Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Our Favorite Holiday Cookies

There’s a lot to love about the holidays, but cookies are pretty high on the list. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite cookie recipes to help inspire your baking. Remember that nearly all cookies are great for freezing, whether in baked or raw dough form, so get a […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks

Palmier with Prosciutto

Makes 36 pieces This is a savory variation of a classic French pastry made of puff pastry sprinkled with granulated sugar. The name palmier reflects the palm-leaf shape of the pastry. These palmiers are lined with prosciutto, and a dusting of Parmesan cheese replaces the sugar. Ingredients 1 sheet prepared […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks, Cookies

Parmesan Biscotti

Makes 40 biscotti Makes 40 biscotti When we think of “biscotti,” we usually think about little biscuits or cookies, sweet and studded with fruit or nuts. But the name actually refers to the method in which they are baked—twice—so that they can be stored for long periods of time at […]

Cookies

Partridge in a Pear (Dog) Treat

Makes about 4 dozen, depending on the size of your cookie cutter Dogs are family, too, and this treat is an easy way to show them you care! This dough is very forgiving and can be customized to your furry friends’ favorite flavors. You may need to add or reduce […]

Desserts

Peanut Brittle

Makes 1 thin sheet Brittle is some of the easiest candy to make, and the pay-off is unbeatable! This basic version uses peanuts, but you can substitute any nuts, especially roughly chopped almonds, cashews, or macadamia nuts, or even sesame seeds, pepitas, or oats. Add smoked sea salt or cocoa […]

Cookies, Free Recipes

Pecan Diamonds

The Iconic Pecan Diamond Are they a cookie? A dessert? A bite-size pecan pie? Craig Claiborne of The New York Times called them the “sweet hallmark” of CIA, and they are. Pecan Diamonds have been a CIA tradition for nearly six decades. They were offered to guests with coffee at […]

Desserts, Family Fun

Peppermint Bark

Makes one 10×15-inch sheet Ingredients 8 ounces (1/2 cups) candy canes (crushed) 1/8 teaspoon peppermint oil 8 ounces (3/4 cup) dark chocolate, tempered, or dark chocolate candy melts, melted 8 ounces (3/4 cup) white chocolate, tempered, or white chocolate candy melts, melted Directions Line a 10×15–inch sheet pan with parchment […]

Main Dishes

Peppery Beef Stew with Butternut Squash

Makes 6 to 8 servings This flavorful beef stew comes from Tuscany, where it’s ideal with the region’s famed red wines. Guanciale is cured pork jowl, which you can find in some Italian specialty markets. Pancetta makes an acceptable substitute. Ingredients 4 oz guanciale or pancetta 8 oz cipollini or […]

Cookies

Pignoli Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen cookies Pignolis, also called pine nuts, make a delicious, toasty-tasting cookie. Ingredients 2 1/4 cups sugar 2 cups almond paste 1/2 teaspoon almond extract Pinch kosher salt 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 cup egg whites 1 cup pine nuts, or more as needed Directions Preheat […]

Main Dishes

Porchetta

Makes 6 to 8 servings Traditional porchetta can be made several different ways. This simplified preparation calls for a boneless pork loin cut into quarters, surrounded by Italian sausage with sautéed onions and fennel added, and wrapped in a butterflied pork belly. The whole thing is then tied and slowly […]

Main Dishes

Potato Gnocchi with Asparagus, Rabbit, and Liver

Makes 6 servings This recipe has many steps and ingredients, but the techniques are simple and worth the finished dish! Be sure to read the recipe all the way through to plan your time, since you will need the broth to make the ragú. Ingredients Rabbit Ragù 1 whole rabbit […]