Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

5 Cool Recipes to Help Beat the Heat

It’s a scorcher out there! And when the weather is extra warm, our favorite dinners can start to seem awfully…hot (looking at you, spaghetti). To beat the heat, we’re rounded up some of our favorite recipes to enjoy under a strong fan. There may be some quick cooking involved, but […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

All About Caviar

Caviar is the salted roe of fish, traditionally sturgeon, which is prized for its briny delicate flavor. Due to overfishing, politics, and pollution, the supplies have dwindled and the price has increased, leading to a flood of alternative varieties from many sources. The delicate berries of true caviar come from […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

All About Ceviche

It is funny in the food world how trends come and go, yet some dishes fly just under the radar. Ceviche is a dish that continues to be interesting but has yet to reach the cross-cultural influence that, say, sushi has. The origins of both are not as far-flung as […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks

Cataplana Clams

Makes 5 small-bite servings A cataplana is a hammered copper, hinged pot of Portuguese origin that resembles a clam shell. It is used to steam shellfish and can be used on the stovetop or in the oven. Besides being fun to cook in and a bit unusual, it also looks […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks, Breakfast and Brunch

Citrus-Cured Salmon

Makes 24 servings Curing salmon at home is an easy project that makes for a big presentation at a special brunch. Serve the cured salmon with toast and your favorite pickled accompaniments, alongside your softly scrambled eggs, or with plenty of cucumbers and hard-boiled eggs. Ingredients 1 (24 oz) salmon […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Cleaning Octopus and Squid

Cleaning Octopus Octopus is typically sold already cleaned. However, you may need to occasionally remove the viscera, eyes, and beak (sometimes know as the eye). If the octopus you purchase has already been cleaned, simply cut the head away from the legs, and cut into the appropriate size. Baby octopus […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Cleaning Soft Shelled Crab

Soft shelled crab is a summertime delicacy with a short season and limited availability, so when the time comes, you have to be ready! Soft shelled crabs are typical “hard shell” crabs that are caught and prepared during their molting phase. In preparation for shedding, the crab develops a thin, […]

Main Dishes, Soups and Stews

Crab and Mushroom Chowder

Makes 8 servings Many supermarkets now carry a greater selection of mushroom varieties, such as shiitake, oyster, and cremini mushrooms. You can make this delicious chowder using a single variety or a combination. Avoid white mushrooms, though; they don’t have the flavor and texture needed for this hearty soup.

Main Dishes

Crawfish Étouffée

Makes 4 to 6 servings Étouffée is the name given to dishes like this one that are gently cooked in a covered pot. Crawfish, or crayfish, are sold live or as cooked meat. If you buy crawfish meat, look for the words fat-on. Crawfish fat is an integral part of […]