I haven’t always embraced my Italian-American identity. That’s not to say I’m not proudly Italian-American, or that I’m somehow ashamed of my Italian ancestry. It was more the Jersey Shore Italian-American stereotype that sort of haunted me, even before MTV entered the conversation. On campus at The Culinary Institute of […]
What I’m Cooking: Schnitzel with Tender Green Salad
One of my all-time favorite things is a simple French-style tender greens salad dressed with a simple shallot vinaigrette. I’ll eat it with anything, but I discovered this past winter, while visiting my brother in Los Angeles and cooking a last-minute dinner from his oddly stocked refrigerator, that I love […]
What Makes Food Spicy?
Do you like spicy food? If the answer is yes – join the club! If the answer is no – well, join the other club, because there are lots of people just like you! Have you ever wondered why certain foods are so spicy? Spicy foods burn our mouths thanks […]
When Chefs Write
Grading student journals and project assignments isn’t a favorite pastime, but if you are the adjunct instructor of College Writing at The Culinary Institute of America, ya gotta. More correctly stated, I gotta. The semester usually starts with the same complaints: You want me to read HOW MANY PAGES? I […]
Why Add Acid to Food?
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 […]
Winter is Citrus Season
The bright, sunshiny, refreshing juice of citrus fruits screams, “Summer!” But citrus fruits generally reach their peak season during the winter months. What luck for us, since what could be better during the cold, stuck-inside season than a reminder of the sunny days to come. Citrus fruits are prized for […]