Recipe Sifter

Lemon asparagus and carrots steamed crisp-tender, chilled, then finished with bright lemon juice and lemon pepper. A clean, vegan side that lets the vegetables stay the star.

Andouille sausage braised low and slow in dry white wine, honey, and Creole mustard. A Justin Wilson Cajun classic that comes together in one skillet in 35 minutes.

Muffaletta sandwich with Italian salami, ham, provolone, and American cheese on round bread, served warm with a tangy New Orleans olive salad dressing. A French Quarter classic.

Pan-seared sea scallops over wilted spinach, finished with a bright orange-Dijon vinaigrette and fresh chives. An elegant low-carb dinner that comes together in under 45 minutes.

Vegetarian broth that mimics chicken stock using nutritional yeast, mushrooms, onions, and poultry seasoning. The 5-minute meatless replacement for chicken stock in any recipe.

Microwave roast stuffed turkey cooks a whole 12-pound bird in a fraction of the oven time: breast-down first, then flipped, then rested to reach safe temperature.

Crunchy deviled eggs with sour cream, crumbled bacon, parsley, and paprika, topped with a pimento-stuffed olive half. A quick no-cook appetizer ready in 10 minutes.

Parmesan-crusted chicken breasts pan-fried and topped with a rosemary mushroom tomato sauce. A quick Sicilian-style skillet dinner served over pasta in 40 minutes.

Cantonese-style oven-steamed flounder (or red snapper) with ginger, scallions, soy sauce, and sesame oil. A light, clean Chinese fish recipe that uses the oven instead of a steamer and comes together in under an hour.

Turning now to cooking with cheese, here's a recipe for a yummy spinach and cheese soufflé. This recipe comes from Lynne Kaplan, a chef who owns the Victoria House Bed & Breakfast in Spring Lake, NJ. For a gourmet B&B check them out at victoriahouse.net.

Chicken and almond rissoles with stir-fried vegetables: grated potato and carrot bind cooked chicken into oval patties, rolled in almonds and baked alongside snow peas and baby corn.

Salmon en papillote with ginger, lemongrass, water chestnuts, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Each fillet steams in its own foil packet for a clean, aromatic Asian-inspired dinner.

Very easy pork recipe for a quick weeknight main dish. Cajun pork loin, with a hint of sweet 'n sour served with rice that's ready in about 15 minutes flat.

Buttery wild rice layered with sauteed oysters and smothered in a creamy mushroom sauce spiked with hot sauce. A Southern casserole that steals the spotlight at any holiday table.

Coconut fried shrimp with a beer batter and flaked coconut coating, deep-fried golden in under a minute per side. A crispy, tropical appetizer or main dish.

Cranberry punch made from scratch with fresh cranberries and orange juice concentrate. A tart, refreshing party drink with a sugar-free option that keeps it diabetic-friendly.