Chef's Notes Plus

Ingredient Spotlight: Dates

When you are food-minded, thinking about dates makes your heart flutter for a very different reason. Luckily, the dates we have in mind are a bit less awkward and nerve-wracking than the romantic kind. Dates, which are the fruit of the date palm, are one of nature’s sweetest creations. You […]

Salads

Kale, Cashew, and Cranberry Pasta Salad

Makes 4 to 6 portions This pasta salad is great cold or at room temperature (a gift from the meal prep fairies), but it’s just as good hot, if you don’t have time to give it a good chill. Ingredients 12 oz whole wheat penne 1/4 cup olive oil 1/2 […]

Salads

Lemon-Infused Greek Salad With Grape Leaves

Makes 8 servings Ingredients 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon chopped parsley 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus to taste 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more as needed 3 tablespoons canola oil 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 9 cups romaine hearts, rinsed, dried, and torn into […]

Desserts

Lemon, Ginger, Barley Pudding with Raspberries

Makes 6 servings If you love rice pudding, then wait until you taste this barley version that offers you all of the creaminess that you love with some extra whole grains and a little less of the not-so-good-for-you ingredients. For a more traditional flavor, leave out the ginger and skip […]

Beverages and Cocktails, Breakfast and Brunch

Mango Green Tea Smoothie

Makes 6 servings Ingredients 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and diced (about 3 cups) 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 tablespoon minced ginger 1 cup brewed green tea 1 cup ice cubes 1/4 cup chia seeds, soaked in water for at least an hour, up to overnight Matcha powder, for garnish (optional) Activated […]

Side Dishes

Maple-Glazed Turnips

Makes 4 servings Pan-steaming, an excellent technique for cooking vegetables, uses a small amount of flavorful liquid in a covered pan. There are two benefits: a quick cooking time that helps retain nutrients and color, and a flavorful liquid you can reduce to make a simple sauce. Ingredients 2 lb […]

Side Dishes

Mixed Grain Pilaf

Makes 6 cups, approximately 10 to 12 servings This pilaf is delicious, but neutral flavored, making it a great mix-and-match meal prep recipe. Eat at as a hot side dish, chilled and sprinkled over green salads, or mixed with leftover meats and veggies to stuff peppers or eggplant. Ingredients 2 […]

Chef's Notes Plus

New Video: Making Quick Pickles

July is Oh No All my Cucumbers Grew at the Same Time What Do I Do with Them month, and there is only one answer to that: Pickles! In this video, DISH editor Laura shows you exactly how easy it is to make refrigerator pickles and talks you through some […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Pan-Steaming for Tender-Crisp Veggies

Pan-steaming is a technique that cooks food partially submerged in liquid and covered to produce steam. Similar to shallow poaching, pan-steaming is primarily used for vegetables or other tender, quick-cooking items like steamed dumplings or shrimp. By creating hot steam in a closed environment, this technique produces bright, tender-crisp vegetables […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Party-Ready Crudités

Vegetable appetizers are a perfect way to start a meal. They run the gamut from simple dips and spreads like guacamole, made from silken smooth avocados, to complex dishes that are sophisticated enough to feature at the most elegant dinner. One of the most popular vegetable appetizers, and one that […]