Recipe Sifter

No-bake tiramisu cake with angel food cake soaked in espresso and amaretto, layered with ricotta-mascarpone cream and topped with grated chocolate.

Homemade hot pepper jelly with bell peppers, jalapenos, and apple cider vinegar set with pectin. A sweet-hot spread perfect over cream cheese with crackers.

Butter in India is called makkhan. Clarified butter, instead of being called makkhan ghee, is called usli ghee (usli means "real" or "pure," which in this context refers to the real or original fat of the ancient Indians). Clarified butter or usli ghee is essentially French brown butter with the brown residue strained off. Usli ghee has a light caramel color and a heavenly aroma. Since there is no moisture present, it keeps well covered, at room temperature, for several months.

Delicate sole fillets rolled around garlicky sauteed spinach and baked with a brush of melted butter. An elegant, light dinner for two ready in 20 minutes with just six ingredients.

Alaskan spot prawns simmered with cannellini beans, garlic, rosemary, and Roma tomatoes, finished with extra virgin olive oil. Rustic Italian-coast cooking with sweet head-on prawns.

Five-grain hot cereal with brown rice, barley, millet, rye, and wheat berries cooked with dried apricots. A hearty whole-grain breakfast with natural sweetness.

Sadza, the staple Zimbabwean corn porridge made from white cornmeal and water. Two ingredients, one pot, and a thick, starchy side that's the foundation of Southern African meals.

Cold quinoa olive salad with green and black olives, pine nuts, red bell pepper, and umeboshi plum vinegar. A protein-packed vegetarian side with Mediterranean-Japanese flavors.

Mediterranean green bean, zucchini and potato stew simmered in plum tomatoes with cayenne and fresh parsley. Vegan one-pot dinner ready in an hour.

Mandelbrot almond bread with layered cinnamon, twice-baked into crisp toasted slices. A traditional Jewish biscotti-style cookie that's dense, crunchy, and dairy-free.

Mushroom pita pizza with sauteed onions, fresh tomato slices, basil, oregano, and crumbled goat cheese on toasted whole wheat pita. Quick 20-minute lunch or light dinner.

Jellied tomato salad made with unflavored gelatin, tomato juice, basil, lemon, and garlic. A retro molded salad that's light, savory, and perfect alongside cold cuts.

Strawberry sorbet made with pureed fresh strawberries, cranberry juice, and lemon juice. No ice cream maker needed. Freeze, blend, and refreeze for a smooth, fruity frozen treat.

Homemade salt sticks with a simple yeast dough, brushed with egg white and topped with seasoned salt, onion powder, or kosher salt. Crispy, snackable bread sticks.

Golden turmeric rice cooked with a bay leaf and a pinch of chili powder for warm color and subtle spice. A simple five-ingredient Indian-style side dish that pairs with curries, stews, and grilled meats.

Old-fashioned grape conserve simmered with sugar, lemon, and chopped nuts until thick and spreadable. A classic fruit preserve that goes beyond basic jam with added texture and citrus brightness.