Recipe Sifter

Three-layer peaches and cream cake with a walnut sponge soaked in sherry-peach syrup, layered with chopped peaches and whipped cream. An elegant celebration dessert.

No-cook pasta sauce with ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, diced mozzarella, garlic, and balsamic vinegar tossed with hot penne. A fresh summer pasta that lets peak tomatoes shine.

Potato and cheese lasagna: layered casserole of thinly sliced russet, sweet, and red skin potatoes with garlic, olive oil, cheddar, and mozzarella. Pasta-free comfort food for eight.

Whole artichokes simmered in lemon-seasoned water until tender, then served upright with a punchy vinaigrette of garlic, capers, pimientos, and white wine vinegar.

Vegan soy nog made with steamed butternut squash, vanilla soy milk, brown rice syrup, nutmeg, and a splash of mirin. A dairy-free, egg-free holiday drink.

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Lasagna roll ups with spaghetti sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan baked seam-side down. A fun twist on classic lasagna thats easier to serve with built-in portion control.

Oven-baked crispy fried chicken with a flour, bread crumb, and paprika coating. All the crunch of fried, none of the oil splatter, ready in about an hour.

Easy roasted vegetable pasta sauce with oven-roasted red peppers, onions, and garlic folded into jarred spaghetti sauce with sauteed mushrooms and fresh basil. A semi-homemade upgrade.

Overnight blueberry coffee cake: mix the batter the night before, chill in the pan, and bake straight from the fridge in the morning. Tender crumb, juicy berries, sugary crackled top.

Easy glazed smoked ham trims, scores, and bakes a fully-cooked smoked ham with a simple sugar coating for a holiday-worthy main with minimal effort. The classic Sunday-supper or Easter-table centerpiece.

A Greek-style phyllo pie layered with spiced ground beef, mushrooms, wine, and a rich blend of feta, cream cheese, and cottage cheese. Feeds 12 and bakes to a flaky golden crust.

Homemade turkey gravy built from simmered giblets and neck, pan drippings, half and half, and a finishing splash of brandy. Rich, properly thickened, and worth the extra step on Thanksgiving day.

A milk-based sourdough starter jump-started with yeast: flour, water and yeast left to ferment, then enriched with milk, sugar and flour. Keep it in the fridge and feed it after each use for ongoing baking.

Cayenne pepper wafers with Gruyere cheese, butter, and chopped walnuts. A savory, spicy slice-and-bake cracker for cocktail parties and cheese boards.

Buttery chocolate shortbread with cocoa, melted unsweetened chocolate, and chopped walnuts baked low and slow into crisp, snappy wedges with a sugar-sprinkled top.