Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

5 Recipes That are a Sure Sign of Spring

After a long winter, the world is turning back to green. Asparagus is shooting to the sky and curly pea tendrils seek out the sun, promising a near-future of farmers’ markets and tender fruits and veggies. To inspire you, here are some of the recipes we spend all year waiting […]

Free Recipes

Balsamic of Modena PGI Goat-Cheesecake

*The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) is the name of an area, a specific place, or, in exceptional cases, the name of a country, used as a description of an agricultural product, which comes from such an area, place, or country, which has a specific quality, goodwill, or other characteristic property, […]

Free Recipes

Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI Bruschetta

*The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) is the name of an area, a specific place, or, in exceptional cases, the name of a country, used as a description of an agricultural product, which comes from such an area, place, or country, which has a specific quality, goodwill, or other characteristic property, […]

Desserts

Candy-Coated Fruits

Makes up to 80 pieces Candy-dipped fruits are the perfect combination of fresh fruit and hard candy. They have a crisp outer shell of sugar and the season’s best fruit within—the perfect way to impress your guests at the end of a meal. They should never be refrigerated and must […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Easy Jam for Your Farmers’ Market Finds (No Canning!)

Making jam can feel like an overwhelming project, mostly because of the labor-intensive canning process. But making jam doesn’t requirecanning and can actually be a really quick way to preserve fruits at their peak season! Depending on where you live, you are either knee-deep in strawberries or waiting expectantly for […]

Desserts, Free Recipes

Fruit Salad With Orange-Blossom Syrup

Makes 8 servings Chef’s Note: Orange-blossom water, generally available from health food stores and wholesalers, adds a fragrant touch to the delicious syrup. Orange-blossom water is distilled using bitter orange flowers and is commonly used in beverages, confections, and baked goods.

Beverages and Cocktails

Grappa with Berries

Makes 6 servings This recipe can be made with any fruit that is in season. The recipe makes six portions, but you can make as much or as little as you like. Keep replenishing the fruit as you use it so that you’ll have a supply on hand whenever you […]

Desserts, Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Mixed Berry Sauce

Makes about 4 cups Ingredients 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen sliced strawberries 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries 1 cup sugar 2 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh Directions Combine 1 cup of the raspberries, 1 cup of the strawberries, 3/4 cup of the […]

Chef's Notes Plus, Family Fun

Red, White Chocolate, and Blue Bark

Sometimes cooking is about the journey, not the destination. That is especially true when cooking with kids, and particularly when cooking with kids who have been inside a lot these last few months. For the Fourth of July this year, we’re keeping it simple—and fun!—with some candy crafting. White chocolate […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Spring is For Foodies

Welcome, spring! After a cold winter, nothing is more welcome than the first signs of the season: bright green shoots poking through the soil, buzzing bumblebees, and—my favorite, naturally—new produce! Having grown up in The Garden State and after many years in New York’s Hudson Valley, I consider myself a […]