No matter the time, the reason, or the season, the best kind of snack to fill you up (and keep you that way) is one that is filled with protein. Nuts are especially handy as a snack food, because they are protein-rich, portable, and give us a daily dose of […]
Nikkei: Japanese + Peruvian Cuisine
“Nikkei” refers to a culinary style that combines elements of Japanese and Peruvian cooking traditions. Borrowing from the term used to describe people of the Japanese diaspora and their descendants who settled in other countries, Nikkei cuisine celebrates the new dishes and traditions formed when Japanese immigrants to Peru adapted […]
Beyond Chèvre: All About Goat Cheese
Cheese is a huge topic, and a deep dive into the subject can yield overwhelming results. It is probably for this reason that despite eating and cooking with cheese nearly every day, many people know very little about where their cheese comes from, how it is made, and the incredible […]
Salt—An Essential Element
If you’re ever in Italy driving towards Rome from the north, you might well be traveling on the Via Salaria, or salt highway. Scholars theorize that the location of this ancient city was governed by its proximity to the salt marshes of Ostia, a town at the mouth of the […]
4 Recipes to Showcase Sweet Summer Peaches
There are few things more delicious than a juicy peach, and since their season is short, we like to squeeze them in to as many meals as we can. Besides the perfect breakfast treat of peaches + yogurt with something crunchy, or its cocktail hour cousin, goat cheese + peaches […]
Blanching Greens
You can use this basic blanching technique to prepare spinach, kale, chard, escarole, arugula, and other greens. Once the greens are blanched and squeezed dry, you can simply sauté them with olive oil and garlic for a delicious side dish. Trim the stems, and remove any split or bruised portions. […]
Free-Style with Your Slow Cooker
Slow cooker-users are a devoted bunch, and if you count yourself among them, you’re in good company! They’re a perfect and easy way to create a warm and comforting meal as you escape the frigid temperatures outside. You may have a set of recipes that you rely on, but many […]
Pairing Wine with Spicy Foods
In the old days of wine and food pairing, the choice of a particular wine to accompany a particular dish was fairly predictable—white wine with fish, red wine with meat. The pairings were also Eurocentric, meaning that the marriage of food and wine was largely based on the classics. French […]
How to Cook Beans
Beans and other legumes are considered superfoods, with nutritional benefits that are helpful to people with many types of health concerns or dietary restrictions. Paired with vegetables, beans and legumes can be considered a complete meal and healthy source of protein. Beans are available dried and canned. Canned beans have […]
Ingredient Spotlight: Basil
Basil comes in many different varieties: Thai, Genovese, holy, opal, purple, and more. No matter what specific type of basil you are using, be sure to smell it first. The basil should have a pungent, aromatic smell that almost “tickles” the inside of your nose. Basil can be simply cleaned […]
No Bake Icebox Cakes for the Fourth of July
It’s hot, but you need dessert. What do you do? Sure, you could scoop ice cream or break out the popsicles, but the 4th of July calls for something special, and when we think special, we think cake. And not cake that you have to bake. No no no! July […]
How to Make Punch Without a Recipe
This summer, cocktail trends are all about convenience, with an explosion of canned and pre-mixed drinks to enjoy by the pool, at the beach, or lazy days on the lake. And while we love the cute novelty vibes of a canned cocktail, we know we can do it better—without reinventing […]