358 special recipes

Fish in a fish: a fish-shaped pastry wrapped around flaked salmon and parsley-rice filling, served with creamy shrimp-dill sauce. An impressive Russian-inspired kulebiaka style showpiece for special occasions.

Tournedos of lotte (monkfish) with lobster, sauteed monkfish medallions plated with lobster meat in a silky Cognac-cream sauce enriched with homemade lobster butter. An elegant French restaurant classic for special occasions.

A Jellie of Fyshe: a medieval-style aspic of cod, scallops, and shrimp suspended in a clear gelatin set with white wine, ginger, and vinegar. The historic seafood starter for special occasions.

Crown rack of veal, a showpiece roast with a Romano breadcrumb crust, filled with a rich Creole-style oyster stuffing and served with a reduced pan sauce. A centerpiece for special occasions.

Gluten-free vanilla cake built on almond meal and coconut flour for a tender, grain-free crumb. A simple, fuss-free cake to serve with whipped cream and fresh fruit, no special flour blend needed.

Elegant shrimp poached in champagne, then tossed with sautéed mushrooms, shallots, and tomatoes in a reduced cream sauce over angel hair pasta. This luxurious 40-minute dinner is worthy of a special occasion.

This is a great first time pad thai recipe. You will need some special ingredients to get started but once you have added them to your pantry this makes a great weeknight meal.

Cocoa sponge cake hearts cut from a sheet pan, dusted with powdered sugar, and plated with pools of raspberry sauce and chocolate syrup. A stunning Valentine's Day or special occasion dessert for 8.

Homemade easy doughnuts are baking-powder doughnut drops fried golden in hot oil and rolled in sugar while warm. No yeast, no shaping, no special equipment needed for this old-fashioned breakfast treat.

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.

Polish beets simmered in a sweet-and-sour glaze of sugar, vinegar, and butter thickened with cornstarch. A quick, tangy side dish that turns a can of beets into something special in minutes.

A stunning cold Chinese platter of shredded vegetables, wood ear fungus, egg strips, and hand-pulled chicken, layered and dressed in a mustard-ginger-sesame-Chinkiang vinegar sauce. A showpiece salad for special occasions.

Freezer pickles made with sliced cucumbers, onions, sugar, vinegar, and celery seed. No canning, no water bath, no special equipment. Just salt, slice, and freeze for bread-and-butter flavor any time of year.

Beef Wellington, a true centerpiece roast: a beef tenderloin wrapped in a mushroom, pate, and Cognac duxelles and flaky puff pastry, then baked golden. An elegant special-occasion main that carves into pink slices.

A silky cooked vanilla sauce to spoon over plain cake, made from sugar, milk, butter, and a touch of flour to thicken. This old-fashioned dessert topping turns a simple slice into something special.

Preserved blueberries in orange liqueur syrup with fresh lavender flowers, canned in a boiling water bath. Spoon over vanilla ice cream, fold into yogurt, or gift a jar to someone who deserves something truly special.