493 zest recipes

Stir-fried beef with orange peel, Sichuan peppercorns, and dried chiles. The classic Szechuan restaurant dish with tender velveted beef, citrus perfume, and a numbing tingle on the finish.

Florentine triangle cookies with a buttery shortbread crust, candied cherry and pineapple topping with almonds, and a semi-sweet chocolate drizzle. A stunning holiday cookie.

Pineapple fish chowder with shrimp, saffron, star anise, and a splash of sherry. A tropical twist on classic seafood chowder served over rice.

Grilled shrimp skewered on fresh rosemary branches, marinated in lemon, garlic, and chili, then served over a bright cherry tomato and black olive salsa. A showstopping Mediterranean appetizer or light main.

White bean salad with a blended lemon-dill dressing, garnished with sieved hard-cooked eggs, black olives, and green onions. A make-ahead cold salad with Russian roots.

Grilled swordfish steaks marinated in soy sauce, fresh ginger, dry sherry, garlic, and lemon zest. An Asian-inspired marinade with bold umami flavor and a quick grill.

Authentic General Tso's chicken stir-fried with dried chilies, Sichuan peppercorns, orange zest, and dried citrus peel. A from-scratch version with no batter, no deep frying, and real numbing heat.

Middle Eastern-style lamb hand pies with pine nuts, mint, and lemon zest baked in biscuit dough. Served with a cool minted yogurt dipping sauce.

Indonesian-style mie goreng with soba noodles, tofu, snow peas, and bean sprouts, tossed in a soy-brown sugar-chili sauce. Vegetarian, low-fat, and on the table in 25 minutes.

Tender strips of tripe slow-braised in tomato sauce with red wine, garlic, herbs, and a hit of lemon zest, finished with freshly grated Parmesan. A rustic Italian classic served over pasta.

Raw fennel, mushroom, and shaved Parmesan salad with a garlic-lemon vinaigrette and crushed fennel seeds. Mushrooms marinate for an hour, then get layered with paper-thin fennel and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Flaky Asian pear and lychee strudel with phyllo dough, crystallized ginger, toasted coconut, walnuts, and Chinese five spice. A showstopping fusion dessert dusted with powdered sugar.

Shrimp, scallops, and crab on a pesto-tomato base with smoked mozzarella, anchovies, kalamata olives, and capers. A Mediterranean seafood pizza baked on a stone in 20 minutes.

A patriotic salute to classic cheesecake, this party-sized dessert is decked out with blueberry and raspberry stars and stripes.

Halal-style pot stickers filled with beef and lamb, napa cabbage, scallion, and a hint of orange zest, then pan-fried and steamed for crisp bottoms and tender tops. Pleated, juicy dumplings with a dipping sauce.

Fresh soba noodle salad with crunchy vegetables, herbs, and lime-sesame dressing served in crisp lettuce cups. This healthy Asian-inspired salad is ready in 25 minutes.