NOVELTY - The element (20) has a superabrasive table i.e. diamond table, positioned on a substrate, and a planar recessed surface (34) in a cutting face (26) of the superabrasive table. The planar recessed surface is positioned parallel with a planar surface of a cutting face of the cutting element, where the recessed surface is shaped as a circle, polygon, or Reuleaux polygon. The superabrasive table comprises a surface having a surface roughness less than about 0.5 microinch root mean square, where a planar interface 28 is defined between the substrate and table.    USE - Cutting element i.e. polycrystalline diamond compact cutting element, for an earth-boring tool (claimed) e.g. rotary earth-boring drill bit such as fixed-cutter or drag bit, utilized to form a wellbore in a subterranean formation e.g. horizontal shale, and shaly sand, for extraction of oil, gas, and geothermal heat. Can also be used for a diamond-impregnated bit, roller cone/rock bit, hybrid bit, coring bit, percussion bit, bi-center bit, and reamer e.g. expandable reamer and fixed-wing reamer.    ADVANTAGE - The recessed surfaces in the element are arranged in a concentric nested configuration so that cutting performance characteristics such as aggresivity and efficiency, can be tailored to occur at a predetermined depth-of-cut while balancing durability over a greater portion of the cutting face while the recessed surfaces with smaller respective radii can be utilized to manage residual stresses in the superabrasive table and durability of the element is increased.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for the following:    (1) an earth-boring tool    (2) a method for forming a cutting element.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cutting element with a recessed surface in a cutting face of a superabrasive table interacting with a formation during drilling operations and showing fractured formation in granular form.    Cutting element (20)    Cutting face (26)    Planar recessed surface (34)    Fractured formation (70)    Granular pieces of fractured formation (72)