Don’t miss a winner! These Fine Cooking top-rated recipes all received near-unanimous acclaim from users in 2016, with multiple five-star reviews.
While many of them are made with, yes, you guessed it, chicken, there are a few outliers on the list. Caramelized celery? Yes, you read that right. Braised turkey legs? Sounds very Medieval Times. Caper-flavored mashed potatoes? Never would have guessed. Key lime and coconut yogurt cake? Couldn’t have come up with that ourselves. And yet, all of these are beloved by our readers. One taste of them and you will understand why and keep them on your rotation for years, not just this one.
-
RecipeButtermilk-Marinated Barbecued Chicken
Slather this tender chicken with barbecue sauce before it comes off the grill for a quick take on slow-cooked barbecued chicken. -
RecipeSeared Scallops with Citrus Quinoa, Herbs, and Almonds
Infused with bright, aromatic flavors and full of wonderfully contrasting textures, this dish offers excitement with every bite. Steaming the quinoa after simmering gives it a drier, fluffier texture. -
RecipeBraised Turkey Legs with Crisp Pancetta
Turkey legs cook up deliciously tender when braised. Just before serving, the meat is garnished with crisped pancetta, which gives it the same satisfying crunch as crackly, roasted skin. -
RecipeCaramelized Celery with Lentils
The toasty flavor of caramelized celery pairs well with earthy lentils and an unusual finishing touch of dill, maple, and cider vinegar. -
RecipePork Chops with Thyme-Scented Apples and Cheddar Polenta
Pork and apple juices mingle beautifully and make a lovely sauce for the chops and cheesy polenta. -
RecipeKey Lime and Coconut Yogurt Cake
A Key lime syrup brushed over this incredibly tender pound cake makes for a delectably moist loaf, while coconut adds subtle flavor and texture without hogging the spotlight. If you can’t find fresh Key limes or bottled Key lime juice, use standard limes. -
RecipeApricot-and-Herb-Stuffed Leg of Lamb
Rolling the lamb around the filling means you get some of those bright flavors in just about every bite. For the best flavor, stuff the lamb the day before you roast it. Garnish the platter of lamb with some of the same herbs from the filling, if you like. -
RecipeParsley and Caper Mashed Potatoes
Briny capers add zip to rustic, buttery mashed potatoes. Serve them with Pork Tenderloin Provençal, or with grilled steak or chicken. -
RecipeCarrot Cake with Mascarpone Frosting
This carrot cake feels lighter than most, thanks to four thin layers, subtle spicing, and a not-too-sweet frosting made with mascarpone. Candied carrot curls and pecans on top make it look festive and add a bit of crunch. -
RecipeGrilled Potato, Salmon, and Lentil Salad
Here is a main-dish salad with flavor that builds with every bite. The potatoes are soaked in wine and broth, and they balance the rich salmon beautifully. But it’s the dreamy, creamy dressing that will have you swooning. Enjoy the dish alfresco with a chilled glass of wine, and feel all your worries slip away. -
RecipeChipotle Chicken and Corn Tostadas
Charred corn and chicken have great summery flavors, but what really makes this tostada sing is the chipotle-lime cream sauce that holds everything on the shell. You can buy prepared tostada shells or make them yourself following the directions in the tip below. -
RecipeChicken Cutlets with Peach and Arugula Salad
This riff on chicken Milanese replaces tomatoes with juicy peaches; their sweetness pairs well with the crisp breaded chicken and peppery greens. -
RecipeSpaghetti with Shrimp and Lemon Chard
Silken Swiss chard replaces spinach in this delicious riff on shrimp Florentine. A good amount of lemon, in zest and juice forms, keeps things bright, while a bit of cream ties everything together.
