Food trucks are at all-time high when it comes to delicious meals at a reasonable price for a generation that seems to always be on the go. Americans are a demanding group, especially when it comes to our food. Food trucks are a welcome change from fast food chains we’ve all learned to grow tired … Read more
If you want to become a better home cook then you need to know how to use a knife. Cooking instructor Brian Adornetto says, “There’s a reason every (professional) culinary school in the world starts with knife skills. Students have to learn how to properly and uniformly cut ingredients, otherwise food will not cook evenly.” … Read more
We’ve scoured the Internet and collected a list of some of the most common cooking mistakes made by chefs, gourmet cooks, and home cooks. Is the list complete? If not, make sure to add any other cooking mistakes you can think of in the Comment area below. Not Allowing Food to Rest after Cooking This … Read more
We’re in the process of renovating our kitchen. We haven’t needed to purchase a new stove in about 15 years and let’s just say things are mighty different – and in a good way! But it can be confusing too, between trivection, convection, induction, French top, dual fuel – the choices are overwhelming. How do … Read more
Do you cry when you cut an onion? The root of the problem is – well, the root. According to our favorite chef, the secret lies at the bottom of the onion, where the roots lies. The root is the part of the plant that causes our eyes to tear up because it contains sulfur. … Read more
Spring is finally here and with spring comes grilling outdoors! Do you plan on buying your own barbecue grill for get-togethers, holidays or just for everyday grilling? Well, before buying any barbecue grill, you should first do some research about the best products available. Consider all factors; the type and quality of the product, materials … Read more
It’s time to start thinking about our Thanksgiving dinner and all the wonderful recipes we want to make. One of my favorite desserts to serve is this delicious Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Maple Pecan Caramel Sauce and Bourbon Cream. A bread pudding is a baked dessert made with cubes of bread soaked in a mixture … Read more
Food brings people together! And what better time to celebrate than with our Independence Day 4th of July backyard barbecue? These sweet and spicy grilled chicken wings are the perfect grilling food. Nothing can compare to a smokey flavor of a grill. And, there is something about being with friends, grilling and outside – all … Read more
This delicious Apricot Dream Cake is light and fluffy and perfect for spring and Easter. The crust is made of home-made macaroon cookies. A macaroon is a chewy cookie made with sugar, egg whites and coconut. This recipe is from baker Susan Clark who owns Sweet Memories Cakes in Keller, Texas. Apricot Dream Cake Serves … Read more
HOW DO I LOVE THEE! By making him/her this decadent heart-shaped Valentine Chocolate Mousse Cake with Raspberry sauce THAT’S HOW! Did you know people with a sweet tooth are SWEETER! I was reading the Food Network magazine the other day and there was an interesting study. “If you treat yourself to chocolate, you’re probably a … Read more
Being familiar with the sauce finishing methods you should apply when making a sauce is crucial. It really isn’t all that complicated – there are only three basic techniques – but you need to be aware of them and what each one does. Reduction Sauces reduce as they are cooked. It is because moisture is … Read more
With the holiday season fast approaching, entertaining is in full swing! You want to celebrate with good friends and good food, but you don’t want to spend weeks in a panic! RELAX! Starting out with a cheese tray is very easy and relieves you from more time consuming dishes. How often have you heard a … Read more
Before you begin to worry about what types of knives you need, I suggest you bone up on knife blade material. Here I discuss knife construction from a material perspective. A good knife begins with a single piece of metal or ceramic, stamped, cut or, best of all, forged and tempered into a blade of … Read more
Stocking your kitchen with high quality kitchen utensils and appliances is a key element in becoming a gourmet cook. If I’ve learned one thing in my 30 years of cooking, it is that having the right tool for the job is of paramount importance. It makes everything easier and safer. The wrong knife, or a … Read more
Never mind your stapler. Here we are discussing kitchen staples, or foods that are used often and in many different dishes. These are things like spices and herbs. It is very important to have them easily accessible, as you will most likely be using one or more in every dish, every time you cook. Seasonings … Read more
There is nothing more refreshing than a cool pasta salad in the hot summer months. Here in Texas we have already had many days over 100 and it is only the middle of June! My garden has really been keeping me busy. I get up first thing and gather all my veggies. I have had … Read more
To cook foods successfully, you must understand the science and principles of cooking. Now, bear with me. Yes, this page is about the science and principles of gourmet cooking, but please trust me, it is neither difficult to understand nor boring. It is merely the stating of a few basic facts that we all need … Read more
Quality kitchen measurement tools are very important, because recipe ingredients must be measured precisely, especially in baking, and foods should be measured when served to control portion size and cost. The kitchen measurement tools used are, for the most part, basic hand tools designed specifically to make food preparation easier and more precise. Measurements may … Read more
Mark my words, you will collect many kitchen knife types with many specialized functions during your life as a gourmet cook. No matter how many knives you have, it seems you are always happening upon something new and different, the latest thing in knives, and you just have to have it. But that comes later. … Read more
Gourmet cookware should be selected for its shape, size, ability to conduct heat evenly and overall quality for construction. Of course, if you’re like me, you’ll also want to consider style, color, and the general aesthetics of the pieces in terms of how well they blend into your kitchen’s decor. Metals and Heat Conduction Metals … Read more