Chef's Notes Plus

Happy 75th Birthday, CIA!

This weekend, we are celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the founding of The Culinary Institute of America. This great celebration is not ours alone, and we hope as a friend of the CIA, you’ll help us mark the occasion by channeling your inner foodie and eating something worthy of 75 […]

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 […]

Desserts

Hawaiian-Style Shave Ice

Makes 4 servings There are machines you can buy to make shave ice, but if you don’t have one, you can use your food processor! Make the ice at the last minute to keep it nice and fluffy. For a party, make several varieties of syrup so guests can mix […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks, Side Dishes

Herb Drop Biscuits

Makes 12 servings Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking power 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt, plus more for finishing 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 cup vegetable broth 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil Directions Preheat the oven to […]

Beverages and Cocktails

Hibiscus Margarita

Makes 1 serving This isn’t your every day margarita! Dried hibiscus is used to make tea in Mexico and the Caribbean, and we love it for its floral, slightly tart flavor. It’s perfect as the base of a margarita that is a touch sour and just sweet enough to be […]

Cakes, Desserts

High-Ratio White Cake

High-ratio cakes have a higher quantity of sugar than some other cakes, which makes them exceptionally moist and tender, and gives them a slightly longer shelf life. Their unique mixing method is simple and leaves you with a cake that’s perfect for kids’ birthday cakes or your next pot-luck. Makes […]

Chef's Blog

Holiday Care Packages

The holidays look a little different this year, but luckily, an interruption in tradition doesn’t have to mean an absence of celebration! You may not be able to join together with your loved ones in person, but with just a little planning, you can craft a curated care package to […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Holiday Entertaining Tips for Special Diets

Entertaining guests with special diets is not new, but it certainly seems to be more common. As we all become more health-conscious and aware of what makes us feel good (and bad!), we face lots of ingredient hurdles as we prepare for our holiday meals. If cooking for special diets […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Home School: Risotto (yes, it’s easy!)

Risotto is a dish we most often eat at restaurants, reinforcing the illusion that it’s difficult to prepare. Sorry to spill the beans, restaurant chefs of the world, but despite being creamy and decadent, risotto is actually really easy to make and not nearly as time consuming as you might […]

Salads

Honey-Lime Waldorf Salad

Makes 12 servings We love this updated take on the Waldorf salad, featuring crisp apples, tender mâche greens, and a tangy vinaigrette. It’s great on its own as a light dinner, but it also shines as a bring-along weekday lunch. Ingredients 3 cups diced Fuji or Honeycrisp apples (about 2 […]

Beverages and Cocktails

Hot Chocolate

Makes 4 to 6 cups Ingredients 4 cups whole milk 12 oz dark chocolate (about 64%), chopped 1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel or other sea salt Marshmallows, for serving (optional) Directions In a medium saucepan, bring the milk to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the chocolate. Let […]