Chef's Blog

5 Tips for Starting Grilling Season Early

As the weather warms and our social bubbles slowly and safely expand, we plan to spend a lot of time in our backyards—and that means grilling season has come early! Grilling can be as convenient or complicated as suits your mood, but for all spring and summer grilling, we generally […]

Grilling, Main Dishes

Asian Glazed Flank Steak

Makes 6 servings Ingredients 2 flank steaks (3 to 3 1/2 lb total) 1/2 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup honey 1/4 cup mirin 2 tablespoons dark sesame oil 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce Directions Trim any excess fat from the flank steak. To make the marinade: Combine the soy sauce, honey, […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Barbecuing 101

These early days of summer are not like the ones we’ve known in the past, and the added stress and anxiety, coupled with not being able to have fun with our friends and family, is a lot for anyone to handle. We’re searching for a silver lining, and of course, […]

Soups and Stews

Beef Chili

Makes 6 servings Ingredients 3 lb boneless beef shoulder 1 tablespoon whole cumin seeds, or 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 tablespoon whole coriander seeds, or 2 teaspoon ground coriander 1 tablespoon sweet chili powder 1 tablespoon medium hot chili powder 1 tablespoon smoked Spanish paprika 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 […]

Allergen Friendly, Main Dishes

Beef in Massaman Curry Sauce

Makes 4 to 6 servings Massaman curry is the mildest of the Thai curries, but it is often very rich, with the flavors or cardamom, cinnamon, and cumin. You can find massaman curry paste at most Asian markets, but in pinch, you can replace it with easier-to-find red curry paste. […]

Side Dishes

Boston Baked Beans

Makes 8 servings Chef’s Note: Cook these beans, uncovered, in a smoker to give them a slightly smoky flavor. You can also place the beans under ribs or a pork butt during smoking to allow the beans to gain some barbecue flavor from the drippings.

Main Dishes

Braised Lamb Shanks

Makes 8 servings Braising is often used for cooking leaner and tougher cuts of meat like lamb shanks, which braise beautifully. As the meat slowly cooks, the connective tissue dissolves, the meat becomes tender, and the juices develop into a rich sauce. Serve with couscous or rice pilaf to soak […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Brines for Tender and Flavorful Meats

Curing meats, poultry, and fish in a salt and water solution is known as brining or wet curing. Brining provides depth in flavor, tenderness, and a moister final product. The base of a brine is salt and water, and sometimes sugar. Kosher salt is preferred because it doesn’t have any […]

Main Dishes

Cabernet Braised Short Ribs with Chard and Orecchiette

Makes 6 to 8 servings This hearty dish gets its robust flavor from browned meat, tomato paste, and concentrated red wine. Most of the preparation can be done in advance, making it ideal for entertaining. Ingredients Short Ribs 6 meaty short ribs (about 4 lb) 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Choosing the Right Fuel for Your Grill

You don’t need added fuels for cooking on the stovetop, in the oven, or in a slow cooker, of course, but fuel is necessary for grilling, barbecuing, or for spit-roasting over a flame. Some smokers and barbecue pits supply heat to the chamber using electricity or gas, with the smoke […]