Gourmet

The ingredients are simple, but they add up to a main course that's incredibly hearty and satisfying. Cute little lady apples, cooked until soft and almost bursting, bring a luscious sweetness to the chicken and bacon.

Capon's richness is perfectly complemented by mellow roasted onions and shallots. Though you can find frozen capons in almost every supermarket, we recommend ordering a fresh one from the butcher—the meat will be silkier and more delicious.

Boeuf Vigneronne The definition of rustic, this seductive dish of tender meat, sweet onions, and reduced wine was made for the vintners of Burgundy. Red wine adds a dark, lusty color to draw you into the meaty flavor, which, like a good bottle of wine, only gets better as it ages.

Each spoonful of this French country-style soup delivers the warming taste of sun-ripened tomatoes and luxurious saffron.

Allow this salad to sit a few minutes after tossing; the mozzarella milk and tomato juices emerge and add flavor to the dressing.

A few simple ingredients come together in an unexpected way to create a delicate beginning for a luxurious dinner.

Good things do come in small packages. This quail is tender and juicy, and the marinade gives it a spicy sweetness. Best of all, you won't believe how easy it is—marinate, then it's less than 20 minutes between you and an elegant, delicious meal that's sure to impress.

Grape focaccia is a Tuscan classic. Here, we've reworked it with two kinds of cheese and a dash of sweet wine.

Delicious when served hot, this pasta dish is made for the culinarily creative—feel free to use your favorite mushrooms for a recipe all your own.

Baked creminis bursting with a buttery pecan and garlic stuffing make for eye candy just waiting to be devoured.

Here, something savory becomes addictively sweet and salty. The confectioners sugar helps brown the eggplant, and panko adds crunch.

Though many people see smoking as a process meant for professionals, or at least for doing outdoors, this procedure—done mostly in a wok—is simple and produces a mean smoked duck. Try thin slices over a salad, or make smoked-duck sandwiches for a picnic. When smoking, be sure to seal the foil tightly to keep the smoke from infusing more than just your duck.

Humitas Humitas, fresh corn tamales popular in Chile and other Latin American countries, are made using every part of the ears. Freshly grated kernels create a sweet filling; husks are used to form and tie the packages; and the cobs create a shelf on which to steam the humitas, imparting an extra boost of flavor. For more information about humitas.

Although this dish may sound unusual, it turns out that the sweetness of grapes and caramelized onions makes for a delicious alliance with aromatic rosemary and rich chicken livers.

Breaking down the season's freshest tomatoes and piling them on sourdough toast creates a simple and flavorful first course.

Carote Al Rafano The handmade bowls crafted by Italian ceramic artist Siglinda Scarpa are the perfect vessel for these vibrant carrots mixed with tangy yogurt, smooth cream, and snappy horseradish.

Light and ultrasavory, this is a spread that's definitely worth making — it requires a minimal amount of work and tastes better than any store-bought version. And if you have any left over, you're in luck — it also tastes wonderful on bagels the next morning.

Linda Kuipers of Traverse City, Michigan, writes: "A labor of love, this compilation of barbecue recipes accommodates a little of each of my family members' taste." Smooth, salty, tangy, and sweet — this sauce and ribs are a perfect dinner duet.

Here, the old trick of moistening scrambled eggs with cream cheese is elevated with Boursin, which also adds flavor. This makes a good brunch dish or, when served with a salad, a satisfying light supper.