Chef's Notes Plus

Big Game Favorites to Feed the Home Team

Are you ready for some football…snacks? The game is on, and our game is food! From a spin on wings to some of our favorite make-ahead meals for all-day grazing, we’ve compiled our best recipes for the ultimate Big Game Sunday! No matter who you’re rooting for, these snacks will […]

Cookies

Black and White Cookies

Make about 2 dozen cookies Ingredients 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter 1 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 3 eggs 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/4 cup sour cream 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder Vanilla Glaze Ingredients 1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted 2 tablespoons […]

Allergen Friendly, Main Dishes

Blended Veggie and Turkey Meatloaf

Makes 6 to 8 portions This may have more steps than your typical meatloaf, but it’s worth it! Plus, you can cook the entire vegetable portion of this recipe a few days ahead of time (or weeks–freeze it!). We tried baking the meatloaf in a traditional loaf pan, but we […]

Desserts

Blitz Puff Pastry

Makes 2 pounds of dough There are a few ways to make ultra-flaky puff pastry, but this one is the quickest (that’s why it’s called blitz!). The layers in puff pastry are a result of folding the dough four times. We included a photo at the end to show you what […]

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 […]

Main Dishes

Braised Short Ribs

Makes 5 servings Ingredients 5 beef short ribs (about 1 lb) 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/2 cup medium-dice onion 1/2 cup medium-dice celery 1/2 cup medium-dice carrot 2 tablespoons tomato paste […]

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 […]

Breakfast and Brunch

Brioche

Makes 1 loaf or brioche à tête Buttery, rich, and delicious, brioche is one of those breads that may not be a health food, but sure does taste good. As long as you are going to the trouble, make an extra loaf and freeze it. You can use it for […]

Soups and Stews

Brodo

Ingredients 3 lb beef (top blade chuck or shank) One 3- to 4-lb chicken 3 medium yellow onions 3 carrots 3 celery stalks 3 fresh or canned plum tomatoes 1 sachet containing 3 whole cloves, 8 black peppercorns, 2 bay leaves, 1 small bunch flat-leaf parsley, and 3 thyme sprigs […]