Seafood
Wholewheat Blinis with American Caviar
In this sophisticated appetizer, the blinis are topped with American caviar, a delicious alternative to the pricey imported stuff.
Fish Cakes with Coleslaw and Horseradish-Dill Sauce
Less expensive than crab but just as good.
Lobster fra Diavolo
While reminiscent of a marinara sauce, red bell pepper, cognac, and jalapeño add hints of newness to this luscious, traditional favorite lobster dish.
Spiced Scallops with Balsamic-Braised Red Cabbage
Quickly braised cabbage adds subtle crunch to scallops infused with a combination of warm, aromatic spices.
Smoked Salmon with Horseradish Cream
Whatever else you set out, great smoked salmon will always draw a crowd. And like any good leading actor, it works well with all of the supporting players, from horseradish cream to egg salad.
Mediterranean Eggplant Relish
To balance the red-wine vinegar and capers in this blend of smoky eggplant and red peppers, anchovies perfume the relish with a deep, savory note. Though this is a natural accompaniment to the zucchini latkes, it also makes a lively option for the potato ones.
Shrimp in Dill Butter
In this marriage of give and take, shallot-dill butter makes jumbo shrimp taste as sweet as langoustines. In return, the shrimp impart their juices to the butter as they bake, creating a silky sauce. With toasted brioche in hand, youll want to sop up every last drop.
Broiled Lemon Thyme Pollock
Mayonnaise with lemon and thyme gives both extra freshness and a golden-brown crust to delicate, slightly sweet pollock.
Mixed Bitter Greens and Kumquat Salad with Anchovy Vinagaigrette
This simple salad, with its lemony dressing and bitter greens, is a nice match for the fried latkes.
Roast Side of Salmon with Mustard, Tarragon, and Chive Sauce
Here's a quick way to feed a crowd. The salmon is also great made ahead and served chilled.
Black Cod with Chanterelle Ragout
Here, chanterelles provide a delicate but satisfying topping for baked fish.
Steamed Clams with Fennel and Spicy Italian Sausage
The clams and sausage make a warm and comforting one-pot meal. Toss with cooked linguine, or just serve with toasted pain rustique.
Grilled Tuna with Provençal Vegetables and Easy Aioli
Serve grilled bread alongside the tuna. Be sure to buy domestic albacore to keep the mercury to a minimum.
Jumbo Shrimp Marsala Housewife-Style (Gamberoni alla Casalinga Siciliana)
The tradition of Sicilian cooking is well documented in Anna Tasca Lanzas works, and she is the zen mistress of all of the islands fascinating food lore. Her school at Regaleali winery is one of the best I have visited and it was an experience to cook shoulder to shoulder with a modern national treasure. This is a variation on a dish from her first book, Flavors of Sicily.
Linguine with Clams
A light sauce of white wine and tomatoes lets the seafood shine in this iconic Italian pasta dish.
Spaghetti with Mussels (Spaghetti con le Cozze)
A simple white wine, garlic, and parsley sauce is all that's needed to complement the fresh shellfish in this Italian pasta dish.
Red Mullet Fillets with Haricots Verts and Dried Apricots
Filets de Rouget et Haricots Verts Sauté aux Fruits Secs
Highly prized for its firm, mild flesh, red mullet is a darling of French and Mediterranean chefs. Here, it sits on a splendid textural bed of haricots verts, dried apricots, and pine nuts.
Woodland Bundles
Regardless of your foraging skills, you can experience the abundance of the woods with these delectable parcels, which combine the nutty chew of bulgur with rich toasted pine nuts, sweet currants, and smoky trout that could have come from a nearby brook—all neatly wrapped up in a lettuce leaf. And because they're so portable, you can easily enjoy them outdoors on a picnic blanket.
Grilled Scallops and Nectarines with Corn and Tomato Salad
This is one of my all-time favorite recipes—with its corn, tomatoes, basil, and unexpected nectarine, it sings out "summer." The first time I made this warm salad, I served it to Michael Newburg and Amelia Hunt, the owners of Falls Brook Organic Farm. Everything was from the market, including the scallops, so Michael and Amelia knew the provenance of every ingredient (including their own basil and tomatoes), which made this delicious dish even better.