Culinary cultures based in steamy equatorial climates all have their own spicy chile condiments, like Mexico’s hot salsas, Indonesia’s sambals, Caribbean vinegar-based habañero sauces—even our own Louisiana’s Tabasco. But harissa, the garlic-laced spice paste of Tunisia, shared also by Morocco and Algeria, imparts a singular fruity complexity in the luxurious […]
Selecting wine can be overwhelming. Between vintage, varietal, and processing (just to start!), you could fill your entire brain with wine knowledge and still feel like there’s more to learn. Of course, tasting is a great way to learn more, but before you taste, you have to choose! Luckily, we’ve […]
As I began my journey at CIA, I was obviously quite eager to start my Baking and Pastry Fundamentals class. This is the course that is the basis for all bakeshop classes at the CIA—the real meat and potatoes of culinary school. Culinary-track students take their own Culinary Fundamentals class, […]
Onions, carrots, celery, leeks, parsnips, garlic, tomatoes, shallots, mushrooms, peppers, and ginger are among the ingredients commonly referred to as aromatics. They may be used in various combinations, as dictated by the cuisine and the dish itself. Even when used in relatively small amounts, aromatic ingredients make a significant contribution […]
Peppers and chiles are often peeled before they are used in a dish, to improve the dish’s flavor or texture, or both. The skin of a fresh pepper or chile can not be peeled like some other fruits or vegetables, and instead, a pepper must be cooked on just the […]
Nappe is a French term describing the consistency of a sauce that will coat the back of a spoon. Ice cream base that is cooped is cooked to this stage before cooling and then freezing. Cooking it to this stage indicates that the proteins have been fully cooked and the […]
From coast to coast, and everyone in between, the weather is cooling. And whether you’re live somewhere truly brisk or simply “not that hot today,” the changing seasons are best marked with something warm and cozy to eat. In that spirit, we’re sharing some of our hands-down favorite recipes for […]
Marking the unofficial end up summer is always bittersweet. Summer is special, and we think it deserves one last farewell bash this Labor Day Weekend. Whether you’re firing up the grill or taking the party to the beach, here are a few of our favorite savory bites, sweet treats, and […]
Whether they come from your own garden, a green-thumbed neighbor, or an overly ambitious trip to the local market, you might be facing a mountain of late summer produce. By the waning days of summer, cucumbers and tomatoes give one final push that often finds us with more produce than […]
To an observer it must have looked like some bizarre heist movie. Here’s the scene: It was a warm night in late April. Ruined pillars from some forgotten structure loomed above the Hudson River. Flowers covered the apple trees nearby. A car approached, the headlights flashing, only to turn off […]
If may sound a little basic, but today’s lesson is about seasoning meat before you cook it. Revolutionary, right? Sure, of course, we all know how important adequately seasoning food with salt is. Salt, in all of its varieties, primes our taste buds to enjoy food. But salt also primes […]
Having the correct tools for the job certainly makes cooking easier, and that’s especially true when it comes to barbecuing and smoking. Think about your specific needs, and plan any equipment purchases accordingly. For example, if you don’t plan on making a lot of barbecue, you can get by with […]