Chef's Notes Plus

Choosing Wood for your Grill or Smoker

Smoke is a key component that contributes to the flavor and texture of barbecued meat. Smoke comes from burning wood, either by placing it directly on the coals of a charcoal grill, or in a separate box or chamber in a gas grill or smoker. There is a learning curve […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Crash Course: Low and Slow Holiday Roasts

There is a lot of helpful information down there, but if you’re pressed for time, here’s a summary of the most important parts: Slow roasting typically utilizes large, less tender, less expensive, more active, higher-fat muscles that contain a large amount of collagen, like pork butts. If you are looking […]

Chef's Notes Plus

How to Make a Basic Braise—Just in Time for Autumn

Braising, barbecuing, and slow-roasting are all long, low cooking methods that utilize less tender, fattier cuts of meats with a lot of connective tissue. But braising stands apart in that it includes liquid in the cooking process. It is also a combination cooking method—one that uses both dry and moist […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

How to: Roast Vegetables without a Recipe

As we ease into autumn, we can finally celebrate the return of roasting—especially vegetables. We love roasting because it is one of the most delicious ways to enjoy seasonal fall produce, like hard-skinned squash, cauliflower, fennel, and Brussels sprouts (color = flavor), as well as incredibly easy and hands-off. Even […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus, Family Fun

Kitchen Vocab: Tagine

Tagine. It’s two words in one, though both are related. It is both a dish, and the dish the dish is made in! Get it yet? A tagine is a North African recipe of Berber origin and is a staple of Moroccan cuisine. Berber refers to the indigenous people of […]

Chef's Blog

More than a Trend: Bring Birria to Your Own Kitchen

If you spend any time on social media, you’ve surely seen photos of crispy, griddled birria tacos. Just the sight of them stops any foodie in their tracks. Melted cheese, golden brown and lacy around the edges. Tender meat, rich from hours stewed in chiles and tomatoes. And, of course, […]

Soups and Stews

New Mexican Green Chile Stew

Makes 5 servings Ingredients 1 cup dry white beans, soaked in water overnight 1 3/4 lb pork shoulder, cut into large dice 1 quart chicken stock 12 oz Anaheim peppers 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 1/2 cups small-dice onion 2 tablespoon minced garlic 3 cups medium-dice russet potatoes 1 tablespoon […]

Main Dishes

Oven-Roasted Pork Butt with Pan Gravy

Makes 6 servings One 6- to 8-lb pork butt, bone in Rub Ingredients 2 tablespoons kosher salt 1 tablespoon sugar 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper 1 teaspoon caraway seeds Grated zest of 1 lemon Pan Gravy Ingredients 1 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped carrot 1/2 cup red wine […]

Main Dishes

Porchetta

Makes 6 to 8 servings Traditional porchetta can be made several different ways. This simplified preparation calls for a boneless pork loin cut into quarters, surrounded by Italian sausage with sautéed onions and fennel added, and wrapped in a butterflied pork belly. The whole thing is then tied and slowly […]

Main Dishes, One-Dish Meals

Pressure Cooker Osso Buco

Makes 4 servings Osso buco used to be an all-day recipe, saved for the most special of occasions. While we still think it’s a special dish to serve for a holiday or dinner party, preparing it in an electric pressure cooker makes it quick and easy. If you don’t have […]