Recipe Sifter

Slow-simmered black bean soup with a smoky ham hock, fresh thyme, and a splash of dark rum stirred in at the end. Garnished with chopped egg, parsley, and lemon slices.

Bluefish baked en papillote over wild rice, barley, and snow peas with sauteed mushrooms and red peppers. A light, herb-seasoned parchment packet dinner ready in 40 minutes.

New Mexico green chile pork stew: cubed pork browned in bacon drippings, simmered with two dozen roasted green chiles and fresh tomatoes. Stovetop or slow cooker, classic Southwest comfort.

Quick-pickled baby carrots in a honey, white wine vinegar, and whole mustard seed dressing with fresh dill. A make-ahead side dish or relish that keeps for up to 3 days.

Curried chicken pasta salad with red grapes, pineapple chunks, and a creamy orange-curry dressing. A sweet-savory cold pasta dish that works for lunch, potlucks, or meal prep.

Vegetable and rice stuffed pumpkin: a whole pumpkin roasted as an edible bowl, packed with basmati rice, chestnuts, apples, apricots, and vegetables. A stunning vegetarian Thanksgiving centerpiece.

Buttery almond slice-and-bake cookies dipped halfway in melted chocolate and finished with sprinkles. A 5-dozen batch of elegant yet easy cookies that look bakery-bought.

Vegetarian Greek moussaka with eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes, feta cheese, and bechamel sauce. Spiced with cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg for an authentic Mediterranean flavor.

Golden-seared chicken with asparagus, snow peas, and baby peas in a silky tarragon cream sauce, finished with lemon zest over fresh fettuccine. Spring on a plate in 45 minutes.

Whole wheat fruitcake packed with figs, dates, prunes, walnuts, and warm spices. No refined flour, naturally sweet from dried fruit for healthier holiday baking.

Italian cheese bread bakes a yeasted dough with grated provolone, garlic butter, and parmesan into two pull-apart loaves. Crackly tops, soft interior, perfect for a pasta night.

Thai sweet rice cakes (khanom tom) stuffed with yellow mung beans, coated in coconut and sesame sugar. Chewy, sweet-savory dumplings with a unique double-coating finish.

A succulent and sophisticated chicken dish made with water chestnuts, amaretto liquer and beau monde seasoning.

One base cookie dough, four different bar cookies. Choose from Granola Nut, Apricot Cashew, Apple Oatmeal, or Carrot Pineapple. Spread in a jelly roll pan and bake for 35 easy cookie bars.

Hearty pinto bean soup simmered with smoky ham hocks, diced onions, celery, and tomato. Thick, warming, and ready in about 40 minutes for a budget-friendly weeknight supper.

Entertain your family this Christmas with this exotic cake that's so easy to make, you can use your crockpot!