Chef's Notes Plus

Creating Contrasts in Plated Desserts

Since you are a DISH member, we know that you likely have dessert ambitions beyond the classic cookies and coffee. And why shouldn’t you? The world of pastry is exciting and decadent! If you are home channeling your inner pastry chef, designing a composed, or plated, dessert for your next […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Creating Flavored Honey and Maple Syrup

You might be surprised at how many different flavors and qualities of honey there are. And maple syrup, real maple syrup, has a light body and an intense flavor. But, like anything else, there are ways to “gild the lily” for something special. To make a flavored honey or syrup, […]

Desserts

Crème Brûlée

Makes 5 servings We can all thank legendary CIA pastry chef instructor, Dieter Schorner, for reinvigorating the United States’ collective love of crème brûlée as pastry chef of New York City’s famed Le Cirque in the 1980s. Enjoy our classic version, but don’t be afraid to add spices or other […]

Desserts

Crème Caramel

Makes 6 servings Crème caramel is a dessert that produces its own sauce, as long as you are patient with it. After the custard bakes, it needs to cool long enough for two things to happen: the custard must become firm enough to unmold, and the caramel underneath the custard […]

Salads

Crème Fraîche Chicken Salad

Makes 10 servings Ingredients 3 quarts chicken stock 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 cloves garlic, crushed 2 lb 8 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons crème fraîche 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 cup roughly chopped pecans 1 cup red grapes, halved 2 tablespoons finely […]

Breakfast and Brunch

Crêpes

Makes 24 crêpes Ingredients 3 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup sugar 3/4 teaspoon salt 3 cups milk 3 large eggs 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup butter or vegetable oil to coat pan, or as needed Directions Sift the flour, sugar, and salt together into […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks

Cured Sardines

Makes 1 1/2 lb If you love tinned fish, these easy-to-prepare homemade sardines will be your new go-to. Serve with lemon juice or with bread and a green salad. Ingredients Kosher salt, as needed 12 oz fresh sardine fillets, skin on 1 1/4 cups white vinegar Zest of 1 lemon […]

Desserts, Free Recipes

Dark Chocolate Truffles

Makes 60 truffles Hints for truffle-making success: • To guarantee the most flavorful truffles, use top-quality chocolate. • Make sure the ganache has enough time to firm in the refrigerator. An hour is a good guideline, but it is okay to leave it in longer, even overnight if desired. • […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Decorate Your Pie Crust with Cut-Out Shapes

For a festive pie, look to your cookie cutters! Whether you are celebrating Halloween, the first day of school, or a pie-lover’s birthday, you can use your chilled pie dough to create a decorative crust. To make a decorative edge with cutout shapes, roll chilled dough scraps to ⅛-inch thick. […]

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

Design Your Own Gingerbread House

Nothing says “Christmas!” like an old-fashioned gingerbread house, and this year, we’re going all out! These cookies are the ideal canvas for all sorts of decorative touches. The dough can be made and baked off in advance and stored in an airtight container until ready to decorate or finish. Use […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Desserts for Your Passover Table

Baking for Passover involves its own unique set of challenges, as during the Passover period, observers do not consume items that are chametz—that is, any product made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt that has come into contact with water and allowed to “rise.” Just about anything made from […]