Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Oven-Roasting Tomatoes

Roasting tomatoes concentrates the bright sweetness of the ripe fruit. You can use roasted tomatoes in place of fresh tomatoes in nearly any recipe for added richness, or in recipes that call for canned “fire-roasted” tomatoes. Choose ripe, flavorful tomatoes for oven roasting. Plum tomatoes are a great choice since they […]

Desserts, Pies and Tarts

Panna Cotta Pie

Makes one 9-inch pie When it is too hot to turn on the oven, this cool and creamy vanilla cream pie is perfect. For just a bit of kick, pair it with fresh strawberries or raspberries seasoned with a splash of aged balsamic vinegar. Ingredients Graham Cracker-Crumb Crust, baked and […]

Beverages and Cocktails

Planter’s Punch

Makes 1 serving Planter’s Punch was first documented in the New York Times in 1908. The drink’s origins are unknown, but they include connections to the Planter’s Hotel in St. Louis and a planter’s wife in Jamaica. Whatever this delicious creation hails from, this drink can be enjoyed in a […]

Cakes, Desserts

Polenta Cake with Grappa, Berries, and Minted Mascarpone

Makes 6 servings This cake is dense and not too sweet, almost like a sweet cornbread. I like to use coarse polenta so that it also has an interesting texture, but if you have to use regular cornmeal, that works as well. Ingredients Polenta Cake 1/4 cup unsalted butter, at […]

Allergen Friendly, Desserts

Raspberry Granita

Makes 2 pints Ingredients 1 1/4 cup raspberries 1 1/2 cups water 1/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice, fresh Directions Push the raspberries through a wire-mesh sieve into a small bowl to make a purée. Stir all of the ingredients until blended and the sugar has dissolved. Pour […]

Desserts, Pies and Tarts

Raspberry Mascarpone Tart

Makes one 9-inch tart A simple but stunning tart that features ripe raspberries on a layer of lemon and honey-sweetened mascarpone. Try substituting other berries depending on what is available at your local farm stand. Strawberries are a typical early summer choice, but as the berry season comes into full […]