Side Dishes

Creamy Pinto Beans

Makes 6 to 8 servings Ingredients 1 lb dried pinto beans 5 1/2 cups water 2 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions 3 ancho chiles, seeds and membranes removed 1 teaspoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons tomato paste 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano 2/3 cup milk 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 garlic […]

Sandwiches

Croque Monsieur

Croque Monsieur (Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich) Makes 8 servings Béchamel Sauce Ingredients 1/4 cup unsalted butter 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 4 cups whole milk Directions Melt butter in small saucepan over medium heat and whisk in flour. Cook flour until raw smell is gone, about 2 minutes. Whisk in […]

Breakfast and Brunch

Double Cheese Breakfast Burritos

Makes 6 servings Breakfast burritos are a great make-ahead breakfast that can be frozen and reheated whenever you need a quick grab-and-go meal. These are a bit decadent, but you can simplify (and health-ify) with turkey bacon, mashed avocado, black beans, or even just leftover grilled or roasted veggies. Ingredients […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Dress Up Your Mashed Potatoes Without a Recipe

Mashed potatoes are a staple at the Thanksgiving dinner table. But that doesn’t mean they have to be the same year after year (not that anyone has ever complained about a perfectly creamy mashed potato). If you start with a great base recipe—here’s our favorite—you can turn a simple mashed […]

Salads

Farro Caprese Salad

Makes 4 to 6 servings Farro is a nutty, chewy grain commonly used in Italian cuisine. Tossed with the classic components of a caprese salad, like creamy mozzarella cheese and sweet summer tomatoes, you will love it for school lunches, a take-along picnic dish, or a side for grilled chicken […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks

Feta Dipping Oil

Makes 10 servings Ingredients 5 oz crumbled feta cheese 2 tablespoons dried oregano 1 1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes 1 tablespoon cracked black peppercorns 1 cup pure olive oil Directions In a medium bowl, toss the feta with the oregano, red pepper flakes, and peppercorns. When ready to serve, place […]

Sandwiches

Fontina and Blackberry Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Makes 4 servings Though fontina and blackberries are a great combination, you can switch up the fruits and cheeses to whatever you can find at your market. Freshly shredded cheese will melt best, but slices will work in a pinch, too!

Breakfast and Brunch, Side Dishes

Garlic Cheese Grits

Makes 8 servings These grits get a great garlic flavor from just a little bit of garlic and they are jam-packed with cheese and butter, just the way they should be. The Tabasco and the cayenne give them a little kick. You may opt to leave out the eggs and […]

Main Dishes

Gnocchi alla Fiorentina (Gnudi)

Makes 4 to 6 servings We like these gnocchi with a simple butter-and-sage sauce, but you might like to replace it with a simple tomato sauce. Ingredients 1 lb fresh spinach, blanched, squeezed dry, and chopped 12 oz (1 1/2 cups) fresh ricotta, drained if necessary (see Recipe note) 1/2 […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Greek-Style Feta Sauce

Makes 1 1/2 cups Ingredients 1 cup feta cheese 1/4 cup minced dill 1/4 cup lemon juice, fresh 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Directions Combine the feta, dill, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and olive oil in a bowl. Store in the […]