Top 10 Culinary Arts Recipes - Week of August 11, 2008

A couple of thousand years ago, when the Roman poet Virgil wrote that "fortune favors the bold," he was likely thinking of bacon-wrapped pork. As it turns out, the poet was right — it does require a certain audacity to wrap strips of bacon around marinated medallions of pork tenderloin and then roast them. Try this recipe for Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Medallions — if you think you're bold enough.

If you're not familiar with tilapia, this recipe will make a believer out of you. Bacon, grape tomatoes, capers and lemon juice round out this dish, and the caramelized red onions add sweetness and color.

"Pot roast" has got to be one of the great oxymorons of all time, right up there with "healthy tan" and "corporate culture." That's because pot roast isn't roasted at all — it's braised.

The key to making the perfect scrambled eggs is whisking the eggs thoroughly and vigorously before cooking them. Whisking incorporates air, which produces fluffier scrambled eggs.

It might be simple, but this delicious oil & vinegar salad dressing can be mixed up in a flash, and is sure to liven up any plate of greens. Summer refreshment!

Popular variations include Italian vinaigrette, mustard vinaigrette and herbed vinaigrette.

Ratatouille is a traditional summertime dish made of eggplants, tomatoes and zucchini. It's often served as a side dish with lamb or other meats or poultry — even fish. It's also a hearty meal served over rice or couscous. This version uses zucchini, yellow squash and toasted pine nuts.

Spaghetti Carbonara is one of the most popular Italian pasta dishes. The traditional Italian version doesn't include cream. But since most people in the states are accustomed to a bit of cream in their carbonara, we're more than happy to oblige.

Want to make perfect crispy bacon without all the mess? The simplest, most foolproof way to do it is to bake it in the oven.

This moist banana bread recipe helps put overripe bananas, that would otherwise be destined for the garbage, to good use, making it a great recipe for anyone who likes to be frugal.

Home-fried potatoes, or "home fries," may be thought of as a breakfast accompaniment, but it's the potatoes that really make a great breakfast. This recipe for home fries features red potatoes, onions, and red and green bell peppers.