Recipe Sifter

Asparagus shrimp salad with herb dressing marinates plump shrimp and crisp-tender spears in a vinaigrette sharp with basil, oregano, and chervil. Cool, make-ahead salad served over lettuce with diced tomato and Monterey Jack.

Black and white bean vegetable chili simmers black beans, great northern beans, corn, potato, and green chiles in a quick cumin broth. A 45-minute meatless chili finished with cilantro and lime.

A farmers market celebration of artichokes, fava beans, asparagus, peas, leeks, turnips, and carrots gently stewed with lemon, garlic, and butter. Each vegetable cooked to its own ideal doneness.

Curried orzo and chicken salad with marinated artichoke hearts, cucumber, green peas, and a tangy artichoke-mayonnaise dressing. A cold pasta salad with warm curry flavor.

Greek-style charoset with whole orange, dates, raisins, cherry preserves, sweet wine, and pine nuts. A Sephardic Passover recipe with warm spice and fruit.

Warmly spiced chocolate cake with mayonnaise, sour cream, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, topped with a cocoa cream cheese frosting. A cozy, old-fashioned charmer.

A slow-simmered lamb chili with black beans, fresh ginger, allspice, and Zinfandel wine. Beans cook with lamb bones for deep flavor. Best made a day ahead for the richest taste.

Easy vegan fudge made with margarine, cocoa powder, soy milk, and powdered sugar in a double boiler. Dairy-free chocolate candy with optional nuts, ready in an hour.

A delicious accompaniment for any dish. Vary the number of chili peppers in the sauce according to personal taste.

Danish-style fried herrings breaded with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, pan-fried in butter and served with a creamy onion béchamel sauce. A classic Scandinavian comfort dish.

Linguine with asparagus, jumbo shrimp, and bacon in a white wine cream sauce. Shell-on shrimp are seared, then simmered in wine to build a rich, layered sauce from scratch.

Reese's fudge cookies with cocoa powder dough loaded with chopped peanut butter cups. A rich, dark chocolate drop cookie with melted peanut butter pockets in every bite.

Traditional Welsh spice cake loaded with mixed dried fruit, dark molasses, and warm ginger for a moist, treacle-sweetened teatime treat from Anglesey.

Homemade cranberry cordial steeped with vodka and brandy for one month. A gorgeous ruby-red holiday liqueur that makes a stunning handmade gift. Keeps for up to 3 months.

A succulent seafood dish made with smoked sausage, potatoes and a bit of cayenne pepper.

Guacamole with serrano heat, white onion, and a surprise hit of pureed zucchini for body. Mexican-style avocado dip finished with tomato, green onion, and cilantro garnish.