What makes something taste Italian or Cajun or Moroccan? Here's a quick guide to understanding flavor profiles and how ingredients work together to define various cuisines. What is a flavor profile, anyway? At its most basic, a flavor profile is made up of ingredients that help … [Read more...] about A Cheat Sheet to Flavor Profiles
Pantry & Supermarket Tips
Challenge: Supermarket turkey vs. Organic Bird
A turkey may seem like a humble, if popular, bird but it's yielding increasing discussion in the food world. Is it worth it to buy a more expensive turkey? Is organic a good upgrade? One study found that generic turkeys contained high levels of bacteria; researchers pointed to … [Read more...] about Challenge: Supermarket turkey vs. Organic Bird
Recipe: Blueberry Jam Like My Grandpa Charles’
"Who are you?" Mike asked. "What are you talking about?" I replied. He waved his hand over the counter and dozens of jars. "Have you become your grandmother? You're canning like a maniac." "No, I am not becoming my grandmother," I sniffed indignantly. "You read the book. This is … [Read more...] about Recipe: Blueberry Jam Like My Grandpa Charles’
Firehouse Challenge: Cranberry Sauce
Growing up, I assumed that cranberries grew in the shape of a can. I am not alone. When I was nine, my Aunt Judy made cranberry relish from whole berries and nothing was the same again. I was only a kid, yet realized that when it came to canned cranberries vs. fresh, there's no … [Read more...] about Firehouse Challenge: Cranberry Sauce
Reader Q&A: What do you consider essential pantry items?
Do you have a shopping list of what the essentials are when stocking a pantry? I’m exactly the kind of person you wrote for: not a terribly bad cook, but unsure and insecure in the kitchen. I loved The Kitchen Counter School and am inspired to try on my own, but I’m not sure what … [Read more...] about Reader Q&A: What do you consider essential pantry items?
