Chef's Notes Plus

Stuffed Peppers Without a Recipe

There are tons of stuffed pepper recipes in the world, but you don’t need a recipe to make a hearty make-ahead dinner with all the ingredients your family likes best. There are four primary components of a basic stuffed pepper: the pepper, the substance, the flavor, and the sauce. The […]

Chef's Notes Plus, Family Fun

Super-Smoothies for an Active Summer

Whether you are desperate for the energy to finish off those last few weeks of school, zapped from a day at the pool, or pushing through long hours at your summer job, you need a boost! When it’s hot and you’re tired, there’s really no better way to start the […]

Allergen Friendly, Desserts

T’ings

Makes 25 pieces T’ings are the simplest candy you can make, consisting of dark chocolate (or milk or white chocolate, if you prefer a less virtuous chocolate experience!) with chopped dried fruits and nuts. You can make any combination you like, but pistachios and cherries are a favorite. Ingredients 4 […]

Pantry, Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Tahini Soy Dressing

Makes about 2/3 cup This dressing is great on salads and as a dipping sauce, but it also tastes exceptionally good on a pasta salad as well. Ingredients 3 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce 1/4 cup sherry vinegar 2 teaspoons minced ginger 1 shallot, minced 2 teaspoons brown sugar 2 […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

The Basics of Hot Water Canning

Our world sometimes feels much larger than it once did, and at a time when we can buy produce from half a world away whenever we want it, some traditional methods of food preservation, like canning, may seem like old news. But for many of us, there is a sort […]

Chef's Blog

The Mediterranean Diet: The Future of Food

The Mediterranean Diet sounds like something we might hesitate to embrace…after all, it has the word “diet” affixed to it. But it’s actually a wonderful Mediterranean approach to fresh products, healthy and delicious food, local wine, dining rituals, and lifestyle. For thousands of years, the countries in the region have […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Tips for Enjoying Beans

You may, for any number of reasons, be thinking that it’s time to introduce more beans into your routine. And we get it! They are vegetarian and vegan sources of protein, they are gluten-free, they are heart-healthy, and inexpensive. What’s not to love? But unless you grew up eating lots […]

One-Dish Meals

Tofu Red Curry

Makes 4 servings Ingredients 1 1/2 tablespoons peanut oil 1/2 package (8 ounces) extra-firm tofu, drained and pressed to remove moisture and cut into cubes 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced 1/4 cup diced yellow onion 2 garlic cloves, minced Chicken or vegetable broth, as […]