Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Making Caramel-Coated Popcorn

Caramel-coated popcorn, or a popcorn-nut mixture, is a simple-to-make, delicious treat involving little more than caramelizing sugar, adding flavorings, and stirring together with the popcorn mixture. Although caramel corn is often enjoyed almost immediately, it can be stored for longer periods when it is wrapped to protect it from humidity […]

Pantry, Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Mascarpone Cheese

Makes 2 cups Ingredients 2 quarts high-quality heavy cream 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar Directions In a heavy bottomed pot over moderate heat, heat the cream to 180°F, stirring often to prevent scorching. Remove from the heat. Add the tartaric acid and let the cream coagulate into a curd. Line […]

Main Dishes, Soups and Stews

Minguichi (Chile and Cheese Soup)

Makes 6 servings This soup, from Michoacán in Western Mexico, is perfect at the end of summer when the tomatoes and corn are at their best, but it’s just as flavorful in the winter, and even quicker to make from canned tomatoes and frozen corn. If you wish, you can […]

Soups and Stews

Pacific Seafood Chowder

Makes 8 servings This is a favorite cold-day recipe from The Cuisines of the Americas at The Culinary Institute of America. Use whatever fresh fish and seafood you’d like, including clams, mussels, lobster, or cod. Ingredients 3/4 cup dry white wine 1 sachet d’epices, including 1 crushed garlic clove, one […]

Cakes, Desserts

Polenta Cake with Grappa, Berries, and Minted Mascarpone

Makes 6 servings This cake is dense and not too sweet, almost like a sweet cornbread. I like to use coarse polenta so that it also has an interesting texture, but if you have to use regular cornmeal, that works as well. Ingredients Polenta Cake 1/4 cup unsalted butter, at […]

Desserts

Soft Caramels

Makes 1 1/2 lbs Ingredients Flourless cooking spray for greasing 2 cups sugar 1 cup heavy cream 3/4 cup whole or low-fat milk Large zest strips from 1/2 orange 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise 1/3 cup light corn syrup 1 tablespoon unsalted butter Directions Lightly coat a 9-inch square baking […]

Soups and Stews

Squash Soup with Ginger Cream

Serves 6 to 8 Use whatever hard-skinned squash that you can find, like butternut, pumpkin, calabaza. For a vegan version, use olive oil instead of butter, omit the milk and whipped cream garnish. Add 1 cup of raw cashews in Step 2, which will make the blended soup creamy. Ingredients […]

Desserts, Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Sweetened Whipped Cream

Makes about 2 cups Lightly sweetened, delicate and airy, this is a basic recipe for whipped cream. Omit the sugar for an unsweetened cream. Ingredients 1 cup cold heavy cream 1 teaspoon granulated or superfine sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions Chill the bowl and whip attachment of a stand […]

Pies and Tarts

Tarte au Citron (Lemon Tart)

Makes one 9-inch tart (about 8 to 12 servings) Ingredients 3/4 lb Pâte Sucrée 9 large eggs 2 large egg yolks 1 3/4 cups sugar 1 1/4 cups heavy cream Zest and juice of 4 lemons Directions Preheat the oven to 375°F. Roll out pâte sucrée to line a deep […]

Side Dishes

Tartiflette

Tartiflette, or gratinéed potatoes in white sauce, is a classic dish that exhibits all the characteristics of French culinary decadence. You can enjoy it simply, alongside a light green salad, or alongside an impressive roast for a special occasion. Ingredients 6 cups La Ratte or fingerling potatoes Salt, as needed […]