185 main course recipes

Grilled chicken romaine vinaigrette, a Caesar-style main course salad with herb-marinated grilled chicken, romaine, Parmesan, water chestnuts, and croutons.

Chicken and cantaloupe salad with black grapes, asparagus, capers, and Parmesan in a white wine-lemon dressing. A light, elegant main course salad with wine-poached chicken.

Cold poached salmon fillets in white wine, served chilled with a Dijon mustard, lime, and honey sour cream sauce. An elegant make-ahead main course for summer entertaining.

Moist, light and delicious plum bread is good for breakfast, or can be a light and refreshing dessert after the main course.

Seared beef tenderloin sliced thin and rolled around blanched asparagus spears with horseradish chive mayonnaise. An elegant cold appetizer or light main course.

Whole squid bodies stuffed with a savory filling of chopped clams or scallops, sun-dried tomatoes, white wine, shallots, and herbs, then baked until tender. An impressive Italian-style seafood main course.

Plump shucked oysters in a buttery cream sauce seasoned with mace and nutmeg, spooned into flaky patty shells. A classic seafood appetizer or elegant holiday main course.

Orzo with feta, green beans, and vine-ripened tomatoes tossed in white wine vinegar and olive oil. A fresh, Mediterranean pasta side dish or light main course ready in 20 minutes.

Salmon with basil cream sauce: pan-seared fillets finished in a silky white wine, shallot, and fresh basil cream reduction. An elegant bistro main course in under 40 minutes.

Emmenthaler is a dry, aged cheese that accents the flavor of asparagus. Serve as the main course of a light lunch or supper.

Stuffed eggplant Provencale filled with saffron brown rice, tomatoes, red pepper, currants, and sherry. A showpiece vegetarian main course topped with toasted almonds.

Raspberry chicken salad with a creamy yogurt-raspberry dressing, toasted almonds, and fresh berries over mixed greens. A light, fruity main-course salad ready in 20 minutes.

Roasted pheasant with cinnamon, basil and a sherry vinegar pan sauce. Game-bird main course finished with a butter-mounted reduction. Restaurant-style elegance from the oven.

Restaurant-style crab cakes with red and green bell peppers, seared golden then oven-finished, served on a velvety cilantro butter sauce. A stunning plated seafood main course.

Flaky salmon surprise with canned salmon and cucumber in a creamy tarragon sauce layered inside golden puff pastry rounds. An elegant British-style seafood main course.

Nothing can beat a freshly baked loaf of bread. Make this delicious Italian bread that can be accompanied with almost all the main courses.