Bon Appétit

Muscovy duck is the leanest of all domesticated duck breeds, yet tender and full-flavored. This technique makes it even leaner by first rendering the fat from the skin (which also makes it deliciously crisp). If you don't find Muscovy duck in stores, order it online from dartangnan.com or grimaud.com.

If available, add the lobsters' coral pink roe to the sauce — it makes this dish even more luxurious.

Preserved lemon, an essential ingredient in Moroccan cooking, is made by pickling lemons in salt, lemon juice, and olive oil. Here, preserving just the peel (begin at least a day ahead) is an easy way to add an exciting note to the crème fraäche.

Serve these dumplings with Café Zuzu's Chicken with Vegetables

A chocolate-infused whipped cream tops a caramel-filled chocolate crust in this elegant—but still single serve—dessert, reminiscent of the classic candy.

This summer, Marino grew about 85 tomato varieties in his garden; he uses his harvest in this caprese. Burrata cheese, a fresh mozzarella filled with cream and curds, is available at some supermarkets, Italian markets, and cheese stores. Fresh whole-milk mozzarella can be substituted.

Here's Hill's take on a tart he had at Chez Panisse in Berkeley.

Budino is Italian for "pudding."

Garcia likes making this bread pudding because "we buy wonderful rustic Italian loaves for the restaurant that are just too good to waste," she says.

Tasha Garcia and Julie Taras of Little Giant serve these peaches with their Lemon-Spice Bread Pudding . They would also taste great as a topping for pancakes or waffles.

A great substitute for the truffle butter is an equal amount of plain butter seasoned with a drizzle of truffle oil. Parmesan cheese rinds are available at cheese counters and cheese shops.

This classic Italian dish is said to have been created in the 1800s after the opening night of Bellini's opera Norma.

Truffles add luxurious appeal, but the ravioli are fantastic without them.

At the restaurant, this dish is drizzled with tomato sauce, then garnished with salami and sautéed zucchini.

To make this dish even more decadent, add cooked chopped pancetta or cooked and crumbled smoked bacon.

Order pork shanks and pig's foot from nimanranch.com or 866-808-0340.

Table 8 uses a dry-aged porterhouse (sold at well-stocked butchers). If it's unavailable, substitute regular porterhouse or Kansas City steak.