Recipe Sifter

Roast rack of lamb under a crisp mustard-and-herb breadcrumb crust of parsley, rosemary and garlic. An elegant medium-rare centerpiece that looks impressive but comes together simply.

Chestnut meringues with chopped marrons glaces folded through crisp, snowy French meringue, dusted with cocoa. A delicate, old-world European cookie for tea trays and holiday gift tins.

Fudge satin pie layers a toasted almond graham crust under a no-bake chocolate filling enriched with Kahlua and finished with coffee whipped cream rosettes. A silky French silk style dessert.

Fresh vegetable basil soup with potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, cauliflower, zucchini, and green peas in an herb-seasoned broth. A hearty, low-fat vegan soup.

It's hard to go wrong with a combination of beef roast, hot green chile and beer. The beef was falling-apart tender with a hint of spiciness. Of course make sure to have enough beer to serve with the roast :)

Japanese cucumber pickles: thin-sliced cucumber and red onion in a sweet-tart rice vinegar brine with chili and cilantro. A quick no-cook refrigerator pickle, crisp and bright, ready to serve alongside grilled meats, chicken or fish.

Marinated grilled chicken with a 24-hour yogurt, lime, cumin, and coriander marinade. Toasted spices rubbed into the meat then sealed in yogurt for tender, deeply seasoned chicken.

Vegetarian pesto pizza on whole wheat crust with homemade basil-pine nut pesto, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and zucchini. Everything made from scratch including the dough.

Asian-style flank steak marinade with soy sauce, sherry, oyster sauce, honey, and crystallized ginger. Marinate overnight and grill for a sweet-savory crust.

The Best Chocolate Cake with Cream Filling and Chocolate Frosting recipe

Two-layer apricot bars with a buttery shortbread crust and a brown sugar apricot topping. Dried apricots are simmered, pureed, and baked into chewy, fruity squares.

Banana Apple Bread loaded with mashed banana, chopped fresh apple, and applesauce, sweetened with brown sugar and cinnamon. A low-fat quick bread with no added oil.

Gingerbread cream pie with a spiced molasses cake split and filled with an apricot-vanilla custard set with gelatin. A unique two-component dessert for gingerbread lovers.

Fresh ripe tomatoes stewed with scallions, green pepper, dill, and basil, thickened with cornmeal and enriched with sunflower seed butter. Diabetic-friendly and naturally vegan.

Sandwiches glace: vintage party canape with rye bread, smoked ham, sour cream cheddar spread, and a gelatin-mayonnaise glaze. A mid-century tea-party classic.

Traditional Irish stew casserole with lamb, potatoes, onions, and rosemary layered and slow-baked for 8 to 10 hours. The potatoes dissolve into a thick, silky broth.