Wine

A party-perfect entrée — ready in less than half an hour.

This dish is finished with a delicious (and super-easy) basil and tarragon butter.

Long on flavor and short on time, this classic French dish makes a smart weeknight dinner. Bright with tarragon, it's a great way to welcome spring.

Paired with the pea tendrils, chanterelles, and fingerling potatoes, this main makes the most of spring's best ingredients.

Guava and sautéed mango add subtle sweetness to this elegant dish. What to drink: A crisp, dry white wine with tropical fruit notes, like Pinot Gris.

Editor's note: The recipe and introductory text below are from Jamie Oliver's book Happy Days with the Naked Chef. For Oliver's Valentine's Day tips, click here. This great little cocktail was made by the barman after my mate Ben and I started working at Monte's.

This dish is great alongside the Lemony Chicken Milanese .

The duck marinates overnight in a spice rub, so start this recipe one day ahead.

Brasato (which means "braised" in Italian) is the ultimate pot roast.

Brasato al Barolo There is a bit of a contradiction inherent in this homey dish: Barolo isn't exactly a cheap cooking wine. Not to worry: The less-expensive bottles recommended below will produce an equally unctuous result.

You'll want to mix up a pitcher of this bubbly drink for its gorgeous ruby hue alone. It's a refreshing prelude to any holiday meal, and it goes so well with the parmesan puffs .

Standing rib roast is a special event; it's also surprisingly easy to make. This version gets a spice rub and a rich, earthy sauce that can be largely made ahead.

The sweet grapes and tangy capers work beautifully with the fish.

It's all about the interplay between cake, syrup, and pears in this sophisticated dessert. The rosemary syrup would also be delicious in a cup of tea.

Serve with mustard-seed-crusted pork medallions. IMPROV: Use chopped fresh rosemary in place of the thyme.

After the porcini mushrooms add their flavor to the broth, you can use them in an omelet or a sauté.