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Creme Brulee Tart
More than 30 years ago, Michael McCarty opened Michael’s, in Santa Monica, and quickly established himself as a pioneer of California cuisine. In one of his sunny interpretations of French classics, he served crème brûlée in a crust. The smooth custard in a flaky shell with a crackling burnt-sugar top was one of his most popular desserts.
Provencal Rack of Lamb with Roasted Tomatoes
Rack of lamb, a popular restaurant cut, is easy to cook at home. Smaller Australian or New Zealand racks are the perfect size to serve two. Roasting the meat over sliced potatoes enlivens them with savory juices.
Chicken-Fried Ribs
Like the classic steak preparation for which they are named, these crisp panko-crusted ribs cook fast, but they’re surprisingly tender on the inside.
Stout and Cheddar Rarebit with Fried Eggs
The beer and cheese combo gets saucy, turning toast and fried eggs into a truly luxurious meal all about extras: extra-stout beer, extra-sharp Cheddar, and extra good.
Six-Spice Hanger Steak
During a research trip to Hong Kong, food editor Ian Knauer discovered that every family has its own recipe for five-spice powder, a pivotal ingredient in so many Chinese dishes. He took things a step further by adding black peppercorns to the aromatic mix, which holds its own against the robust flavor of hanger steak. As for side dishes, this would be delicious with steamed rice and stir-fried bok choy, but your menu doesn’t have to be Asian—try it with a brightly dressed green salad and roasted potatoes.
Wilted Greens with Warm Sherry Vinaigrette
Larry Forgione, a chef dedicated to preserving regional American cuisine and crops, inspired our wilted salad. In his cookbook An American Place, collards are softened in a warm Sherry dressing. We found that the cream Sherry’s sweet nuttiness also works especially well with baby fall greens like mizuna or beet tops. But choose the highest-quality leafy vegetables in season.
Souffleed Macaroni and Cheese
Clementine Paddleford obtained this recipe, circa 1951, from Edith Davison, the managing caterer for the Des Moines Women’s Club, who brilliantly combined milk and bread crumbs as a substitute for a labor-intensive white sauce. With any luck, it will be in our repertoire until 2051.
Pupu Platter
A blend of crisp, soft, and chewy textures combined with a parade of flavors—sweet, salty, beefy—makes this playful platter an irresistible hit at parties.
Veal Scallopini with Brown Butter and Capers
Quick-cooking scallopini are perfect for breathing new life into busy weeknights. And the brown butter doesn’t hurt either.
Upside-Down Apple Tarts
Jacques Maximin claims he never served these tartes fines aux pommes at Chantecler restaurant at the famed Hôtel Négresco. Jacques Torres, Maximin’s pastry chef for eight years, insists they were consistently on the menu. All that matters to us, though, is that the classic combination of warm apple and flaky pastry becomes new again in these light, simple tarts.
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