103 special recipes

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.

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.

Layered avocado terrine with Dijon mustard and whipped cream, sliced and served with poached shrimp and a fresh basil tomato cream sauce. A showstopping chilled appetizer for special occasions.

Fresh raspberries nestled in a toasted walnut crust and covered with silky white chocolate ganache. This elegant make-ahead tart chills overnight and serves beautifully for any special occasion.

Fluffy apricot salad dressing made with apricot nectar, eggs, and whipped cream for a fruity, custard-like topping. A retro gem that transforms any fruit salad into something special.

Seared buffalo tenderloin medallions finished with a Jack Daniels pan sauce of veal stock and cream. A restaurant-quality 20-minute dinner for two that feels like a special occasion.

Handmade liqueur-filled chocolates with a kirsch or Chambord fondant center coated in semi-sweet chocolate. These molded truffles make a sophisticated homemade candy gift for holidays and special occasions.

Old-fashioned sweet cantaloupe pickles brined and slow-simmered in a spiced sugar syrup with cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. A heritage preserving recipe that turns underripe melons into something special.

PB&J specials made with rolled bread dough stuffed with peanut butter and jelly, topped with melted butter and chopped peanuts, then baked golden. A fun twist on a childhood classic.

Grilled beef tenderloin topped with melted Asadero cheese and a butter-mounted chipotle sauce, finished with crumbled Cotija and fresh cilantro. A Mexican-style steakhouse treatment for special-occasion grilling.

Lebanese Baklawa Be'Aj features phyllo squares shaped into lily petals around an egg-white walnut and almond filling, soaked in rose water and orange blossom syrup. A showstopper pastry for special occasions.

An air-dried roast duck glazed with Scotch, soy, honey, ginger, and brown sugar marinade until the skin turns deep mahogany. A Peking-duck-inspired showstopper for a special-occasion dinner.

An elegant charlotte lined with ladyfingers and filled with a tangy citrus cream made from quark, yogurt, and whipped cream. Topped with glazed fresh strawberries. A make-ahead showpiece for special occasions.

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.

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.

Golden-seared veal cutlets topped with a warm bourbon-spiked apricot and orange compote laced with ginger. Sweet, savory, and citrusy all at once, this elegant 40-minute dinner for four feels like a special occasion.