Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

5 Easy Pasta Recipes for Busy Nights

In a popularity contest, pasta doesn’t generally need any help. But more than being chewy and delicious, this fan-favorite food is also a go-to pantry staple for a quick dinner on a busy night. Pair it with a prepared sauce for a ten minute meal, or try one of our […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Recipes Between the Lines: Make a Slurry

Slurries are an essential tool for creating perfectly smooth and velvety soups and sauces. But.. what is a slurry? A slurry is a thickener consisting of a pure starch mixed with a cold liquid to form a thin paste or “slurry.” Cornstarch is used most often, but others such as […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

All About Rolling Pins

Available in many shapes and materials, rolling pins are essential to pie making and are necessary for rolling dough evenly. The most common rolling pin material is hardwood, but for pastry items, like pie dough, you might select marble or stainless steel, as these materials will remain cool and not […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Taking a Small Bite of Spanish Culture

Easy to eat and quick to serve, tapas have made their way from the bars and restaurants of Spain to capturing the attention of Americans. These tempting tidbits delight the palate with intense flavors and contrasting textures. Whether simple or complex in their preparation, served hot or cold, tapas make […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Gingerbread: History on Display

“And I had but one pennie in the world, thou should’st have it to buy Gingerbread” -Costard in Love’s Labour’s Lost, William Shakespeare c. 1598 When I was a child, one of my favorite holiday traditions was when my family and I would visit Mystic Seaport in Stonington, Connecticut for […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Braiding Challah

Challah, an enriched and truly delicious bread, is prized for its tender crumb, but identifiable by its glossy crust and characteristic braid. It is unmistakable among the other crisp crusts and rustic shapes. As part of ancient Jewish traditions, challah dough can be simply braided from three strands, like we […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Making Crêpes

Crêpes are very thin pancakes made by cooking a batter in a very thin layer. Crêpes are typically stuffed, folded, topped, or layered with sweet or savory fillings. The thinner the crêpe the better, but don’t be discouraged if the first crêpes you make are a little uneven or thick. […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

How to Read the Label on Chocolate

Calling all chocolate lovers, we want to talk about our favorite ingredient! If you love baking cookies, you may already have a favorite brand or variety of chocolate chips. But when it comes to pastry and candy recipes that showcase chocolate, the options can seem endless—and endlessly confusing. But that’s […]