Recipe Sifter

Shrimp cheese pate with tiny Danish shrimp, soft cheese, sherry, and black pepper beaten until smooth. A no-cook Scandinavian-style appetizer spread ready in 15 minutes.

Shrimp and spicy black bean spread on crackers with jalapeño, lime, garlic, and cilantro. Easy make-ahead party appetizer from the pantry.

Silky cocoa creme is a light chocolate mousse made with ricotta, cocoa powder, and whipped topping, set with gelatin. A low-fat molded dessert served with strawberries.

Simple pimples: a two-ingredient Halloween snack of cored cherry tomatoes squeezed to ooze cream cheese. Kid-friendly, gross-cute, and ready in 10 minutes with no cooking required.

Simple wild rice simmered in water with olive oil until cracked and puffy. A basic three-ingredient method for cooking wild rice with a nutty, chewy texture every time.

Skordalia, the bold Greek garlic and potato dip whipped smooth with lemon and olive oil. This punchy, no-bread version is naturally vegan and gluten-free, served cold with fried fish or vegetables.

Smoky roasted salsa with dry-charred tomatoes, onion, and garlic blended with chipotle peppers, lime juice, and cilantro. A fire-roasted Mexican salsa made entirely on the stovetop.

South African curried lamb kebabs marinated overnight in a sweet-tangy sauce of chutney, curry powder, vinegar, and lemon leaves. Grilled and served with rice and chutney.

Traditional Mexican tortilla soup with fried tortilla strips simmered in a garlicky tomato broth with chili powder, topped with grated cheese. Simple, warming, and ready in 45 minutes.

Cabernet Sauvignon sorbet made with fresh red grape juice and lemon, served over sliced kiwi. A sophisticated frozen dessert with real wine and fruit flavor.

Velvety Greek cream of green bean soup pureed with carrots and onion, thickened with a buttery roux, and finished with a swirl of butter. Serve with crunchy croutons for a comforting Mediterranean bowl.

Hungarian sour cherry soup (meggyleves): a chilled summer soup of cherries, sugar, cinnamon, dry red wine, and heavy cream. Served cold, sweet, and tangy as a starter or light dessert.

Hungarian sour cherry soup (meggyleves) with sour cream, flour, and sugar. A traditional chilled fruit soup that's tangy, creamy, and served cold as a starter or dessert.

Milk-based sourdough starter using just flour and warm milk. A two-ingredient pioneer-style starter that ferments into a tangy base for biscuits, pancakes, and rustic loaves.

Crunchy soysprout salad with fresh mango, julienned carrots, and sliced almonds in a pear juice vinaigrette with a Tabasco kick. A raw, vibrant no-cook salad.

Spaghetti aglio e olio is the classic Italian pantry pasta: spaghetti tossed with garlic gently fried in olive oil, hot red pepper, and parsley. Five ingredients, ready in under 30 minutes.