Side Dishes

Jalapeño Jack Polenta

Makes 8 servings Ingredients 4 cups water 3/4 cup yellow cornmeal 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated 1/2 pound pepper Jack cheese, grated Kosher salt, to taste 1/4 teaspoon ground white or black pepper Directions Heat the water to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Gradually pour the cornmeal into the […]

Breakfast and Brunch, Main Dishes, Pies and Tarts

Kale, Bacon, and Onion Quiche

Makes one 9-inch quiche Kale, a member of the cabbage family, is widely available during the winter and early spring. It has a mild flavor, and its dark, richly colored green leaves add contrast to the salty bacon in this quiche. Ingredients One All-Butter Pie Dough, unbaked single crust 6 […]

Main Dishes

Lasagna With Eggplant, Tomato & Mozzarella

Serves 6 Fried Eggplant Ingredients 2 lb eggplant Kosher salt, as needed Extra-virgin olive oil, as needed for frying Tomato-Basil Sauce Ingredients 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 qt canned whole San Marzano tomatoes with their juices Kosher salt, as needed […]

Pantry, Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Mascarpone Cheese

Makes 2 cups Ingredients 2 quarts high-quality heavy cream 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar Directions In a heavy bottomed pot over moderate heat, heat the cream to 180°F, stirring often to prevent scorching. Remove from the heat. Add the tartaric acid and let the cream coagulate into a curd. Line […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Melting Cheese

You’ve heard the term plenty of times: melting cheese. “Use your favorite melting cheese!” “You can substitute any good melting cheese.” And while that seems easy enough, how do you know if a cheese is a good melting cheese? When we say “melting cheese,” we are looking for a cheese […]

Main Dishes, Soups and Stews

Minguichi (Chile and Cheese Soup)

Makes 6 servings This soup, from Michoacán in Western Mexico, is perfect at the end of summer when the tomatoes and corn are at their best, but it’s just as flavorful in the winter, and even quicker to make from canned tomatoes and frozen corn. If you wish, you can […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks

Mini Calzones

Makes 8 mini calzones These are classic calzone flavors perfectly kid-sized for a fun handheld movie-night dinner! Set out a variety of fillings so everyone can make their own, and don’t be afraid to try something new, like Buffalo chicken, taco pockets, or barbecue pulled pork!

Main Dishes, One-Dish Meals

One-Pot Mediterranean Pasta

Makes 4 servings When we say one pot, we mean it! All of the ingredients cook together—pasta included—and the finished dish is flavorful and saucy with less than 10 minutes of work! If you like, you can top the cooked pasta with sautéed shrimp or flaked tuna.