Chef's Notes Plus

How to Choose Olive Oil

Olive oil can be fruity, nutty, sweet, zesty, peppery, rich, intense, and assertive; mild, mellow, light or heavy, subtle, and delicate; opaque or clear, deep olive green, pale green, gold-green, golden, or pale yellow. Like wine, no two olive oils are exactly alike. The most wildly-available olive oils in the […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Italian-Style Sauce

Makes 1 cup Use this sauce for dipping, as a marinade, or as the base for a salad dressing. Stir it into soup for a punch of herb flavor, or serve it along side grilled or roasted vegetables or meat. Ingredients 2 cups roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley 1/4 cup extra-virgin […]

Side Dishes

Kamut With Fresh Corn and Peas

Makes 6 servings Ingredients 2 cups kamut 4 ears fresh corn 1 gallon water or vegetable broth, plus more as needed 3 tablespoons kosher salt, plus more as needed 1 bay leaf 1 thyme sprig 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more as needed 1 small onion, peeled and cut into […]

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 […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Lime-Honey Vinaigrette

Makes about 2 cups Room-temperature citrus is easier to squeeze. Warm for 10 seconds in the microwave if needed to bring the fruit to room temperature. Before squeezing, roll the fruit on a hard surface while applying pressure to break the membranes holding the juice. This vinaigrette can be prepared […]

Side Dishes

Marinated Grilled Vegetables

Makes 5 servings Ingredients 1 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons minced garlic, divided use 1/2 teaspoon crushed fennel seeds 1 tablespoon minced rosemary 2 zucchini, cut on the diagonal into 3/4-inch-thick slices 3 eggplants, cut on the diagonal into 3/4-inch-thick slices […]

Soups and Stews

Minestrone

Makes 8 servings Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 oz pancetta (5 to 6 thin slices), chopped 1 1/2 cups chopped green cabbage 1 cup chopped yellow onion 1 cup sliced carrot 1/3 cup chopped celery 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 quarts Chicken Broth 1/2 cup peeled, medium-dice potatoes 1 […]

One-Dish Meals

Mojo Chicken With Sweet Potato & Plantains

Makes 6 servings Ingredients 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided 5 garlic cloves, mince 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black […]

Side Dishes

Moroccan-Style Carrot Salad

Serves 8 Ingredients 2 lb carrots (peeled and thinly sliced) 2 garlic cloves 4 tablespoon olive oil Juice of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon ground cumin Small pinch of cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon minced cilantro 1 teaspoon minced parsley 2 onions, finely chopped 1 cup chopped dates Directions In a medium […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

North Africa’s Fiery Sauce

Culinary cultures based in steamy equatorial climates all have their own spicy chile condiments, like Mexico’s hot salsas, Indonesia’s sambals, Caribbean vinegar-based habañero sauces—even our own Louisiana’s Tabasco. But harissa, the garlic-laced spice paste of Tunisia, shared also by Morocco and Algeria, imparts a singular fruity complexity in the luxurious […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

North African-Style Sauce

Makes 1 cup Ingredients 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 3 tablespoons chopped parsley 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic 3/4 teaspoon paprika 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper Directions Combine the oil, lemon juice, parsley, […]