Desserts

Grilled Pound Cake with Coffee Ganache

Makes 8 servings Ingredients 1 Pound Cake, cut into 1-inch-thick slices 1 cup Coffee Ganache 1 cup whipped cream or vanilla ice cream 1 cup coarsely chopped toasted hazelnuts Directions Preheat a gas grill to medium-high. If you are using a charcoal grill, build a fire and let it burn […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Grilling for a Crowd of 4th of July

Grilling for a party always sounds fun, but inevitably, it ends up being stressful. Your chicken takes forever to cook, the burgers fall apart on the grill, or you over- (or under) cook those beautiful steaks you splurged on. This 4thof July, go easy on yourself and plan a menu […]

Chef's Notes Plus, Family Fun

Halloween Dinner (or, a Candy Appetizer)

You are in official Halloween weather watch mode, when you finally decide: do I have to wear a jacket over my awesome costume!? Your friends at the CIA are rooting for you, and our fingers are crossed for clear skies and warm breezes for your candy-gathering adventures! But before you […]

Breakfast and Brunch

Ham & Cheddar Scones

Makes 10 scones Serve these savory scones with fruit jam for a sweet and salty brunch. For something a little more decadent, halve a warmed scone and top it with a runny fried egg. Ingredients 3 cups bread flour 1/2 cup sugar 2 tablespoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt […]

Desserts

Hawaiian-Style Shaved Ice

Makes 4 servings There are machines you can buy to make shaved ice, but if you don’t have one, you can use your food processor! Make the ice at the last minute to keep it nice and fluffy. For a party, make several varieties of syrup so guests can mix […]

Salads

Hearts of Artichoke Salad

Makes 4 servings Artichoke hearts are tender and delicious and pair perfectly with the sharp red onion, briny kalamata olives, and sweet tomatoes. Ingredients 4 fresh or frozen artichoke hearts 1 lemon, halved 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon white pepper […]

Beverages and Cocktails

Hibiscus-Ginger Soda

Makes 4 to 6 servings Hibiscus tea (which is the primary ingredient in this soda) is slightly bitter, a little tart, and not at all sweet, so we balance it with a touch of honey. You can also serve simple syrup on the side for guests to sweeten, as they […]

Cakes, Desserts

High-Ratio White Cake

High-ratio cakes have a higher quantity of sugar than some other cakes, which makes them exceptionally moist and tender, and gives them a slightly longer shelf life. Their unique mixing method is simple and leaves you with a cake that’s perfect for kids’ birthday cakes or your next pot-luck. Makes […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Holiday Gifting…for the Dogs!

There are two types of people in this world: people who give presents to dogs and people who do not. If you fall in the “do not gift presents to dogs” column, the following content may not appeal to you. If you do give presents to dogs, welcome to our […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Home School: Easy Tomato Sauce

Reasons Why You Might Want to Make Tomato Sauce This Week: It’s delicious, and pasta is a pretty efficient comfort food. It’s also versatile and good for more than pasta (read: pizza, stirred into broth to make a soup, smeared on bread, etc.) It’s easy. It’s endlessly customizable, meaning you […]