I have discussed ingredient substitutions in classes, and I will probably go on mentioning them here in my blog. They’re not cheating, they don’t fundamentally detract from the recipe and they’re not wrong. Purists who click their tongues are nothing but elitist food snobs who can’t think in the kitchen the way a chef thinks. And anyone who disagrees with me so far should remember that many of the original, classic recipes bear no resemblance to their modern day counterparts.

Substitutions should redefine a dish, not sabotage it. Here’s a classic example. A la Florentine is a well-known preparation of with spinach and typically Mornay sauce. Whether your protein is chicken, mullet, pork or eggs, the preparation remains the same.

(more…)

Which is your favorite salsa? Crushed Tomato Salsa, mild Crushed Tomato Salsa, hot Fresh Tomato Salsa, mild Fresh Tomato Salsa, hot Corn and Black Bean Salsa Salsa? Isn't that a dance? View Results  Loading ...

It’s always fun to take the same ingredients and turn them into very diverse products. In my Sauteing & Frying II class, it was almost the same mise en place for each of the dishes. This week, it was salsa for the Game Day Gourmet class. I prepared two versions of tomato-based salsa. The principle for the dishes was to make it thin enough to be used for a dip, dry enough so that it didn’t make the chips too soggy, and to add the heat in layers so that it was flavorful and fiery.

(more…)

Years ago, nothing would go to waste in the kitchen. Food was either too expensive or too scarce. The food industry changed all that. Now not only can you get everything imaginable in a box or bag, but you can get several varieties from several different companies. And much of it tastes like the bags they come in.

Making your own food from scratch give you an amazing sense of accomplishment. When the smallest preparation results in more than you need, you can either eat it over and over again, share it with friends, or throw it away, which would be a real loss and somewhat de-motivational to continue experimenting in the kitchen.

Alternatively, you can turn your leftovers into something different. By repurposing your leftovers, you can enjoy your handmade creations long after their initial incarnation is gone.

Baking bread is very soul-satisfying, both to make and to eat. After all your hard work – even if you use a mixer – it’s a shame to throw out half a loaf if it goes uneaten after a day or two. Making croûtons is a simple way to reuse your unconsumed bread, while serving as a reminder that salad is good for you, too.

View the recipe

There is one cookbook on my shelf that I’ve had for years which is quickly becoming my go-to book for never fail recipes, which surprises me because I have many other cookbooks that are either more specialized or more comprehensive. This recipe is adapted from that book – which I will write about at a future date – and proofed using my foolproof proof box.

Oh. My. Gawd.

(more…)

The sweet butter and the sweet leeks and the sweet carrots… Sweet!

Do not let anything caramelize on the bottom. This is not an earthy, hearty soup. This is a smooth, rich soup.

Yes, there is a lot of butter in the recipe. So don’t eat the whole pot at once. It works out to two teaspoons in a pint, which is a normal portion of soup with an extra bit of sin thrown in.

“But there’s no cream in the Creamy Carrot Soup!” you exclaim. Hush now, and make the recipe.