Smoked salmon waffle with sour cream and caviar

Serves 8

- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 eggs, separated
- 3 cups milk
- ½ cup melted butter
- 4 ounces smoked salmon, cut in small dices
- ¼ cup minced green onions

In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients.
In a separate bow, whip the egg yolks and add the milk.
Fold the dry ingredients into the egg yolks mixture.
Add the melted butter and mix well.
Beat the egg whites untill stiff and fold into the batter.
Carefully fold in the smoked salmon and green onions.
Bake in a heated waffle iron.

Top with caviar and sour cream.

BON APPETIT

Mussels with cilantro and curry

Serves 8

- 5 pounds mussels
- 2 medium-size Spanish onions, finely diced
- 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons coriander
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 2 tablespoons crushed white peppercorn
- 1½ cups good dry white  wine
- ½ cup water
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 bunch cilantro, coarsely chopped
- 8 thin slices French bread
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika

Wash and debeard the mussels.
In a large pot, cook the onions and the garlic in butter over low heat until the onions are translucent and soft.
Add the coriander, curry powder, white peppercorn and drained mussels.
Stir to coat the shells.
Pour in the wine, water and add bay leaves and cilantro.
Cover and steam over high heat for about 7 minutes until the mussels open.
Arrange the cooked mussels inside heated soup bowls, and pour the strained stock over all.
Garnish with toasted French bread slices dredged in olive oil and sprinkled with paprika.

BON APPETIT

Russian dressing

This is a reduced-calorie, lower-fat version of a classic russian dressing. Serve on leafy greens, as dip with raw vegetables, or as a spread on meat, poultry and cheese sandwiches.

Makes 2 cups

- 2/3 cup reduced-calorie mayonnaise
- 2/3 cup lowfat plain yogurt
- 1/3 cup chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped sweet green pepper
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped pimiento
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped celery
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon of each, salt and pepper

In a bowl, whisk all ingredients together.

BON APPETIT