Recipe Sifter

Easy pasta salad tosses cooked pasta with frozen mixed vegetables, sweet potato, and low-fat dressing for a five-minute brown bag lunch. Pantry-staple weeknight side or work-from-home meal.

Fred Goslin's sangria pitcher with red wine, fresh orange, lemon, and lime juice, simple syrup, and orange slices. Spanish-style summer party drink ready in 20 minutes plus chill time.

Open-faced pizza sandwiches made with a seasoned beef freezer mix, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and bubbly melted cheese on bread or hamburger buns. Ready in under 20 minutes from freezer to table.

Stuffed French toast sandwiches filled with mashed banana, walnuts, and nutmeg, pan-fried golden in butter. A decadent weekend brunch ready in 20 minutes.

Flambe bananas in brown sugar butter sauce with raisins, walnuts, and brandy. A 15-minute showstopper dessert with caramelized fruit and a dramatic flame finish.

Fresh fruit ambrosia with a blended banana and orange juice dressing, spiced with nutmeg and cardamom, topped with coconut. No mayo, no marshmallows.

Fresh bananas and Bartlett pears drizzled with melted vanilla ice cream as a ready-made custard sauce, topped with chopped pecans. No cooking, no custard-making. The ice cream is the sauce.

Three-ingredient apple walnut relish with toasted walnuts, diced Golden Delicious apples, and sweet wine. Make it a day ahead for the best flavor.

Fresh green chutney with cilantro, green chili, yogurt, roasted cumin, and lemon juice. A bright, spicy Indian condiment served cold alongside curries and grilled meats.

Fresh pear halves filled with Roquefort cream blended with white wine and cayenne. An elegant no-cook appetizer or cheese course ready in 15 minutes.

Fresh microwave spinach in 5 minutes flat with no oil, no fuss, just clean leaves and steam. The fastest way to a tender, nutrient-packed side that actually keeps its bright green color.

Microwave fresh tomato scallop with Parmesan bread crumb and pecan topping, finished with Worcestershire sauce. A quick summer side dish ready in 15 minutes.

Fried bread crumbs: dry crumbs sauteed in melted butter until deeply golden and crisp. A two-ingredient finishing topping for pasta, vegetables, casseroles and gratins.

Yeasted beer batter for fried fish: flour, eggs, beer, and a packet of active dry yeast rested two hours into a light, lacy coating that fries up shatteringly crisp. Pub-style fish-and-chips done right.

Blended pina coladas made with cream of coconut, crushed pineapple, light rum, and milk, blitzed with ice until thick and frosty. A tropical cocktail in 15 minutes.

Frozen Black Irish is a boozy mocha milkshake blended with Kahlua, Irish cream, vodka, and chocolate ice cream. A rich, frozen cocktail that tastes like a coffee shop treat with a serious kick.