Recipe Sifter

Date nut bars combine sticky-sweet dates and toasted pecans in a brown sugar batter that bakes into chewy, butterscotch-edged bars. One bowl, one pan, ready in 30 minutes. Holiday cookie tin staple, dressed simply.

Coffee bean brownies: thin sheet-pan brownies with Kahlua and strong brewed coffee in the batter, topped with warm fudgy cocoa frosting poured onto the hot tray. Makes 36.

Banana Raisin-Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies recipe

Saw a similar recipe on GMA a few months ago, but wanted to put our own spin on it. It's a little time-consuming to make the teeny little meatballs, but definitely worth it! We call it a "stoup" (Thank you Rachael Ray) because it has a pretty thick consistency. If you have leftovers, you'll need to add more water or chicken broth, because the orzo really absorbs all the liquid.

Oven-baked sheet pancakes made with egg whites and fruit cocktail juice instead of milk or eggs. A low-fat, no-griddle pancake batch baked in 15 minutes for a quick breakfast crowd.

Homemade granola mix bakes ten cups of rolled oats, coconut, sunflower seeds, sesame, and nuts in a honey-molasses syrup. Big-batch breakfast that stores six months.

Apple walnut crumb muffins with grated apple, toasted wheat germ, cinnamon, and a buttery oat crumb topping. A hearty whole-grain-friendly breakfast muffin.

Curried beef stir-fry with soy-marinated sirloin, crisp cucumber, peppers, and celery in a glossy curry-spiked sauce. The unexpected addition of cucumber keeps the dish bright and crunchy. Ready in under 20 minutes.

Curry-spiked chili with ground beef, kidney beans, and a generous shower of sharp cheddar. A 30-minute weeknight pot that crosses Tex-Mex with Indian warmth.

Beef meatballs in a creamy milk gravy with sherry, thyme, and Worcestershire. A lighter take on Swedish-style meatballs using yogurt as binder. Serve over egg noodles or pasta.

Smoky chipotle mushroom tacos: sauteed mushrooms and onion cooked down with chipotle in adobo and garlic, piled into warm corn tortillas with queso fresco and salsa. A quick, vegetarian taco night winner.

This party mix is perfect for the holiday season or whenever you have company. It is subtly spiced with pops of sweetness from the raisins and combines corn, rice, and wheat boxed cereals for a flavor and texture combination that will surely be a hit at any gathering.

Fresh berry scones cooked on a griddle, not in the oven. A traditional Scottish method that gives these blueberry scones a golden crust on all sides and a tender, steamy center.

Homemade cream of tomato soup made from fresh tomatoes, celery, and onion blended smooth and finished with evaporated milk. The from-scratch answer to the canned red can on the pantry shelf.

Danish breakfast pancakes (aebleskiver-style Dutch baby) puff dramatically in the oven from four ingredients: eggs, milk, flour, and butter. Top with spiced fruit.

Mango chutney sounds very familiar with us, but you can make tomato chutney as well, and the savory flalvor goes well with all kinds of dishes. Here it is.