Chef's Notes Plus

Potato, Po-tah-do: Know Your ‘Taters

Potato varieties differ in starch and moisture content, skin and flesh color, and shape. Sweet potatoes and yams, although not botanically related to the potato, share several characteristics with it and can be treated in the same manner. Each cooking technique produces a markedly different texture, flavor, and appearance in […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Pre-Salt Meat for Perfect Results Every Time

If may sound a little basic, but today’s lesson is about seasoning meat before you cook it. Revolutionary, right? Sure, of course, we all know how important adequately seasoning food with salt is. Salt, in all of its varieties, primes our taste buds to enjoy food. But salt also primes […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Preparing Fresh Garden Peas

Garden peas are one of the great treasures of springtime. When you find them in the market, feature them in a dish with fresh favas or asparagus, which are in season at the same time. If you are lucky enough to grow your own or have access to farm fresh […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Preserved Lemons

Makes 1 quart Use preserved lemons (flesh and rind!) in stews, soups, salad dressings, and even pastas. They will add an unexpected burst of brightness and a surprising savory element you don’t expect from lemon. 6 lemons 1/2 cup salt Juice of 6 lemons 1. Wash the lemons very well. […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Preserving the Bounty

In addition to traditional canning (which we do when there are lots of tomatoes!), there are several other ways to make the most of your bounty of produce, including pickling; drying and dehydrating; brining, curing, and smoking; and freezing. Today, we’ll talk about freezing. Freezing tips Here are the steps […]

Main Dishes, One-Dish Meals

Pressure Cooker Osso Buco

Makes 4 servings Osso buco used to be an all-day recipe, saved for the most special of occasions. While we still think it’s a special dish to serve for a holiday or dinner party, preparing it in an electric pressure cooker makes it quick and easy. If you don’t have […]