285 elegant recipes

Austrian Ischil tartlets with a buttery almond-cinnamon shortbread, sandwiched with apricot jam, and topped with a glossy cooked chocolate icing. Elegant European cookies.

Marinated asparagus bundles tied with blanched green onion strips and marinated in red wine vinegar with oregano and tarragon. An elegant make-ahead appetizer.

Halva gateau is a Middle Eastern layer cake with semolina-almond sponge, coffee syrup soak, and halva buttercream. Pistachio-topped elegance perfumed with cinnamon.

Bananas in Phyllo Nests serves warm banana slices in an orange-Grand Marnier syrup spooned into crispy phyllo shells. An elegant 20-minute dessert for entertaining that looks far harder than it is.

Creamy peanut butter soup made with chicken broth, heavy cream, and a splash of Madeira wine. A rich, velvety Southern classic that's savory, nutty, and surprisingly elegant.

Flounder fillets stuffed with a creamy brown rice, mushroom, carrot, and zucchini filling seasoned with dill. A light, elegant baked fish dinner with a built-in side dish.

Fresh gingerbread cake paired with whole pears poached in ruby port with ginger, cinnamon, and vanilla. Served with ginger-scented whipped cream for an elegant holiday dessert plate.

Classic Coquilles St-Jacques with a curry twist. Poached scallops in a creamy curry-mushroom sauce, piped into shell dishes with buttery mashed potato borders, then broiled golden. Old-school French elegance.

Saffron-dusted veal scallops pan-seared and finished with a white wine lime cream sauce with green peppercorns. Served over blanched asparagus for an elegant spring dinner.

Sweet potato pancakes with creamy mushroom ragout pair crispy panko-crusted sweet potato cakes with a sage-and-shallot wild mushroom cream sauce. An elegant vegetarian appetizer or holiday side.

German apple cream kuchen with yeast dough base, cinnamon apples, and creamy cheesecake topping for an elegant hybrid dessert best served warm from the oven.

Savory crepes filled with wine-braised leeks, shiitake mushrooms, and herbs, topped with a rich red wine mushroom sauce. An elegant vegetarian main that impresses.

British leek and potato pie wrapped in crispy phyllo with cider-cream sauce and Hereford cheese. Elegant vegetarian main with layers of buttery, golden pastry.

Silky blended corn soup with fresh kernels, leeks, and cream. Modern comfort food ready in 40 minutes for easy vegetarian dinners or elegant first courses.

Crisp steamed asparagus on baby lettuce with toasted hazelnuts and a tarragon-Dijon vinaigrette made with hazelnut oil. An elegant make-ahead salad or appetizer.

Walnut-crusted chicken breasts pan-fried golden and topped with a tangy raspberry-lime sauce made with sherry, seedless jam, and coriander. Elegant yet simple.