299 ahead recipes

Olive oil marinated mushrooms simmer button mushrooms in herbed wine vinegar with thyme, garlic, and brandy. A make-ahead antipasto that gets better after a night in the fridge.

Par-cooked balti meat is a Birmingham-curry-house technique: meat simmered with masala paste then frozen for fast curry assembly. A make-ahead British-Indian meal prep base.

Refrigerator cookies pack chopped dates, shredded coconut, and walnuts into a buttery slice-and-bake log rolled in extra nuts. Make-ahead icebox cookies for holiday baking or anytime.

Breakfast sausage cheddar casserole layers cubed bread, browned sausage, and sharp cheese under a custard of eggs, milk, and dry mustard. Make-ahead overnight brunch strata for holiday mornings.

Marinated prawns soak cooked shrimp in a spicy white vinegar bath with whole chilies, oregano, carrots, and stuffed olives for two days. A make-ahead Caribbean-style escabeche appetizer.

Beef and Cheese Log: a vintage cocktail party cheese log with sharp cheddar, cream cheese, dried beef, and a pecan crust. Sliced thin onto crackers. Make-ahead party staple.

Italian-style pork tenderloin roasted and marinated in balsamic vinegar, rosemary, sage, and pink peppercorns. A make-ahead dish that gets better up to 3 days in the fridge.

Salmon pate made with fresh salmon, whitefish, white wine, cream, and warm spices, baked in a water bath until silky smooth. An elegant make-ahead appetizer for crackers or toast.

Cranberry-apple Stilton bites on Melba toast with port-braised fruit, creamy blue cheese, and chopped walnuts. A make-ahead holiday appetizer that balances sweet, salty, and funky in one bite.

Beau Monde dip, the classic dill and onion party dip in a creamy sour cream and mayo base, seasoned with Beau Monde for a savory, celery-salt edge. Make-ahead and made for chips, crudites, or a bread bowl.

Mango Splash cocktail with fresh mango puree, curacao, lime juice, and sparkling wine. An elegant brunch drink or party cocktail with a make-ahead puree base. Non-alcoholic option with ginger ale.

Cucumber and radish salad marinated in zesty Italian dressing with sweet onion and parsley. Crisp, refreshing and low-carb, it gets better as it chills, a make-ahead side that needs no cooking.

This lighter chocolate dessert has a bonus because it is also easy to prepare. Plan to make this recipe one day ahead to let the yogurt drain in your refrigerator.

Crispy toast topped with a savory mix of crumbled bacon, chopped olives, sharp cheddar, and a hint of curry, then broiled until bubbly. A make-ahead appetizer that freezes beautifully.

A colorful spiral pasta salad with tomatoes, green pepper, black olives, and hard-boiled eggs in a tangy paprika mayo dressing. Make it ahead and let the flavors mingle overnight.

Slice-and-bake cheddar cheese biscuits with Worcestershire and hot sauce, topped with poppy, sesame, or celery seeds. Make the dough ahead and bake crispy, golden rounds whenever guests arrive.