Are you ready for some football…snacks? The game is on, and our game is food! From a spin on wings to some of our favorite make-ahead meals for all-day grazing, we’ve compiled our best recipes for the ultimate Big Game Sunday! No matter who you’re rooting for, these snacks will […]
How to Make Homemade Granola Bars
Is snack time your favorite time? Welcome to the club, because no matter how old you get or how important your job is, you will never stop loving snacks. Your tastes may change, and maybe you’ll learn to love pretzels more than cheesy crackers. Or maybe you’ll crave a cookie […]
Ingredient Spotlight: Yaupon Tea
In the deep summer, when the Texas sun beats relentlessly and sends temperatures over 100 degrees day after day, even the heartiest of native plants wilt. But there is one plant that seems to thrive in the toughest of conditions, growing lush and green under the harsh Texas sun. Yaupon […]
Healthy-ish Snacks for the New Year
Many of us will make some kind of internal New Year’s Resolution involving healthy eating, and so we want to do our part to help you achieve your goals. But since moderation is usually our best strategy for maintaining healthy lifestyles in the new year and beyond, we’re going to […]
Tempering Chocolate for Homemade Candy
Tempering chocolate is the process of heating and cooling chocolate to ensure that it will set with a proper gloss and snap. Tempered chocolate will set quickly and will not show streaks or spots as it sets. Once set, properly tempered chocolate will harden and have the desired snap and […]
Holiday Entertaining Tips for Special Diets
Entertaining guests with special diets is not new, but it certainly seems to be more common. As we all become more health-conscious and aware of what makes us feel good (and bad!), we face lots of ingredient hurdles as we prepare for our holiday meals. If cooking for special diets […]
Crafting Your Own Brew
If the thought of enjoying an ice-cold beer made with your own hands appeals to you, you’re not alone. Interest in home brewing has grown over the last several years, in part due to the popularity of craft beers. You might think that making beer is very hard to do; […]
Crazy for Comté
I claim it: Comté has been one of my favorite cheeses since I first tasted it decades ago. I cherish its flavors, texture, and complexity, and I purchase it regularly and savor it often. But until recently, I never appreciated the full story behind Comté cheese making. Sure, I knew […]
What to Bring to Thanksgiving Dinner
You’re the Best Guest Around Planning a Thanksgiving menu is overwhelming, so if you’re headed out as a guest this year–way to go! Your 4-day weekend will be more relaxing than your hosts’ (well, unless you’re one of my restaurant buddies, in which case, good luck), but that doesn’t mean […]
Got Almond Milk?
If you’re thinking about eliminating or limiting your dairy intake—whether for health or ethical reasons—you may be wondering about easy substitutes for your favorite recipes. Almond milk, and other non-dairy milk options, are so popular right now, as you may have noticed in the dairy aisle at your grocery store. […]
Why Add Acid to Food?
If you’ve watched any TV cooking show, you’ve probably heard, “It needs more acid.” But do you know what that means? When chefs create a dish, they always consider the balance of flavors. All of the ingredients in a recipe should mingle, but they should never compete. Of course, individual […]
Poaching Pears
Apples get an unfair amount of attention during the fall, but pears want to be covered in caramel, too! Pears are kind of the dark-horse of the fall produce scene. Some people don’t like their mealy texture, and we’ve probably all bitten into way more bad pears than bad apples. […]