Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Savory Pies for Any Time of Day

Pies typically fall into one of three categories: fruit, cream, and custard. But there is one often-overlooked member of our pie family that deserves more attention than it gets. Savory pies! Pies can be filled with nearly any vegetable, cheese, or other savory ingredient, though the most familiar version is […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Schmaltz (Rendered Chicken Fat)

Schmaltz is flavorful rendered chicken fat used traditionally in Jewish cooking. Though you may be able to buy chicken skin from some butchers, you can freeze skin from other uses until you have enough to render. This recipe doubles or even triples well; the quantities don’t need to be exact. […]

Allergen Friendly, Pantry

Seitan

Makes about 1 lb/454 g seitan Try adding other seasonings to the liquid you use to cook the seitan. Herbs, spices, or garlic will all help to make your seitan more flavorful. Ingredients 3/4 cup vital wheat gluten 2/3 cup water 4 1/2 cups Vegetable Stock 1/4 cup soy sauce […]

Desserts, Pies and Tarts

Shoo-Fly Pie

Makes one 9-inch pie This pie is made with alternating layers of streusel-like crumbs and molasses filling, resulting in a cakelike texture with a base of gooey and flavorful molasses. It is a type of traditional Amish pie that is called “wet bottom,” for the layer of molasses that settles […]

Desserts

Shortbread Tartlet Shells

This recipe makes a lot of tart shells, and while you can halve the recipe, this tender and buttery dough freezes incredibly well. With just a quick trip to the oven, they are a vehicle for any filling, either homemade or prepared, making them an easy last-minute dessert option you’ll […]

Free Recipes, Soups and Stews

Silky Zucchini Soup

Makes 4 servings This simple summer recipe is inspired by the menu at Savor on our San Antonio, Texas campus. Garnish the soup with diced, julienned, or shaved zucchini, if you like. We especially like it with a crusty piece of bread for dipping! This recipe makes about four 1 […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Simple Syrup

Keeping a jar of simple syrup in your pantry may seem like a waste of space, but once you have it, you’ll reach for it more than you think. And sure, you can buy a bottle of prepared simple syrup for many dollars, but it’s sort of absurdly easy and […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Simple Tomato Sauce

Makes 4 cups Ingredients 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 qt canned whole San Marzano tomatoes with their juices Kosher salt, as needed Directions Heat the oil in a large saucepan over low heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook, […]

Main Dishes

Slow-Cooker Sauerbraten

Makes 4 to 6 servings Though it takes a few days, this classic German recipe is primarily hands-off, meaning the tangy marinade and slow-cooker do all the work for you. If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can treat this recipe like a typical braise: in Step 3, transfer […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks

Soft Pretzels

Makes 4 large pretzels Big pretzels are easier to shape, but if you would like more than 4 big pretzels, you can make eight that are half-as-big. The resting and baking times will be shorter, so just keep an eye on them. Ingredients Dough 2 cups bread flour 1 1/2 […]