Chef's Notes Plus

Our Christmas Cookie Must-Haves

A person’s Christmas cookie plate is very personal, but we believe the perfect plate of holiday cookies contains representatives from all of the major cookie groups: chocolate, fruity, nutty, shortbread, and spice. These categories are broad with plenty of room for interpretation, but if you hit each one, you’re sure […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Our Favorite Holiday Cookies

There’s a lot to love about the holidays, but cookies are pretty high on the list. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite cookie recipes to help inspire your baking. Remember that nearly all cookies are great for freezing, whether in baked or raw dough form, so get a […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Our Ten Favorite Recipes to Cook for Mom

A special recipe doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to be delicious! If you want to make something special for your Mom this weekend, try one of these sure-to-please dishes. There’s something for every Mom, or anyone you love like one! Onion Soup Gratineé Croque Monsieur  Crab and […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks, Cookies

Parmesan Biscotti

Makes 40 biscotti Makes 40 biscotti When we think of “biscotti,” we usually think about little biscuits or cookies, sweet and studded with fruit or nuts. But the name actually refers to the method in which they are baked—twice—so that they can be stored for long periods of time at […]

Cookies

Partridge in a Pear (Dog) Treat

Makes about 4 dozen, depending on the size of your cookie cutter Dogs are family, too, and this treat is an easy way to show them you care! This dough is very forgiving and can be customized to your furry friends’ favorite flavors. You may need to add or reduce […]

Desserts, Family Fun

Peppermint Bark

Makes one 10×15-inch sheet Ingredients 8 ounces (1/2 cups) candy canes (crushed) 1/8 teaspoon peppermint oil 8 ounces (3/4 cup) dark chocolate, tempered, or dark chocolate candy melts, melted 8 ounces (3/4 cup) white chocolate, tempered, or white chocolate candy melts, melted Directions Line a 10×15–inch sheet pan with parchment […]

Main Dishes

Peppery Beef Stew with Butternut Squash

Makes 6 to 8 servings This flavorful beef stew comes from Tuscany, where it’s ideal with the region’s famed red wines. Guanciale is cured pork jowl, which you can find in some Italian specialty markets. Pancetta makes an acceptable substitute. Ingredients 4 oz guanciale or pancetta 8 oz cipollini or […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Plant-Forward Main Courses for Holiday Entertaining

Thanksgiving is just the start of a very food-focused holiday season. And with the star of the show generally being a turkey, followed by seasonal roasts in every shape and size, if you are not a meat eater, you may feel like these dinners just aren’t for you. But we […]

Beverages and Cocktails, Free Recipes

Pomegranate Gimlet

Makes 1 serving Fill a cocktail shaker or mixing glass with ice. Add gin, pomegranate liqueur, and simple syrup. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Float the lime slice on top of the cocktail before serving.

Side Dishes

Potato Purée

Makes 6 servings Variations: Fried Garlic and Asiago Cheese Mashed Potatoes: While the potatoes are boiling, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add 6 tablespoons roughly chopped garlic and fry until light golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the cream and milk and allow the flavors to blend together. Add […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Potato, Po-tah-do: Know Your ‘Taters

Potato varieties differ in starch and moisture content, skin and flesh color, and shape. Sweet potatoes and yams, although not botanically related to the potato, share several characteristics with it and can be treated in the same manner. Each cooking technique produces a markedly different texture, flavor, and appearance in […]