Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

A Classic Holiday Beef Tenderloin Roast

For a show stopping holiday dinner, a beef roast is a classic choice. A standing rib roast (or prime rib) feeds a big crowd, but for a smaller, more intimate dinner, a perfectly roasted beef tenderloin is our favorite splurge. Simple to prepare and difficult to ruin, our favorite tenderloin […]

Chef's Notes Plus

A Special Recipe for Your New Year Celebration

You may already have a New Year food tradition: black-eyed peas? Noodles? Lentils? But because this year is less than typical, you may be in the mood to try something new. If, like most of us, you have no special plans for the day, you might be looking for a […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Beverages for Cheese

Many of us have an innate belief that wine and cheese were made for each other. Not to disavow you of that belief, but dry wines can often clash with rich cheeses, and red wine is more often the culprit than white! Here, though, are a few simple ground rules […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks

Clams Casino

Makes 40 pieces This classic appetizer is always a crowd pleaser, and we love it with a little extra crispy bacon on top. Ingredients 4 oz bacon, diced, plus more for garnish, if you like (see note) 1/2 cup diced onions 1/3 cup minced green bell pepper 1/3 cup minced […]

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 […]

Main Dishes

Gnocchi with Duck Ragoût

Makes 4 to 6 servings This recipe is a favorite of our students in our Cuisines of the Mediterranean class at The Culinary Institute of America. The main ingredient in the dish is the gnocchi, served with a perfectly made duck ragoût to accent those fluffy little pillows. Ingredients Gnocchi […]

Grilling

Grilled Oysters With Scallion Butter

Makes 5 servings Ingredients 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 1/4 cup minced scallions 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce 1 clove garlic, finely minced 3/4 tablespoon lemon juice 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 36 oysters, washed and scrubbed Directions Knead the butter by […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Healthy-ish Snacks for the New Year

Many of us will make some kind of internal New Year’s Resolution involving healthy eating, and so we want to do our part to help you achieve your goals. But since moderation is usually our best strategy for maintaining healthy lifestyles in the new year and beyond, we’re going to […]

Family Fun

Midnight Snacks for New Year’s Eve Celebrations!

New Year’s Eve is so fun, even if you can only stay awake until 9:00! But if you are determined to stay up to see the big ball drop at midnight, you’re going to need snacks. Here are some of our favorite quick-and-easy, sweet and savory recipes to help keep […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks, Cookies

Parmesan Biscotti

Makes 40 biscotti Makes 40 biscotti When we think of “biscotti,” we usually think about little biscuits or cookies, sweet and studded with fruit or nuts. But the name actually refers to the method in which they are baked—twice—so that they can be stored for long periods of time at […]

Main Dishes

Polenta Gnocchi with Truffled Cheese Fondue

Makes 6 servings Unlike potato gnocchi, these dumplings are a bit more dense and toothsome, though still nice and light. The truffled cheese sauce is decadent and rich, making it perfect for a special occasion. Ingredients Polenta Gnocchi 1 quart water 4 teaspoons kosher salt 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil […]

Cakes, Desserts

Sweet Coffee Chiffon Roulade

Makes 16 servings This is a big recipe. A proper pastry! But we know you have it in you, so give it a try. The key to handling a multi-part recipe like this is to read everything first. The main recipe (Sweet Coffee Chiffon Roulade, right below) will tell you […]