Do you remember the first time you had pork belly? I do. It was 2010. I was walking through the Bloomington's farmers' market as it was closing down and the annual food festival was gearing up. I happened to walk by the table of one of the city’s best chefs and he slipped me a … [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...]
Stuffing and Roasting Your Turkey…Safely
You've likely heard experts say that you should never stuff a turkey. Either the stuffing will turn out perfectly and the breast meat will be dry, or the meat will be perfectly juicy but the stuffing will be undercooked and soggy. Worse still, with all the juices from the … [Read more...]
Thermal Tips: Simple Roasted Chicken—Cooking Chicken to the Correct Temperature
What Temperature to Cook Chicken To? The FDA Food Code recommends cooking chicken to 165°F (74°C). But the pasteurization of chicken is actually a function of both temperature and time. If you can hold your chicken at 145°F (63°C) for 8.5 minutes, you can achieve the same … [Read more...]
The Science of Melting Cheese: Game Day Nachos
What game day spread is complete without a tray of loaded nachos? Well-suited for a snack or full meal, this no-silverware-required dish is a favorite for its lava-like, smooth-as-silk cheese sauce. When cheese is heated it often turns into a curdled mess with pools of grease. … [Read more...]
Grill-Worthy Burgers Indoors
If snow and frigid temperatures have you spending most of your time indoors, you don't have to live without juicy burgers with a crisp, seared crust that you normally make on your grill. Here are some tips for making great, not just good, burgers on your … [Read more...]
Hot Chocolate Serving Temperatures
Our Mayan ancestors never could have known what they started with their humble chocolate beverage. The earliest evidence of drinking chocolate dates back to 1900 B.C., but the Mesoamericans drank their chocolate spiced and cold, and typically only ceremonially or … [Read more...]
Weight vs. Volume Measurement
Cups, tablespoons, teaspoons...these are kitchen measurements we're all used to; but so many recipes are measured only by weight, forcing you to either try and figure out the volume equivalents, or buy a digital kitchen scale. Professional recipes are nearly always … [Read more...]
Spatchcocked: Roast Your Turkey in Record Time!
The turkey is the star of the show on Thanksgiving Day, and it usurps the space in the oven. Doesn't that bird know you have green bean casserole, sweet potatoes and rolls waiting in line? A little time-saving trick with laying the bird out flat while roasting is a … [Read more...]
Time to Make the Doughnuts: 10 Steps to Frying Like a Pro
Who doesn’t love doughnuts? There isn’t anything like a fresh doughnut that’s still warm. That crispy on the outside, pillowy soft on the inside perfection is fleeting and you can make those splendid doughnuts at home with a couple of secrets, and the right tools for the … [Read more...]