Recipe Sifter

Hearty beef and barley vegetable soup loaded with cubed flank steak, potatoes, tomatoes, corn, and green beans simmered for two hours. A big pot of comfort that feeds a crowd.

Marinated bean salad with five beans (yellow, green, kidney, lima, garbanzo) and bell peppers tossed in a sweet-and-tangy brown sugar vinaigrette. Make ahead for picnics, potlucks, and barbecues.

Louisiana-style rice and oyster dressing with chicken livers, the Holy Trinity of onion, celery, and bell pepper, plus Worcestershire and cayenne. A Southern Thanksgiving dressing that goes beside the bird, not inside it.

Cumin-toasted chickpeas simmer with potato chunks, garlic, and fresh green chiles in this quick vegetarian spread that's perfect for scooping with warm bread or pita.

Poached eggs nestled on warm corn tortillas with sliced avocado, a smoky green chile-tomato sauce, and melted Monterey Jack. California's laid-back take on huevos rancheros.

Fudgy brownie filling loaded with chocolate chips, pecans, and a splash of Kahlua, baked in a pie crust and topped with billowy whipped cream and chocolate curls.

Traditional Turkish bulgur pilaf sauteed with butter, serrano chiles, and tomato, then steamed in stock and finished with fresh mint. An authentic kavurma-style side dish with gentle heat.

Seared rare tuna steaks sliced thin sit atop fluffy couscous, dressed with a citrus vinaigrette spiked with cumin and studded with orange segments. Fresh mint finishes.

New England baked beans from dried navy beans, slow-cooked with smoked ham, maple syrup, brown sugar, and dry mustard. The all-day crock pot cook builds deep, sweet-smoky flavor no canned beans can touch.

Slow cooker chicken and kielbasa simmered with navy beans, tomato paste, red wine, and warm spices. A hearty French cassoulet-style stew from frozen chicken with just 5 minutes of prep.

Prudhomme-style Cajun barbecue sauce with bacon, pecans, honey, citrus, and a triple-pepper seasoning blend. Simmered thick and blended for chicken, pork, or ribs.

Cheddar and vegetable stuffed grill bread: cumin-scented whole wheat dough rolled around grilled vegetables and sharp cheddar, then finished on the grill. Like a smoky, handheld calzone.

A British-style crumble cake with a buttery almond and cinnamon base, a layer of stewed blackberries and apples, and a golden crumble topping. Warm, fruity, and brilliant served with cream or custard.

Apples, tangy cranberries, and pears under a granola-type crust can be served in small glass bowls for an inviting holiday meal conclusion.

Triple-chocolate cookies with a secret ingredient: mayonnaise. Chocolate cake mix, chocolate fudge pudding mix, and semisweet chocolate chunks bound together with mayo for fudgy cookies that come together in 20 minutes.

Chocolate thumbprint cookies rolled in chopped nuts, filled with sweet vanilla cream, and crowned with a chocolate kiss pressed into the center. A holiday cookie tray classic with three textures in every bite.