Main Dishes

Gnocchi with Duck Ragoût

Makes 4 to 6 servings This recipe is a favorite of our students in our Cuisines of the Mediterranean class at The Culinary Institute of America. The main ingredient in the dish is the gnocchi, served with a perfectly made duck ragoût to accent those fluffy little pillows.

Beverages and Cocktails

Horchata Iced Coffee

Makes 8 servings This horchata and coffee mixture is refreshing and lightly spiced, making it the perfect pick-me-up on those warmer fall days. Adjust the amount or horchata or coffee to your preference, or you can even substitute the brewed coffee for one or two shots of espresso or cold […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

How to Carve Your Thanksgiving Turkey

To make the most of large roasted foods, such as turkey, they must be carved into portions correctly. After roasting a turkey and letting it rest, transfer the bird to a carving board (a cutting board with an indentation around the edges that captures the juices released during carving). If […]

Chef's Notes Plus

How to Make a Basic Braise—Just in Time for Autumn

Braising, barbecuing, and slow-roasting are all long, low cooking methods that utilize less tender, fattier cuts of meats with a lot of connective tissue. But braising stands apart in that it includes liquid in the cooking process. It is also a combination cooking method—one that uses both dry and moist […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

How to: Make Chowders

Good chowders have a rich flavor, balancing the main flavoring ingredient(s) and supporting aromatic and finishing flavors, a velvety texture, and a lightly thickened consistency, similar to heavy cream. If you are making a shellfish-based chowder (clams, mussels, oysters, etc.), before beginning, steam the main ingredient in stock or water […]

Chef's Notes Plus

How to: Roast Vegetables without a Recipe

As we ease into autumn, we can finally celebrate the return of roasting—especially vegetables. We love roasting because it is one of the most delicious ways to enjoy seasonal fall produce, like hard-skinned squash, cauliflower, fennel, and Brussels sprouts (color = flavor), as well as incredibly easy and hands-off. Even […]

Beverages and Cocktails

Irish Coffee

Makes 1 cup Not to be confused with Irish cream, Irish coffee is a mixture of hot black coffee and Irish whiskey, with a delicate float of freshly whipped cream. Enjoy it sweetened, like we do here, or unsweetened if that’s more your taste. Ingredients Warm water, as needed 8 […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

It’s Turkey Time!

Spooky season is behind us, which can only mean one thing. It’s turkey time, and by that we mean it is truly turkey time, so call your favorite farm, market, or restaurant to pre-order your bird. If it’s too soon to order, set an alarm! If you get a jump […]