If your kitchen cabinets are currently storing more than one empty glass jar, you are officially missing an easy pickling opportunity. Pickled fruits and vegetables are the absolute best way to add some excitement to any recipe, cheese plate, or mid-afternoon snack attack. There are many pickling strategies, which can […]
If you’re feeling the spirit of Mardi Gras, you may be inspired to try your hand at a Cajun or Creole recipe, like gumbo or shrimp etouffee. The key to many of these flavorful, complex dishes is the roux, a cooked flour and fat mixture that thickens, colors, and flavors […]
You may know her for her pies, or her helpful but relatable how-to videos, or maybe you just know her from Instagram, where you follow along for the occasional sighting of her little dog, Brimley! But here at the CIA, Erin McDowell is family, and like all of our alumni, […]
Many people think dim sum is Guangdong (Cantonese) food because most Guangdong restaurants in the United States serve dim sum at brunch. However, dim sum is the Cantonese pronunciation for the mandarin term “dian-xin (pronunciation is shing)” meaning light refreshments or pastries. In China, there are “hot food chefs” and […]
Makes about 45 appetizer pieces No one will pass up these crisp and savory cocktail bites, but that’s okay because they are so easy to make, you can keep the party going.
Lardons are 1/4-inch thick pieces of bacon cut from a thick slab that are typically cooked until crisp. Commonly used in French cooking, lardons add flavor and texture to a variety of dishes, from salads and quiches to stews, potatoes, and vegetable dishes. Lardons can only be made from slab […]
Buckle up, foodies. We’re doing math! Artisan bread requires just a few key ingredients, but it is the ratio of those ingredients and the way they are handled that produce a wide array of finished loaves. Proper execution comes from a detailed understanding of each step in the process—what needs […]
Hearty, robust puréed soups are made from filling foods that are easy to keep on hand in cupboards all year-round: beans, dried peas, lentils, potatoes, and other root vegetables. Like all soups, you can build flavor into them every step of the way. Cooking onions and garlic in a little […]
Makes 1 1/4 pounds dough
The word “shrub” comes from the Arabic word sharab, meaning “drink.” The main components of a shrub are fruit, sugar, and acid—and if you have any overripe or bruised fruits, throw them in, too! Makes 2 cups or 12 drinks You can keep your shrub base in the refrigerator […]
Makes 2 ½ quarts broth