Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Pure and Simple: Italian Passata

When it comes to Italian cooking, few ingredients are as humble yet essential as passata. Unlike the more familiar cans of diced or whole tomatoes, passata is a smooth, sieved tomato purée that embodies the pure, sun-ripened flavor of peak-season tomatoes. In Italy, jars of homemade passata are pantry gold, […]

Main Dishes

Rabbit Braised with Lavender and Honey

Makes 4 servings Although you may not eat rabbit frequently, this dish is sure to make you a convert. The combination of the braised legs with the roasted loin and miniature chops is delicious and allows for total utilization of the rabbit, so there is no waste. If you’re not […]

Main Dishes

Ragù Bolognese

Makes 6 servings Bolognese is essentially a meat stew with a small amount of tomato added— although Americans often confuse it for a tomato sauce with some meat added. The sauce is cooked slowly to develop a deep, rich flavor. In Italy it is traditionally served with tagliatelle pasta and […]

Salads, Side Dishes

Solterito Nikkei (Peruvian Edamame Salad with Seaweed)

Makes 4 servings In Peru, choclo can be found as an accompaniment to nearly any dish, and in this chilled salad, it marries with soybeans and seaweed inspired by this Peruvian-Japanese fusion dish. Look for frozen choclo at specialty markets or online. Don’t mistake it for the crunchy, corn-nut-style commonly […]

Main Dishes

Spaghetti with Sausage and Bitter Greens

Makes 4 to 6 servings If you’re still exploring the world of bitter greens, this is a great dish to start with. It’s acidic and rich, which helps to balance the slight bitterness of the radicchio and escarole. Peel the tomatoes, if you want, but if the skins don’t bother […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

The Best Tomatoes for a Perfect BLT

Few sandwiches have the cult following of a BLT. It’s deceptively simple—just bacon, lettuce, tomato, and bread—yet when each ingredient is at its peak, it transforms into something greater than the sum of its parts. While crispy bacon and toasted bread do their fair share of heavy lifting, the tomato […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

The Late Spring-Early Summer Sweet Spot

As the spring quickly merges with early summer, we have some amazing produce headed our way—and we’re eyeing the sweet stuff! Try some of our favorite recipes to enjoy the sweet berries (and tomatoes!) coming your way. Cheesecake with Fresh Summer Berries Raspberry Mascarpone Tart Fresh Blueberry Pie Panna Cotta […]

Chef's Notes Plus

The Perfect Condiment for Summer Sandwiches

It’s Laura here, your DISH editor and certified beach bum. I grew up at the Jersey Shore, and between Memorial Day and Labor Day, there were three priorities: swim, sun, snacks. For me, the perfect beach snacks are as follows: cubed melon, pretzel rods (not sticks), shortbread cookies for a […]