Sear

An elegant and simple main course.

Also try the flavored mayonnaise on roast beef or ham sandwiches.

Using a marinade like this one is a good way to add flavor and richness to food without adding too many calories. Serve the tuna with steamed rice, and offer Japanese beer or iced jasmine tea to drink.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A simple and sensational starter.

Beef roasted in a kosher salt crust is tender and juicy. Once removed from the oven, the meat will remain hot for up to an hour.

Here's a quick and delicious version of a French-inspired dish.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

In this simple but irresistible recipe from Aqua in San Francisco, chef de cuisine Jay Wetzel prepares tuna steak like a traditional beef pepper steak. Sautéed spinach and roasted baby potatoes are delicious alongside, and individual lemon tarts round out the menu. This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Midweek suggestions are thick-cut fries, sautéed mushrooms and peppermint-stick ice cream. For a touch of glamour, begin with Champagne and caviar, offer roasted potatoes and spinach soufflé with the steak, and have chocolate truffles afterward.

At Canyon Ranch, the ahi is sometimes seared on the grill. We've opted for pan-searing, given the winter weather.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 20 min

Cooking the sea bass in parchment paper is a great technique — it keeps the pistachio topping in place and allows you to brown both the fish and the topping in the skillet (the parchment becomes translucent so you can see the browning. Since Gras is on the West Coast, he likes to use Dungeness crab when he makes this dish. We've substituted jumbo lump crabmeat because it's available year round nationwide.

Medallones de Filete con Mantequilla de Tres Chiles Gaia, a beautifully restored house-turned-restaurant, located in one of the country's oldest cities, blends Mexican and Mediterranean cooking. One of the best dining spots is upstairs overlooking the patio and garden. If you get a chance, take a peek at the bottom of the pool. Legend has it that the mosaic of the fertility goddess was created by Mexican artist Diego Rivera for Mario Moreno (known as Cantinflas), the famous Mexican actor who once lived in the home. At Gaia, french fries sprinkled with cayenne pepper accompany the beef.

The simple, delicious and versatile ginger sauce would also be terrific with shrimp. Look for rice vinegar in the Asian foods section of the supermarket. Serve the scallops with crusty bread or rice.

At Emeril's, in New Orleans, Emeril Lagasse prefers sirloin steaks for this.