Recipe Sifter

This is a tangy marinade, containing equal amounts of lemon juice and oil, and is good for rich meats like chicken thighs. It can be used for chicken breasts too, but their skin should be on for additional protection during grilling or broiling. Thyme gives this marinade a flavor loved in France, but you can substitute oregano for an Italian or Greek accent, or mint or cilantro for a Lebanese touch.

Elegant French appetizer with crab and mushrooms in a creamy wine sauce, nestled in an artichoke bottom and topped with silky hollandaise.

Whole baked snapper roasted with white wine, olives, jalapenos, tomato sauce, and fresh fennel. A Mediterranean-meets-Latin one-pan main that lets a beautiful fish be the star.

Lizzie's pork chops: browned pork chops braised an hour in a garlicky chicken broth. A four-ingredient weeknight dinner that turns out fork-tender every time. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.

What makes this appetizer stand out are the grains of glutinous rice (also called sweet or sticky rice), which turn a pearly color when cooked.

Low-calorie stuffed mushrooms with Parmesan, Italian breadcrumbs, and parsley. No butter or oil needed. The moist caps roll in cheese crumbs for a crispy coating that bakes in 10 minutes.

Crisp biscotti soaked in flavored simple syrup until soft, then topped with fresh whipped cream and fruit. A quick Italian-inspired dessert with endless variations.

Garlic chicken pizza on a creamy garlic-sour cream base, topped with chicken, red onion, mushrooms, mozzarella, and parmesan. White pizza ready in 30 minutes.

Broiled pork chops with Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and a golden bread crumb crust. Five ingredients and done in under 15 minutes.

Elegant black tie tomatoes topped with a yogurt-mayo dressing and a half teaspoon of black caviar each. Six-ingredient appetizer that dresses up halved tomatoes for cocktail parties.

Easy homemade taco beef with ground beef, salsa, chili powder, and cumin. Ditch the seasoning packets and make flavorful taco meat from scratch in 35 minutes. Use for tacos, burritos, or salads.

Cajun-style grilled pork chops rubbed with a triple-pepper spice blend of white, red, and black pepper plus onion powder. Just 6 ingredients for bold, smoky flavor.

Blender salsa with canned whole tomatoes, five jalapenos, cilantro, onion, and garlic powder. A chunky-smooth Mexican salsa with serious heat, ready in 10 minutes.

Grilled beef tenderloin steaks with a homemade BBQ spice rub of brown sugar, paprika, allspice, and dry mustard. Ready in 20 minutes with a smoky, caramelized crust.

Poached salmon steaks gently cooked in a lemon-and-vegetable broth, served with creamy horseradish sauce. A light low-calorie classic for dinner parties or healthy weeknights.

Soft-rolled chicken enchiladas with shredded chicken breast and green chiles, sauced with garlic-onion tomato sauce and finished with a dollop of sour cream. 25 minute Tex-Mex weeknight dinner.