Home
Summer Entertaining
25 Tax Refund Recipes

25 Tax Refund Recipes

Updated June 05, 2008

It's tax rebate season, and you deserve to spend every dime on the finer things. We've prepared the most lavish recipes and ingredients we could think of to help you celebrate. So go ahead and indulge. After all, this is your patriotic duty. America thanks you.

Start Slideshow

1 of 25

Singapore Cowboy Surf & Turf

Credit: Jennifer Causey, Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Singapore Cowboy Surf & Turf Recipe

2 of 25

Baby Potatoes with Caviar

Credit: Travis Rathbone; Styling: Megan Hedgpeth

Baby Potatoes with Caviar Recipe

Baby potatoes garnished with caviar serve as excellent appetizers. The texture and presentation enhances the overall experience. Complement the flavor with a splash of fresh lemon juice.

3 of 25

Crab-Stuffed Lobster with Citrus Vinaigrette

Credit: Randy Mayor; Melanie J. Clarke

Crab-Stuffed Lobster with Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe

As long as you're spending money, why not go all out and dine on both fresh lump crabmeat and live lobsters? When you make this dish at home rather than ordering it in a restaurant, you'll still have money left for a fine bottle of Champagne.

4 of 25

Strawberries and Rosé Cake

Credit: Jessica Colyer

Strawberries and Rosé Cake Recipe

This impressive blush-tone cake is inspired by two of our favorite summer treats: rosé wine and fresh strawberries. Perfect for a bridal shower, birthday party, or any number of other special gatherings, this cake is as spirited as it is elegant. If you are a big frosting fan, you may want to consider doubling the buttercream component of the recipe, as this was developed as a more delicately iced cake. Leave enough frosting after filling the layers to swipe a light crumb coat around the exterior of the cake, if you like that look--or you can simply keep the frosting in between the layers for a fully "naked" cake aethetic.

5 of 25

Champagne Cocktails

Credit: Annabelle Breakey

Champagne Cocktails Recipe

Splurge on some expensive bubbly for this sophisticated beverage. Because the only other ingredients added are sugar cubes and bitters, you won't be masking the flavor of the wine.

6 of 25

Seared Soft-shell Crab with Brown Butter Sauce

Credit: Greg Dupree Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Seared Soft-shell Crab with Brown Butter Sauce Recipe

Here is a basic recipe for cooking soft-shell crabs. You can mix it up by adding chopped hazelnuts and a brown butter sauce.

7 of 25

Ahi Tuna Poke Pizza

Credit: The Food Gays

Ahi Tuna Poke Pizza Recipe

This fresh, spring-inspired vehicle for poke proves that pizza doesn’t have to be unhealthy! You'll want to use the freshest ahi tuna you can get your hands on for this vibrant, company-worthy entree.

8 of 25

Creamy Crab and Caviar Parfaits

Credit: James Carrier

Creamy Crab and Caviar Parfaits Recipe

Caviar is the iconic big-ticket ingredient, so why stop with just spooning it onto crackers? Layer it with fresh crabmeat and a creamy wasabi dressing for an impressive first course dish.

9 of 25

Scandinavian Lobster Boil with Potato, Fennel, and Corn Salad

Credit: Greg Dupree; Styling: Lindsey Ellis Beatty

Scandinavian Lobster Boil with Potato, Fennel, and Corn Salad Recipe

Break out the bibs for a summer lobster boil. Tip: Use kitchen scissors to cut down each tail for easier eating.

10 of 25

Caviar Tartlets

Credit: James Carrier

Caviar Tartlets Recipe

When the money's rollin' in, you just can't get enough caviar. Savor a few of these tasty little phyllo pastries with a glass of the finest wine.

11 of 25

Lemon- and Pepper-crusted Prime Rib Roast with Root Vegetables

Credit: James Carrier

Lemon- and Pepper-crusted Prime Rib Roast with Root Vegetables Recipe

Celebrate your new-found fortune by hosting an elegant dinner party starring a succulent prime rib roast. It's a cut of beef that is definitely company-worthy. The shallot and potatoes that are roasted with the beef not only flavor the meat, but also serve as a side dish.

12 of 25

Champagne and Orange-Steamed Lobster Tails en Papillote

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr

Champagne and Orange-Steamed Lobster Tails en Papillote Recipe

When money is no object, don't just sip Champagne–cook in it as well. Top sweet, tender lobster and crisp fennel with butter and sparkling wine, then steam in parchment paper packet for an elegantly simple entrée.

13 of 25

Caviar Burgers with Caviar Mayo

Credit: Greg DuPree

Caviar Burgers with Caviar Mayo Recipe

Rich ground-beef patties studded with caviar make for the ultimate in surf and turf--and decadence.

14 of 25

Horseradish and Mustard-Crusted Beef Tenderloin

Credit: Randy Mayor

Horseradish and Mustard-Crusted Beef Tenderloin Recipe

Once you bite into a piece of melt-in-your-mouth beef tenderloin, you know it's worth every penny. And because the meat is the star, it's simply seasoned with a tangy coating of horseradish, mustard, and breadcrumbs.

15 of 25

Black Pepper Dungeness Crab

Credit: James Carrier

Black Pepper Dungeness Crab Recipe

Fresh Dungeness crabmeat is not everyday fare, but after you taste this dish, you'll want it to be. The crabmeat is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, cilantro and honey–which is a nice departure from the usual white wine and lemon juice.

