Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Making Cheesecake

Deliciously dense cheesecake is a cross between custard, pie, and cake. It can seem troublesome—from cracking tops to dry crusts—but with a great recipe (we happen to like ours quite a bit!) and some patience, you can make a perfect cheesecake each time. 1. Making a crumb crust Crumb crusts […]

Main Dishes

Malaysian Stir-Fried Rice Noodles

Makes 6 servings Char kwey teow is probably one of the most iconic noodle dishes in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Commonly sold at the hawker centers of the region, the recipes for char kwey teow vary from vendor to vendor. Most feature wide ribbon–style rice noodles, Chinese sausage, eggs, and […]

Pies and Tarts

Many Berry Pie

Makes 8 Servings Filling All Butter Pie Crust Makes two rounds Hand Method Food Processor Method Stand Mixer Method

Breakfast and Brunch

Matzo Brei

Makes 4 servings Matzo brei is a simple Jewish comfort food that’s popular at Passover, or really any time of year! Every family makes this dish a little bit differently, and while we like to fry the matzo until it is crisp and toasty, you may prefer to leave it […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Matzo Brei: The Ultimate 5-Minute Comfort Food

Passover begins on Friday, and of course, we’re planning our seder menu. But when there is matzo in the house, there is admittedly only one thing on our mind. Matzo is significant during Passover when unleavened bread is forbidden by tradition, hence flat and crispy matzo. And while you can […]

Pantry, Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Mayonnaise

Makes 2 cups mayonnaise We love making mayonnaise the old fashioned way (for special occasions!), but you can also make it in a blender. Follow the directions, plus instead of a bowl, combine the yolks, water, vinegar, mustard, and sugar in a blender, and steam in the oil while it’s […]

Desserts, Family Fun

Milk Chocolate Pudding with Chantilly Cream

Makes 8 servings Pudding Chantilly Cream Makes about 2 cups Chef’s note: If your cream starts to turn slightly yellow while you are whipping, it is close to being overwhipped and turning into butter. Fold in a small amount of unwhipped cream, if you have it, to rescue the texture.

Breakfast and Brunch, Main Dishes

Mushroom Chive Omelettes

Makes 4 servings Dinner omelettes are a hungry chef’s best friend, and we bet you can relate! These omelettes are filled with mushrooms and chives, but you can fill yours with anything you like, including ham and cheese, bell peppers, bacon, or even roasted veggies. For tips on making an […]

Desserts

Pastry Cream

Makes about 2 cups Pastry cream, which is essentially vanilla pudding, is incredibly versatile. It is commonly found as a filling in eclairs or as the base of a fresh fruit tart, but you can also use it for trifles, as a layer cake filling, in a cream pie, or […]