Recipe Sifter

Buche de Marrons au Chocolat, a French chestnut and chocolate log (no-bake variation of buche de Noel) with Calvados, wrapped in whipped cream bark and garnished with candied violets. A show-stopping Christmas dessert.

Honey-sweetened yeast dough enriched with eggs and oil gets kneaded until elastic, then shaped into a round spiral loaf and brushed with egg wash for a golden Jewish bread that's tender and slightly sweet.

Dairy-free tofu cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, crushed pineapple, orange juice, and honey. Silky smooth filling with no cream cheese needed. Topped with fresh kiwi slices.

Big-batch red lentil soup spiced with cumin, coriander, jalapeño, and oregano, finished with cilantro and a tangy lime cream. Makes enough to eat now and freeze two-thirds for later.

Low-fat barley kugel studded with cinnamon apples and plump raisins. This lighter twist on a Jewish comfort classic swaps butter for yogurt yet still delivers that creamy, custardy bite.

A velvety, creamy garlic soup loaded with 2 cups of garlic and caramelized onions, thickened with stale French bread and finished with half and half. Inspired by New Orleans chef Susan Spicer. Even better the next day.

Moist quick bread sweetened with dark molasses and applesauce, studded with raisins and nuts. Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg make every slice taste like fall.

Brownie batter baked in ice cream cones and topped with frosting. A fun, mess-free treat kids can make in the microwave.

Rye sourdough starter made the old Jewish bakery way: rye flour, water, a packet of yeast, and a halved onion that pulls in the wild flavor for classic deli-style rye bread.

Chocolate raspberry Linzer cookies sandwich cinnamon-almond shortbread with melted chocolate and raspberry jam. Powdered-sugar tops with a window peek of berry filling.

Hand-chopped pork seasoned with garlic, bay leaves, and warm spices, stuffed into casings, then hickory-smoked for authentic Cajun andouille from scratch.

Anise almond biscotti are twice-baked Italian cookies with toasted almonds and warm anise seeds. Crisp, dunkable holiday treats that keep up to 4 weeks. Makes about 2 dozen.

Grandma's chicken noodle soup with bone-in thighs, turnips, carrots, celery, and egg noodles. Simmered from scratch in water with thyme and poultry seasoning. Honest, old-fashioned comfort.

Upside-down chocolate cake baked over a brown-sugar caramel with apricot halves and maraschino cherries. Cocoa-rich cake flipped onto the platter for a glossy fruit top.

Christmas compote jam blends dried figs, dates, apricots, three nuts, and candied orange in a quince-juice base spiced with cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and star anise. A three-day European holiday preserve worth every step.

Cheesy carrot and rice casserole with shredded carrots, American cheese, eggs, milk, and a hint of nutmeg baked until set and golden. A cozy vegetarian side dish.