Recipe Sifter

Pasta salad primavera: warm or cold pasta tossed with broccoli, red pepper, carrots, tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil. A light, vegetable-forward Italian spring salad that works any temperature.

A light, ginger-infused chicken soup with sauteed shiitake mushrooms, napa cabbage, spinach, and a drizzle of sesame oil. Clean, bright, and nourishing.

Whole-wheat couscous pilaf with chicken broth, hot sauce and fresh parsley. Healthy 10-minute side dish with a touch of heat.

Brussels sprouts a la Greque tossed with lemon zest, red wine vinegar, fresh parsley, and pimento. A bright, tangy Greek-style side with no butter or oil.

Grilled pork loin on the bone, rubbed with fresh rosemary, cracked pepper, and salt, then slow-roasted over indirect coals until the crust crackles and the center stays juicy and pink.

Japanese miso soup with shrimp, kamaboko fish cake, and scallions in dashi stock. A quick, warming starter or light lunch ready in 20 minutes.

Crustless rice and turkey quiche with tomato, green pepper, basil, and reduced-fat cheddar. Uses egg substitute and skim milk for a lighter take on quiche. Great for using leftover turkey and rice.

Dahi vada made with urad and moong dal, deep-fried into golden fritters, soaked in water, then served in spiced yogurt. A classic Indian appetizer with creamy, tangy contrast.

German fruit salad with honeydew melon, oranges, grapes, and walnuts in a tangy yogurt dressing with lemon, orange juice, and a hint of ketchup. Light and refreshing.

Thick and spicy spaghetti sauce gets its character from an unconventional spice rack: basil, paprika, cinnamon, curry powder, hot sauce, and burgundy wine simmered slow into a deep, complex pasta sauce.

Baked apple pancake with cinnamon-sugar sliced apples beneath a simple egg batter, baked until the edges are golden and crisp. A one-pan breakfast for the whole family.

Baked Brie with toasted slivered almonds, served warm with sesame crackers. A 3-ingredient appetizer that looks impressive and takes 20 minutes start to finish.

Potted herrings in Guinness bake rolled herring fillets in a stout-and-vinegar bath with onion, bay, cloves, and peppercorns. Classic Irish preserved fish, served cold.

Crockpot beef stock made hands-off with beef soup bones, onion, celery, and peppercorns simmered all day. The set-it-and-forget-it foundation for soups, stews, and sauces.

Smashed "tortured" tomatoes topped with crumbled blue cheese drizzled to look like bird droppings. A gross-out Halloween hit kids absolutely love. No cooking required.

Potato and sweet potato torte: thin-sliced Yukon gold and sweet potatoes layered with buttery thyme-scented leeks, baked into a tender, stacked round cake you flip out and slice at the table. A stunning vegetable side.