10,000 wafer recipes

Jewel-toned apple rings preserved in a brandy-spiked sugar syrup and water bath canned for year-round enjoyment. A stunning edible gift or garnish that captures fall in a jar.

Poor man's shrimp transforms cubed salmon into shrimp-like bites by quick-poaching in heavily salted water. A vintage frugal cooking trick that yields firm, pink, shrimp-textured salmon for cocktails or salads.

Shrimp and vegetable risotto with dried porcini mushrooms, broccoli, tomatoes, and white wine. Arborio rice cooked the classic way with ladled broth for a creamy, one-pot Italian dinner.

Two-ingredient fruit butter made from dried apricots simmered in water and pureed smooth. No sugar, no pectin, no canning needed. Just dried fruit and water.

Traditional German Zwetschgenmus (damson plum cheese) slowly cooked for hours into a thick, spreadable fruit butter with just plums and water. No added sugar needed.

Traditional German rye sourdough starter (Sauerteig): a three-phase rye flour and water leaven built over 3 days for authentic German rye bread baking. Maintainable and long-keeping.

Cooking grains the foolproof way: two parts water to one part grain, rinse first, simmer covered, never stir. Works for quinoa, rice, millet, and farro. The basic ratio every home cook should know by heart.

No-cook couscous made by steeping the dry pasta in boiling water or broth off the heat. Five minutes of prep, 30 minutes of patience, and you have fluffy couscous ready for any North African dish.

Extra-firm Jello Jigglers made with double the gelatin for a bouncy, finger-food texture. Two ingredients, no cooking, and kids love cutting them into fun shapes.

Two-ingredient brown rice flour griddle cakes, naturally gluten-free. Ferment the batter overnight for tangy flavor or cook them right away like crepes.

Spiced red lentil veggie burgers with Cajun seasoning, garlic, and fresh herbs. Cook lentils until they break down, mix with breadcrumbs, then grill or pan-fry until crispy.

Chutney chicken drumsticks in a quick microwave sauce of tomato, rehydrated dried apple, raisins, orange zest, and a whisper of clove. A weeknight dinner with sweet-hot chutney flavor in 30 minutes.

Big-batch go-to pie crust: 5 pounds of flour and butter-flavored shortening yield 20 freezer-ready dough balls. Microwave-thaw any single ball in 30 seconds for pie any night.

Country chili with TVP is a hearty vegan chili where textured vegetable protein soaks up smoky chili spices like ground meat, simmered with kidney beans, corn, peppers and tomatoes. High-protein and meat-free.

German-style Rindergulasch with tender braised beef cubes in a paprika-spiced cream sauce, thickened with a flour slurry and served over noodles. A cozy one-pot dinner.

Pepper beef balls simmer tender meatballs in a glossy soy-ginger sauce with green peppers, onion, and tomato, thickened to coat. A pepper-steak twist in meatball form, served over rice.