Recipe Sifter

This delightful dessert is so good, the crust is buttery and flakey, and the pear-almond filling is scrumptious and juicy.

Mom's banana oatmeal cookies are soft, chewy drop cookies with mashed bananas, rolled oats, butter, and a hint of lemon juice. A classic family recipe that yields nearly 80 cookies.

Italian-style chicken soup with tiny beef meatballs (polpettine), tender chicken pulled from the bone, carrots, and basil. Two proteins in one bowl: shredded poached chicken plus pinky-fingertip-sized meatballs.

Chewy granola bars packed with crisp cereal, wheat germ, coconut, almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and dried figs. A high-fibre snack bound by a brown sugar and honey syrup, ready in 45 minutes.

Delicate, spring soup which is my rendition of the traditional Silesian soup called oberiba. Both recipes differ a lot, so this one shouldn't be named as Silesians did.

Buttermilk drop biscuits with a tender, tangy crumb and crisp cornmeal-dusted bottoms. The easier biscuit method, no rolling pin or biscuit cutter required.

Creole pecan pie: a deeper, darker Louisiana take on classic pecan pie built on dark brown sugar, dark corn syrup, and a low slow bake. Rich molasses-tinged filling and toasted pecans in a flaky crust.

Delicate sole (or other whitefish) glazed with an orange almond glaze. Quick, easy and sophisticated.

This hearty casserole is my favorite dish to make for a potluck. With the green of the broccoli and the rich cheese sauce, it's pretty to serve, and it makes a tasty side dish for almost any kind of main dish.

Fresh apricot ice cream made with diced ripe apricots, apricot nectar, evaporated milk, and tangy yogurt. A cooler, lighter summer ice cream with bright stone-fruit flavor and no eggs.

Crockpot taco steak and rice, a one-pot Tex-Mex dinner. Beef simmers in seasoned tomatoes all day, then corn, peppers, and instant rice cook right in the pot. Top with cheese and go.

Freezer-friendly guacamole with mashed avocado, chili peppers, onion, and white vinegar. Make it ahead and freeze, then thaw and stir in fresh tomato before serving.

Best focaccia: a soft, golden Italian flatbread topped with sweet buttery sauteed onions, scored into a raised rim and baked until golden. A simple from-scratch focaccia round.

Whole-wheat grape juice muffins with blue cornmeal, yogurt, and a pinch of nutmeg. Naturally sweetened with concord grape juice, no refined sugar. A wholesome lunchbox snack.

A savory curry-spiced pie crust made with whole wheat flour and cream cheese. Flaky, fragrant, and built for quiche.

Whole wheat spaghetti is tossed with tomato sauce, fresh basil, feta cheese and olives. A quick, tasty yet healthy one-pot meal, perfect for busy week days.