Cakes, Desserts

Polenta Cake with Grappa, Berries, and Minted Mascarpone

Makes 6 servings This cake is dense and not too sweet, almost like a sweet cornbread. I like to use coarse polenta so that it also has an interesting texture, but if you have to use regular cornmeal, that works as well. Ingredients Polenta Cake 1/4 cup unsalted butter, at […]

Main Dishes

Polenta Gnocchi with Truffled Cheese Fondue

Makes 6 servings Unlike potato gnocchi, these dumplings are a bit more dense and toothsome, though still nice and light. The truffled cheese sauce is decadent and rich, making it perfect for a special occasion. Ingredients Polenta Gnocchi 1 quart water 4 teaspoons kosher salt 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil […]

Main Dishes

Porchetta

Makes 6 to 8 servings Traditional porchetta can be made several different ways. This simplified preparation calls for a boneless pork loin cut into quarters, surrounded by Italian sausage with sautéed onions and fennel added, and wrapped in a butterflied pork belly. The whole thing is then tied and slowly […]

Main Dishes

Ravioli Filled with Beets, Butter, and Poppy Seeds

Makes 6 servings The bright red beet shines through the pasta dough, making these beautiful ravioli the perfect dish for entertaining. They make for a great pasta course or vegetarian main, but you can add bacon or prosciutto to the stuffing for a more complex flavor. Ingredients Beet filling 1/4 […]

Pies and Tarts

Rhubarb Pie

Makes one 9-inch pie Rhubarb is tart, but well-balanced by the oat crumble we’ve paired it with here. Some rhubarb stalks may be tender enough, but if your rhubarb has a thick outer membrane (you can tell by peeling a bit back with your fingers), you may want to remove […]

Main Dishes

Roast Duck With Orange Sauce

Makes 4 to 6 servings This updated take on the classic duck à l’orange is decadent enough for a special occasion, but simple enough for dinner any night. Though rich duck breast is the perfect accompaniment to the sweet and tangy citrus sauce, you can also pair it with sautéed […]

Main Dishes

Salt-Crusted Sea Bass

Makes 4 servings This is one of the most aromatic ways to cook sea bass. The crust forms a nice cooking vessel for the fish and citrus, and when you crack the crust the smell is incredible. Bring the fish to the table in the crust and then crack it […]

Chef's Blog

Simple but Delicious Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes

For those of us still “hunkering down,” we’re sure we’re not alone in missing restaurant meals these days. If you’re lucky enough to be in the same household as mom, and grasping for ways to show your love without the usual offerings available, why not cook her brunch at home? […]

Desserts

Tarte Tatin

Makes 6 servings Although Tarte Tatin seems quite elegant and, in some restaurants, liberties have been taken to fancy it up, it is really just a simple apple tart. Though fancy versions exist, we think that simpler is better. Remove all the bells and whistles and keep it simple—a good […]

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 […]