Recipe Sifter

Shrimp and crab enchiladas rolled in corn tortillas, smothered in a creamy sour cream-jalapeno sauce with Monterey Jack cheese. Feeds a crowd of 10 in under 45 minutes.

Spinach fettuccine in a quick Romano cheese cream sauce with garlic and white wine. A simple Italian pasta dish ready in 20 minutes for two.

Pan-fried red snapper fillets topped with butter-sauteed shrimp, capers, lemon slices, and slivered almonds. A 30-minute seafood dinner with bistro-level elegance.

An old-fashioned vinegar-pickled cabbage with whole cloves, mace, and allspice. A simple, shelf-stable recipe straight out of a Victorian-era American cookbook, updated for modern jars.

Larb (larp): Thai-Isaan minced beef salad with fire-roasted garlic and shallots, toasted rice powder, fish sauce, lime, chili, and fresh herbs. Served in lettuce cups with mint.

Marinated eggplant in olive oil: salt-pressed, vinegar-soaked strips layered with garlic, oregano, and chile in extra-virgin oil. An Italian antipasto that gets better for months.

Homemade orange liqueur infused with fresh orange peel, vanilla bean, vodka, and brandy. A DIY Grand Marnier-style spirit that steeps for seven weeks.

Pan-fried fish fillets with brown butter and lemon sauce. Works with red snapper, grouper, or chicken breast. A classic French meuniere-style technique.

Red Devil rub with whole-grain Dijon mustard, fresh basil, cayenne, and olive oil. A sharp, herby wet rub for grilled chicken, fish, or barbecue. Five ingredients, bold heat.

Red and white peppermint cake made with white cake mix and crushed candy canes, topped with vanilla frosting and more peppermint. A festive holiday cake with cool minty crunch.

Spit-roasted whole pork loin dry-rubbed and rested a full 30 hours, then slow-turned on the rotisserie. Finished with a splash of coffee in the pan juices for deep, unexpected roasted flavor.

Smoked turkey rubbed with liquid smoke and slow-smoked over a water pan with white wine, onion, and bay leaves. Juicy, deeply flavored whole bird with a simple seasoning approach.

Almond dumplings for soup are tender, savory egg-based dumplings flavored with minced almonds and parsley. Dropped into hot broth or soup for the last 10 minutes for an old-fashioned European soup garnish.

Grilled chicken quesadillas with fire-roasted poblano peppers, cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheese in flour tortillas. Cooked in a dry skillet for a crispy, golden shell with no added oil.

Grilled sirloin steak marinated in gin, dry vermouth, garlic, and herbs, garnished with pimento-stuffed olives. A cocktail-inspired steak with real martini flavor.

Savory crab cheesecake on a buttery cracker crust with Old Bay seasoning, Tabasco, and lemon, topped with sour cream. A showstopping Maryland-style appetizer that serves 12.