Recipe Sifter

Orange liqueur cake with chopped dates, pecans, and buttermilk batter, soaked in a Grand Marnier orange syrup. The fruitcake alternative for people who claim to hate fruitcake.

Orange spice muffins with whole wheat flour, sour cream, fresh orange zest, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Topped with cinnamon sugar for a warmly spiced holiday breakfast.

Orange venison stew with mushrooms, shallots, white wine, tomatoes, and potatoes baked in a casserole. A refined wild game stew with citrus and earthy depth.

Orange chocolate chip cookies made with cream cheese in the dough, fresh orange zest, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Soft, tangy, and citrusy drop cookies.

Steamed brown bread made in a pressure cooker with whole wheat flour, rye flour, cornmeal, honey, and raisins. A dense, moist New England-style bread with no yeast.

Oven-fried potato stew: layered potatoes, onions, and cardamom-spiced beef cubes baked in a deep tomato broth until the potatoes turn a rich red. A rustic Middle Eastern home-style dish from the Arabian Gulf.

Vegetarian spinach and brown rice casserole with cheddar cheese, eggs, and sunflower seeds. An ovo-lacto friendly bake with nutmeg, soy sauce, and a crunchy seed topping.

Oxe frosted brownies are big-batch cocoa brownies studded with walnuts, baked in an oversize pan, and finished with a smooth cocoa fudge frosting. Three dozen fudgy squares for crowds and bake sales.

Oyster house apple pie with a flaky butter-shortening crust and a pre-cooked spiced apple filling. Old-tavern recipe with a glossy clove-and-cinnamon glaze.

Indian pakoras made with chickpea flour batter spiced with garam masala, coriander, and turmeric. Dip eggplant, potato, pepper, mushroom, or onion and fry until crisp. The chaiwala classic at home.

Pappa al pomodoro, a thick Tuscan bread and tomato soup with stale Italian bread, fresh and canned Roma tomatoes, garlic, leeks, basil, and olive oil. Rustic Italian comfort.

Parchment-wrapped potato parcels: microwave papillote packets of sliced ham, potato, zucchini, winter squash, and red pepper with lemon and basil. A 15-minute single-serve dinner, no dishes to wash.

Mushroom and spinach casserole sautees fresh mushrooms in butter, then bakes with creamed spinach, cream of chicken soup, and a buttery crouton crust. Crowd-pleasing party side or potluck bake.

Paska: a traditional Ukrainian Easter bread braided with lemon zest, almond extract, and butter, topped with an egg wash and slivered almonds. Rich, golden, and festive.

Pasta e ceci, a classic Italian chickpea and pasta soup with garlic, olive oil, Parmesan, and parsley. Simple, rustic, and deeply satisfying.

Hearty pasta bean potage with cannellini beans, ham, pasta spirals, fresh tomatoes, and herbs in chicken broth. An Italian-style bean and pasta soup that eats like a meal.