Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks

Fava Bean Purée

Makes 3 cups Serve this purée as a dip, alongside spring veggies, crusty bread, or toasted pitas, or as a sauce for grilled fish or roasted chicken. Ingredients 2 lb fresh fava beans 1 cup olive oil Juice of 1 lemon Salt, to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste […]

Desserts

Fruit Gelées

Makes about 120 pieces Fruit gelées are candies that are made from fruit juices or purées. Fruit extracts and oils may be added in small amounts to boost the candies’ flavor. While extracts are available in many supermarkets, you may wish to experiment with oils to expand your repertoire. Many […]

Breakfast and Brunch

Gravlax

Makes 10 servings Serve this with dill mustard sauce (we’ve included the recipe below) and some hearty brown bread with good butter. Ingredients 1 salmon fillet (3 to 3 1/2 lb), skin on 1/4 cup coarse sea salt 1/4 cup sugar 2 teaspoons crushed black peppercorns Zest of 1 lemon […]

Desserts

Hard Candy

Makes about 150 individual candies This basic recipe can be used in many different ways: poured into molds, poured into pools with a stick for lollipops, put in a pan and cut before it completely cools, or dipped into to make candied apples or candy-dipped fruits, to name just a […]

Breakfast and Brunch, Desserts

Hot Crossed Buns

Makes 12 servings Never mind bunnies and eggs…the surest sign of Easter season may be the hot crossed bun. These yeast-raised treats were first made as spiced fruit buns and were popular during the Tudor period in England. They were later decorated with a cross on top and sold “hot […]

Main Dishes

Individual Lasagnas with Spring Vegetables

Makes 4 servings Get your kids or guests to help assemble the lasagnas. Let each “sous chef” add one ingredient—noodles, purée, veggies—to the plate. If you can’t find whole grain lasagna noodles, conventional dry lasagna noodles will work just fine. Ingredients Kosher salt, as needed 1 bunch (approximately 1 pound) […]

Beverages and Cocktails, Desserts

Lavender Syrup

Makes 2 cups Lavender syrup adds a floral note to anything you can think to add it to, including lemonade, iced tea, or especially a tasty gin cocktail. Use the syrup to soak cake layers or to sweeten a fruit sorbet. Look for culinary-grade lavender at specialty markets or online. […]

Soups and Stews

Leek and Potato Soup

Ingredients 1 lb Yukon potatoes, diced 1 lb leeks, thinly sliced 2 quart chicken or vegetable stock 1 tablespoon kosher salt 6 tablespoons heavy cream 1 1/2 tablespoons minced parsley 1 1/2 tablespoons minced chives Directions Simmer the vegetables, stock, and salt together, partially covered, for 40 to 50 minutes […]

Chef's Notes Plus, Family Fun

Make it Yourself: Marshmallow Spring Treats

If you’re a kid, these memories will be fresh (could it have even been yesterday!?). If you’re an adult, the heartbreak never fades. You’re walking through a grocery store, and you turn the corner. You come face to face with Cadbury Cream Eggs and sparkly marshmallow Peeps. Your eyes widen, […]