358 special recipes

Cheese-stuffed French toast with pockets of sweetened cream cheese, crowned with fresh strawberry-honey sauce and candied lemon rind. A weekend brunch centerpiece that turns French toast into something special occasion-worthy.

Pear and apricot tart layers fanned pears and apricot halves over almond paste filling in a buttery almond pastry, then glazes with apple jelly. A bakery-worthy fruit tart for special occasions.

An elaborate Chinese banquet dish: shark's fin stuffed in bamboo fungi with shrimp-coated crab claws, asparagus, bean sprouts, and crab roe sauce. A multi-component showpiece for special occasions.

Curried apple pork chops baked under a fragrant blanket of tart apples, onion, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and curry powder. A simple oven-braise that turns weeknight chops into something special.

Pan-seared beef tenderloin fillets served with a quick mushroom-horseradish brown gravy. A 25-minute special occasion dinner that turns packaged gravy into something worth serving company.

This recipe is definitely worth the effort for the holidays and special company. Broiled stuffed tomatoes and a fresh green salad are perfect accompaniments with this meat dish.

Thin, delicate cookies rolled into calla lily shapes while still warm, then filled with fresh whipped cream and a candied orange peel stamen. Edible art for special occasions.

Tender eggplant shells cradle savory ground lamb with mushrooms, garlic, and Mediterranean herbs in this show-stopping Greek casserole. Perfect for special dinners when you want authentic flavors.

Beef brisket roasted on a bed of onions, then glazed with beer-braised prunes, apricots, brown sugar, brandy, and warm spices. A sweet-savory showstopper for special occasions.

Sweet Southern honey rice tossed with roasted peanuts, melted butter, cinnamon, and ginger. A warm, fragrant side dish that turns plain cooked rice into something special in minutes.

Seared chicken breasts topped with a buttery white wine sauce loaded with tender pears and juicy blueberries. A 40-minute weeknight dinner that feels like a special occasion.

Homemade sweet Italian sausage with ground pork, fennel, coriander, garlic, and parsley. No casings, no special equipment. Mix, shape, and cook or freeze for up to three months.

A sweet-tart blender dressing made with maraschino cherries, lemon juice, and a touch of sugar. Ready in 10 minutes, it turns any green salad into something special.

Moist two-layer chocolate cake with a bright orange zest frosting. Boiling water in the batter creates an extra-tender crumb. Drizzle with orange liqueur for special occasions.

Scallops, shrimp, and crab in a creamy mustard and sherry sauce baked in shells with golden breadcrumbs. A classic French seafood gratin that feels like a special occasion.

Persian sweet rice (shirin polo) cooked in fresh orange juice with orange zest, shredded carrots, toasted almonds, and raisins. A fragrant, jewel-toned side dish for special occasions.