Chef's Notes Plus

Thanksgiving Stuffing Free-Style

Stuffing (or maybe you call it dressing?) is highly personal. You might follow the same family recipe each year, or maybe you go out in search of something new and exciting. More often than not, you might be let down. This isn’t because the recipes are bad, but it’s because […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

The Cheese Plate

As a last course, a composed plate of one cheese with one or more accompaniments can be a nice alternative to a sweet dessert. And, of course, nothing makes for a perfect party more than a cheese board for grazing. A variety of approaches can be taken when creating a […]

Pies and Tarts

The CIA Apple Pie

Makes one 9-inch pie They say if you love somebody, you give them diamonds—but we think if you truly love someone, you bake them a pie. This classic apple pie is a crowd-pleaser no matter what table it lands on, and friends and family will taste the love in each […]

Chef's Blog

The Foods of Día de Los Muertos

You might think with a name like Día de los Muertos—or Day of the Dead—the Mexican holiday would be a somber one. But you would be wrong, because when celebrating Día de los Muertos, Mexicans and Mexican-Americans throw their biggest and best parties. As they say in Mexico, they throw […]

Chef's Notes Plus

The Perfect Cocktail for a Taste of Spring

As we ease on down that road toward spring, you might start dipping your toe back into outdoor living. It starts with two minutes of staring into the sunshine before you huddle back under the blanket, but before you know it, you’ll be reading your newspaper al fresco with a […]

Chef's Blog

Tips for the Perfect Fruit Pie Without a Recipe

In a moment of introspection, it has occurred to us that “pie season” is sort of a disingenuous concept. We are currently in the thick of summer pie season, but also, we are on the tail end of late spring pie season. And before we know it, it will be […]

Chef's Blog

Tips for Throwing a Scaled-Down Thanksgiving

2020 has been unique, to put it mildly. As the months pass, we’ve found ways to adapt, discovering fresh routines in this new normal. But with the holidays quickly approaching, we’re being challenged to rethink decades of traditions for scaled down celebrations. Thanksgiving is the Foodie Super Bowl, but this […]

Chef's Blog

Traditional New Year’s Eve Oysters

Across much of the world, oysters are an iconic New Year food tradition, but especially in France, where pop-up oyster stalls emerge throughout Paris to supply the city with this holiday staple. Few foods are as polarizing as oysters. Diners either passionately endorse the intake of these bivalves or are […]

Main Dishes

Turkey Breast Roulade with Sausage and Stuffing

This roulade is great for a compact Thanksgiving dinner, with the addition of a veggie side, cranberry sauce, and nice crusty bread. Follow along with this video for more guidance on butterflying, pounding, rolling, and tying. Makes 12 servings Ingredients Italian Sausage Stuffing 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 lb sweet […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Turkey Gravy

Makes 2 quarts Ingredients 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 5 oz minced shallots 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus as needed to adjust seasoning 2 tablespoons (about 6 cloves) minced garlic 1/4 teaspoons red pepper flakes 3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour 1 cup dry white wine 3 cups fortified chicken stock […]