Recipe Sifter

Basic sourdough starter uses commercial yeast and milk-based feeding to build a reliable wild-yeast culture in 2 to 3 days. The shortcut starter for sourdough bread baking at home.

Puccia, traditional Italian olive-studded bread rolls from Puglia made with biga starter and whole wheat flour. Crusty, airy rolls with a long rise for deep flavor.

Bread machine dried fruit bread studded with mixed fruit bits and warm cinnamon. Just load the ingredients, press start, and let the machine do the work. Soft, lightly sweet, and ready with zero effort.

This dump-and-bake chicken and rice casserole uses just 5 ingredients and one pan. Onion soup mix seasons everything while the rice absorbs all those savory juices as it bakes. Weeknight dinner, handled.

Retro orange gelatin mold loaded with pineapple, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, and coconut folded into whipped topping. A nostalgic potluck classic that's light, fruity, and fun.

Whole wheat bread machine loaf with malt extract and vital wheat gluten for a sturdy, well-risen crumb. A flexible base recipe with endless variations from rye to banana bread.

Spicing up oatmeal in a healthy way. Cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger all have anti-viral properties, so if you are fighting off a cold in the winter (or any time of the year), this is a great recipe to try. For a little variety, you can make this exact recipe with quinoa, bulgar wheat, or amaranth.

Everyone loves this dish, even those who don't particularly like egg plant. The flavor virtually explodes with a lively combination of sweet, spicy, tart and savory followed by the refreshing crunch of fresh water chestnuts. Serve as a side dish or first course for Western menus.

Creamy Egyptian red lentil soup flavored with cumin, garlic, and caramelized onions. This velvety, protein-rich bowl gets finished with olive oil and lemon for a satisfying vegetarian meal.

Tomatensalat is a classic German tomato salad: ripe tomatoes marinated in a tangy vinegar and herb dressing with basil, thyme, and a splash of Worcestershire. Chilled for an hour, then served over crisp lettuce. Pairs with schnitzel or bratwurst.

Hawaiian grilled fish salad with a warm pineapple salsa made from crushed pineapple, golden raisins, yellow pepper, and cayenne. Light, summery, and ready in 45 minutes for six.

You don’t need an ice cream maker to make this, but you do need a food processor. I use a banana and a small amount of honey to sweeten the yogurt. (See the banana-only variation on this recipe below.) You can serve it like soft-serve ice cream, or let it freeze solid so that it’s more like regular frozen yogurt.

Warm fennel vinaigrette infuses olive oil with fresh fennel fronds, lemon juice, and garlic. Drizzle over sweet onion and cucumber for a bright Mediterranean salad.

Wok-braised asparagus with bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, celery, and fresh mushrooms. Start with a high-heat stir-fry, cover and braise for tender-crisp results, finish with cashews.

A tangy mustard-turmeric pickle relish made with green tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, and onions in a thick vinegar sauce. Old-fashioned Dutch-style piccalilli that's great on sandwiches and burgers.

Homemade dandelion jelly made from foraged dandelion petals boiled into a golden liquid, then set with pectin and lemon juice. Tastes like honey with a floral twist.