Beverages

The steeping liquid needs to chill for at least 4 hours, so plan accordingly.

Bosc pears must be very ripe; Anjou, which are juicier, can be slightly firm. Avoid enamel baking dishes, as they cause the syrup to burn.

Beer, traditionally found in this dish, ferments the batter and adds flavor.

This recipe can be made a day ahead and refrigerated; reheat before serving.

This recipe can be made a day ahead and refrigerated; reheat before serving.

The eggplant can also be served as an hors d’oeuvre, cut into bite-size pieces.

After cooking the onion rings, keep them warm in a 200°F oven while you finish the remaining batches.

White asparagus spears are generally thicker than their green counterparts, so be sure to trim the tough ends of the stalk and cook until they are perfectly crisp-tender.

This recipe can be doubled easily. Use a larger steamer, about ten inches in diameter, to cook all four portions at once in the same basket.

Be careful when transferring the fish from the baking dish to the plate—flounder is a fragile fish that falls apart easily.

Fried fish is the traditional filling of Baja tacos. They are simply garnished with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, and sour cream.