Chef's Blog

Puff Pastry

Makes 3 lb This batch makes enough puff pastry for a few projects, but the dough freezes well, so don’t hesitate to double this recipe. The key to puff pastry is taking your time to chill the dough between folds. If it’s too soft, the butter will ooze out of […]

Breakfast and Brunch, Desserts

Pull-Apart Apple Cider Donut

Makes 10 servings Apple cider donuts are a fall staple, best enjoyed at a farm stand on a crisp morning. For a taste of the orchard at home, this bread is inspired by the original, with the addition of sticky-sweet caramel. No frying needed! The bulk of the recipe can […]

Cakes, Desserts

Pumpkin Date Cake with Maple Caramel Sauce

Makes 8 to 12 servings This cake is a cross between sticky toffee pudding and a fluffy pumpkin snacking cake. It is lightly spiced, spongy and moist, and best when bathed in maple caramel sauce. Leftover sauce should be refrigerated and lightly heated before serving. Substitute about 2 teaspoons of […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Raising the (Burger) Bar with Homemade Buns

Labor Day weekend is the grand finale of summer. It’s a holiday built on traditions—parades, barbecues, backyard parties, and of course, food. And while store-bought hamburger buns may be the default choice for most, this year we suggest being just a little.. extra. After all, nothing says foodie confidence like […]

Cookies, Desserts

Raspberry-Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

Makes 4 dozen cookies Soft and tender, with a tart jam filling, these are ideal cookies to enjoy with a cup of tea (or, maybe your morning coffee!). We’ve used raspberry jam, but you can use any you would prefer. These cookies can be baked in advance. Store wrapped at […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Recipes Between the Lines: Egg Wash

Egg wash is a common recipe term—and lots of recipes take for granted that the reader knows what it means. And even if you do know the basics of an egg wash, you may not know why you’re using it. An egg wash is a blended mixture of egg, salt, […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Recipes Between the Lines: Hot Water Bath

If you’ve ever encounter a recipe that told you to, “Bake in a hot water bath” with no further instruction, keep reading. Some ingredients are just more sensitive than others, and as you discover more about food, you learn how to handle even the most delicate of ingredients (talking about […]

Pies and Tarts

Rhubarb Pie

Makes one 9-inch pie Rhubarb is tart, but well-balanced by the oat crumble we’ve paired it with here. Some rhubarb stalks may be tender enough, but if your rhubarb has a thick outer membrane (you can tell by peeling a bit back with your fingers), you may want to remove […]

Desserts

Rosemary Polenta Cake with Savory Strawberries and Goat Cheese

Makes 12 servings This recipe is adapted from the menu of the Gatehouse restaurant on the CIA’s Napa campus in St. Helena, California. It is sweet and savory (mostly sweet!) and is the perfect way to showcase in season strawberries, though we think peaches would also be delicious. The whipped […]