Pastry bags and tips are great tools to have in the kitchen. They make it easy to add fillings to pastries and cakes as well as to shape doughs like pâte à choux uniformly. Cloth and vinyl bags can be washed and reused. Disposable bags are inexpensive and work equally […]
Chocolate is a very stable product and has a long shelf life when properly stored. Under proper conditions, dark chocolate has a shelf life of twelve months, and milk or white chocolate will keep for six months. Some simple precautions will ensure that your chocolate is in pristine condition when […]
Over 2,500 varieties of apples are grown in the United States, and of those, only about 100 are grown commercially. This means that the best apple for baking in your region might be different than the best apple halfway across the country. But there are some basic guidelines you can […]
At it’s very most basic, a stew is bite-sized pieces of food cooked in a liquid, generally over low heat for an extended period. You can stew meat, poultry, fish, beans, vegetables, fruit—virtually anything—in broth, wine, beer, vinegar. Again, virtually anything. Stews are kitchen workhorses. You can make big batches […]
You’ve probably brought home a pineapple and thought, “If I leave it on the counter for a few extra days, it will be extra sweet!” Or maybe a quart of strawberries or a watermelon. Well, if you have, you may have also experienced the disappointment when that pineapple isn’t quite […]
Why cook dried chickpeas? Simple: They’re hands-down better than canned. Here’s how to make perfect chickpeas every time. And remember, beans of all kinds are great to freeze and use later, so make a big batch! Ingredients 1 lb dried chickpeas 1 peeled onion, halved 3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided […]
Should you make your own breadcrumbs? Like all cooking questions, there is no right answer. So, sometimes! Store brought breadcrumbs are convenient. They are ready when you need them, and they get the job done. That said, store-bought breadcrumbs are stale and powdery and, as a coating, can have a […]
Gnocchi may have a longer history than pasta in Italy. A cookbook from the fourteenth century includes a recipe for gnocchi made by mashing together cheese and egg and mixing them with flour to make a dumpling. Today, you can find gnocchi made from potatoes, semolina, polenta, squash, ricotta, and […]
Autumn is for bakers, and for good reason. Fall is known for its bountiful harvest of seasonal ingredients like apples, pumpkins, pears, cranberries, and spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Cooler weather offers the freedom to turn on the oven and warm the house, and the upcoming holiday season […]
Plantains are a versatile and nutritious fruit that is a staple in many tropical regions around the world. Belonging to the banana family, plantains are often mistaken for their cousin but have distinct characteristics that set them apart. These starchy fruits are typically larger and firmer than regular bananas, with […]
Whether you already love beer or are beginning the journey to learning (and tasting!) more, having a grasp on beer lingo is the surest way to find the brew for you. Reference our handy beer lovers’ glossary so you’re never unprepared! Adjunct – A loose definition refers to un-malted grains […]
Chicken noodle soup and minestrone are great, but there are few things more crave-worthy than a creamy, rich, and hearty soup. Of course, the ingredients that make those soups so tasty—cream, butter, cheese, beef—are not always high on our list of healthy ingredients, or you might follow a vegan diet. […]