Recipe Sifter

Apple dabble cake baked in a tube pan with chopped apples, cinnamon, and nuts, then drenched in a hot brown sugar-butter glaze that soaks in as it cools. A dense, moist apple cake.

Apple pound cake loaded with chopped apples, pecans, and raisins spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. A moist oil-based tube cake baked low and slow until golden.

Ground beef and pearl barley casserole with tomatoes, bell pepper, celery, and tomato paste. A filling one-dish meal you can make in the microwave or oven in about an hour.

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.

Rio Grande-style biscocitos with butter, anise seed, and brandy, dusted in cinnamon sugar before baking. Crisp, fragrant, and easy to cut into festive shapes. Makes 3 dozen.

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.

A scrumptious dish that tastes wonderful by itself or when served as part of dinner.

Buttermilk orange cake studded with raisins and nuts, topped with a citrus-sugar glaze broiled into a caramelized, crackly crust. Served warm with whipped cream for an old-fashioned dessert.

Brown butter blackberry charlotte with ladyfingers, eggs, and vanilla baked until crusty on top and custard-smooth inside. A French-style dessert that freezes beautifully for up to 4 months.

Chilled brown rice salad loaded with shrimp, bay scallops, Jarlsberg cheese, sunflower seeds, raisins, and crisp red bell pepper. Toss with your favorite dressing and serve over greens.

Caldo Verde: Portuguese green soup with kale, chorizo, white beans, potatoes, turnips, and smoked ham in chicken broth. One pot, one hour, and even better the next day.

Chewy oatmeal cookies loaded with carob chips and walnuts, made with whole wheat flour, egg replacer, and rice milk. A hearty, egg-free cookie that's crunchy on the edges and soft in the middle.

Old-school carrot casserole with Velveeta cheese, butter, and a crunchy crushed potato chip topping. Five ingredients and zero pretense. Pure retro comfort food.

Silky carrot leek bisque with basil, sage, and a spoonful of miso for depth. Blended smooth with reserved carrot slices stirred back in for texture. Light, warming, and ready in 45 minutes.

Three-layer carrot cake baked low and slow with grated carrots, chopped nuts, and cinnamon, topped with a thick cream cheese icing. A Southern-style classic that never goes out of style.

Stir-fried chicken strips tossed with mushrooms, garlic, and marinara sauce, then smothered in melted mozzarella and Parmesan. Served over spaghetti, this 30-minute cheesy chicken marinara is a weeknight winner.