Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Cooking Dried Chickpeas

Why cook dried chickpeas? Simple: They’re hands-down better than canned. Here’s how to make perfect chickpeas every time. And remember, beans of all kinds are great to freeze and use later, so make a big batch! Ingredients 1 lb dried chickpeas 1 peeled onion, halved 3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Should You Make Your Own Breadcrumbs?

Should you make your own breadcrumbs? Like all cooking questions, there is no right answer. So, sometimes! Store brought breadcrumbs are convenient. They are ready when you need them, and they get the job done.  That said, store-bought breadcrumbs are stale and powdery and, as a coating, can have a […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

All About Gnocchi

Gnocchi may have a longer history than pasta in Italy. A cookbook from the fourteenth century includes a recipe for gnocchi made by mashing together cheese and egg and mixing them with flour to make a dumpling. Today, you can find gnocchi made from potatoes, semolina, polenta, squash, ricotta, and […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Ingredient Spotlight: Plantains

Plantains are a versatile and nutritious fruit that is a staple in many tropical regions around the world. Belonging to the banana family, plantains are often mistaken for their cousin but have distinct characteristics that set them apart. These starchy fruits are typically larger and firmer than regular bananas, with […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Beer 101: A Glossary of Beer Terms

Whether you already love beer or are beginning the journey to learning (and tasting!) more, having a grasp on beer lingo is the surest way to find the brew for you. Reference our handy beer lovers’ glossary so you’re never unprepared! Adjunct – A loose definition refers to un-malted grains […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Tips for Creamy, Cozy Plant-Forward Soups

Chicken noodle soup and minestrone are great, but there are few things more crave-worthy than a creamy, rich, and hearty soup. Of course, the ingredients that make those soups so tasty—cream, butter, cheese, beef—are not always high on our list of healthy ingredients, or you might follow a vegan diet. […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

6 Recipes Ideas for Back-to-School Meal Prep

If you’re looking for lunch idea that are kid-friendly, nutrient dense, and easy to pack, we’ve got you covered. These ten recipe ideas may not all be kid-food at first-glance, but we’ve got some suggestions for easy tweaks to perfect these make-ahead lunches to streamline your mornings. Each recipe can […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Fish-Buying Cheat Sheet

Before you can even think about cooking fish, you have to buy it (well, or catch it, if that’s your thing!), and buying fish can be challenging. Is it fresh? Is it the right kind of fish for what you want to make? Where does it come from, and does […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

5 Recipes for Late-Summer Dinners

In August, we start to see the end of summer produce. But those last fruits and veggies to ripen in the summer sun just happen to be some of our favorites to cook! Whether you’re swimming in tomatoes, eggplant, or peaches, let these recipes inspire you for the last of […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Oven-Roasting Tomatoes

Roasting tomatoes concentrates the bright sweetness of the ripe fruit. You can use roasted tomatoes in place of fresh tomatoes in nearly any recipe for added richness, or in recipes that call for canned “fire-roasted” tomatoes. Choose ripe, flavorful tomatoes for oven roasting. Plum tomatoes are a great choice since they […]