Recipe Sifter

Old-fashioned sour pickles brined with salt, vinegar, mustard seed, allspice, cinnamon, and mace. A traditional canning recipe ready after 8 weeks of curing.

Sauteed lamb with a red wine, rosemary, and mint jelly pan sauce. Quick-marinated lamb seared golden and finished with a sweet, herby glaze in under an hour for two.

This is an Asian twist on a French appetizer. Caul fat can be ordered from your local butcher.

Cheese scrambled eggs made with egg substitute and diced red and green bell peppers. Low-cholesterol breakfast with melted shredded cheese folded into soft, creamy curds.

Oyster stir-fry with fresh shucked oysters, ginger, sesame, and sherry, finished with a bright honey-lemon sauce over crisp bok choy. Restaurant-style Cantonese seafood done in 30 minutes.

Crispy Sicilian flatbread topped with sauteed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, and Parmesan. Uses store-bought pizza dough for a 30-minute appetizer or snack.

Mexican almond red sauce with ground toasted almonds, tomato, onion, garlic, paprika, and dried chiles. A quick 15-minute sauce that uses almonds as a thickener for rich, nutty heat.

Sauteed sea scallops with snow peas, celery, white wine, lemon juice, and dill. A light, elegant seafood dinner ready in 25 minutes.

Savory ground pork mixed with napa cabbage, leeks, and onion fills store-bought wrappers for juicy dumplings. Boil or steam, then dip in garlicky chili vinegar.

Fiesta sloppy joes with ground beef, Mexicorn, tomato soup, chili powder, and hot sauce served over warm split biscuits. A Tex-Mex spin on the classic weeknight sloppy joe.

This scrumptious spicy apple pie is served with a hot brandy sauce.

Shucked oysters topped with fermented black beans and a savory sauce of soy, sesame oil, vinegar, and chicken broth, steamed for just 2 to 3 minutes. An elegant Chinese appetizer that's quick and impressive.

High-protein cottage cheese vegetable dip blended smooth with Dijon mustard, curry powder, lemon juice, and onion. Lighter alternative to sour cream dip with a warm spice profile.

Quick pork stir-fry using store-bought Kimchee (from a Korean store).

Indonesian-style crispy fried tempeh tossed with caramelized onions, garlic, chili pepper, sweet soy sauce, and brown sugar. Crunchy, sweet, spicy, and ready in 25 minutes.

Butterscotch shortbread cookies made with dark brown sugar and unsalted butter, topped with chopped walnuts or pecans pressed into the dough. Makes 72 bite-sized squares.