Peanut butter is pretty much a Top 10 Best Food, and everyone has their favorite brand. But here’s a little secret about peanut butter: it’s one of the easiest foods to make, (seriously, you don’t even need a recipe) and it is endlessly customizable. In fact, you can even replace […]
Alumni Spotlight: Erin McDowell
You may know her for her pies, or her helpful but relatable how-to videos, or maybe you just know her from Instagram, where you follow along for the occasional sighting of her little dog, Brimley! But here at the CIA, Erin McDowell is family, and like all of our alumni, […]
Kitchen Vocab: Bouquet garni and Sachet d’épices
Sachet d’épices (spice sachet) and bouquet garni (bundle of herbs) are bundles of spices and/or herbs that are used to add flavor to a simmering broth, soup, or stew. A basic sachet or bouquet will flavor 2½ to 3 quarts of liquid. Sachet d’Épices To make a sachet, cut a small square […]
Make the Most of Spring Farm Stand Season
It’s spring, and we couldn’t be more excited! It’s been a snowy winter on our Hyde Park, NY campus, and we have been eager to dig out of the mess to find the sun. When the calendar turns in our favor, there is only one thing on our minds: farm […]
Eating Green on St. Patrick’s Day
Corned beef and cabbage is tasty, but if you’re throwing a green-themed St. Patrick’s Day party, we’ve got some recipes to match the mood! From drinks and snacks to the main course, try any of these dishes for a little luck o’ the Irish! Frozen Mint Limemade Guacamole Silken Tofu […]
Spotlight on the CIA San Antonio Campus
San Antonio is electric with energy emanating from the Pearl district, arguably the city’s coolest district to eat, drink, and rest your head. Located north of downtown San Antonio, the district is named for the former Pearl Brewery complex, which now anchors the neighborhood’s best shops, restaurants, and hang-out spots. […]
Plant-Forward, Plant-Powered—Explained at Last!
Ever since we first listed our “Plant-Powered Cooking Boot Camp” on the class calendar, I’ve been getting questions. People asked, “What does plant-powered or plant-forward cooking mean?” Really, it is a very simple concept that is deceptively hard to explain because people want to know the rules, boundaries, hard lines. […]
International Women’s Day: Inspiring CIA Chefs
For decades, the professional kitchen has been a man’s world, and breaking down those barriers has been no small task. Even once a woman has her foot in the door and a place at the stove, she inevitably experiences a different experience than her male coworkers. Luckily for our students, […]
Kitchen Vocab: Tagine
Tagine. It’s two words in one, though both are related. It is both a dish, and the dish the dish is made in! Get it yet? A tagine is a North African recipe of Berber origin and is a staple of Moroccan cuisine. Berber refers to the indigenous people of […]
Date Night at Home
Date night with your better half doesn’t necessarily mean making reservations at the newest restaurant in town. Sometimes you can create the best memories without leaving the comfort of your own home. Think outside the box when creating a dinner at home for two and try some of our favorite […]
“Ask a Chef” The Perfect Game-Day Burger
By Chef Hinnerk von Bargen The burger is a culinary phenomenon. Ubiquitous in the American lifestyle, it has also been introduced to almost every society and culture in the world. Just about everyone who has had a good burger is certain to ask for another one eventually. Its worldwide popularity […]
Easy Tips and tricks for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions!
It’s a new year, which means a new you—or so they say! Whether you are committed to a firm strategy or just a general resolution to do a little bit better this year, healthier eating is a plan that’s good for all of us. In general, we know the fundamentals […]