Recipe Sifter

Seasoned ground beef and deviled ham patties stacked with creamy cottage cheese mashed potatoes and crispy fried onions, then baked until bubbly. A fun, retro comfort food dinner the whole family will devour.

Pan-seared pork chops glazed with a Dijon mustard and apricot preserves sauce finished with soy sauce and scallions. A quick skillet dinner with a sweet-tangy glaze.

Homemade Boursin-style garlic and herb cheese spread with cream cheese, butter, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, thyme, and marjoram. The classic French appetizer made at home for a fraction of the boutique cheese price.

Thai duck curry (kaeng pet) simmered in coconut milk with a handmade curry paste of dried chilies, lemongrass, shrimp paste, and coriander seeds. Rich, aromatic, and deeply spiced.

Toasted pita chips split, cut, and bake pita bread into crisp triangles for dips, soups, and lunchboxes. Two ingredients, eight-minute bake, much better than store-bought.

Chicken braised in a mix of regular and dark beer with onion soup mix for a rich, savory sauce. Four ingredients, one pan, and zero fuss. Serve over rice.

Easy pizza crust lets the bread machine do the work: a chewy bread-flour dough made lower in fat by swapping applesauce for oil. Roll it out, top it, and bake your own crisp homemade pizza.

Easy steak au poivre: filet mignon crusted in cracked black peppercorns, pan-seared in butter, finished with a red wine pan sauce. French classic in 15 minutes.

A rustic Swiss elderberry tart with a buttery shortcrust, ground hazelnut layer, and dark, sweet-tart elderberry syrup filling. Old-world fall baking served warm with whipped cream.

Fresh herb salad dressing with dill, tarragon, chervil, chives, and marjoram steeped in olive oil. A French-inspired vinaigrette that improves the longer it sits.

Elva's carne guisada with beef chuck braised in a cumin-spiced gravy with Rotel tomatoes, onion, and bell pepper. Tex-Mex comfort food ready in 40 minutes.

Fried plantains sliced thin on the bias and deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. A 3-ingredient Caribbean and Latin American side dish ready in minutes.

Empanaditas are bite-sized pork turnovers stuffed with Monterey Jack, brown mustard, and red pepper flakes, baked until golden. Party-ready with salsa or chili sauce for dipping.

Ensalada compuesta is a Mexican-style stuffed tortilla layered with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and melted cheddar, then piled high with lettuce, vegetables, and dressing. Hearty taco salad meets enchilada.

Favorite dill pickles: garden cucumbers packed with fresh dill and garlic in jars and covered with a hot vinegar brine. The classic homemade dill pickle, ready in 3 to 4 weeks.

Orange rice pilaf cooked in fresh orange juice with orange zest, celery, thyme, and sauteed onions. A bright, citrusy side dish that pairs with poultry, pork, and holiday roasts.