The Shakespearian Cookbook

Pizza Margherita

Oh, pizza pie, how doth thy crust so crisp,

Thy toppings melt together in a kiss,

Of tomato, mozzarella, and basil's bliss,

Neapolitan Margherita, thy taste doth not miss.

To make thee right, start with flour and yeast,

Mix with water, knead well and let it rest,

Roll out the dough, just as the chef's attest,

For crispy and chewy, that's surely the best.

Spread tomato sauce, just a ladle or two,

Not too much, lest the dough be soggy and blue,

Add fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced or grated anew,

And garnish with basil leaves, green and true.

Bake in the oven, heated high and hot,

Till the cheese bubbles and the crust is not,

Neapolitan Margherita, thou art a delight,

To taste thy flavors, what a joy, what a sight!

Fish And Chips

Oh, dearest dish of sea and earth combined,

Thy crispy batter and soft fish, divined,

With chips of golden hue, thy taste refined,

Fish and Chips, how doth thy flavor shine.

To make thee right, first choose a fish, firm and fresh,

Like cod or haddock, fillet it with care,

Then dip in batter, light and fine, the best,

And fry in oil, with flames that flare.

As for thy chips, potatoes sliced and peeled,

Then washed and dried, before they're fried,

In oil, until their crunch doth yield,

And salted too, for flavor intensified.

And when at last thy fish and chips are done,

Serve hot with tartar sauce, the perfect one.

Alfredo

Oh, dish divine, with pasta ribbons bright,

Thy Alfredo sauce, a creamy, rich delight,

With tender chicken, in each perfect bite,

Thou art a meal that doth my heart excite.

To make thee right, first cook thy fettuccine,

Till al dente, then set it off the flame,

With butter, garlic, and cream, begin the scene,

Whisk till thy sauce, of perfect texture, came.

Add chicken, sliced thin and cooked till white,

Season with salt, pepper, and Parmesan,

Mix with pasta, and stir till they unite,

For Alfredo, perfection, this is the plan.

So there it is, a recipe divine,

Chicken Alfredo, the perfect dinner to dine.

Bolognese

Oh, hearty sauce of meat and tomato bright,

Thy Bolognese, a symphony of delight,

With garlic, onions, and herbs, to take flight,

Thou art a pasta lover's truest plight.

To make thee right, first brown thy beef and pork,

Add onions, garlic, carrot, and some wine,

Let it simmer, to release the flavor cork,

Tomato paste, broth, and herbs, to make it shine.

Cook thy pasta, with salt, and olive oil,

Pour Bolognese sauce, and Parmesan too,

Garnish with parsley, and basil's royal coil,

Thy Bolognese, thy taste buds shall woo.

So there it is, a recipe divine,

Bolognese sauce, the perfect pasta's partner in crime.

Pad Thai

Oh, dish of noodle, stir-fried with such might,

Thy Pad Thai, a flavor that takes flight,

With shrimp and tofu, peanuts, all in sight,

Thou art a dish, that's worth every bite.

To make thee right, first soak thy rice noodles,

In water, till they're soft, then set them aside,

Stir-fry shrimp and tofu, till they're cuddled,

Add noodles, bean sprouts, and thy spices abide.

Mix in tamarind, sugar, and fish sauce,

Lime juice, and egg, to make thy Pad Thai,

Garnish with peanuts, and scallions with a toss,

For Pad Thai, thy taste buds shall never be shy.

So there it is, a recipe divine,

Pad Thai, the perfect noodle dish to dine.

French Onion Soup

Oh, soup of onions, sweet and savory light,

Thy French Onion, a dish that's out of sight,

With broth, and bread, and melted cheese so right,

Thou art a soup, that doth my soul ignite.

To make thee right, first caramelize thy onions,

In butter, till they're brown and sweet,

Add thyme, and flour, to make the soup's foundations,

Beef broth, and wine, to make it complete.

Top with bread, toasted, and grated Gruyere,

Broil in the oven, till thy cheese is melted,

Thy French Onion, a soup that doth ensnare,

Thy taste buds, with a flavor that's never belted.

So there it is, a recipe divine,

French Onion soup, the perfect soup to dine.

