Desserts, Family Fun

Rock Candy Recipe

Makes 6 pieces Ingredients 9 lb (18 cups) granulated sugar 1 1/2 quarts water 6 bamboo skewers 1 egg white, lightly beaten 2 tbsp coarse sugar Food coloring, as needed (optional) Directions Combine the sugar and water in a large clean pan and bring to a boil. Cover the pan […]

Cookies, Free Recipes

Roll-Out Sugar Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen cookies, depending on the size of the cookie cutter You are an artist, and the holiday cookie plate is your canvas! This year, we would like to give you the gift of sugar cookies that are easy to make, hold their shape when baked, and are […]

Desserts

Rosemary Polenta Cake with Savory Strawberries and Goat Cheese

Makes 12 servings This recipe is adapted from the menu of the Gatehouse restaurant on the CIA’s Napa campus in St. Helena, California. It is sweet and savory (mostly sweet!) and is the perfect way to showcase in season strawberries, though we think peaches would also be delicious. The whipped […]

Cookies, Family Fun

Rugelach

Makes 2 dozen cookies Dough Ingredients 1/2 lb (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cream cheese, room temperature 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 2/3 cup all-purpose flour, sifted Ingredients 2/3 cup raspberry jam 1 2/3 cups chopped pecans Cinnamon Sugar (1 cup sugar combined with 1 […]

Desserts

Sabayon and Fresh Berry Trifle

Makes 6 servings A trifle traditionally includes cake doused with sherry, a custard, and fresh fruit. This trifle introduces an egg-based sauce that the French call sabayon and the Italians, zabaglione. Marsala, with its rich, raisin-like flavor, gives the custard the same heady aroma that a classic trifle introduces by […]

Chef's Notes Plus, Family Fun

Say “I Love You” with Chocolate

We don’t know about you, but when we think about Valentine’s Day, we think chocolate! Chocolate candies, chocolate cookies, chocolate brownies. Hm. Cookies and brownies… If one is great, how good would they be combined!? This Valentine’s Day, if you want to bake something for a special person – maybe […]

Desserts

Shortbread Tartlet Shells

This recipe makes a lot of tart shells, and while you can halve the recipe, this tender and buttery dough freezes incredibly well. With just a quick trip to the oven, they are a vehicle for any filling, either homemade or prepared, making them an easy last-minute dessert option you’ll […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Simple Syrup

Keeping a jar of simple syrup in your pantry may seem like a waste of space, but once you have it, you’ll reach for it more than you think. And sure, you can buy a bottle of prepared simple syrup for many dollars, but it’s sort of absurdly easy and […]

Desserts

Sticky Rice with Mangoes (Kao Niaw Ma Muang)

Makes 4 servings Ingredients Sticky Rice 2 cups sticky rice, soaked for at least 4 to 6 hours or overnight 1/3 cup coconut milk 1/2 cup sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, or as needed 2 pandanus leaves, tied in a knot Coconut Topping 1 cup coconut milk 1 1/2 tablespoons […]

Pies and Tarts

Strawberry Balsamic Pie

Makes one nine-inch pie Filling Ingredients 4 cups (1 quart) strawberries, fresh, hulled and halved (or frozen, halved) 3/4 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1/3 cup cornstarch Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tsp water and a pinch of salt) Sanding sugar or granulated sugar, as needed […]