As the summer settles in, there is no greater joy than a scoop of ice cream on a hot day. No matter your favorite flavor, from simple vanilla to the rockiest rocky road, an ice cream cone is the ultimate way to treat yourself. Near our San Antonio campus, where […]
Fresh Ricotta
Makes about 1 1/2 lb or 1 quart
Homemade Chocolates for Your Sweetheart
Sure, you could buy a box of chocolates for a Valentine’s Day gift. But here at the CIA, we know that the best way to infuse your gifts with love is to make it yourself! Chocolates and candies aren’t all easy to make at home, but we’ve rounded up our […]
Homemade Pasta for Two on Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is less about being in love and more about sharing love, whether that’s with a partner, a family member, or your very best friends. We may be biased, but here at The CIA, we don’t think there’s a much better way to show someone you care than to […]
How to Jazz Up Homemade (or Not!) Yogurt
For a long time in the U.S., yogurt was treated as a diet food. Something we ate because we should, not necessarily because we wanted to. Tangy, astringent, and sometimes soupy, a bowl of plain yogurt is not, for many of us, particularly crave-worthy. In recipes, it was often relegated […]
Make it Yourself: Homemade Chocolate Shell
Are you a fan of chocolate shell? You might also know it as magic shell or chocolate dip. We find it hard to imagine that anyone can hate chocolate meant to cover ice cream, but hey, some people like those circus peanut candies that taste like bananas. If you’re in […]
Make it Yourself: Marshmallow Spring Treats
If you’re a kid, these memories will be fresh (could it have even been yesterday!?). If you’re an adult, the heartbreak never fades. You’re walking through a grocery store, and you turn the corner. You come face to face with Cadbury Cream Eggs and sparkly marshmallow Peeps. Your eyes widen, […]
Mayonnaise
Makes 2 cups mayonnaise We love making mayonnaise the old fashioned way (for special occasions!), but you can also make it in a blender. Follow the directions, plus instead of a bowl, combine the yolks, water, vinegar, mustard, and sugar in a blender, and steam in the oil while it’s […]
Peanut Butter Nougat
Makes one 9 by 13-inch slab All of the goodness of peanut butter in a light nougat—nothing could be better, except maybe adding some chocolate. This nougat pairs well with both dark and milk chocolate. The texture of the nougat will improve a day or two after it is made. […]
Raisin Bread with a Cinnamon Swirl
Makes 2 loaves This dough is sprinkled with fragrant cinnamon sugar before rolling up, creating a swirl. Mixing raisins into the dough studs the entire loaf with plump, sweet fruit. Although the recipe calls for dark raisins, you could easily substitute dried currants or diced dried apricots or prunes. Ingredients […]
Troccoli with Lamb and Pepper Sauce
Makes 6 servings Though this sauce is relatively basic, lamb adds that sort of can’t-quite-place-it flavor that you and your guests will love. We like pairing it with homemade Troccoli pasta, but you can use whatever dried variety you prefer. Make the sauce well-ahead, if you like, and freeze it […]
Whole Wheat Pasta
Fresh pasta is one of the simplest ways to create a special meal, and it’s even better when everyone lends a hand. This whole wheat pasta is perfect for hand-cut noodles that are tender, but with just the right bite to support hearty sauces, like meat ragouts. Makes 8 servings