Chef's Notes Plus

Make a Fruit Crisp Without a Recipe

Sometimes you just need. dessert. NOW. And when that moment strikes, there is one easy solution: Make a fruit crisp! Call it a crisp or a crumble, but the bones are the same. Fresh or frozen fruit baked under a crispy, crumbly, slightly sweet topping made from the most basic baking […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Making Biscuits

The technique used to makes biscuits and scones is known as a rubbed dough method. Instead of soft batters that drop easily from the spoon, biscuits, scones, and soda breads are made from a stiff dough that can be rolled and cut. Keep Ingredients Cool Any liquids or fats that […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Making Clarified Butter

Clarified butter is a staple in professional kitchens. Made by melting butter to break the water and fat emulsion, you first skim away the milk solids and then the pure butterfat—the clarified butter itself. Unlike vegetable oils, which are 100% fat, butter is a mixture of water, milk solids, and […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Making Soft Caramel Candies

Soft Caramels are among the most popular of all confections, and in any box of assorted chocolates they are very likely to be the first to disappear. Lucky for us, caramels are fun to make, and there are few things more delicious than a just-made caramel candy. Even better, they’re […]

Breakfast and Brunch, Cakes

Matcha-Swirled Pound Cake

Makes one 8 1/2-inch loaf Unsweetened matcha powder is bitter, so if you prefer a milder matcha flavor, use less matcha powder. The matcha is not structural, so you can use as little as none (for just a great pound cake!) or as much as 1/3 cup. Ingredients 3 tablespoons […]

Breakfast and Brunch, Main Dishes

Mushroom Chive Omelettes

Makes 4 servings Dinner omelettes are a hungry chef’s best friend, and we bet you can relate! These omelettes are filled with mushrooms and chives, but you can fill yours with anything you like, including ham and cheese, bell peppers, bacon, or even roasted veggies. For tips on making an […]

Main Dishes

Mushroom Tortelli with Parsley Sauce

Makes 6 to 8 servings Use whichever mushrooms you prefer for this dish. Experiment with different varieties to see how they change the flavor profile of the dish. Ingredients Mushroom Stuffing 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 garlic clove 1 shallot, minced 2 lb mixed wild mushrooms, cleaned and cut […]

Salads

Panzanella (Bread Salad With Fresh Tomatoes)

Makes 8 servings Ingredients 1 baguette, 24 inches long, preferably 2 days old 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 cup chopped garlic 2 pounds medium tomatoes 1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons salt, plus more as needed 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, […]

Desserts

Pâte à Choux

Makes about 2 cups Ingredients 1 cup whole or low-fat milk 8 tablespoons (1 stick; 4 oz) unsalted butter, diced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup bread flour, sifted 3 large eggs 1 large egg white Egg wash (1 large egg whisked with 2 tablespoons cold milk or water) Directions Combine […]