by Kathleen Flinn Learning to make stock is a kitchen fundamental. Given that a quart of stock averages $2.25 in the supermarket, it's a worthwhile investment to learn to make it on your own. This is especially true if you're a fan of roast chicken, either homemade or … [Read more...] about Recipe: How to Make Basic Chicken Stock
Basics
How to do a Comparative Tasting and Why You Should
Salt to taste. If you've ever read a recipe, you've probably seen that line. Though common, it's also a common source of confusion for home cooks. "Whose taste?" some ask. The answer, your taste, often leads to more questioning: "What is my taste?" or "What if my taster's no … [Read more...] about How to do a Comparative Tasting and Why You Should
Spices & Herbs: A Quick Lesson
As this terrific video by Consumer Reports shows, you don't need to spend a lot of money on fancy spices. However, the key element is when spices get old. Ground herbs and spices are more exposed to air, and thus they lose their potency more quickly. Spices vs. Herbs First, its … [Read more...] about Spices & Herbs: A Quick Lesson
Cooking in Parchment (video lesson)
Cooking en papillote (French for “parchment”) is a wildly overlooked method of cooking in America. It’s an easy method for a quick weeknight dinner that’s also elegant enough for guests. The smell that escapes when the package is reason enough to try it. This works well for … [Read more...] about Cooking in Parchment (video lesson)
Fish: Buying Basics
Story by Kathleen Flinn A couple years ago, I attended a screening event of the beautiful, fascinating and depressing documentary The End of the Line. The film illustrates the message and research found in the book of the same name written by British journalist Charles Clover. … [Read more...] about Fish: Buying Basics
