Chef's Notes Plus

Squash Season

‘Tis the season. Well, one of them! As you know, we’re big fans of seasonal eating, and winter squash season is a pretty big league time of the year for foodies. Winter squash, often called hard-skinned squashes are, you know, the squashes with hard skins. That means we’re putting away […]

Soups and Stews

Squash Soup with Ginger Cream

Serves 6 to 8 Use whatever hard-skinned squash that you can find, like butternut, pumpkin, calabaza. For a vegan version, use olive oil instead of butter, omit the milk and whipped cream garnish. Add 1 cup of raw cashews in Step 2, which will make the blended soup creamy. Ingredients […]

Chef's Blog

Summer in a Jar—Savoring Every Last Bite

Every August, we try to avoid it, but it is inevitable: summer’s long days grow shorter as the season draws to a close. On the bright side, in its waning weeks, our gardens and farm stands explode with cucumbers, tomatoes, summer squash, and eggplant. If only there was a way […]

Free Recipes, Soups and Stews

Sweet Potato and Peanut Soup

Makes 8 servings The whipped cream garnish is by no means mandatory, but it’s pretty tasty. You can use your blender or even hand whip the ingredients. For a vegetarian soup, use vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth.

Cookies, Desserts

Sweet Potato-Pecan Pie Bars

Makes one 9-in by 13-in pan Sweet potato custard and bourbon-flavored pecan topping make this the perfect fall treat. Ingredients Shortbread Crust 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar 6 oz (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt Sweet Potato Filling […]

Breakfast and Brunch, Main Dishes

Sweet Potato, Sausage, and Kale Strata

Makes 8 to 10 servings A strata is a kitchen-sink breakfast dish that is made with egg, bread, cheese, and virtually anything else you would like! Like any good brunch recipe, stratas are best if made the day ahead, meaning less work in the morning—and that’s always a good thing. […]

Chef's Blog

Thanksgiving Recipes

Whether your table is filled with family recipes or new and modern takes, here are some of our favorite Thanksgiving dishes.   Appetizers Grissini Cheese and Potato Cigars Deviled Eggs Spanish Potato Omelet  Chicken Liver Pâté with Apples and Cognac   Side Dishes Roasted Pear and Arugula Salad with Caramelized […]

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 Blog

The Perfect Cup of Tea

We may be a coffee-drinking society, but you can’t underestimate the impact of the millennia-old tradition of drinking tea. And just like coffee, tea can be enjoyed in hundreds (if not thousands!) of ways—yes, even as a latte! All tea comes from the same plant, the Cameliasinensis. The way the […]

Soups and Stews

Tuscan White Onion Soup

Makes 1 1/2 quarts This soup is a winter favorite. It pairs one of our favorite spices, cardamom, with white onions, crispy prosciutto, and shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano for a combination of sweet, salty, and buttery that will knock your socks off. Ingredients Soup 1/4 cup olive oil or unsalted butter 2 […]