Recipe Sifter

Salt-smothered chicken buried in a bed of red-hot rock salt with ginger, tangerine peel, and Szechuan peppercorn marinade sealed in the cavity. An ancient Cantonese technique that steams the bird to silken tenderness.

Shiitake mushroom and potato galette layers russet slices around earthy shiitakes and parmesan, pressed under a brick and baked into crisp wedges. Broiled to golden brown on both sides.

Toasted curry powder oven-toasts coriander, cumin, fennel, cardamom and turmeric before grinding for a deep, aromatic, restaurant-style spice blend. Six-month shelf life in a tightly sealed jar.

Homemade seasoned salt with paprika, thyme, marjoram, curry powder, dry mustard, dill seed, and celery salt. A Lawry's-style copycat with 10 spices you already have.

Burgundy and tarragon poached chicken simmers boneless breasts in chicken broth, red wine, and fresh tarragon, then thickens the poaching liquid into a glossy pan sauce. A lean French weeknight chicken with bistro elegance.

Catfish fillets baked with butter, white wine, and lemon, then drizzled with a rich Frangelico hazelnut cream sauce and toasted pecans. Creole elegance in 30 minutes.

Baked eggs with tortillas and cheddar cheese. An easy and delicious breakfast dish.

Low-fat crab pasta with fresh tomatoes, steamed mushrooms, and peas in a creamy evaporated milk sauce finished with Parmesan. A lighter seafood dinner ready in 25 minutes.

Paillard of fresh fish with salsa beurre blanc: firm fish pounded ultra-thin, broiled 2 minutes, and topped with a French butter sauce spiked with salsa fresca. Ready in 20 minutes.

Chicken liver pate with brandy, dry sherry, and unsalted butter, finished with a hint of marjoram and optional truffles. Silky smooth and served chilled as an elegant appetizer.

Whole baked ham brushed with sweet pear puree, slow-roasted with crisscross-scored fat for the perfect lacquered crust. An elegant, fruit-forward holiday centerpiece.

Very easy to prepare; Green beans baked in tomato juice.

Oven scrambled eggs feed 30+ people with 100 eggs baked in 13x9 pans. The crowd-cooking method that frees up the stove and skips constant stirring at brunch.

Broiled fish steaks marinated in teriyaki, fresh ginger, scallions, and orange zest for a Polynesian-inspired flavor. Simple island marinade with a sweet citrus kick.

Market pasta salad with shell pasta, broccoli, zucchini, red pepper, and cheddar in a Dijon-lemon dressing with Worcestershire and Parmesan. A colorful vegetarian side.

Swiss steak braised low and slow with onions, garlic, and ketchup until fork-tender. A simple, old-fashioned beef dinner with just a handful of ingredients.