The Amalfi Coast, rising high above the crystal blue Mediterranean Sea, is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in Italy. This stunning landscape has been the inspiration of musicians, writers, and poets for hundreds of years. Just the mention of the towns of Amalfi, Positano, Sorrento, Vietri, […]
Knife Skills: The Foundation of Good Cooking
The room is quiet except for the rhythmic tapping of chef’s knives touching softly on maple cutting boards as they glide smoothly through firm carrots. The chef paces up and down the rows looking over the shoulders of his students, watching their efforts in creating the perfect julienne. “Remember,” he […]
Kitchen Nightmares: How to Repair a Broken Ganache
Ganache, a creamy mixture of chocolate and cream, is an emulsion; that is, it contains both fat and water in a homogeneous mixture. Because fat and water do not mix easily, any emulsion can separate, which simply means that the fat portion and the water portion do not remain homogeneous. When […]
Add Parchment Cones to Your Pastry Toolkit
When it comes to the fine details on picture-perfect pastries, there is a handy tool all pastry chefs keep in their toolbox: parchment paper cones. Unlike large piping bags, parchment paper cones are very small. This makes them steady and easy to grip, but it also allows for a very […]
Tempering Eggs for Smooth Custards and Creams
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 […]
How to Measure Half an Egg
At the CIA, each kitchen classroom is equipped with several scales for measuring ingredients, and we are firm believers in scales for home cooking and baking. Not only are weight measures more accurate, but they can make for quick and efficient measuring (not to mention less dirty dishes to clean […]
5 Easy Pasta Recipes for Busy Nights
In a popularity contest, pasta doesn’t generally need any help. But more than being chewy and delicious, this fan-favorite food is also a go-to pantry staple for a quick dinner on a busy night. Pair it with a prepared sauce for a ten minute meal, or try one of our […]
Recipes Between the Lines: Make a Slurry
Slurries are an essential tool for creating perfectly smooth and velvety soups and sauces. But.. what is a slurry? A slurry is a thickener consisting of a pure starch mixed with a cold liquid to form a thin paste or “slurry.” Cornstarch is used most often, but others such as […]
All About Rolling Pins
Available in many shapes and materials, rolling pins are essential to pie making and are necessary for rolling dough evenly. The most common rolling pin material is hardwood, but for pastry items, like pie dough, you might select marble or stainless steel, as these materials will remain cool and not […]
Taking a Small Bite of Spanish Culture
Easy to eat and quick to serve, tapas have made their way from the bars and restaurants of Spain to capturing the attention of Americans. These tempting tidbits delight the palate with intense flavors and contrasting textures. Whether simple or complex in their preparation, served hot or cold, tapas make […]
Elevating Your Home Bar: Under the Sink to Top Shelf
With all the cocktail choices out there, being prepared to make even a simple drink for your friends after work can seem like a daunting task. So, more often than not, we end up defaulting to wine or craft brews. But sometimes the intrigue of ice clinking in the glass, […]
Recipes for New Year’s Eve, However You Celebrate
There is no script for New Year’s Eve, and whether you prefer to ring in the new year solo or surrounded by friends, we all have to eat! No matter what you have planned, we’ve got the perfect recipe to suit your celebration. Family Fun If you have little ones […]