Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Brewing Tisanes and Infusions

Everything that can be brewed and is not tea or a coffee bean is known as an infusion (although technically coffee is an infusion, too). Remember, if it does not come from the tea tree, it is technically not tea. There are also herbal teas, but that label is only […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Grilling Fish and Seafood

Finding a great source for perfectly fresh fish and seafood is the grill cook’s greatest challenge. Once you’ve located a reliable source, rely upon them to guide you to other types of fish and seafood you can try. Almost any fish can be successfully prepared on the grill, as long […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Not-So-Mysterious Mushrooms

Though mushrooms grow throughout the year, they are widely regarded as seasonally fall (except morels, which are the best part of the spring!). White button and cremini mushrooms (often called baby bellas) are the old stand-by. They are inexpensive, sturdy, and neutral in flavor. But as much as we love […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

A Sweet Goodbye to Summer Pie Season

As the summer days pass (faster than they have any right to!), there is only one way to slow down and celebrate the last, waning days of the season: bake a pie. We’re sharing some of our best summer pie and tart recipes, celebrating the best sun-kissed fruits like berries, […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

The Mighty Chickpea

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a nutrient-dense legume that have been a staple in diets across various cultures for centuries. Chickpeas are particularly valued for their high protein content, which is essential for muscle repair and growth. They are also rich in dietary fiber, which supports digestive health […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Turkey Burgers Without a Recipe

Turkey burgers have a reputation as the bland, virtuous cousin of the beef hamburger. And some can be, since ground turkey doesn’t bring much to the flavor table as an ingredient. But a turkey burger doesn’t have to be a boring substitute for something you would rather eat—it can be […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

How to Jazz Up Homemade (or Not!) Yogurt

For a long time in the U.S., yogurt was treated as a diet food. Something we ate because we should, not necessarily because we wanted to. Tangy, astringent, and sometimes soupy, a bowl of plain yogurt is not, for many of us, particularly crave-worthy. In recipes, it was often relegated […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

A Quick Guide to Coffee and Espresso Drinks

We all take coffee seriously, whether you’re brewing your own or putting your caffeination in the hands of your favorite barista. American drip-style coffee differs from coffee that we might see abroad, which is often espresso based and named for its proportions and ingredients.  Here’s a quick guide to the […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

The Chinese Pantry

It’s a fact that Americans love eating Chinese food. There are over 40,000 Chinese restaurants in the U.S.; there are more Chinese restaurants than McDonald’s. You can probably name a favorite Chinese restaurant and a dish or two you love. It is also a fact that many cooks feel intimidated […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Try Your Hand at Pork Belly Steamed Buns this Weekend

Steamed pork buns are huge favorites on menus across the country, and it’s no wonder. With their pillow-y softness, rich fillings, and salty-sweet-sometimes spicy sauces, they represent everything we find craveable. Chinese-style steamed buns, known commonly as bao, are our most familiar representation of the dish, though you can find […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Making Frozen Cocktails Without a Recipe

Some moments are made for frozen cocktails: happy hour on a summer Friday, a poolside vacation day, and—of course—Taco Tuesday any time of the year. And, in the spirit of celebrating everything, we think you deserve an upgrade. Bottled cocktails can be great (look for small brands and short ingredient […]