Pesto Pasta

Oh, dish of pasta, green and bright,

Thy Pesto, a sauce that's out of sight,

With basil, pine nuts, garlic's bite,

Thou art a dish, that's worth every bite.

To make thee right, first blend thy basil and nuts,

Add garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil too,

Pulse it, till thy Pesto, with flavor cuts,

Thy pasta, cook al dente, and drain it through.

Mix in thy Pesto, and coat it well,

Sprinkle some Parmesan, and pine nuts too,

Garnish with basil leaves, the perfect spell,

For Pesto pasta, thy taste buds shall renew.

So there it is, a recipe divine,

Pesto pasta, the perfect pasta to dine.

Beef Wellington

Oh, dish of meat, with pastry crust so tight,

Thy Beef Wellington, a dish that's pure delight,

With tenderloin, mushroom duxelle so bright,

Thou art a dish, that doth my heart ignite.

To make thee right, first sear thy beef to brown,

Add mushroom duxelle, thy herbs and spice,

Wrap in puff pastry, don't let it frown,

Brush with egg, and bake it, till it's nice.

Slice thy Beef Wellington, with care and grace,

Serve it with sauce, made with beef stock and wine,

Thy dish, Beef Wellington, doth take its place,

In the hall of fame, of dishes so divine.

So there it is, a recipe divine,

Beef Wellington, the perfect meat dish to dine.

Tiramisu

Oh, dessert divine, with coffee, cream, and might,

Thy Tiramisu, a dish that's out of sight,

With ladyfingers, and mascarpone so right,

Thou art a dessert, that doth my heart ignite.

To make thee right, first whisk thy egg yolks,

With sugar, till it's pale and light,

Add mascarpone, and whipped cream's strokes,

Vanilla, and brandy, to make it bright.

Dip thy ladyfingers, in coffee, brewed,

Layer them, with the cream, to make it great,

Repeat, till thy dish, is totally subdued,

With cocoa powder, the perfect plate.

So there it is, a recipe divine,

Tiramisu, the perfect dessert to dine.

Chicken Pot Pie

Oh, dish of comfort, with pastry crust so tight,

Thy Chicken Pot Pie, a dish that's pure delight,

With chicken, veggies, and gravy so bright,

Thou art a dish, that doth my heart ignite.

To make thee right, first cook thy chicken, with care,

Add veggies, and broth, and let it simmer,

Thicken it with roux,till it's light and fair,

Add cream, salt, and pepper, thy perfect dinner.

Pour in a pie dish, and cover with pastry,

Brush it with egg, and bake it, till it's golden,

Thy Chicken Pot Pie, thy heart doth see,

With warmth and comfort, thy soul embolden.

So there it is, a recipe divine,

Chicken Pot Pie, the perfect comfort to dine.

Beef and Broccoli

Oh, dish of stir-fry, with sauce so bright,

Thy Beef and Broccoli, a dish that's out of sight,

With tender beef, and veggies, with might,

Thou art a dish, that doth my heart excite.

To make thee right, first slice thy beef thin,

Marinate it, with soy sauce, and cornstarch too,

Stir-fry it, till it's browned, and crispy with a grin,

Add garlic, ginger, and thy veggies, it's true.

Make thy sauce, with oyster sauce, and hoisin,

Soy sauce, and sugar, to make it bright,

Add it to thy stir-fry, don't be frozen,

For Beef and Broccoli, thy taste buds shall ignite.

So there it is, a recipe divine,

Beef and Broccoli, the perfect stir-fry to dine.

Shrimp Scampi

Oh, dish of shrimp, with butter, garlic, and wine,

Thy Scampi, a dish that's pure and divine,

With parsley, and lemon, to make it shine,

Thou art a dish, that doth my heart enshrine.

To make thee right, first cook thy pasta, al dente,

While thou sear thy shrimp, in butter and garlic's bite,

Add white wine, and lemon, it's just a present,

To make thy Scampi, the perfect delight.

Pour it over pasta, and sprinkle some cheese,

Garnish with parsley, and lemon's zest,

Thy Shrimp Scampi, the perfect dish to appease,

Thy taste buds, with flavors so blessed.

So there it is, a recipe divine,

Shrimp Scampi, the perfect seafood to dine.