Recipe Sifter

Pureed carrot and fennel soup made with just 5 ingredients. Carrots and onion slow-cooked in olive oil, simmered with chicken broth and fennel seeds, then blended smooth.

A seafood twist on classic French cassoulet: golden-seared trout, monkfish, and scallops layered with slow-simmered white beans and tomatoes, finished under a crispy breadcrumb gratin.

Layers of creamy mashed avocado, tangy sour cream with taco seasoning, beans, fresh tomatoes, and melty cheddar make this no-cook chalupa dip a Tex-Mex party hit in just 10 minutes flat.

Charcoal grilled salmon steaks marinated in lemon, olive oil, and basil, served over spicy black beans simmered with ham, jalapenos, and fresh thyme. A smoky, protein-packed summer plate.

Spinach and three-cheese stuffed manicotti with sautéed mushrooms, baked in spaghetti sauce until bubbly. No-boil shells make this Florentine-style pasta a breeze.

No-bake cherry icebox cake layered with graham crackers, instant pudding, and whipped topping, finished with cherry pie filling. Chills in 3 hours, no oven needed.

Chewy hermit bars with molasses, brown sugar, raisins, and warm spices baked in a single pan and dusted with powdered sugar. A classic New England spiced cookie bar that makes 32 pieces.

Khoresht-e Fesenjan: chicken or lamb simmered in a rich, dark walnut and pomegranate sauce with saffron, cinnamon, and nutmeg. A beloved Persian stew served with rice.

A quick Indian chickpea curry with a blended paste of ginger, garlic, cumin, and dried chilies simmered with tomatoes and warming spices. Vegan, 30 minutes, deeply fragrant.

A bold black bean chili loaded with 3 pounds of lean ground beef, green chilis, and an unexpected spice blend of dry mustard, celery seed, and cumin seed. Thick, meaty, and built for feeding a hungry crowd.

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.

Bean chili built from scratch with toasted cumin and oregano, ground dried ancho or negro chilies, smoky chipotle, and a splash of red wine for depth. A meatless chili with serious heat and layered spice.

Crispy chocolate biscotti with cocoa powder and your choice of raspberry, orange, or almond flavoring. Twice-baked Italian cookies with a satisfying crunch, finished with a chocolate drizzle.

Sour cream chocolate chip tube cake with a hidden chocolate chip center layer and cinnamon sugar topping. Tender crumb that stays moist for days.

Three epic layers in one bar: a fudgy cocoa brownie base, a blanket of marshmallow creme, and a crunchy peanut butter-chocolate chip-rice cereal topping. Think Scotcheroos meet brownies in the best possible way.

From-scratch chocolate fudge layer cake with unsweetened chocolate in the batter and a thick frosting made from 1.5 pounds of melted milk and semi-sweet chocolate beaten with butter. A bakery-quality showpiece.