It’s amazing what a few simple tips can do to save you time and hassle in the kitchen (and make cooking more enjoyable too!). Here’s help on the basics. be sure to check out our library of Kitchen Tips video clips too!
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Those of us who work with food rely on a variety of reference tools. There’s a plethora of wonderful books to learn about culinary history, how to use ingredients, and smart substitutions. I love Food Lover’s Companion, for example, and Kurt recently sang the praises of Waverly Root’s classic Food: An Authoritative Visual History and Dictionary of the Foods of the World. Both deserve a place on your cookbook shelf.
Truth is, though, if you want to learn more about how to use an ingredient or find a substitution, you’ll probably start with the Internet. My first stop is The Cook’s Thesaurus, a site I learned about a few years ago from a colleague. It has a homey, unfussy design, a vast range of reliable food information, and great navigation. I’ve consulted it on my iPhone while at the farmers’ market and when I needed to make substitutions on the fly in…
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Knife Skills 101: Choosing and Using a KnifeThe knife: No other tool is so elemental, so representative of the cook than the well-honed blade. They are, in essence, the extension of a cook’s hand and in every culture a kitchen is simply not a kitchen without them. Yet few tools in the contemporary American home are treated so casually. If you’re one of those home cooks who has a handful of knives, purchased God-knows when, stored in a drawer with the can opener and that gadget they got for Christmas, it’s time to change your ways.
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Feast without Frenzy: Put People to WorkFor whatever reason, I often feel like I have to do everything myself when guests gather—plan, cook, serve, clean (alright, I admit, Christopher does that). But the truth is, involving others in the meal makes them feel even more welcome, more at home. Here are five strategies for putting people to work during the holidays in a way that will bring cheer to all.
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Feast without Frenzy: Make AheadThe big day is drawing near and, if you’re like me, so is family. In this series, we’ve talked about planning ahead, freezing ahead and keeping it light. Our next strategy for enjoying time together instead of toiling endlessly in the kitchen is making certain dishes ahead.
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Feast without Frenzy: Freeze ItOne of the easiest ways to free up time once house guests arrive is to have an arsenal of frozen meals already prepared. And I don’t mean Birdseye. I’m talking chili, soups, braises, grains, pulses and even meat like pork carnitas and duck confit. Here are three tips for scrumptious freezer meals.
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Feast Without Frenzy: Plan AheadMention the phrase “meal plan” and you’ll likely hear a litany of reasons for why there’s no time. Yet even fifteen minutes can help you set a simple framework that will make your holidays less stressful. Here are three steps to crafting a plan.
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