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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The key to making perfect ice cream (with or without a recipe!) comes down to an understanding of the primary ingredients and what purpose they serve. The basic ingredients for ice cream are milk, cream, sugar, flavorings, and sometimes eggs. There are two basic types of ice cream. Custard ice […]
If you’re ready to take your cake-skills up a notch, this lesson is for you. With just one extra step called a crumb coat, you can make your homemade cakes look fresh from the bakery. When icing a cake, you may wish to use a turntable. Some pastry chefs prefer […]