Recipe Sifter

Raspberry chocolate chip pancakes with melted butter in the batter for extra richness. A from-scratch weekend breakfast with fresh berries and semi-sweet chocolate in every bite.

Classic peanut butter cookies with the signature fork crisscross top, made with butter, equal parts brown and granulated sugar, and a full cup of peanut butter. Yields five dozen and freezes well.

Critterless chili, a hearty vegetarian bean chili with serrano pepper, six cloves of garlic, cumin, cayenne, and spaghetti sauce as the tomato base.

Chicago-style deep-dish pizza crust, Part 1: a cornmeal-laced yeast dough shaped with high walls and parbaked for 4 minutes. The foundation of authentic Chicago deep-dish at home.

Honeyed peanut butter spread made by whipping butter, peanut butter, and honey together with optional toasted sesame seeds. A rich, spreadable 5-minute pantry staple.

Pepsi-Cola cake is a fudgy chocolate sheet cake made with real Pepsi, buttermilk, cocoa, and mini marshmallows, topped with a broiled peanut butter and brown sugar frosting studded with chopped peanuts.

Vermicelli with a chunky vegetable tomato sauce loaded with red peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and fresh herbs. A hearty vegetarian pasta dinner that's low in fat and full of flavor.

Buffalo chili: ground bison simmered with three peppers, jalapenos, green chiles, and warm spice blend. Lean, gamy alternative to beef chili with serious heat.

Chocolate chip cake with a dense, moist sour cream crumb and a full bag of chocolate chips baked in a tube pan. Simple, buttery, and loaded with melted chocolate in every slice.

Hearty minestrone soup with bacon, pearl barley, kidney beans, and vegetables in a beefy tomato broth. A thick, filling one-pot soup with Italian herbs and a smoky backbone.

Smoky roasted eggplant spread with cumin, coriander, and fresh herbs. This low-fat appetizer dip is baked until silky smooth and packed with warm Middle Eastern spices.

Classic no-bake oatmeal cookies with cocoa, peanut butter, and coconut. Drop, cool, eat: a stovetop drop cookie with chewy oats and chocolate-peanut butter flavor.

Fresh tomato-basil pasta sauce with red bell peppers, mushrooms, garlic, and oregano. Made from ripe tomatoes in under an hour, chunky or pureed smooth.

Adorable oatmeal roll-out cookies shaped and decorated like cherry trees with red cinnamon candies, green sugar crystals, and chocolate sprinkle trunks. Makes 36.

Hearty cornbread loaf with yogurt and sunflower oil baked in a loaf tin. Optional cheddar cheese makes this a savory side that slices like bread.

Greek chickpea soup (revithia) simmers dried garbanzo beans with onion, tomato, garlic, and bay until creamy, then finishes with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Rustic vegan Mediterranean comfort.