Recipe Sifter

Jalapeño, raspberry and pecans blend beautifully in this thumbprint cookie from Anna Marie Bleich of California, Mo.

German-style creamy cucumber salad with paper-thin cucumber slices marinated in sweet cider vinegar dressing then tossed with sour cream and fresh parsley. The classic sommer salad.

Four beef fondue dipping sauces: garlic sour cream, mustard mayonnaise, sour cream horseradish, and a hot Worcestershire-ketchup sauce. Quick, easy, and ready in minutes.

A good spring dinner selection, light and healthy.

Chinese-style stir-fried chicken with toasted pine nuts, bamboo shoots, and a savory hoisin-oyster sauce. Cornstarch velveted chicken stays tender. Wok dinner in 30 minutes.

Homemade orange liqueur infused with fresh orange peel, vanilla bean, vodka, and brandy. A DIY Grand Marnier-style spirit that steeps for seven weeks.

A Vietnamese twist on meat sauce with ground pork, fresh tomatoes, fish sauce, lime, and serrano chilies served over steamed rice. Ready in 30 minutes flat.

Sautéed pancetta with balsamic beans simmers crispy pancetta, garlic, crushed tomatoes, and white beans in a sweet-tart honey-balsamic glaze. A rustic Italian side or weeknight main.

Quick roasted chicken wraps with wild rice, creamy ranch dressing, and crisp lettuce rolled in flour tortillas. No cooking required, ready in 15 minutes, makes 12 wraps for easy meal prep.

Each person then mixes his own ingredients at the table. This may be served as a first course, as part of a smorgosbord, or as a late-supper snack with beer.

German veal cutlets in a quick curry cream sauce with tomato paste, lemon juice, and a splash of cognac. A unique cross-cultural dish ready in 30 minutes.

Chinese BBQ pork lo mein with bok choy and bean sprouts tossed in oyster sauce and dark soy. Wok-fried in 15 minutes, this takeout-style noodle dish is faster than calling for delivery.

Dive into the world of authentic Italian cooking with this scrumptious dish that will have you saying "Mama, mia!".

Caribbean jerk pork chops marinated overnight in allspice, cinnamon, thyme, scallions, and cayenne, then grilled hot until juicy and just-pink at the bone. Bold island flavor on a weeknight-friendly cut.

Fettuccine tossed with canned clams, fresh tomatoes, sweet corn, garlic, and basil in a quick white-wine pan sauce. A 16-minute summer pasta that bridges pantry and farmer's market in one bowl.

Chinese almond jelly dessert with a silky gelatin base of evaporated milk and almond extract, topped with fresh kiwi and strawberries. Light, refreshing, and set in the fridge in minutes.