9 fancy sauce recipes

Cajun-style fish seared in a fiery pecan butter sauce with three kinds of pepper, garlic, and hot sauce. Inspired by K-Paul's in New Orleans, this works best with firm fish like swordfish, tuna, or sturgeon.

Pound cake slices draped in a cloud-light mascarpone sauce with brandy, whipped egg whites, and fresh berries. An Italian-style dessert that looks fancy but takes 20 minutes.

Microwave orange chicken roulade with cinnamon-rice stuffing, finished with a glossy orange juice sauce and broken walnuts. A 30-minute dinner that looks dinner-party fancy.

A slow cooker Parmesan cream sauce loaded with chicken, ham, and mushrooms, spooned into flaky pastry shells. Set it and forget it for an effortless dinner that feels fancy.

Classic Chinese stir-fried squid in fermented black bean sauce with garlic, ginger, rice wine, and scallions. Sounds fancy, cooks in minutes. Easier than you think.

Crispy chicken breasts stuffed with herbed cheese, baked golden, then draped in a glossy kumquat-orange sauce with tarragon. Fancy enough for guests but surprisingly doable.

Microwaved artichokes transform into edible bowls filled with tangy yogurt-dill sauce and crowned with tender poached shrimp for an elegant appetizer that looks restaurant-fancy but cooks in 45 minutes.

Chicken Veronique sautés boneless breasts in butter with mushrooms, scallions, and white wine, then finishes in a silky cream sauce studded with seedless grapes. A classic French bistro dish that feels fancy but cooks in one skillet.

Fanchie-dofu, a Chinese tomato and tofu stir-fry with garlic, sake, leeks, and green peas in a light cornstarch sauce. Vegetarian and ready in 30 minutes.