Recipe Sifter

Hearty spaghetti tossed with lentils, sautéed kale, and minced ham in a cumin-scented broth. A protein-packed Italian-inspired pasta that's satisfying and budget-friendly.

Loaded black bean soup pureed silky-smooth with smoky ham hock, sherry, lemon, and a finish of sour cream and fresh dill. Steakhouse-style classic that elevates the humble bean.

Handmade herb soap balls infused with chamomile, lavender, peppermint, or rosemary essential oils. A simple DIY craft using grated soap, dried herbs, and boiling water.

Layered caramel brownies with German sweet chocolate, a gooey melted caramel center, chocolate chips, and walnuts. Fudgy, chewy, and utterly over the top. Makes 25.

Classic three-cheese lasagna layered with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. The old-world method: thirds of everything, three layers deep, parmesan crust on top.

Roasted Cornish game hens marinated in tomatillo-chipotle salsa with a creamy pan sauce, green beans, and onions. A smoky, elegant one-pan dinner with Mexican flavors.

French chocolate mousse made with both milk and bittersweet chocolate folded into whipped cream and stiff egg whites. Six ingredients, no baking, pure velvety richness.

Wild game braised bear steak marinated overnight, seared golden, then slow-simmered in tomato soup with chili powder and onions until fork-tender. A hearty backcountry main dish.

No-bake coffee almond ice cream cake with a chocolate wafer crust, whipped cream, and crushed amaretti cookies. A stunning frozen dessert served with dark chocolate sauce.

An heirloom-style tarte tatin from Orléans with handmade laminated pastry and apples slow-simmered in butter caramel in a cast-iron skillet. Flip it, slice it, serve with ice cream.

Home-style Chinese chicken deboned by hand, velveted in egg and cornstarch, twice-fried to a crackling crust, and tossed in a tangy vinegar glaze. Served over wilted garlic spinach restaurant-style.

These cookies with a candy bar center, from Bev Bosveld of Waupun, are packed with coconut.

Authentic Westphalian pumpernickel bread baked low and slow for 12 hours creates dense, dark, slightly sweet rye bread with traditional German flavor.

Cauliflower gratin with a savory dressing of olive oil, anchovy paste, capers, lemon, and Dijon mustard, topped with Parmesan bread crumbs and baked until golden and crisp.

Old-fashioned baked beans made from scratch with dried navy beans, molasses, brown sugar and salt pork, slow-baked all day until thick and deeply savory-sweet. The real Boston-style deal, no can required.

Low-fat cheesecake made with overnight-strained yogurt and blended cottage cheese instead of cream cheese. Dense, silky, and tangy on a graham cracker crust with no cream cheese at all.