If you've ever had a pie crust recipe fail, you know that the phrase "easy as pie" can be a bit of a misnomer. Flaky, tender pie crust can be harder to achieve than your grandmother made it seem, but with a touch of science and some careful temperature control, you can get your … [Read more...]
Smoked Apple Crisp with Bacon
Nothing says fall desserts like an apple crisp. The changing season, the falling leaves, the sweaters, the chill in the morning air, they all point to harvest and to apples and to warm meals with friends. What's more, Steven Raichlen's amazing smoked apple crisp recipe gives you … [Read more...]
What Kind of Thermometer Do I Need?
We get this question a lot: “What kind of thermometer do I need?” The simplest answer is that you actually need two thermometers: 1) a digital instant-read and 2) a cooking alarm thermometer. Why two? Because they do different things. Two Kinds of Food … [Read more...]
Cubanos: Roast Pork Shoulder Sandwiches with Latin Flair
Cubanos are a traditional Cuban sandwich that includes thinly-sliced marinated roast pork shoulder. Pork shoulder can be cooked low and slow for BBQ sandwiches, carnitas, or chili, but for Cubanos, the cooking and doneness temperatures yield juicy pork that still holds together … [Read more...]
Decadent Liège Waffles
Liège Belgian waffles have a rich, chewy texture and a sugary crunch that can only be achieved when prepared with an authentic recipe and careful temperature control. They take a bit of planning ahead but will bring a touch of decadence to weekend brunch or breakfast. Note: As … [Read more...]
Baked Chicken Breasts: Always Tender & Juicy
Baked chicken is something you can quickly prepare for dinner, but how many times does it turn out dry, rubbery, and nearly flavorless? No amount of sauce can compensate for tough, dry, overcooked chicken. There are a few tricks to cooking tender, juicy chicken breasts every … [Read more...]
Brioche Cinnamon Rolls: Rich Dough Temps
Cinnamon rolls are a special treat just right for Christmas morning. But with their sugary filling, cinnamon rolls can be difficult to bake just right. They're often pulled before they're baked through completely, resulting in rolls with a doughy center. They may still be raw in … [Read more...]
How to Bake the Perfect Cheesecake
In the season of holiday parties, it's nice to have a crowd-pleasing, simple, versatile dessert recipe at the ready. Cheesecake is ideal because it freezes well and pairs beautifully with many different sauces. And what's even better, you can bake your cheesecakes perfectly every … [Read more...]
Secrets to Silky Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is a holiday favorite that will be on everyone's table this Thanksgiving. Nothing beats homemade pumpkin pie with tender, flaky crust made from scratch. But sometimes the crust is soggy, or the pie filling gets overbaked and cracked because you can't tell when it's … [Read more...]
Pizza Ovens: Radiant Thermal Powerhouses
Traditional Neapolitan-style pizza has a blistered, slightly charred, crisp crust with a moist and chewy crumb and simple toppings. The secret to this flatbread's characteristic texture is in the cooking method. Wood-fired brick ovens have an atmosphere of intense heat for rapid … [Read more...]