Chef's Notes Plus

Try Chilled Soups for Summer

Cold soups refresh the palate, regardless of when in the meal they are served; as first-course offerings, appetizer courses, hors d’oeuvre, or desserts. They may be presented in a variety of ways dependent on the type of gathering or party. For an event where people will be standing (more of […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Try Hibiscus Soda for a Sparkling Summer

It feels like La Croix has somehow become more popular than beer. And while it seems to be available everywhere you go, those of us participating in the great seltzer resurgence of 2019 are from time to time faced with beverages without bubbles. But you don’t have to be part of […]

Grilling, Sandwiches

Turkey Burgers

Makes 6 servings Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large shallot, minced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 pounds ground turkey 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon chopped chives 1 tablespoon chopped oregano 1 tablespoon chopped basil 1 […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Using an Ice Cream Machine

Ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sherbet are easy to make with an ice-cream machine. For the best results, let your ice-cream base mixture ripen, or mellow, overnight to be sure it is very cold. An ice-cream machine consists of a canister to hold the ice-cream base and a dasher to […]

Allergen Friendly, Desserts

Vegan Blueberry Buckle

Makes 12 servings Buckle Filling Ingredients 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons evaporated cane sugar 4 tablespoons unsalted margarine or coconut oil 1 teaspoon starch-based egg replacer 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 cup almond milk, or other non-dairy […]

Sandwiches

Vegetable Burgers

Makes 8 servings Ingredients 4 carrots, grated 2 celery stalks, grated 1 onion, grated 1/4 cup minced bell pepper (any color) 3/4 cup minced button or cremini mushrooms 8 scallions, minced 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon […]

Main Dishes

Vegetable Lasagna with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Makes 6 to 8 servings Ingredients Roasted Vegetables 1 large eggplant (about 2 lb) 4 medium zucchini (about 1 1/2 lb) 2 large ripe yellow tomatoes Kosher salt, as needed 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced Leaves from 6 thyme sprigs 3 red bell peppers Extra-virgin olive oil, as needed Extra-virgin […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Velvety Roasted Eggplant

For some veggies, we use the phrase roasting as a general term for cooking a vegetable whole to get after the tender flesh, like peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant. For eggplant, we scoop the velvety cooked flesh from the skin of the eggplant. This can be done in the oven (actual […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Walnut-Herb Sauce

Makes about 2 cups This flavorful but versatile sauce is perfect alongside grilled or roasted meats, poultry, fish and vegetables. Use it as a sandwich spread, as the base for a quick salad dressing, or even as a dip for raw vegetables. Watch this video to see how easy it […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Walnut-Herb Sauce is the New Barbecue Sauce

Early in grilling season, we’re all just so happy to be outside, we would eat basically anything. But as the weeks go by, those grilled chicken and veggies start to lose their luster. After all, sunshine is not a sauce. If that’s where you are right now, I would like […]