Chef's Blog

Eat Like a Chef: Put an Egg on It

A commonly asked question of chefs is, “Do you enjoy cooking at home?” It’s a great question! After all, most accountants don’t crunch the numbers every day, just to come home and do it for themselves and their families (at least, we don’t think so?). For those of us at […]

Chef's Notes Plus

From the Garden: Basil Vinaigrette

I absolutely cannot keep a plant alive. Not even the easy ones, like aloe, even though I really try. The only plant that survives my path of destruction is basil, which is really a yearly tale of resilience. Now it’s mid-August, and for those of us who don’t know how […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Ginger-Sesame Dressing

Makes 1 cup This staple vinaigrette comes in handy whether you’re dressing lettuce greens, noodles, or even just steamed green beans. The fermented black beans, found at the Asian market or online, add saltiness and a savory depth of flavor, but you can leave them out if you don’t have […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Go-To Convenience Foods for the Busiest Days

“From-scratch” might be what you expect at a great restaurant, or maybe for a special occasion. But for the great majority of home cooks, cooking from scratch three meals a day, every single day is an unrealistic goal, and one that so often leaves us with feelings of guilt and […]

Soups and Stews

Greek Egg and Lemon Soup (Avgolemono)

Makes 6 to 8 servings Add shredded chicken, sausage, cooked beans, or even some frozen veggies, like peas, to this soup to stretch it a bit. Substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth, if you prefer. Ingredients 6 cups chicken broth 1/3 cup long-grain white rice 4 eggs, separated Salt […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Grill Anything (Yes, Even Pasta!)

By the end of this summer, I will be able to write a book on how to cook exclusively outside. As I’ve mentioned, probably too often, I live in Texas, where it is currently HOT. My house is small, but tragically under-cooled in the summer, so when I turn on […]

Salads

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

Makes 8 servings Caesar salad dressing often contains egg yolk and is blended to make a creamy, emulsified dressing. That’s amazing, but this is easy and delicious, making it perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Substitute the grilled chicken for shrimp or salmon, if you like, or even shredded rotisserie […]

Sandwiches

Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

Makes 5 servings   These are your basic grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, but as far as we’re concerned, they’re just a starting point for your foodie-creativity. Though, yes, these are perfect as is, especially beside some Cream of Tomato Soup, experiment with different breads, cheeses, meats, and even toppings. […]

Allergen Friendly, Grilling, Main Dishes

Grilled Kielbasa with Corn-Cabbage Slaw

Makes 4 servings Kielbasa is the perfect last-minute or large-crowd grilling ingredient. It comes pre-cooked, so all you have to do is heat it through, it’s good alone or on a sandwich, and it’s a universal crowd-pleaser. Ingredients Kernels from 2 ears of corn 6 radishes, chopped 1 jalapeño, minced […]

Main Dishes

Halibut with Summer Vegetables

Makes 4 servings We love an easy recipe to use up our favorite summer farmers’ market finds, like summer squashes and tomatoes, and this fits the bill. This dish comes together in 20 minutes, and it’s perfect served alongside a nice green salad and some crusty bread. Feel free to […]