You may know Alex Guarnaschelli best as a judge on Chopped or for mentoring All-Star Academy home cooks to culinary success. As a skilled Iron Chef, Alex wows fans with her elegant and approachable dishes, which combine the comforting flavors of American, Italian and French cuisines. Keep reading below for more of Alex’s best-ever recipes, like her tried-and-true chocolate cake and her decadent eggplant parmigiana that is sure to please a crowd. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at Butter Restaurant in New York City, where she cooks up seasonal dishes when she’s not on camera or at home.
1. Croque Madame: With layers of a velvety bechamel sauce, salty ham and thick sourdough bread, Alex’s croque madame is certainly in a sandwich league of its own. Staying true to this classic French dish, she tops the final layer of golden Gruyère cheese with a fried egg.
2. Italian Chicken Soup with “Toasted” Parmesan Gnocchi: Homemade potato gnocchi lend Italian flair to Alex’s chicken soup for Food Network Magazine. Alex cooks the chicken with crispy bacon, broth and thyme to deeply flavor her soup, which she ladles over fresh gnocchi that feature toasted breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
3. Childhood Chocolate Cake: Whether you bake Alex’s Childhood Chocolate Cake for a birthday party or to make an ordinary day special, it’s a surefire way to please a crowd. Alex gives her cake extra richness with instant coffee and layers the cake with a fluffy, marshmallow-like frosting. Her special touch: Grate fresh chocolate in between layers and all over the top.
4. Skillet Cornbread with Strawberry Jam: Light, golden and slightly sweet, Alex’s skillet cornbread for Food Network Magazine is an old-fashioned treat perfect for any time of day. Once you mix up the batter that stars cornmeal and buttermilk, pour it into a preheated skillet and bake. Serve with a strawberry jam laced with a hint of orange and lemon juices for a sweet citrus touch.
5. Flatbread with Bacon and Scallion Pesto: Ordering in pizza might be your weeknight routine, but Alex shows you how easy it is to make a similar homemade version. Her flatbread for Food Network Magazine is an elegant twist on pizza, as it layers tangy creme fraiche with tender onions and crisp bacon. Top with a fresh scallion pesto that she blends in a food processor for ease.
6. Pork Meatballs: Alex mixes the ground pork with sour cream, fresh curly parsley and fennel seeds for extra flavor when seasoning the meat. For a delicious meal that Alex considers true comfort food, finish cooking the meatballs until tender in her mother’s easy recipe for marinara sauce.
7. Homemade Cannoli: With a creamy ricotta filling, crispy shells and a hint of chocolate, it’s clear why cannoli are an Italian favorite. Instead of picking up these treats at the bakery, try Alex’s homemade kind that come together with a couple of tricks: She strains the ricotta to remove excess liquid and adds white wine to her dough for slight tartness.
8. Brisket Tacos with Red Cabbage: It’s no secret that the star of Alex’s brisket tacos for Food Network Magazine is the succulent meat. Season the brisket with paprika and chili powder for a spicy kick, and then rub with a garlic paste for robust flavor. As the brisket cooks in red wine, it will become rich and tender. Serve in warm flour tortillas with a vibrant red cabbage slaw.
9. Braised Chicken Thighs and Legs with Tomato: Alex gives her dish, which is similar to chicken cacciatore in its flavorful and earthy sauce, a warm twist with a hint of cinnamon and cumin. She browns the chicken until the skin crisps up and then finishes the cooking in a fresh tomato sauce until the meat is succulent.
10. Eggplant Parmigiana: Serve Alex’s eggplant parmigiana for Food Network Magazine for the ultimate crowd-pleasing Italian meal. Layer crispy fried eggplant with spoonfuls of fresh tomato sauce and a trio of mozzarella, provolone and Parmesan, and bake until the cheese is bubbly, then broil for a few minutes until lightly browned.
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10 Recipes Every Alex Guarnaschelli Fan Should Master