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 […]

Allergen Friendly, Salads, Side Dishes

Watermelon and Cucumber Salad

Makes 4 servings To make perfect balls from the watermelon flesh, press a melon baller tool, also known as a Parisian scoop, into the watermelon and twist it to remove the ball of melon. If you do not have a melon baller, or just want to save time, cut the […]

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: Tangy Couscous Salad

One of my favorite flavor profiles is the Italian agrodolce, a sweet and sour sauce that makes any dish more exciting. Made simply by reducing vinegar with honey, agrodolce can be created on its own and added to dishes later, but I often prepare this sticky and sweet sauce in […]

One-Dish Meals

White Beans with Salsa Verde

Makes 4 to 6 servings These beans, a nice crusty bread, and a chiled glass of wine make the perfect light summer dinner or brunch dish. Salsa verde is an herby Italian sauce with hundreds of variations, so don’t hesitate to change the proportions of the sauce to suit your […]