Pies and Tarts

Erin McDowell’s Double-Crust Berry Galette

Makes one 10-by-5-inch galette This recipe comes from friend-of-the-CIA, Erin McDowell, a 2009 graduate of our Hyde Park, NY campus. Erin is now a food writer, recipe developer, and talented food stylist, especially well known for her beautiful pies! She has shared this amazing summer berry recipe from her first […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Establishing a Sourdough Starter

Ready for at-home bread baking with your very own sourdough starter? Follow this schedule to create your own starter in 5 to 7 days. For more information about starters, see Sourdough Starters: 101. DAY 1 Mix equal amounts of flour with water (at 85°F) until the mixture is homogenous. Use […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Filling Cake Pans for Perfect Results

Whether tried-and-true or new-to-you, some cake recipes leave you guessing when it comes to filling the pan. Here are some basic pan-filling standards for sheet cakes, layer cakes, or the ever unpredictable bundt or tube cakes.

Desserts, Pies and Tarts

Fresh Blueberry Pie

Makes one 9-inch pie If you have never had a fresh blueberry pie, this is the classic recipe to try. The top crust is formed with overlapping star cutouts, making it perfect for the Fourth of July—high season for fresh blueberries! Ingredients One recipe All-Butter Pie Dough, unbaked double crust […]

Pies and Tarts

Fudgy Walnut Brownie Pie

Makes one 9-inch pie The filling for this pie is reminiscent of a fudgy, dense brownie studded with walnuts and bittersweet chocolate chunks. The crispy chocolate crumb crust is an added bonus in both flavor and texture. If you prefer a moister, denser texture to the filling, bake for 35 […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Give Angel Food Cake Another Try (at Home!)

Being a student at The Culinary Institute of America is an opportunity to learn more about food than you ever knew was possible. CIA students study, cook, bake, and taste, taste, taste—always tasting. With all of that tasting, you are bound to be surprised from time to time, and luckily, most […]

Desserts, Pies and Tarts

Graham Cracker-Crumb Crust

Makes one 9pinch pie or tart pan Graham crackers come in a variety of flavors, including honey graham, chocolate, and cinnamon. If you do not have a food processor to create crumbs, use a resealable bag and a rolling pin to finely crush the crackers. Ingredients 1 cup (4 oz; […]

Grilling, Main Dishes

Grilled Lamb Kebobs with Walnut-Herb Sauce

Makes 8 servings Grilled lamb is a nice change of pace from the typical chicken or steak kebobs, and we are especially fond of this combination of lightly marinated lamb shoulder and the flavorful walnut-herb sauce, bright and tangy from lots of lemon. Use the same marinade and pairings for […]

Desserts

Grilled Pound Cake with Coffee Ganache

Makes 8 servings Ingredients 1 Pound Cake, cut into 1-inch-thick slices 1 cup Coffee Ganache 1 cup whipped cream or vanilla ice cream 1 cup coarsely chopped toasted hazelnuts Directions Preheat a gas grill to medium-high. If you are using a charcoal grill, build a fire and let it burn […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks

Grissini

Makes 2 dozen bread sticks Grissini are thin, crisp breadsticks—long and pencil-like in appearance, and Italian in origin. In this recipe, the dough is flavored with chopped rosemary and boldly accented with Asiago cheese; variations on flavoring are many and may include garlic, other herbs or hard cheeses as your […]

Breakfast and Brunch

Ham & Cheddar Scones

Makes 10 scones Serve these savory scones with fruit jam for a sweet and salty brunch. For something a little more decadent, halve a warmed scone and top it with a runny fried egg. Ingredients 3 cups bread flour 1/2 cup sugar 2 tablespoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt […]