Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Pasta Crock: The Louder, the Better

A baked red-sauce and cheese pasta dish with a thick crunch and béchamel sauce. Typical kid foods are composed of simple and delicious flavors, which is why I think you might be fibbing if you said there wasn’t something off the kid’s menu that you occasionally crave. Mine is Pasta […]

Main Dishes

Pasta e Ceci (Pasta & Chickpeas)

Makes 4 to 6 servings This is a classic Italian dish that showcases chickpeas and a flavorful broth. You can cook the chickpeas a day or two ahead, and then the dish will come together in a flash for a busy weeknight. Ingredients 1 lb dried chickpeas (about 2 1/2 […]

Main Dishes

Pasta Sheets For Lasagna, Cannelloni & Rotolo

Makes 1 pound of dough Ingredients 10 oz (2 1/4 cups) all-purpose or tipo 00 flour 3 medium eggs Directions Combine the flour and eggs by hand or using a machine. Knead until all of the ingredients are well combined and the dough is smooth and elastic. Wrap the dough […]

Main Dishes

Pasta Sheets for Ravioli

Makes 3/4 pound dough This all-purpose dough can be used with your favorite ravioli recipe (like our Ravioli Filled with Beets, Butter, and Poppy Seeds), or you can try something new! Free-style a filling with ingredients you already have on hand, like roasted vegetables, leftover pot roast, or scraps of […]

Main Dishes

Pizzoccheri (Buckwheat Pasta)

Makes 1 1/4 pounds dough Ingredients 12 oz (3 cups) all-purpose or tipo 00 flour 4 oz (1 cup) buckwheat flour 3 large eggs 4 to 6 tablespoons whole milk Directions Combine the flour, eggs, and milk by hand or using a machine. Knead until all of the ingredients are […]

Main Dishes

Ragù Bolognese

Makes 6 servings Bolognese is essentially a meat stew with a small amount of tomato added— although Americans often confuse it for a tomato sauce with some meat added. The sauce is cooked slowly to develop a deep, rich flavor. In Italy it is traditionally served with tagliatelle pasta and […]

Main Dishes

Ravioli Filled with Beets, Butter, and Poppy Seeds

Makes 6 servings The bright red beet shines through the pasta dough, making these beautiful ravioli the perfect dish for entertaining. They make for a great pasta course or vegetarian main, but you can add bacon or prosciutto to the stuffing for a more complex flavor. Ingredients Beet filling 1/4 […]

Main Dishes

Rolled Pasta with Pumpkin and Chestnut

Makes 8 to 10 servings Ingredients Pumpkin and Chestnut Stuffing One 3-lb pumpkin Kosher salt, as needed 5 oz peeled fresh or frozen chestnuts 1 rosemary sprig 1 garlic clove, crushed 2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano 4 amaretti cookies, crumbled 2 egg yolks Zest from 1 orange Freshly ground black pepper, […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Simple Tomato Sauce

Makes 4 cups Ingredients 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 qt canned whole San Marzano tomatoes with their juices Kosher salt, as needed Directions Heat the oil in a large saucepan over low heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook, […]