646 elegant recipes

Sole fillets stuffed with crab meat, sauteed mushrooms, capers, and dill, poached in white wine and topped with a rich egg-cream sauce. An elegant rolled fish dish with a French-inspired finish.

Sabayon (zabaglione) whisks egg yolks, sugar, and dry white wine over a double boiler into a foamy custard, folded with whipped cream and Grand Marnier. Spooned over fresh cherries for an elegant dessert.

Basic rack of lamb: a French-trimmed rack marinated, then roasted hot to a rosy medium-rare and carved into elegant double-bone chops. The foundation technique for an impressive special-occasion main.

Shucked oysters topped with fermented black beans and a savory sauce of soy, sesame oil, vinegar, and chicken broth, steamed for just 2 to 3 minutes. An elegant Chinese appetizer that's quick and impressive.

Pan-seared lamb rib chops rubbed with curry powder, cooked to a golden crust, then drizzled with a quick white wine and tomato pan sauce finished with butter. Elegant enough for date night, ready in 40 minutes.

A luxurious salmon mousse blended with heavy cream, egg white, Pernod, cognac, and a spoonful of caviar. This silky, masterchef-level stuffing is piped into baby salmon for an elegant San Francisco-inspired dish.

A show-stopping caviar mold set in a tangy blend of sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and unflavored gelatin. Unmold, crown with sour cream and caviar, and serve as a retro-elegant party centerpiece.

A medieval recipe brought to life: young turnips simmered in white wine with chestnuts, sage, and a touch of honey. Simple, earthy, and elegant enough to grace a lord's table or your Tuesday dinner.

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.

Burgundy and tarragon poached chicken simmers boneless breasts in chicken broth, red wine, and fresh tarragon, then thickens the poaching liquid into a glossy pan sauce. A lean French weeknight chicken with bistro elegance.

Fresh asparagus spears with a make-ahead orange and lime citrus cream sauce. Just 50 calories per serving, this elegant low-fat side dish is ready in 30 minutes and doubles as an impressive entertaining platter.

Silky baked shrimp custard with baby shrimp, fresh ginger, dry sherry, and fish sauce, topped with toasted sesame seeds. An elegant Asian-inspired appetizer or light main that's smooth, savory, and surprisingly simple to make.

Tender chicken breasts cooked atop sautéed mushrooms, sliced and draped in a rich Dijon cream sauce studded with sweet halved grapes. An elegant 45-minute dinner that looks like it came from a French bistro.

Pork tenderloin marinated in brandy, seared golden, then simmered in a rich apricot cream sauce and sliced over rice. Sweet dried apricots and a pour of heavy cream make this an easy but elegant dinner.

Oysters Rockefeller, the New Orleans classic: shucked oysters in the half shell, baked on a bed of rock salt under a rich green herb-butter sauce until browned and bubbling. An elegant baked oyster appetizer.

Lean beef round steak browned, deglazed with brandy, and braised low in a tangy two-mustard sauce with shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, and juniper berries. An elegant braise that turns out fork-tender and rich.