Chef's Blog, Free Recipes, Main Dishes

Chicken Fried Rice

Makes 4 to 6 servings The key to good fried rice is using leftover rice, which is drier than freshly steamed. In the interest of keeping it simple, our favorite strategy is to keep a zip-top bag in the freezer where you can empty leftover rice from take-out or home-made […]

Cookies, Family Fun

Cinnamon Bun Cookies

Makes 4 dozen cookies Cookie Dough Ingredients 1/2 lb (2 sticks) unsalted butter 1/3 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 egg 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour Cinnamon Smear Ingredients 5 tablespoons plus 2 […]

Pies and Tarts

Cookie Crumb Crust

Makes one 9-inch pie or tart pan This master crumb crust recipe can be made with a variety of cookies, including oatmeal, gingersnap, chocolate, and sugar cookies. Be sure to select crispy, dry cookies and avoid soft or filled ones. A crust prepared with them will not hold together and […]

Chef's Notes Plus, Family Fun

Cooking with Kids: Tarts and Crafts

Pies are for every day, as far as we’re concerned. But, there are two times of the year that pies get their moment in the spotlight: Thanksgiving (apple pie! pumpkin!) and summer, when there are berries and stone fruit, like peaches and cherries with pits in the middle, perfect for […]

Soups and Stews

Cream Of Broccoli Soup

Makes 8 servings Ingredients 2 lb broccoli, separated into stems and florets, stems peeled 1/4 cup olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 1 leek, white and light green parts, chopped 1 celery stalk, chopped 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 6 cups vegetable stock or chicken broth 1/2 cup heavy cream, […]

Allergen Friendly, Salads

Creamy Whole Wheat Pasta Salad

Makes 4 to 6 servings We don’t like to dumb food down for kids, but we also know that sometimes kids are picky. So this plant-forward (vegan, in fact!) pasta salad is just a good starting point. The tangy chickpea dressing is creamy like mayo, but packed with protein. Add […]

Salads

Farro Caprese Salad

Makes 4 to 6 servings Farro is a nutty, chewy grain commonly used in Italian cuisine. Tossed with the classic components of a caprese salad, like creamy mozzarella cheese and sweet summer tomatoes, you will love it for school lunches, a take-along picnic dish, or a side for grilled chicken […]

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 […]

Sandwiches

Fontina and Blackberry Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Makes 4 servings Though fontina and blackberries are a great combination, you can switch up the fruits and cheeses to whatever you can find at your market. Freshly shredded cheese will melt best, but slices will work in a pinch, too!

Desserts

French Vanilla Ice Cream

Makes about 1 1/4 quarts, or 8 servings This is your classic vanilla ice cream, with a clean vanilla flavor and those signature flecks from the seeds of a fresh vanilla bean. If you can’t find vanilla beans, vanilla paste is your best substitute. Ingredients 3 cups heavy cream 1 […]