You might think being a great chef is all about memorizing a million recipes. But really, the key to being a great chef is knowing simple cooking techniques that you can use to improvise a million recipes! Sure, most chefs and home cooks have some recipes filed away in their […]
Are you ready for some football…snacks? The game is on, and our game is food! From a spin on wings to some of our favorite make-ahead meals for all-day grazing, we’ve compiled our best recipes for the ultimate Big Game Sunday! No matter who you’re rooting for, these snacks will […]
Is snack time your favorite time? Welcome to the club, because no matter how old you get or how important your job is, you will never stop loving snacks. Your tastes may change, and maybe you’ll learn to love pretzels more than cheesy crackers. Or maybe you’ll crave a cookie […]
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 […]
Many of us will make some kind of internal New Year’s Resolution involving healthy eating, and so we want to do our part to help you achieve your goals. But since moderation is usually our best strategy for maintaining healthy lifestyles in the new year and beyond, we’re going to […]
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 […]
Entertaining guests with special diets is not new, but it certainly seems to be more common. As we all become more health-conscious and aware of what makes us feel good (and bad!), we face lots of ingredient hurdles as we prepare for our holiday meals. If cooking for special diets […]
If the thought of enjoying an ice-cold beer made with your own hands appeals to you, you’re not alone. Interest in home brewing has grown over the last several years, in part due to the popularity of craft beers. You might think that making beer is very hard to do; […]
I claim it: Comté has been one of my favorite cheeses since I first tasted it decades ago. I cherish its flavors, texture, and complexity, and I purchase it regularly and savor it often. But until recently, I never appreciated the full story behind Comté cheese making. Sure, I knew […]
You’re the Best Guest Around Planning a Thanksgiving menu is overwhelming, so if you’re headed out as a guest this year–way to go! Your 4-day weekend will be more relaxing than your hosts’ (well, unless you’re one of my restaurant buddies, in which case, good luck), but that doesn’t mean […]
If you’re thinking about eliminating or limiting your dairy intake—whether for health or ethical reasons—you may be wondering about easy substitutes for your favorite recipes. Almond milk, and other non-dairy milk options, are so popular right now, as you may have noticed in the dairy aisle at your grocery store. […]
If you’ve watched any TV cooking show, you’ve probably heard, “It needs more acid.” But do you know what that means? When chefs create a dish, they always consider the balance of flavors. All of the ingredients in a recipe should mingle, but they should never compete. Of course, individual […]