Unlike the bean- and cheese-laden tostadas served in many restaurants, these are featherlight and heart healthy. The salad-like topping helps stretch the costly crabmeat, and you’ll save money by buying a cooked crab and extracting the meat yourself. Packaged tostada shells come in a variety of sizes; use any size you like. View recipe →
This dish requires a lot of olive oil for poaching, but you won’t waste a drop. Use some of the flavorful poaching oil in the salad dressing; strain and refrigerate the remainder for cooking greens or for dressing future salads. The strained oil will keep for a month. View recipe →
Slice this frittata into thin wedges for a passed hors d’oeuvre or serve more generous portions with a tuft of salad as a first course. To dress it up for the holidays, top wedges with a dollop of crème fraîche and California sturgeon caviar. View recipe →
Braised sweet peppers, potatoes, and tomato make a succulent foundation for baked fish. Sauced with a garlicky, saffron-scented aioli, the dish needs only some crusty bread to complete it. View recipe →
Make Mom’s day with these mini-pizzas and a glass of sparkling wine for Mother’s Day brunch. Store-bought pizza dough makes the project easy, but substitute your favorite homemade pizza dough if you prefer. View recipe →
These crab cakes are fresh, delicate and lightly bound with baby shrimp, which amplify the crab’s natural sweetness. View recipe →
A fresh version of a robust Italian puttanesca sauce, infused with lemon and basil, is a bright complement to buttery-rich salmon. View recipe →
Eating with your hands was never so delicious with these tostadas layered with a bright salsa, creamy guacamole, and spiced shrimp. Arrange the fixings family-style and let everyone assemble their own tostadas. View recipe →
Braised and caramelized endive is subtly bittersweet—and a perfect partner for tender crispy-skinned salmon filets. Pair with California Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. View recipe →
This zesty and colorful salad with lemony prawns and a bright tangy dressing is the essence of California living. Pair with California Pinot Grigio or Rosé. View recipe →
Sea bass is poached in coconut milk for this extra rich and velvety hearty chowder. Pair with California Chardonnay or Viognier. View recipe →
This light, fresh dish is loaded with sweet, tart, and spicy flavors. Pair with California Chardonnay or Syrah. View recipe →
Crunchy radishes, buttery avocados, and tangy feta cheese—with a hint of chile and lime—are an inspired accent for fresh cod. View recipe →
Red pepper flakes add a hint of heat to this light and zesty salad. Pair with California Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir. View recipe →
The briny taste of the sea, the earthy sweetness of saffron and the crunch of fried sage take center stage in this dish. View recipe →
Saffron adds intrigue to this flavorful, aromatic California seaside classic, served with roasted garlic and herbs on rustic bread. Pair with California Chardonnay or Pinot Gris. View recipe →
Three dipping sauces—spicy, savory and zesty—bring out the delicate natural flavors of Dungeness Crab. Pair with a California Chardonnay or Syrah. View recipe →
Curry and chiles infuse delicious hints of smoke and heat into the coconut milk of this poached, fresh salmon. View recipe →
Black sesame seeds and peppery accents of arugula enliven seared, fresh Ahi tuna. Pair with California Pinot Noir or a California White Blend. View recipe →
These light fresh spring rolls are crunchy and spicy, with a hint of sweetness. Pair with California Sparkling Wine or California Pinot Grigio. View recipe →
A delightfully spicy chipotle complements the rich creamy nature of California oysters. Pair with California Chardonnay or Pinot Gris. View recipe →
The spicy flare of watercress and piquant flavors of Manchego give the mildness of fresh trout a delicious lift. Pair with California Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris. View recipe →
Saffron adds intrigue to this flavorful, aromatic California seaside classic, served with roasted garlic and herbs on rustic bread. Pair with California Chardonnay or Pinot Gris. View recipe →
Three dipping sauces—spicy, savory and zesty—bring out the delicate natural flavors of Dungeness Crab. Pair with a California Chardonnay or Syrah. View recipe →
No matter where you are in the world, this garlic-infused California-style clambake recipe will bring the California beach to you. Pair with California Sauvignon Blanc or Rosé. View recipe →
Cilantro pesto complements the subtle sweetness of freshly-caught salmon. Pair with California Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir. View recipe →