Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Soups and Stews for Chilly Nights Ahead

The week after Thanksgiving is the unofficial start of winter, as far as we’re concerned. With twinkling lights appearing around the neighborhood and the smell of fireplaces crackling in the distance, there is nothing greater than a pot of soup or stew simmering on the stovetop. Try one of our […]

Cakes, Desserts

Sour Cream Pound Cakes with Chocolate-Cherry Glaze

Makes 3 cakes Ingredients 4 1/2 cups cake flour 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 cup heavy cream, room temperature 8 eggs, room temperature 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 1/4 cup sour cream 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, room temperature 2 1/4 cups sugar 1/3 cup honey 2 teaspoons […]

Beverages and Cocktails

Spicy Green Grape Margarita

Makes 2 cocktails Heat levels can vary widely in jalapeños, so always test the heat before adding them to the recipe. If using mild jalapeños, you may use 2 chiles in the recipe. Ingredients 1/2 lime, cut into 4 wedges Tajín or other chili-lime seasoning, for the rim 2 ½ […]

Grilling

Spicy Lamb Kebabs With Pickled Grapes

Makes 8 servings Lamb Kebabs Ingredients 10 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more as needed 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon minced flat-leaf parsley 2 tablespoons minced oregano 1 tablespoon ground coriander 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger 2 teaspoons Spanish-style paprika 2 teaspoons […]

Main Dishes

Spit-Roasted Duck with Orange-Ginger-Soy Glaze

Makes 6 servings Spit-roasting is one of the earliest cooking techniques. A duck on the spit emerges from the grill with a crackling crisp skin and meat that is less greasy than you might anticipate. Cutting the skin helps to render out the fat for lots of flavor without as […]

Main Dishes

Squab with Quince Paste and Pumpkin Farro

Makes 4 servings Squab is one of our favorite birds, although we do prefer the breasts. Don’t waste the legs, though. Make the sauce from them, and after they are cooked you can strip the meat off the bone and make a little squab salad, just like a chicken salad. […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Stocking Your Home Bar for Entertaining

For many, a well-stocked bar means a lot of space— and money. Rather, a well-stocked bar is not a matter of quantity, but instead has meaningful selections available for those who are using it. Think about the last banquet you attended, even for hundreds of people. The bar had one […]

Cakes, Desserts

Strawberry and Rose Mini Cupcakes

Makes about 60 mini cupcakes This recipe makes about 60 mini cupcakes, which feeds about 30 people. If you need less, you can half this recipe, or bake any leftover batter in a cake pan. Spread it with leftover jam for a little chef’s treat! You can use any cake […]

Desserts

Strawberry Frozen Yogurt

Makes about 1 1/4 quarts (about 8 servings) Choose the ripest, most flavorful strawberries for this yogurt. Hull, rinse, and slice them just before you are ready to make the frozen yogurt. To remove the hulls, use a huller (a tweezer-like tool that pinches out the hull) or the tip […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Strawberry Honey Butter

Makes 1 cup Sweet compound butters are an easy way to make a simple dish extra special. Prepared ahead of time, they can be brought to the table to serve alongside pancakes, waffles, or a crisp baguette. Replace the strawberries with any fruit you like, and consider adding a pinch […]