Recipe Sifter

Sweet potatoes simmered in apple cider with brown sugar, butter and a cinnamon stick, then pureed and baked. A make-ahead Thanksgiving side without the marshmallows.

Filet mignon brochettes marinated in red wine, honey, cumin, and coriander, grilled with sweet red peppers and red onions. A premium cut on a skewer that cooks to rare in just 4 minutes.

Italian vegetable salad with chickpeas, mixed vegetables, olives, and cherry tomatoes in a basil-garlic vinaigrette. A make-ahead marinated salad for potlucks.

Kakavia is the Greek fisherman's soup built from homemade fish stock, whole fish pieces, lobster tails, and shrimp simmered with tomatoes, leeks, and potatoes. A traditional seafood soup served with crusty bread and lemon wedges.

The victual of choice to be served with vodka is of course caviar but other kinds of seafood and various salty morsels are also good choices.

Hulled corn soup (Ai) is a traditional Native American dish made by nixtamalizing dried corn with hardwood ashes, then simmering with red kidney beans and salt pork for hours until tender.

Firm tofu cubes sauteed with crushed garlic, onion, and green pepper in a chunky tomato sauce over whole wheat spaghetti. A filling plant-based dinner ready in 30 minutes.

Hearty pork and beef chili simmered low with cocoa powder, cinnamon, cumin, and chili powder for deep, earthy heat. Pinto beans and cornmeal thicken the pot. Serve with sour cream, Parmesan, and chopped onions for a bold weeknight dinner.

Twice-baked Idaho potatoes stuffed with sauteed onions, green peppers, butter, milk, paprika, and melted cheddar. Rustic, hearty, and piled high in the shell.

Bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with whole almonds: the sweet-salty party appetizer that vanishes in minutes. Just three ingredients and 30 minutes for a crowd-pleasing bite.

Cappuccino pound cake with cocoa, instant coffee, Kahlua, creme de cacao, and warm spices, topped with a coffee Kahlua cream glaze. A rich, boozy chocolate-coffee cake.

Arugula is most commonly employed in salads as in the infamous tricolor salad.

Sri Lankan beef meatballs spiced with curry powder, ginger, and cloves get deep-fried then simmered in coconut curry gravy with lemongrass and curry leaves.

Pasta bean salad with navy beans, snow peas, red pepper, toasted sesame oil, and tangy ume vinegar. A protein-packed Japanese-leaning lunch that holds up in the fridge.

Lemony cheesecake on a cinnamon-graham crust: a tangy lemon cream cheese filling under a layer of sour cream, all crowned with a glossy lemon glaze. A triple-lemon baked cheesecake that's bright, creamy, and rich.

Vegetarian penne pasta with fresh Roma tomato sauce, broccoli, zucchini, sugar snap peas, carrots, and Parmesan. A colorful one-pot weeknight dinner.