Bewildering arrays of cocoa and chocolate products exist and vary widely in quality and availability. The first step in properly selecting these products is to understand the makeup of each and their uses. Bittersweet/semisweet chocolate Often simply called dark chocolate, the FDA regulates that this type of chocolate must contain […]
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 […]
If you’re talking about white meat versus dark meat, it is probably either Thanksgiving or you are ordering fried chicken. In most other instances, chicken doesn’t demand a lot of conversation. For years, we’ve lived in a white meat society, using the boneless, skinless breast in nearly every application, from […]
One of the main reasons why Vietnamese or Thai food tastes quite different from say, Chinese or Japanese food, is because it relies heavily upon fish sauce. Called nam pla in Thai, nuoc mam in Vietnamese, tuk trey in Cambodian, and patis in Filipino, fish sauce is the quintessential seasoning […]
It’s been years since matcha became a buzz word, popping up around the U.S. in lattes, smoothies, ice cream, you name it. Matcha wasn’t new then (check in with Japan circa the 13th century) and certainly isn’t now, which speaks to its value as more than a passing wellness trend. […]
In the culinary world, lemons are valuable. We use them in savory and baking recipes, we mix them into cocktails, we use them for colorful garnishes, we clean with them. They are, simply said, sort of perfect. And while the fresh-off-the-tree lemon truly is a gift just as it is, we’re […]
In the deep summer, when the Texas sun beats relentlessly and sends temperatures over 100 degrees day after day, even the heartiest of native plants wilt. But there is one plant that seems to thrive in the toughest of conditions, growing lush and green under the harsh Texas sun. Yaupon […]
As you become a more proficient as a baker, you are able to pay less attention to your recipe and more attention to your ingredients. Understanding the forms and functions of an ingredient gives you the information you need to experiment, and even small swaps can make a huge impact. […]
Though mushrooms grow throughout the year, they are widely regarded as seasonally fall (except morels, which are the best part of the spring!). White button and cremini mushrooms (often called baby bellas) are the old stand-by. They are inexpensive, sturdy, and neutral in flavor. But as much as we love […]
When you’re making a simple dessert, like vanilla ice cream or crème brûlée, you have very few ingredients to distract from the flavors of the raw ingredients. For that reason, the best outcomes will come from the best ingredients. We know a lot these days about sourcing high quality milk […]
People tend to be polenta people or grits people. But like most great debates, we’re a lot more similar than we think. Both polenta and grits are cereals made from stone-ground corn. When cooked, they soften and release starch into the cooking liquid, creating a soft and creamy mixture that […]
It doesn’t get much attention, but salt is one of the most important ingredients in everyday cooking and baking. It primes our palates to identify and enjoy flavors and textures, and it works to amplify and balance what we taste. Different types of salts have varying textures and levels of […]