103 special recipes

Pan-fried asparagus spears wrapped in prosciutto, dredged in flour, and dipped in egg for a golden, crispy coating. An elegant Italian appetizer that turns simple asparagus into something special.

Lima beans in sour cream with basil, savory, and sauteed onion. A creamy, herbed side dish that transforms frozen limas into something special in just 15 minutes.

Savannah ice cream cake stacks coconut cake layers with strawberry, chocolate, and orange ice creams, finished with whipped cream and chocolate glaze. A Southern showpiece dessert for special occasions.

Microwave Irish coffee combines strong black coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and floated whipped cream for the classic warming after-dinner drink. Made in under 3 minutes with no special equipment.

Delicate Italian dessert crepes filled with sweetened ricotta and fresh strawberries. Elegant rolled crepes dusted with powdered sugar, perfect for special breakfasts or desserts.

Strawberry shortcake with Bisquick drop biscuits, 2-day macerated strawberries, French vanilla ice cream, and fresh whipped cream. The 2-day strawberry marinade is what makes this one special.

A show-stopping layered meringue cake with toasted almond dacquoise, caramel-orange buttercream filling, and glazed orange slices. A French patisserie masterpiece for special occasions.

Mexican braised lamb shanks with ancho chiles, raisins, and vinegar in rich tomato sauce. Fall-apart tender meat ready in 3 hours for special dinners.

Greek almond cookies shaped like little pears, scented with lemon and rolled in powdered sugar. A delicate confection perfect for special occasions and gift-giving.

Whole poached salmon served with a warm lobster butter sauce made from reduced shell stock and lemon. An elegant British-style centerpiece for special occasions.

Pan-roasted veal chops with fresh sage, sliced mushrooms, and prosciutto in a white wine pan sauce. Italian-inspired one-skillet dinner that turns bone-in veal into a special-occasion showstopper.

Italian-inspired layered dessert with sponge cake soaked in rum and orange liqueur, sweetened ricotta cream, and fresh berries. A boozy, elegant trifle for special occasions.

Two crisp meringue discs sandwiched with dark chocolate-coffee cream and served on a pool of raspberry sauce. A showstopping make-ahead dessert for special occasions.

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.

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.

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.