It’s surprising but true: Joel Robuchon won his Michelin stars with, of all things, mashed potatoes. When he first prepared his soon-to-be signature dish at Jamin in Paris in the early 1980’s, he stunned a world that was only familiar with grandma’s satisfying but ordinary mashed spuds. Since then, Robuchon’s incredibly rich potato puree has become so popular that customers demand it at every one of his restaurants. The key to the dish is to keep the potatoes hot as you mix in so much chilled butter–a pound for every two pounds of potato–that it takes vigorous and constant stirring to keep them smooth and silky. ** See the recipe for Potato Puree »**

Using a weight (such as a brick or a few soup cans) to press down on a partially deboned chicken as it cooks in a skillet reduces cooking time and yields an especially juicy, crisp bird.

Poaching Bosc pears in port wine turns them a beautiful, vibrant red. Get the recipe for Port Wine Poached Pears »

Unlike a kir, which is made with white wine, a kir royale is topped with sparkling wine and garnished with fresh berries.
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