Spring has sprung! And while there is so much to look forward to when the weather warms—wildflowers, patio happy hour, and long walks in the sun—here at the CIA, we most look forward to mornings at the farmers’ market, like the one right here at The Pearl near our campus […]
How to Make a Hearty Vegetable Soup Without a Recipe
Hearty vegetable soups (broth + veggies + other ingredients, left chunky) are for more than the cold of winter, since they can showcase some of our favorite spring and summer veggies! Best of all, you don’t need a recipe to make a flavorful hearty soup, as long as you follow […]
How To: Cook Asparagus
When the local crop of asparagus first starts to trickle into the market, we can’t wait to get it home. Tender and sweet, asparagus is wildly versatile and easy to cook, making it a favorite for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Asparagus can be sold in several sizes, from pencil-thin and […]
Virtual Vacation: Street Foods of China
Throughout history, food for the “common,” everyday people has been produced and consumed as a communal affair. Retreating to one’s private quarters to eat a meal alone or in a very small group is a relatively recent development, found mostly in industrialized regions. Interestingly, many cultures struggle to understand the […]
How to Use Store-Bought Pastry Doughs
You may make your own puff pastry and phyllo dough, but many times, using a good-quality prepared pastry can be the difference between dessert or no dessert! Luckily, both of these store-bought doughs are easy to work with and can result in perfect pastries with just some simple strategies. Puff […]
12 Best Easter Brunch Recipes
Easter brunch is the holiday meal of our dreams, since you can have sweet, savory, and definitely a little bit of both! Try a few of our favorite spring brunch recipes for your holiday table, and don’t be afraid to mix and match! Cherry and Cheese Blintzes with Mixed Berry […]
The Perfect Cocktail for a Taste of Spring
As we ease on down that road toward spring, you might start dipping your toe back into outdoor living. It starts with two minutes of staring into the sunshine before you huddle back under the blanket, but before you know it, you’ll be reading your newspaper al fresco with a […]
Matzo Ball Soup for Passover
Matzo Ball Soup is as personal as your favorite old pajamas, and no pair will ever be as good as yours. Just like any traditional comfort food, there are endless variations and personalization, and while we have one we go-to, we’ve truthfully never met a matzo ball we didn’t love. […]
Tying a Roast
Tying a roast with secure knots that have the right tension is one of the simplest and most frequently required types of meat fabrication and preparation. It ensures that the roast will cook evenly and that it will retain its shape after roasting. Though a perfectly tied roast is a […]
Savory Pies for Any Time of Day
Pies typically fall into one of three categories: fruit, cream, and custard. But there is one often-overlooked member of our pie family that deserves more attention than it gets. Savory pies! Pies can be filled with nearly any vegetable, cheese, or other savory ingredient, though the most familiar version is […]
Culinary School: How to Make Béchamel Sauce
Béchamel is classical white sauce that is made with milk thickened with a roux. Blond roux is traditionally used, and the amount of roux will determine the sauce’s consistency. Vegetables or aromatics are sometimes added to strengthen the flavor, but they are normally strained out after cooking to preserve the […]
Choosing Wood for your Grill or Smoker
Smoke is a key component that contributes to the flavor and texture of barbecued meat. Smoke comes from burning wood, either by placing it directly on the coals of a charcoal grill, or in a separate box or chamber in a gas grill or smoker. There is a learning curve […]