Main Dishes, Side Dishes

Vegetarian Refried Beans

Makes 4 to 6 servings This is a versatile recipe that can be enjoyed on their own as a side or filling, or used as a base for more elaborate dishes. You might add spices like cumin or chili powder, if you like, and top with garnishes like cheese, pickled […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Velvety Roasted Eggplant

For some veggies, we use the phrase roasting as a general term for cooking a vegetable whole to get after the tender flesh, like peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant. For eggplant, we scoop the velvety cooked flesh from the skin of the eggplant. This can be done in the oven (actual […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Walnut-Herb Sauce

Makes about 2 cups This flavorful but versatile sauce is perfect alongside grilled or roasted meats, poultry, fish and vegetables. Use it as a sandwich spread, as the base for a quick salad dressing, or even as a dip for raw vegetables. Watch this video to see how easy it […]

Chef's Notes Plus

What I’m Cooking: Green Bean and Potato Salad

The main course is sort of the easy part. We can all grill chicken or roast a pork loin, but with limited ingredients, it can be the sides that throw us off. You can only eat boxed macaroni and cheese so many times, even during a global pandemic. Veggie sides […]

Chef's Notes Plus

What I’m Cooking: Lentil Soup

We may be socially isolated, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make new friends. Let me start! Hi, CIA DISH! I’m Laura, and I am the editor here. You might come to recognize my voice (at least, my written one) throughout the recipes and posts on this site. I’m a […]