2,942 bitter recipes

Grilled trout with olive butter: butterflied whole trout marinated in Pernod and finished with a chive-flecked compound butter of black olives, shallot, and parsley. A French Provencal-style fish dinner.

Freezer-friendly spinach balls with herb stuffing, Parmesan, garlic, and eggs that bake from frozen in 20 minutes. Make 50 bite-sized appetizers ahead and pull them out whenever company shows up.

Kapusniak is a Polish fresh cabbage soup with browned pork, paprika, bay leaf, and a splash of sherry, finished with sour cream. A 65-minute warming Eastern European bowl.

Microwave stuffed zucchini filled with sauteed pulp, green onions, bread cubes, Parmesan, and fresh tomato. A quick vegetable side dish in under 20 minutes.

Whole beef brisket slow-smoked over charcoal for 4 to 5 hours, basted in a tangy homemade sauce with green chiles and hickory-finished until it practically crumbles. Pile it on buns and let the napkins fly.

Chicken livers browned in bacon drippings, simmered in dry sherry and tomato sauce with mushrooms, onions, and herbs. Served over rice, polenta, or pasta with grated Parmesan. Ready in 20 minutes.

Mussels mariniere steamed in dry white wine with scallion, garlic, parsley, bay, and thyme, finished with butter. The classic French moules style, ready in under 30 minutes from kettle to bowl.

Perfectly poached eggs tops artichoke hearts and luscious Bearnaise sauce. You might just think you're in France.

Butter chicken with yogurt-marinated pieces baked then simmered in a saffron cream sauce with cardamom, cinnamon, and ground almonds. A rich, aromatic Indian classic.

Creamy bow tie pasta tossed with flaked smoked salmon, sweet green peas, scallions, and chives. A cozy, elegant dinner for two in just 25 minutes.

Chocolate praline mousse from Quatorze layered with hazelnut praline paste, creme de cacao, and a whisper of espresso. Classic French bistro dessert that chills overnight into pure silk.

Fried pistolette rolls stuffed with a creamy Cajun filling of shrimp, crabmeat, and melted Velveeta with onions, bell pepper, and celery. Louisiana party food that disappears in minutes.

Crispy toasted chow mein noodle snack tossed in butter, soy sauce, and hot pepper sauce. A crunchy, savory party nibble baked in just 15 minutes.

Savory crab cheesecake on a buttery cracker crust with Old Bay seasoning, Tabasco, and lemon, topped with sour cream. A showstopping Maryland-style appetizer that serves 12.

Roman pie is a chilled, layered pasta terrine: cheesy macaroni, turkey, mushrooms, ham, and anchovy set in jellied consomme. A make-ahead Italian-style centerpiece served cool and sliced like a cake.

Elegant omelet filled with sauteed shiitake mushrooms, sugar snap peas, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbed goat cheese. This sophisticated brunch dish is lighter than it looks.