Recipe Sifter

A rich, velvety Chesapeake-style oyster bisque simmered with bay leaf, finished with cream and a splash of dry sherry. Serves 24 for elegant entertaining.

Poppy seed cake with lemon glaze baked in a bundt pan. Pureed apricots replace butter for moisture, egg whites provide lift, and a tangy lemon glaze drizzles over the top. No butter, no yolks.

Curry-glazed duck legs roast under a paste of jalapeno, ginger, garlic, and curry powder, then braise in orange-lime juice with chicken stock. The skin re-crisps for shatteringly crackly results.

Low-fat holiday cheesecake with nonfat cream cheese, lemon yogurt, and a graham cracker crust, topped with cherry pie filling and whipped topping.

Old-fashioned tomato relish made with both green and ripe tomatoes, red and green bell peppers, onions, vinegar, and sugar. A sweet-tangy condiment for burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches.

Teriyaki turkey burgers with grilled pineapple slices mix ground turkey with ginger, teriyaki-marinated pineapple, and carrot. Topped with teriyaki-glazed grilled pineapple rings.

No-bake peanut butter balls with dates, raisins, walnuts, molasses, and orange juice, rolled in shredded coconut. A healthy, naturally sweetened energy bite that improves after a day of resting.

Whisky fudge cake with melted chocolate, 16 eggs, and a generous pour of whisky baked into a dense, rich sponge. Served with clotted cream for a showstopping British-style dessert.

Big-batch cinnamon rolls baked in honey-brown-sugar caramel that pools at the bottom of the pan. Pillowy yeasted dough yields 48 rolls, ideal for brunches, bake sales, and freezer stashing.

No-bake bonbon cookies built from crushed vanilla wafers, cocoa, walnuts, and a splash of Southern Comfort, then dipped in chocolate. Chilled overnight, served cold, gone by morning.

Homemade jelly candies with pectin, sugar, corn syrup, and citric acid: customizable molded sweets flavored and colored any way you like. Firm, chewy, and old-fashioned.

Red pepper and lentil pasta sauce braised in red wine with garlic, onion, and basil, then pureed silky smooth. A hearty vegan sauce packed with plant protein and bold flavor.

Slow cooker fudge melts chocolate chips with coconut milk, honey, and a pinch of sea salt into a smooth, dairy-free fudge, no candy thermometer required. Set it and stir, then chill into rich squares.

Garlic and chickpea dip with two whole heads of boiled garlic, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh parsley. Chilled in a mold and served with tomatoes.

Lighter cheesecake made with blended cottage cheese and low-fat sour cream on a graham cracker crust. A slimmed-down dessert topped with cherry pie filling or fresh fruit.

Easy prep and a slow simmer bring this thrifty chili recipe together.