Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

5 Recipes for Late-Summer Dinners

In August, we start to see the end of summer produce. But those last fruits and veggies to ripen in the summer sun just happen to be some of our favorites to cook! Whether you’re swimming in tomatoes, eggplant, or peaches, let these recipes inspire you for the last of […]

Main Dishes

Chayote and Pineapple Chimichangas

Makes 8 servings A chimichanga is essentially a fried burrito, so this recipe starts with a homemade tortilla dough. Don’t be intimidated (also don’t be afraid to substitute prepared burrito-sized tortillas)! The dough comes together easily for a tender, crisp exterior. The filling is made up of chayote, a tender […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks, Free Recipes

Cheddar Corn Fritters

Makes 6 to 8 servings Ingredients 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons sugar 1 to 2 teaspoons chili powder, optional Kosher salt, to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 3 ears corn, plus corn milk if available, or 2 cups corn kernels 3 tablespoons diced red or green pepper, […]

Allergen Friendly, Free Recipes, Soups and Stews

Corn and Squash Soup

Makes 4 to 6 servings The basil is a nice bright flavor in this quick and easy broth, but you can use whatever herb you may have on hand. Substitute zucchini for the yellow squash, if necessary. We like to serve this with puréed roasted peppers or sun-dried tomatoes, if […]

Salads

Corn and Tomato Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Makes 4 to 6 servings This salad is simple as summer, with the season’s biggest flavor powerhouse ingredients. Serve it as a side dish or as a main course topped with grilled shrimp or stewed  beans. We love it for lunch with a slice of crusty bread to soak up […]

Soups and Stews

Corn Chowder With Chiles & Monterey Jack Cheese

Makes 6 servings Ingredients 1 quart corn kernels, fresh or frozen 1 cup heavy cream 2 slices bacon, minced 1 onion, medium, finely diced 1 red bell pepper, finely diced 1 celery stalk, finely diced 1 garlic clove, minced 1 1/2 quarts chicken broth 3 yellow potatoes, peeled and diced […]

Breakfast and Brunch

Corn Muffins

Makes 2 dozen muffins These are classic corn muffins, perfect for toasting on a griddle with some salted butter or to dunk in a hot bowl of chili. Ingredients 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/4 cups cornmeal 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 tablespoon baking powder 4 eggs 1 cup […]

Side Dishes

Corn Tortillas

Makes 32 tortillas Homemade tortillas may not seem worth the trouble, but if you haven’t had a fresh tortilla, you are truly missing out. A super-simple mixture of masa harina, water, and a bit of salt combine to form the dough, which you can press with a tortilla press (you […]

Pies and Tarts

Cornmeal Pastry Dough

Makes one disc, enough for one 9-inch single-crust pie This crispy cornmeal crust was developed to be used for both savory and sweet pies. It is especially good paired with stone fruit pies and galettes—just be sure to purchase a high-quality, stone-ground fine cornmeal for the best flavor. Ingredients 1 […]