Recipe Sifter

Red velvet cake made from scratch with a buttermilk-and-vinegar tang, a whisper of cocoa, and a tender oil-based crumb. Crowned with classic cream cheese frosting for the real Southern bakery version.

Moist Jewish apple cake layers cinnamon-sugared Granny Smith slices into a tube-pan batter made with applesauce and orange juice for an oil-free, dairy-free dessert that stays tender for days.

Low-fat carrot fig cake that replaces oil and butter with pureed dried figs for moisture. Loaded with grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and raisins, drizzled with a simple pineapple juice glaze.

Layered Tex-Mex turkey casserole with homemade spiced tomato sauce, corn, bell peppers, tortilla chips, and melted Monterey Jack. The best use for leftover turkey.

A succulent and scrumptious dish made with juicy tomatoes, zucchini and chickpeas.

Tender flank steak slow-cooked with chili spices, fresh vegetables, and red wine in this Mexican-inspired crockpot casserole that fills your kitchen with smoky, savory aromas.

Pork stew with white beans and eggplant builds a rustic Provençal one-pot from browned pork shoulder, dry white wine, plum tomatoes, and tender eggplant simmered with thyme and bay.

Vegetarian fresh corn tamales: masa harina dough stuffed with sautéed bell peppers and corn, wrapped in soaked husks, and steamed until tender. Served with a chunky avocado-tomatillo salsa for a lighter Mexican classic.

Sulu's Lemon Chicken features breasts marinated in sake, soy sauce, and fresh lemon slices, then egg-dipped and pan-fried to golden. Simmered in the citrusy marinade for a tangy, savory finish.

Nanny's Irish soda bread made with sour cream instead of buttermilk for an extra-tender crumb. Studded with raisins and lightly sweetened with sugar and vanilla.

White chocolate raspberry cheesecake on a vanilla wafer crust, with melted white chocolate folded through the batter, layers of fresh raspberries and a glossy chocolate glaze. Baked low and slow for a crack-free, creamy slice.

Walt Disney's personal chili recipe with dried pinto beans, ground beef, tomatoes, and a spicier variation. Slow-simmered from scratch, straight from Mickey's Gourmet Cookbook.

German chocolate cake layered with gooey melted caramels, chopped pecans, and chocolate chips between two layers of batter. A semi-homemade turtle cake that's sinfully rich and ridiculously easy to make.

Kiseli kupus, traditional Croatian whole-head sauerkraut fermented in a crock with garlic, horseradish, bay leaves, and red peppers. Ready in 40 days.

Grilled beef kabobs marinated 12 hours in a tangy soy-lemon-Worcestershire sauce with mushrooms, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and onion. Bold flavor from a simple overnight marinade.

Amaretto chocolate chip cheesecake with a fudgy wafer crust, amaretto cream cheese filling studded with chocolate chips, and an almond-topped sour cream finish. The grown-up dessert centerpiece.