Desserts

Vanilla Fudge

Makes one 9-inch square slab A vanilla bean cooked with the batch gives this fudge an ethereal vanilla fragrance, with the added bonus of tiny black vanilla seeds throughout the fudge. It is like perfect vanilla ice cream transformed into candy. Ingredients 2 lb (4 cups) sugar 6 oz (1/2 […]

Cakes

Vanilla Sponge Cake

Sponge cake, whether you know it as génoise or pan di Spagna, is a light, sweet, delicate cake rich in eggs. These cakes are made from egg foams with very little or no added fat. To add moisture, sponge cakes are often liberally brushed with sugar syrup. Fill the cake […]

Desserts

Vanilla-Scented Pear Strudel

Makes 12 servings The unbaked strudels can be made in advance. Immediately store wrapped in the refrigerator for 2 days or in the freezer for 3 months. The strudel does not have to be thawed before baking. Ingredients 2 cups crushed sugar cookies (from about 8 oz cookies) 1 1/4 […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks

Vietnamese-Style Fried Spring Rolls

Makes 20 pieces Spring roll wrappers usually can be found in the produce section. We opted to panfry these spring rolls, rather than deep fry them. Be sure the oil is heated properly. Ingredients 2 tablespoons peanut oil 2 teaspoons minced ginger 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions, white portion only […]

Desserts

Warm Gingerbread Pudding

Makes 8 servings Sweet, warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and allspice give gingerbread and many other baked goods their unmistakable aromas. Spices are generally understood to be dried aromatic ingredients, typically the bark or seeds of a plant; they are sold whole or ground. Whole spices may be toasted, […]

Chef's Notes Plus

What I’m Cooking: Herb-Rubbed Roasted Pork

This recipe is really more about the rub than the roast, since it’s all-purpose and surprisingly versatile. Inspired by the seasoning typically used in porchetta, this rub is incredibly flavorful on its own, but a chameleon when paired with virtually any ingredient. Meaning you can eat a dish like this […]

Chef's Notes Plus

What I’m Cooking: Not Brisket

I’ve never celebrated Passover, but I am not immune to cravings for Mrs. Maisel-quality brisket when all of my friends are preparing for Seder. I put all of the ingredients for a tasty braised brisket on my grocery store order this week, and well, unfortunately, this will be a brisket-less […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

What To Eat When Turkey is Off the Table

There are plenty of reasons why people may choose not to serve a Thanksgiving turkey, but that doesn’t mean your meal has to be anything less than special. Meat and poultry is a huge focus of holiday menus, and while we love a roast, it’s not always right for every […]