16 of 25

Tuna Poke Bowls with Brown Rice and Kale

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Jessie Baude

Tuna Poke Bowls with Brown Rice and Kale Recipe

Poke (pronounced POH-keh) is a popular Hawaiian salad featuring raw tuna. "Sushi-grade" tuna means that it is the highest-quality fish offered at the market. Seek out a reputable fishmonger or retailer, and don't be afraid to ask where the fish came from and how long it has been there.

17 of 25

Hasseltots with Crème Fraîche and Caviar

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Food Styling: Karen Rankin; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Hasseltots with Crème Fraîche and Caviar Recipe

This two-bite, no-fork-required appetizer is perfect for parties where guests will be juggling drinks and nibbles. Choose a sustainable, budget-friendly roe. In a pinch, sour cream can stand in for the crème fraîche.

18 of 25

Lobster Risotto with Herb-rubbed Beef Tenderloin

Credit: Jean Allsopp; Styling: Mindi Shapiro

Lobster Risotto with Herb-rubbed Beef Tenderloin Recipe

This ultimate "surf-and-turf" dish features savory herb-flavored beef tenderloin served alongside risotto packed with fresh lobster pieces. As long as you're exceeding your usual grocery budget, go for top-dollar Parmesan cheese in the risotto–Parmigiano Reggiano.

19 of 25

Chocolate-Espresso Torte with Raspberry Sauce

Credit: James Carrier

Chocolate-Espresso Torte with Raspberry Sauce Recipe

You say the word "indulge" and we hear "chocolate". And not just any chocolate, but rich bittersweet chocolate combined with espresso, butter and sugar in a flourless cake topped with fresh berries.

20 of 25

New England Lobster Roll Tacos

Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Torie Cox: Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

New England Lobster Roll Tacos Recipe

21 of 25

The Perfect Lobster Roll

Credit: Greg Dupree; Styling: Audrey Davis

The Perfect Lobster Roll Recipe

Neptune Oyster in Boston and Red's Eats in Maine, on which this recipe is based, are Mary-Frances Heck's two favorite lobster rolls, and both give the option of butter or mayo. Offering that choice means they can't hide anything about the quality of their lobster.

22 of 25

Lobster Rossejat

Credit: Greg Dupree; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Lobster Rossejat Recipe

This dish made with lobster and spaghetti noodles is pronounced rose-ay-YACHT.

23 of 25

Chesapeake Crab Cakes

Credit: Greg Dupree; Styling: Caroline Cunningham

Chesapeake Crab Cakes Recipe

Chesapeake Crab Cakes steal the show when simply served at the center of the plate surrounded by a few summer vegetables.

24 of 25

Spinach and Mushroom-Stuffed Beef Tenderloin with Truffled Wine Sauce

Credit: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart

Spinach and Mushroom-Stuffed Beef Tenderloin with Truffled Wine Sauce Recipe

For an easy, elegant meal, serve family and friends Spinach and Mushroom-Stuffed Beef Tenderloin with Truffled Wine Sauce. Our secrets for the best beef tenderloin: Cook it quickly, keep it moist, and use a trustworthy thermometer. Pull the tenderloin from the oven right when it hits 125', and residual heat will take it to perfection.

25 of 25

Add Fun to the Menu

Add Fun to the Menu Tout

Get inspired to bring friends together with our party suggestions and entertaining ideas.

Replay gallery

Account

25 Tax Refund Recipes

1 of 25

Singapore Cowboy Surf & Turf

1 of 25

2 of 25

Baby Potatoes with Caviar

2 of 25

3 of 25

Crab-Stuffed Lobster with Citrus Vinaigrette

3 of 25

4 of 25

Strawberries and Rosé Cake

4 of 25

5 of 25

Champagne Cocktails

5 of 25

6 of 25

Seared Soft-shell Crab with Brown Butter Sauce

6 of 25

7 of 25

Ahi Tuna Poke Pizza

7 of 25

8 of 25

Creamy Crab and Caviar Parfaits

8 of 25

9 of 25

Scandinavian Lobster Boil with Potato, Fennel, and Corn Salad

9 of 25

10 of 25

Caviar Tartlets

10 of 25

11 of 25

Lemon- and Pepper-crusted Prime Rib Roast with Root Vegetables

11 of 25

12 of 25

Champagne and Orange-Steamed Lobster Tails en Papillote

12 of 25

13 of 25

Caviar Burgers with Caviar Mayo

13 of 25

14 of 25

Horseradish and Mustard-Crusted Beef Tenderloin

14 of 25

15 of 25

Black Pepper Dungeness Crab

15 of 25

16 of 25

Tuna Poke Bowls with Brown Rice and Kale

16 of 25

17 of 25

Hasseltots with Crème Fraîche and Caviar

17 of 25

18 of 25

Lobster Risotto with Herb-rubbed Beef Tenderloin

18 of 25

19 of 25

Chocolate-Espresso Torte with Raspberry Sauce

19 of 25

20 of 25

New England Lobster Roll Tacos

20 of 25

21 of 25

The Perfect Lobster Roll

21 of 25

22 of 25

Lobster Rossejat

22 of 25

23 of 25

Chesapeake Crab Cakes

23 of 25

24 of 25

Spinach and Mushroom-Stuffed Beef Tenderloin with Truffled Wine Sauce

24 of 25

25 of 25

Add Fun to the Menu

25 of 25

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Share the Gallery