elegant Recipes
51 delicious elegant recipes from around the world
Bacalhau Espiritual
An elegant and creamy baked cod dish, often served during Christmas, resembling a savory soufflé. This recipe features flaked salt cod bound in a rich béchamel-like sauce, enriched with egg yolks and lightened with whipped egg whites.
Beef Wellington
An elegant British classic, this Beef Wellington features a prime beef tenderloin coated in Dijon mustard, encased in a rich mushroom duxelles and savory prosciutto, all wrapped in golden puff pastry and baked to perfection. A true showstopper for any special occasion.
Blini with Caviar
Authentic Russian buckwheat pancakes – small, yeasted, and slightly spongy, perfect for special occasions. Traditionally served with a dollop of sour cream and a generous spoonful of caviar.
Bouchée à la Reine
A classic French vol-au-vent, meaning 'windblown' or 'puff', this elegant appetizer features delicate puff pastry cases filled with a rich, creamy mixture of chicken, mushrooms, and a hint of white wine. Traditionally served as a sophisticated first course.
Canard à l'Orange (Duck with Orange Sauce)
A classic French dish featuring a whole roasted duck served with a rich, glossy sauce made from oranges, sugar, vinegar, duck stock, and a touch of Grand Marnier. This recipe emphasizes the traditional preparation and the balance of sweet and bitter notes.
Carpaccio di Manzo
Raw beef carpaccio - paper-thin sliced beef with arugula, Parmigiano, truffle.
Charlotte aux Fraises (Strawberry Charlotte)
An elegant French molded dessert featuring a delicate ladyfinger shell filled with a light and airy strawberry Bavarian cream. Perfect for special occasions.
Chicken Kyiv
A classic Ukrainian dish featuring tender chicken breasts stuffed with a rich, herb-infused butter. When sliced, the warm, herby butter gushes out, creating a delightful contrast with the crispy, golden-brown breadcrumb coating. This recipe requires careful preparation and chilling to ensure the butter stays contained during cooking.
Coquilles Saint-Jacques
Elegant French scallops served in their shells with a rich, creamy mushroom and shallot sauce, topped with Gruyère cheese and breadcrumbs, then gratinated to golden perfection. A classic and impressive starter.
Crème Brûlée
French burnt cream - a luxurious and silky vanilla custard base crowned with a shatteringly crisp, caramelized sugar crust. The satisfying crack of the spoon through the sugar is the signature joy of this classic dessert.
French Macarons
Delicate, airy almond meringue cookies with a crisp shell and chewy interior, sandwiched with a rich ganache or creamy buttercream. These Parisian jewels are a true test of patisserie skill.
Îles Flottantes (Floating Islands)
A classic French dessert featuring ethereal poached meringue 'islands' floating on a rich, vanilla-infused crème anglaise, all drizzled with delicate caramel threads. It's a light, elegant, and visually stunning treat.
Inkokt Lax (Swedish Poached Salmon)
A classic Swedish dish of salmon gently poached in a flavorful court bouillon. This method results in incredibly tender and moist fish, perfect served either warm or cold. It's an elegant yet simple dish, ideal for summer gatherings.
Lemon Posset
A classic British dessert, this Lemon Posset is an incredibly simple yet elegant treat made with just three ingredients: cream, sugar, and lemon. Its smooth, creamy texture and bright citrus flavor make it a perfect light ending to any meal.
Mille-Feuille
A classic French dessert, also known as a Napoleon, featuring delicate layers of crisp puff pastry, rich pastry cream, and a smooth fondant topping. The name 'Mille-Feuille' translates to 'thousand leaves,' alluding to the many flaky layers.
Moules Farcies (Stuffed Mussels)
Elegant French stuffed mussels, where plump mussels are filled with a fragrant garlic-herb butter and breadcrumb mixture, then baked until golden and bubbling. A sophisticated appetizer reminiscent of escargots.
Mousse au Chocolat
An ethereal, rich, and intensely chocolatey French dessert. This classic Mousse au Chocolat is a testament to the beauty of simple, high-quality ingredients.
Panna Cotta
Piedmontese cooked cream - silky set cream with vanilla, served with berries.
Poires Belle-Hélène
A classic French dessert featuring pears poached in a fragrant vanilla syrup, served with rich chocolate sauce and creamy vanilla ice cream. This elegant dish was famously created by Auguste Escoffier.
Pulpo a la Gallega (Galician-Style Octopus)
A classic Galician dish featuring incredibly tender octopus served over thinly sliced potatoes, generously seasoned with smoky Spanish paprika and high-quality olive oil. Simple, elegant, and deeply flavorful.
Quenelles de Brochet (Pike Dumplings)
Lyon's most elegant dish: delicate pike dumplings bathed in a rich Nantua sauce. This recipe requires patience and precision for truly cloud-like quenelles.
Ris de Veau (French Veal Sweetbreads)
A classic French haute cuisine dish featuring delicate veal sweetbreads, expertly prepared to achieve a crispy exterior and a luxuriously creamy interior. This recipe guides you through the essential steps for a truly exquisite result.
Saltimbocca alla Romana
Roman veal with prosciutto and sage - 'jumps in the mouth' with flavor.
Smörgåstårta (Swedish Savory Sandwich Cake)
A visually stunning and delicious savory layered sandwich cake, traditionally served for celebrations. It features alternating layers of soft bread, creamy fillings, and is elaborately decorated to resemble a formal cake.