Chef's Notes Plus

Flavored Syrups for Cocktail Hour with a Twist

Making your own infused simple syrup is fun and easy. You can get creative with a variety of herbs or botanicals. How thick you want your syrup to be determines your water to sugar ratio. The standard ratio for sugar to water is 1:1 but you can always add more […]
Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Flavoring Homemade Ice Cream

As the summer settles in, there is no greater joy than a scoop of ice cream on a hot day. No matter your favorite flavor, from simple vanilla to the rockiest rocky road, an ice cream cone is the ultimate way to treat yourself. Near our San Antonio campus, where […]
Cakes

Flourless Chocolate Soufflé Cake

Makes one 8-inch cake Ingredients 5 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter plus extra for greasing 10 large eggs (divided use) 2/3 cup sugar (divided use) 1/4 cup Grand Marnier or other orange-flavored liqueur Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting (optional) Directions Preheat the oven to 375°F. […]
Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Four Rules of Summer Party Prep

Summertime means party time! And for all of the fun of an outdoor party, we know there’s also a lot of work. If the stress of organizing a get-together is keeping you from hosting this year, take a look at our Four Rules of Summer Party Prep. Like most food […]
Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks

Fried Calamari

Makes 6 small-bite servings Any place where squid swim you will find a different version of fried calamari. Be sure to rinse and dry the squid thoroughly before seasoning it. You can use both the tubes and the tentacles, but you may want to fry them separately. Sprinkle with sea […]
Beverages and Cocktails

Frozen Aperol Spritz

Makes 8 to 10 servings Come summertime, we think any cocktail can be made better by freezing, and the Aperol Spritz is no exception. Though it is perfect just the way it is, experiment with this recipe to make it just right for you! Add fruit juice, berries, or a […]
Pies and Tarts

Fudgy Walnut Brownie Pie

Makes one 9-inch pie The filling for this pie is reminiscent of a fudgy, dense brownie studded with walnuts and bittersweet chocolate chunks. The crispy chocolate crumb crust is an added bonus in both flavor and texture. If you prefer a moister, denser texture to the filling, bake for 35 […]
Free Recipes, Side Dishes

Giardiniera

Makes 4 pints Pickle Mixture Canning Process Chef’s Notes: To prepare jars for canning, read over your recipe to determine what size and how many jars are needed. Be sure each jar has a lid and the circular band that holds the lid in place, and that they fit properly. […]
Cookies

Gingerbread

Makes enough for 1 gingerbread house or about 3 dozen cookies, depending on size This is a very mild gingerbread dough, great for kids and those who don’t typically love molasses-heavy gingerbread. You can use this recipe to make a decorated house or any shape cookie you like. Ingredients Flourless […]