Beverages and Cocktails

Hibiscus Margarita

Makes 1 serving This isn’t your every day margarita! Dried hibiscus is used to make tea in Mexico and the Caribbean, and we love it for its floral, slightly tart flavor. It’s perfect as the base of a margarita that is a touch sour and just sweet enough to be […]

Cakes, Desserts

High-Ratio White Cake

High-ratio cakes have a higher quantity of sugar than some other cakes, which makes them exceptionally moist and tender, and gives them a slightly longer shelf life. Their unique mixing method is simple and leaves you with a cake that’s perfect for kids’ birthday cakes or your next pot-luck. Makes […]

Chef's Blog

Holiday Care Packages

The holidays look a little different this year, but luckily, an interruption in tradition doesn’t have to mean an absence of celebration! You may not be able to join together with your loved ones in person, but with just a little planning, you can craft a curated care package to […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Holiday Entertaining Tips for Special Diets

Entertaining guests with special diets is not new, but it certainly seems to be more common. As we all become more health-conscious and aware of what makes us feel good (and bad!), we face lots of ingredient hurdles as we prepare for our holiday meals. If cooking for special diets […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Home School: Risotto (yes, it’s easy!)

Risotto is a dish we most often eat at restaurants, reinforcing the illusion that it’s difficult to prepare. Sorry to spill the beans, restaurant chefs of the world, but despite being creamy and decadent, risotto is actually really easy to make and not nearly as time consuming as you might […]

Salads

Honey-Lime Waldorf Salad

Makes 12 servings We love this updated take on the Waldorf salad, featuring crisp apples, tender mâche greens, and a tangy vinaigrette. It’s great on its own as a light dinner, but it also shines as a bring-along weekday lunch. Ingredients 3 cups diced Fuji or Honeycrisp apples (about 2 […]

Beverages and Cocktails

Hot Chocolate

Makes 4 to 6 cups Ingredients 4 cups whole milk 12 oz dark chocolate (about 64%), chopped 1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel or other sea salt Marshmallows, for serving (optional) Directions In a medium saucepan, bring the milk to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the chocolate. Let […]

Breakfast and Brunch, Desserts

Hot Crossed Buns

Makes 12 servings Never mind bunnies and eggs…the surest sign of Easter season may be the hot crossed bun. These yeast-raised treats were first made as spiced fruit buns and were popular during the Tudor period in England. They were later decorated with a cross on top and sold “hot […]

Chef's Blog

How a Foodies Editor Enjoys Corned Beef and Cabbage

Though I’ve lived in Texas long enough and eaten enough breakfast tacos to feel like an honorary Texan, I was not born in the Lone Star State. I grew up in the northeast, where St. Patrick’s Day is a big deal. There is a mad dash to the grocery store […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

How to Carve Your Thanksgiving Turkey

To make the most of large roasted foods, such as turkey, they must be carved into portions correctly. After roasting a turkey and letting it rest, transfer the bird to a carving board (a cutting board with an indentation around the edges that captures the juices released during carving). If […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

How to Make Punch Without a Recipe

This summer, cocktail trends are all about convenience, with an explosion of canned and pre-mixed drinks to enjoy by the pool, at the beach, or lazy days on the lake. And while we love the cute novelty vibes of a canned cocktail, we know we can do it better—without reinventing […]