Chef's Notes Plus

Bacon Lardons

Lardons are 1/4-inch thick pieces of bacon cut from a thick slab that are typically cooked until crisp. Commonly used in French cooking, lardons add flavor and texture to a variety of dishes, from salads and quiches to stews, potatoes, and vegetable dishes. Lardons can only be made from slab […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI Glaze

Makes 1 cup This sweet and savory glaze is delicious on baked chicken or fish, but we especially like it for a surprisingly sticky-sweet bacon. Partially cook bacon in a 350°F oven, then brush with the glaze, and return to the oven until the bacon is your preferred crispiness. Try […]

Side Dishes

Boston Baked Beans

Makes 8 servings Chef’s Note: Cook these beans, uncovered, in a smoker to give them a slightly smoky flavor. You can also place the beans under ribs or a pork butt during smoking to allow the beans to gain some barbecue flavor from the drippings.

Side Dishes

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Makes 6 as a side dish Slab bacon, or unsliced bacon, can be found at specialty stores or from your local butcher. If you aren’t able to find slab bacon, look for thick-cut bacon, but your typical bacon or even pancetta will work just fine.

Soups and Stews

Callaloo

Makes 8 servings Callaloo is the greens of the taro root. It is popular in the Caribbean, where it is cooked and eaten in much the same way as collard or turnip greens are in the Southeastern United States. It is also used to make a wonderful soup of the […]

Soups and Stews

Catalan Beef Stew

Makes 4 servings This Spanish dish marries a flavorful cut of beef from the shoulder with some typical Catalonian ingredients: oranges, olives, red wine, and bacon. Bitter oranges are traditional, but if you don’t have access to a bitter orange, use a Valencia (juice) orange and a touch of lime […]