This is a slightly more formal variation on that perfumed Provencal frittata, trouchia, one of my favorite dishes. Here the trouchia gets a crust of bread crumbs, which not only spares you the trouble of making a dough but also eliminates 1/2 cup of butter. To my eyes, this makes it much more ..

This succulent mix of mushrooms may tempt you to forget the pastry and just spoon them over some toast-an excellent idea, in fact. But if you want a dish that has more style, make a tart. It will look glorious, and with the full ounce of dried mushrooms it will be intensely mushroomy. While rich in ..

There’s no crust, but you can’t argue with this handsome pie, which is rimmed with the black edge of the cast-iron skillet rather than with pastry. It’s excellent for those seeking protein-rich dishes, and it's so quick to put together you’ll have to wait for your oven to heat up. Serve ..

lt’s the way the vegetables are framed in their cast-iron pan that makes the dish a pie, not a crust, which is completely absent. It falls into a ragout the minute it’s served, but the initial presentation is gorgeous and the dish is hearty enough that nothing else is needed on the plate. I like ..

Fromage blanc is nonfat cheese similar in texture to sour cream and creme fraiche. It lacks the unctuousness of its full-fat cousins, but when baked it’s perfectly creamy and smooth. I like this tart with a robust vegetable, such as roasted artichokes or mushrooms sautéed with spinach and ..

A nice side dish.

For this tart, use 2 pounds narrow Japanese or Italian eggplants, a few tablespoons olive oil, and an additional 1/2 cup half-and-half. Preheat the broiler. Brush a sheet pan lightly with olive oil.

Favorite recipe from Institute of Culinary Education, Daniel Boulud's Maine Sea Scallops in Black Tie w/ Truffle Sauce. Best small plate ever.

I might start this meal with a zucchini and basil soup, include a salad on the plate, and end with a platter of fresh figs and raspberries, possibly accompanied by a Muscat sabayon. A Rhone-style rose from California's south-central coast, such as an Ojai Vin Gris, would be good with all the ..

A lower-fat version of the usual buttery crust, this tart shell is a bit crisper than the traditional one. Whole wheat pastry flour gives the dough more substance and flavor than white flour.