216 crackling recipes

Butter-seared filet mignon topped with mango chutney and cracked black pepper, then flambéed with Armagnac. Five ingredients, restaurant-caliber steak in 30 minutes.

A simple salad with big health credentials: avocados are an excellent source of good fats, and more recently have been shown to also inhibit inflammation when eaten in combination with foods that typically trigger it. They are also a rich source of potassium (which balances sodium to keep blood pressure levels stable) and vitamin E, an important antioxidant.

Coriander pork chops crusted with toasted ground coriander seed and cracked black pepper, braised with white wine, rosemary, and aromatic vegetables. The fragrant Mediterranean-style chop with a velvety pan sauce.

Sunlight Sipper tropical cocktail with pineapple-passion fruit-banana juice, peach schnapps, light rum, and triple sec. A fruity 5-minute mixed drink served over cracked ice in a goblet.

Classic steak au poivre with flank steak: pepper-crusted beef pan-seared in butter, flambeed with brandy, and finished with cream for a bistro steak dinner in 30 minutes.

Classic apricot sweet simmers dried apricots with cardamom, ginger, and almonds into a fragrant, spiced compote, much like Hyderabad's qubani ka meetha. Naturally fruit-sweet, served chilled. A make-ahead Indian dessert.

Fresh nectarine smoothie blended with orange juice, lemon juice, sugar, and ice. A five-ingredient fruit drink ready in 10 minutes with no dairy and no added fat.

Tomato, basil, and mozzarella salad (insalata caprese) with thick-sliced ripe tomatoes, shredded mozzarella, fresh basil strips, and a drizzle of olive oil. Five ingredients, 15 minutes, Italian perfection.

Pan-seared swordfish with a lemon, dill, and chervil herb crust over peppery arugula. A restaurant-quality fish dinner ready in under 20 minutes.

All-purpose bourbon marinade with white wine, vinegar, and aromatics built for wild game. Tames gamey flavors and tenderizes up to 7 lbs of venison, elk, or any cut.

Roasted langoustines on mesquite-charred bell peppers with wilted arugula, blanched French green beans and aged balsamic. Quick-seared shellfish that hits the plate in 60 seconds total.

Had this with cracked wheat bread. What a great meal!!

Singapore chilli crab: cracked blue swimmer crabs simmered in a sweet-tangy tamarind, ginger and bird's eye chili sauce. Hawker stall classic, messy, hands-on, completely worth the cleanup.

Traditional Rhode Island johnnycakes from scratch: thin cornmeal griddle cakes scalded with boiling water, then slow-fried until lacy edges form a crackly golden crust.

Succulent chicken breast is served on top of salad greens, fresh herbs and gorgonzola cheese tossed with a simple lemon vinaigrette.

Cold roasted beef fillet served rare with a vibrant cilantro lime sauce made from fresh herbs, cornichons, Dijon mustard, and garlic. An elegant make-ahead main for entertaining.