Main Dishes

Ahi Poke with Firecracker Sauce

Makes 4 to 6 servings A beautiful piece of ahi tuna doesn’t need much to be delicious, but with the addition of a few key ingredients, it is transformed into poke, a staple food in the Hawaiian Islands. There are many varieties of poke, but this simple version is one […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Carpaccio? Pass the Radishes!

Obviously, we love cooking. At the CIA, it’s in our shared DNA to boil, braise, baste, and bake. But when it comes to realizing the full potential of our ingredients, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, raw is sometimes the answer. If you’ve been to a grocery store or farmers’ market […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Party-Ready Crudités

Vegetable appetizers are a perfect way to start a meal. They run the gamut from simple dips and spreads like guacamole, made from silken smooth avocados, to complex dishes that are sophisticated enough to feature at the most elegant dinner. One of the most popular vegetable appetizers, and one that […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks

Steak Tartare

Makes 6 to 8 appetizer servings Cold, highly seasoned, and luxuriously raw beef with crispy fried potatoes is an inspired combination of textures and flavors that goes marvelously with a light, slightly chilled cru Beaujolais, or even better, Champagne. Serve this appetizer with gaufrettes (waffle-style potato chips), spicy mustard, and […]

Chef's Blog

Traditional New Year’s Eve Oysters

Across much of the world, oysters are an iconic New Year food tradition, but especially in France, where pop-up oyster stalls emerge throughout Paris to supply the city with this holiday staple. Few foods are as polarizing as oysters. Diners either passionately endorse the intake of these bivalves or are […]