We haven’t counted, but by our estimates, there are like, ten million different pasta shapes in the world. More accurately, there are probably more than 300 different shapes, and depending on where you are in the world, each one may have a completely different name. Luckily, knowing the ins and […]
We know that it’s summer, and that’s supposed to mean no school! But today we’re sneaking in a little lesson to help you master reading recipes. No tests—promise! When you read recipes, you usually start with the ingredient list. And sometimes the ingredient list will tell you how to prepare […]
Tempering chocolate is the process of heating and cooling chocolate to ensure that it will set with a proper gloss and snap. Tempered chocolate will set quickly and will not show streaks or spots as it sets. Once set, properly tempered chocolate will harden and have the desired snap and […]
Tempering is a technique that allows you to add eggs to a hot liquid without scrambling them. We see tempering in recipes for crème brûlée, vanilla sauce, pastry cream, and some savory cooked egg dishes. The technique itself is simple but fast-moving, and it requires some preparation before beginning to […]
Stuffing (or maybe you call it dressing?) is highly personal. You might follow the same family recipe each year, or maybe you go out in search of something new and exciting. More often than not, you might be let down. This isn’t because the recipes are bad, but it’s because […]
The blending method, sometimes called the straight method, is the most basic and straight-forward mixing method, used for mixing quick breads and simple cakes. The blending method consists of making two mixtures, one with the wet ingredients and one with the dry, then combining (or blending!) the two together. 1. […]
For generations raised on more conventional meats, seafood, and poultry, the hearty, robust taste of venison, quail, rabbit, and other game meats provides welcome new flavor experiences that remind us, almost subliminally, of the cuisines of our ancestors. Many home cooks think of game as exotic, yet it has always […]
Knowing how to cook comes down to mastering a few simple techniques, which opens up a world of original cooking for you. You are no longer tied to having a recipe, buying the ingredients, and then cooking. You can pull together ingredients you already have on hand and use the […]
The most accurate way to measure the temperature of cooking sugar syrup is to use a thermometer; there is little reason that a home confectioner would want to use any other method. Finger testing is a time-honored technique that can be used in place of, or in addition to, a […]
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. […]
You may, for any number of reasons, be thinking that it’s time to introduce more beans into your routine. And we get it! They are vegetarian and vegan sources of protein, they are gluten-free, they are heart-healthy, and inexpensive. What’s not to love? But unless you grew up eating lots […]
It’s safe to bet that most of us don’t have deep fryers ready and waiting, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pan- or deep-fry items for a crispy, crunchy, golden brown exterior. Frying on the stovetop is safe and easy with these tips in mind: Heat the correct amount of […]