Chef's Notes Plus

Cooking “en Papillote”

Cooking food in pouches can seem gimmicky, but it’s actually a great method for preparing quick and easy meals for one person or a party for ten! Cooking in pouches, known in French as en papillote, or “in paper,” is a method of steaming foods with their own juices, with […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Pan-Steaming for Tender-Crisp Veggies

Pan-steaming is a technique that cooks food partially submerged in liquid and covered to produce steam. Similar to shallow poaching, pan-steaming is primarily used for vegetables or other tender, quick-cooking items like steamed dumplings or shrimp. By creating hot steam in a closed environment, this technique produces bright, tender-crisp vegetables […]

Side Dishes

Steamed Broccoli

Makes 4 to 6 servings Use this recipe as a template for just about any steamed vegetable, like asparagus, cauliflower, or carrots. The cooking time will vary depending on which veggie you use, but the key is maintaining a semi-firm texture and a vibrant color. If your steamer basket is […]

Side Dishes

Steamed Kale with Cashews and Raspberries

Makes 4 servings Kale is such a hearty and versatile vegetable. The salty cashews and sweet and tart flavors from the raspberries contrast with the earthy kale. The lemon-infused olive oil can be found at most grocery stores.

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

The Essential Cooking Techniques

Knowing how to cook comes down to mastering a few simple techniques, which opens up a world of original cooking for you. You are no longer tied to having a recipe, buying the ingredients, and then cooking. You can pull together ingredients you already have on hand and use the […]