Recipes Blog

Recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies from The Ultimate Book of Chocolate by Mélanie Dupuis, photographs by Pierre Lavelle

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

Here is a recipe for something delicious to start off a sweet year. This enormous book is a chocolate lover's dream. It contains step-by-step instructions, with illustrations and photographs, to guide you to make bonbons, tartlets, and an opera cake (Aunt Stacey’s favorite!) that is fancy dinner party-worthy. It also has very clear instructions on how to temper chocolate, which was the hardest thing I learned in culinary school. Today’s recipe is the simplest in the book—amazing chocolate chunk cookies.

Recipes excerpted with permission from The Ultimate Book of Chocolate by Melanie Dupuis, published by Hardie Grant Books.

Click on the book cover to buy:

Recipe for Classic and Best Lemon Tart from Plat du Jour by Susan Hermann Loomis (The Countryman Press)

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

I got lost in the recipes in this beautiful book. Try the avocado, cherry, and chive salad, with pistachios; some fromage blanc; and the fig and hazelnut bread for a light lunch. For dinner, a fish soup from Flanders with the adorable name of Waterzooi; garlicky red peppers, roasted and pureed, served with cod; lamb chops with rosemary and orange syrup; beef and onion stew; or some pissaldier, the famous tomato, olive, and anchovy tart, served with happy toasts. For dessert, there are all kinds of sweets: this lemon tart, or an apple version; plum clafoutis; and a chocolate mousse. Heaven.

Click on the book cover to buy:

Nova Cream Cheese Spread

By Tiffany Ludwig

This is a savory, breakfast spread. Equally delicious on bagels or bagel slices, bagel chips, rye bread, crackers, or carrot sticks. It’s a breeze to prepare and keeps well. It can be made the day before your brunch.

Look for the most quality ingredients you can find. Everything is available at Zabar’s. Zabar’s Nova Salmon is what I use to prepare this, but if you want to try something different experiment with the Peppered Nova or the Gravlox. Wow!

Enjoy and let use know what you spread it on!

Oh, these ribs are good! Pressure Cooker Ribs Recipe

by Tiffany Ludwig

 

 

Have you heard of an Instant Pot? It's a game changer. Really. Basically if you like to eat meat or vegetables or beans, it's a time saver like none other. So it's a great appliance for omnivores, carnivores, vegetarians, everyone! (Lucky we sell these magical kitchen marvels at Zabar's store, just stop by or call or mail order).

 

This rib recipe works for both baby back ribs as well as super meaty beef ribs. And for someone who has been wanting a great, home made bbq sauce, this is delicious. 

Blue Cheese & Strawberry Bruschetta

By Tiffany Ludwig

These tart, salty and assertive flavors of Gorgonzola Piccante are a wildly delicious pairing for fresh strawberries. The season is just beginning here in New York for local strawberries, and it’s worth going out of your way for some.

We prepared this recipe with our favorite Zabar’s olive oil from our pantry department. Our fresh baguettes are baked daily at the bread counter. Plus Zabar’s cheese counter has a sale on now for Gorgonzola Piccante at our website!

White Bean & Garlic Dip

by Tiffany Ludwig

 

 

We're on the cusp of picnic season here in NYC! Soon our blankets will spread across the Great Lawn, Zabar's smoked nova & bagels will appear in picnic baskets across the city, and impromptu evening gatherings will pop-up on balconies near and far. 

 

This White Bean & Garlic Dip is a simple, elegant side dish perfect for bringing to your next balcony soiree. The total time for preparation is just about 10 minutes and it's ready to serve immediately. But if you can plan ahead, it's worth it to make a day ahead. Keep it in the refrigerator and the flavors will continue to harmonize.

 

If you're in NYC, you can pick up all of these ingredients at Zabar's, including Zabar's Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which you can also order online! 

Cinnamon, Chocolate & Raisin Bread

from Tiffany Ludwig

Breads can be intimidating to try. I know this; it took me years to feel confident to begin trying them out in my home kitchen. A couple of things helped me over that hurdle:

1. I got a stand mixer. Sure this isn't a necessity and people have made bread without one for a very long time. But for me a stand mixer has removed the fussiness of baking breads that had held me back.

2. I keep yeast on hand. When I'm at a grocery store and I happen to walk down the baking ingredients isle I just pick up another packet of yeast. It does keep for a long time, which is great, and the rest of the bread ingredients are almost always on hand. So this makes a spur of the moment bread baking experience possible. 

This is a sweet loaf, really delicious for breakfast with a couple of runny eggs or a wonderful mid-afternoon snack. You can make it without the chocolate if you prefer or add nuts or other dried fruit. It's easily adaptable! Enjoy!

Black & White Macaroons Recipe

by Tiffany Ludwig

The goal of this recipe is to make the most New York Passover cookies that could be made! So of course I started with some sweet Macaroons. Nearly perfect cookies! They're super simple to whip up, very delicious, light and flavorful. And just what could make them even better - transforming them into Black & White Macaroons.

What you'll appreciate about these treats is the freshness of the cookie. They are light and airy yet moist and filling. The chocolates on top really compliment the coconut and bring it all together for what might just be a new family favorite. 

A couple of notes: if you are keeping kosher for Passover be sure to chose your ingredients wisely. Everything in this ingredients list can be found kosher for Passover. However these cookies are amazing year round, and I highly recommend you make them often!

Enjoy!

Irish Soda Bread Recipe

by Tiffany Ludwig

Another cold snap here in NYC is pushing spring just a little further away. I like to think of it as a reason for warming up the kitchen with some extra goodness. 

To get us started I've added some ingredients beyond the basics, beyond traditional Irish soda bread recipes. This one, with vanilla and raisins, is a touch sweet so it actually makes a perfect bread for mornings and brunch. Alternatively, give it a go for your afternoon snack and it'll be a great side for a savory roast or lamb dish. 

Weeknight Meatloaf Recipe

by Tiffany Ludwig

Why weeknight? Because this is a simple, quick meatloaf recipe to pop in the oven as soon as you get home. By the time you're ready to eat, it's ready for you! You can even prepare it before heading out in the morning, just keep it in the refrigerator until ready to cook, and dinner is on the table. 

Serve it with the all-time favorite, mashed potatoes, or change it up with some roasted cauliflower!

Enjoy