Soups and Stews

Pacific Seafood Chowder

Makes 8 servings This is a favorite cold-day recipe from The Cuisines of the Americas at The Culinary Institute of America. Use whatever fresh fish and seafood you’d like, including clams, mussels, lobster, or cod. Ingredients 3/4 cup dry white wine 1 sachet d’epices, including 1 crushed garlic clove, one […]

Cakes, Desserts

Polenta Cake with Grappa, Berries, and Minted Mascarpone

Makes 6 servings This cake is dense and not too sweet, almost like a sweet cornbread. I like to use coarse polenta so that it also has an interesting texture, but if you have to use regular cornmeal, that works as well. Ingredients Polenta Cake 1/4 cup unsalted butter, at […]

Desserts

Soft Caramels

Makes 1 1/2 lbs Ingredients Flourless cooking spray for greasing 2 cups sugar 1 cup heavy cream 3/4 cup whole or low-fat milk Large zest strips from 1/2 orange 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise 1/3 cup light corn syrup 1 tablespoon unsalted butter Directions Lightly coat a 9-inch square baking […]

Soups and Stews

Squash Soup with Ginger Cream

Serves 6 to 8 Use whatever hard-skinned squash that you can find, like butternut, pumpkin, calabaza. For a vegan version, use olive oil instead of butter, omit the milk and whipped cream garnish. Add 1 cup of raw cashews in Step 2, which will make the blended soup creamy. Ingredients […]

Desserts, Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Sweetened Whipped Cream

Makes about 2 cups Lightly sweetened, delicate and airy, this is a basic recipe for whipped cream. Omit the sugar for an unsweetened cream. Ingredients 1 cup cold heavy cream 1 teaspoon granulated or superfine sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions Chill the bowl and whip attachment of a stand […]

Pies and Tarts

Tarte au Citron (Lemon Tart)

Makes one 9-inch tart (about 8 to 12 servings) Ingredients 3/4 lb Pâte Sucrée 9 large eggs 2 large egg yolks 1 3/4 cups sugar 1 1/4 cups heavy cream Zest and juice of 4 lemons Directions Preheat the oven to 375°F. Roll out pâte sucrée to line a deep […]

Side Dishes

Tartiflette

Tartiflette, or gratinéed potatoes in white sauce, is a classic dish that exhibits all the characteristics of French culinary decadence. You can enjoy it simply, alongside a light green salad, or alongside an impressive roast for a special occasion. Ingredients 6 cups La Ratte or fingerling potatoes Salt, as needed […]

Cookies, Desserts

Turtle Bars

Makes one 9-in by 13-in pan You can use any nuts to finish this bar—pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews, or even a mixture. Ingredients Shortbread Crust 2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar 7 oz (14 tablespoons) unsalted butter 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt Brownie Filling […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

You Can Make Cheese at Home (Yes, You!)

There are few greater joys than a freshly made cheese, like a mozzarella still warm from its bath. And while there are many styles of cheese available on the market today, some of which take a long time to make or require special equipment or conditions, many can be made […]