Recipe Sifter

Magical fruit salad: pineapple, grapes, and banana tossed in a quick creamy dressing made from milk and instant pudding mix, no cooking or whipping. A 10-minute, kid-friendly potluck favorite.

Gnocchi with chickpeas, butternut squash, and greens pan-sears pillowy gnocchi, then tosses them into a skillet of sage-scented squash, currants, garlic, and wilted spinach. A hearty vegetarian one-pan meal.

Thick-cut pork loin steaks marinated in soy sauce, molasses, sherry, ginger and garlic, then grilled or broiled in just 10 minutes. A rich, glossy teriyaki dinner for two.

Susan's Turkey Soup: a hearty post-Thanksgiving soup made from the turkey carcass with yellow and green split peas, chickpeas, small pasta, and aromatic vegetables. Three legumes, one pot.

Canned salmon and grated potato pancakes fried crispy golden, served with applesauce or horseradish sour cream. An easy, budget-friendly dinner the whole family loves. Think latkes meet salmon cakes.

Baked bean casserole with apples, tomatoes, cheese, and chili powder inspired by the Moosewood cookbook. Dried beans simmered tender, then layered with sweet-tart apple chunks and mild melted cheese for a hearty vegetarian one-dish meal.

Whole wheat pasta dough: a simple eggless pasta made with whole wheat pastry flour and all-purpose flour, water, and a touch of olive oil. The base for handmade fettuccine, lasagna sheets, or ravioli.

Just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep for fluffy, golden beer muffins with a hint of yeasty tang. Brush with butter, top with cheddar, and serve warm from the oven.

Split pea and lentil soup with onions, celery, carrots and rosemary, simmered in a vegetable stock built right in the pot. A high-protein, oil-free vegan soup ready in under an hour.

If you need an ice-cream fix, then try this quick and delicious recipe that's stress free!

Chinese-style roast duck lacquered with plum and black bean sauce, rubbed with garlic and ginger, then chilled overnight for easy slicing. Serve with Chinese pancakes for a Peking-style feast.

A hearty post-Thanksgiving chowder with butternut squash, celery root, savoy cabbage, rice, and leftover turkey in a silky pureed broth. Use up those holiday leftovers in 45 minutes flat.

Thai-inspired tofu lemongrass soup with shiitake mushrooms, bok choy, and kaffir lime leaves. Light, fragrant, and ready in 35 minutes. A bright, warming bowl that's naturally vegan.

An aromatic Indian vegetable side with carrots, peas, and potatoes sizzled in mustard oil with cumin seeds and dried chilies. Vibrant, vegan, and on the table in 35 minutes.

Low-fat sherried beef stir-fry with round steak marinated in dry sherry and soy sauce, tossed with carrots, green pepper, and onion in a glossy cornstarch sauce. Served over hot rice.

Don't bother reaching for the tea bags, enjoy this great holiday drink on a cold winter day.