Main Dishes

Fresh Cheese Ravioli with Pesto and Pine Nuts

Robiola is a soft cheese made from cow, goat, and sheep milk, giving it more depth than the typical ricotta cheese. If you can’t find it, ricotta will do in a pinch, but will benefit from a quick drain in a strainer to dry out. Makes 6 to 8 servings […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Ingredient Spotlight: Basil

Basil comes in many different varieties: Thai, Genovese, holy, opal, purple, and more. No matter what specific type of basil you are using, be sure to smell it first. The basil should have a pungent, aromatic smell that almost “tickles” the inside of your nose. Basil can be simply cleaned […]

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 […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Pesto

Makes about 3 cups Ingredients 1 oz (3 tablespoons) pine nuts 1 small garlic clove Kosher salt as needed 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus as needed 8 oz basil leaves (about 4 cups loosely packed leaves) 2 oz (1/2 cup) grated Pecorino Romano 2 oz (1/2 cup) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Pistou

Makes about 3/4 cup Pistou is the subtly different French version of pesto, the fragrant Italian herb paste. While pesto typically includes nuts, pistou may or may not. The key ingredients for both are basil, olive oil, garlic, and cheese. In fact, the first version of pistou was essentially a […]

Main Dishes

Whole Wheat Penne with Roasted Cauliflower and Parsley Pesto

Pesto typically made with basil can be made with a variety of herbs including arugula, cilantro, dill, oregano, rosemary, sage, tarragon, and thyme. Pesto originated in Genoa, Italy and gets its name because it was originally made with a mortar and pestle. Ingredients 2 lb cauliflower, sliced in 2-in x […]