> Basic Recipes

Tomato Tarragon Vinaigrette
Here's a simple recipe for a vinaigrette that's full of flavor.

Spring Herb Vinaigrette
Fresh herbs make a lovely addition to a green salad. Chopped and incorporated into a vinaigrette, the fresh herb taste will transform any salad into something special. I've chosen four herbs here that work well together but any fresh herbs will do. Don't be afraid to experiment.

Citrus Vanilla Dressing
A wonderful aromatic dressing that works well on a fresh salad or with baked white fish.

Roasted Garlic Paste
Roasted garlic paste is a wonderful ingredient to keep on hand in your kitchen. Garlic paste makes a wonderful spread for bread or sandwiches. Use it to add rich flavor to soups, pastas, vegetable dips, or basted on meats. Simple to make, garlic paste will keep for about a week in the fridge.

Chicken Stock
Nothing adds flavor and richness to a soup or dish better than a really good stock. Making your own is a simple process and will reward you with better tasting meals. If you buy your chicken as whole carcasses to cut up yourself, save any bones you have left over to use in stock. Keep the bones well wrapped in the freezer until you have enough to make batch of stock.

Fresh Pesto
Pesto is a wonderful way to a add freshness and flavor to a variety of dishes from pasta to chicken. It's also quite simple to make. Basil, like other herbs, can be pricey at the market. Plant some basil in your garden or even a pot and your kitchen will be supplied with an abudance of this sweet-smelling, versatile herb.

Aioli
Aïoli is a wonderful garlic mayonnaise that can be used as a sandwich spread, a dip for a cold deli tray, or as a sauce for pasta and other dishes.

Herb Butter
Herb butter is great to use in any dish that benefits from the addition of herbs: pasta, steamed vegetables, fish, etc. Herb butter is easy to make and keeps well in your freezer. It's great to keep on hand for jazzing up those last minute meals.

Court-Bouillon
Court-bouillon is a broth used to poach fish, seafood, or vegetables. Don't let the French name fool you. This recipe is quite simple to make and will add great flavor to your dish.