We all take coffee seriously, whether you’re brewing your own or putting your caffeination in the hands of your favorite barista. American drip-style coffee differs from coffee that we might see abroad, which is often espresso based and named for its proportions and ingredients. Here’s a quick guide to the […]
It’s a fact that Americans love eating Chinese food. There are over 40,000 Chinese restaurants in the U.S.; there are more Chinese restaurants than McDonald’s. You can probably name a favorite Chinese restaurant and a dish or two you love. It is also a fact that many cooks feel intimidated […]
Steamed pork buns are huge favorites on menus across the country, and it’s no wonder. With their pillow-y softness, rich fillings, and salty-sweet-sometimes spicy sauces, they represent everything we find craveable. Chinese-style steamed buns, known commonly as bao, are our most familiar representation of the dish, though you can find […]
Some moments are made for frozen cocktails: happy hour on a summer Friday, a poolside vacation day, and—of course—Taco Tuesday any time of the year. And, in the spirit of celebrating everything, we think you deserve an upgrade. Bottled cocktails can be great (look for small brands and short ingredient […]
This summer, the temperatures are getting hot, hot, hot—calling for a simple frozen dessert that doubles as a happy hour treat! Granita is the Italian name for what we more commonly know as an Italian or shaved ice. A granita requires only a few ingredients and even less equipment. If […]
Obviously, we love cooking. At the CIA, it’s in our shared DNA to boil, braise, baste, and bake. But when it comes to realizing the full potential of our ingredients, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, raw is sometimes the answer. If you’ve been to a grocery store or farmers’ market […]
Pan-steaming is a technique that cooks food partially submerged in liquid and covered to produce steam. Similar to shallow poaching, pan-steaming is primarily used for vegetables or other tender, quick-cooking items like steamed dumplings or shrimp. By creating hot steam in a closed environment, this technique produces bright, tender-crisp vegetables […]
Some of our favorite baking and pastry recipes include a sugar syrup cooked to a rich, dark color and a complex flavor. This basic technique can be used to make hard caramelized sugar or to make soft and creamy caramel sauce or candy. 1. Setting Up Select a heavy pan […]
Summer is the time for getaways, and we especially love road trips that end with camping! Everyone has a different idea of what camping means. You might be a no-frills camper who hikes through the woods with just the essential gear, sleeping in the grass under the stars. Or maybe […]
If you’re curious about barbecue, you’re likely to hear certain terms over and over. Here’s our guide to basic barbecue buzz words that will help you on your barbecue journey. The Smoke Ring One quality indicator in barbecue is the “smoke ring.” This is a pink or red ring around […]
Grilling for a party always sounds fun, but inevitably, it ends up being stressful. Your chicken takes forever to cook, the burgers fall apart on the grill, or you over- (or under) cook those beautiful steaks you splurged on. This summer, go easy on yourself and plan a menu that […]
It’s a scorcher out there! And when the weather is extra warm, our favorite dinners can start to seem awfully…hot (looking at you, spaghetti). To beat the heat, we’re rounded up some of our favorite recipes to enjoy under a strong fan. There may be some quick cooking involved, but […]