Chilled cream of fennel soup pureed silky-smooth with fresh tarragon, lemon juice, and half-and-half. A cool, elegant starter with a subtle anise flavor that's ideal for warm-weather entertaining.
Ricotta pesto gnocchi with semolina flour, served in a roasted garlic broth and garnished with basil, tomato, Parmesan, and pine nuts. A chef-level Italian pasta course.
Asparagus with blue cheese drapes hot spears in a sharp red-wine vinaigrette loaded with crumbled blue and fresh chives. Six ingredients, one skillet, served warm or room temp. Spring side dish that punches well above its weight.
Thai-inspired chicken wings marinated overnight in aromatic lemongrass, garlic, and turmeric, then grilled until golden. Pair with sticky rice for an authentic Southeast Asian feast that brings bold herbaceous flavors to your backyard barbecue.
Auntie Yuan duck salad slivers honey-roasted duck and crispy skin over puffed mai fun noodles, shredded lettuce, scallions, and cilantro. Drizzled with garlic-soy-rice vinegar dressing for a Chinese-American restaurant classic.
If you like trying new things, then you will love this succulent dish that will instantly find its place in your cookbook!
German-style fruit salad with honeydew melon balls, orange slices, grapes, and walnuts layered over lettuce and dressed in a tangy yogurt-citrus dressing with a hint of ketchup.
Anginares tarama is a Greek island appetizer of tender braised artichokes filled with creamy taramosalata, the classic emulsion of cured cod roe, lemon, olive oil, and grated onion. Old-school meze with elegant presentation.
Cajun barbecue sauce with bacon, pecans, honey, and citrus blended smooth. A spicy-sweet sauce with three peppers, orange rind, and Tabasco for chicken, pork, or ribs.
Poached salmon steaks in white wine with a creamy horseradish, sour cream, and mint sauce made from the strained poaching liquid. A light, elegant fish dinner for two.
Pesto spaghetti tossed with a fresh parsley and basil sauce, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and butter. A 30-minute pasta dinner with a no-cook pesto that freezes well.
Stuffed flank steak rolled with a mushroom, herb, and bread crumb filling, browned in bacon fat, and braised in beef broth with a Dijon mustard gravy.
British-style fish and chips with sole fillets in a yeast-and-beer batter, deep-fried to a crisp golden shell. The double-leavening technique produces the lightest crust possible.
Cold ramen noodle salad with shredded cabbage, cheddar cheese, and a tangy vinegar-mustard dressing. A crunchy, budget-friendly side dish that chills in under an hour.
Homemade turkey sausage gets its juiciness from a little pureed bacon worked into lean ground turkey, then seasoned with brandy, thyme, and clove. Shape into patties or stuff into casings for a leaner sausage with real backbone.
Chinese-style fried rice made with nutty, chewy wild rice instead of white, tossed with shrimp, ham, peas, and silky golden egg threads in a savory oyster-soy sauce. A heartier take on takeout fried rice.