolatey Italian-style cookies.

Baked eggplant casserole layers tender eggplant tossed in tangy barbecue sauce with fresh tomato slices, all under a crisp Parmesan bread crumb crust. A smoky, vegetarian twist on the usual eggplant bake.

Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuits clone uses Bisquick, sharp cheddar, and a garlic-parsley butter brush. The famous restaurant-style biscuits made at home in 30 minutes.

Norwegian nut bread baked in cans with almonds, filberts, sunflower seeds, raisins, and orange zest. A dense, hearty Scandinavian quick bread with whole wheat and buttermilk.

Alice's chocolate cake bakes a moist two-layer cocoa cake using boiling water for extra-deep chocolate flavor, then frosts with a from-scratch buttery cocoa-powdered sugar icing. The reliable birthday cake home bakers swear by.

Bread machine raisin buttermilk bread with whole wheat flour, raisins, and nuts. Tangy buttermilk crumb with a hearty whole grain texture baked hands-free.

Eggplant, lamb, and rice casserole layers roasted eggplant with browned ground lamb, cinnamon-spiced tomatoes, white rice, and crumbled feta. A Mediterranean one-dish dinner.

No-beat chocolate fudge with semi-sweet chocolate, marshmallows, walnuts, and candied cherries. Just stir, pour, and set. Makes three pounds of rich, smooth fudge for holiday gifting.