Recipe Sifter

Enjoy this scrumptious banana bread that's made with chocolate chips and chopped nuts.

Loaded chili built on three meats, ground beef, hot Italian sausage, and smoked sausage, with kidney beans, a layered hit of serrano and habanero heat, and a splash of red wine. Thickened with cornmeal and tastes even better the next day.

Big, soft raisin-oatmeal cookies with peanut butter for tender chew, dark brown sugar for moisture, and a whisper of mace that sets these apart from every other oat cookie. Quarter-cup scoops, no flour required.

If you love banana bread you will adore this simple recipe that's easy to understand and follow.

A classic combination using fresh ingredients instead of dry and salty onion soup mix. Perfect for veggies or as a chip dip.

Stir-fried bell peppers, carrots, and zucchini with garlic, ginger, scallions are tossed with pasta, cucumber, cilantro, and miso-chili sauce. It's a delicious, light yet nutritious one pot meal that's perfect for week-nights.

A great summer sandwich! Tasty and light, grilling gives the vegetables nice smoky taste. A little bit garlic and lemon juice brighten up the mayonnaise; feta cheese gives the cheesiness and slightly saltiness, which is a great additional topping of the sandwich.

Thick udon noodles with a spicy Asian dressing that's easy to make and ready when you are.

This Christmas pudding has plenty of delicious fruit and nuts, but it's really simple to make - just plan ahead and then make the warm vanilla-bean custard on the day.

There are hundreds versions of this very Polish soup. Here you have an original proposition of mine. I used to cook it on the base of my favorite duck and chicken stock. The cream is a must to create wonderful pink color. Optionally you may add a quarter or a half of hard boiled egg to your bowl. By the way, I change my recipe sometimes, for instance by adding dried California prunes instead of sugar, or by adding some white vinegar instead of lemon juice.

Austrian quick pickled red onions in an apple cider brine with bay leaf, allspice and peppercorns. Bright pink, sweet-tart and warmly spiced. Pile onto dark rye with paprika cheese, burgers, or fish tacos.

Made these chicken tenders for dinner the other night, and they came out quite tasty with very noticeable herby flavor. You can always reduce the amount of herbs to suit your own taste.

A hearty vegetarian broccoli rice casserole with brown rice, two cream soups, melty American cheese, and tender broccoli florets. The Sunday dinner casserole made meat-free without the fuss.

Barley risotto layered with sun-dried tomatoes and homemade basil pesto, enriched with ricotta and goat cheese, then baked until the pesto toasts golden. A vegetarian main that eats like a feast.

Cherry pineapple jam combines pitted sweet cherries and crushed pineapple in an old-fashioned sun-finished preserve. Just three ingredients, no pectin needed.

Added sliced Provolone, which I melted over the top under the broiler and made the sandwiches in pita pockets. Delicious!