Here’s a simple truth I’m keeping close as we move into the new year after a long, indulgent holiday stretch: you can’t cook what you don’t have. Between Thanksgiving, my younger son’s birthday (which gets extra attention because it falls during the holidays), holiday parties and New Year’s celebrations, we’ve hosted guests back-to-back for what … Read more

Chayote (pronounced “chai-oh-tay”) is a green squash originally from Mexico. Although botanically a fruit, it is used as a vegetable in cooking. Chayote has been cultivated in Central America for centuries and is widely used in Mexican and Guatemalan cuisines. In the United States it is most common in the Southwest but can be found … Read more

Puff pastry often brings dessert to mind, but it’s remarkably versatile for savory dishes too. You see it on chicken pot pies or wrapped around meat, like in a classic Beef Wellington, but it also makes a simple, elegant crunchy garnish: puff pastry croutons. These croutons are easy to customize. Cut them with cookie cutters … Read more

What is the difference between string beans and haricots verts? In short: not much. “Haricots verts” is simply French for “green beans.” They belong to the same vegetable family and look very similar. Haricots verts are typically longer and thinner than standard green beans because they are often harvested earlier. That tenderness and reduced fibrousness … Read more

Identifying essential Asian ingredients can feel intimidating because “Asian cuisine” covers many countries and regional styles. If you’re beginning to cook Asian food at home, start with a compact pantry of versatile staples. Once you’re comfortable, expand your selection to explore specific cuisines like Thai, Hunan Chinese, or Japanese. Below are core pantry items and … Read more

Leeks, along with shallots, are among my favorite members of the onion family. Milder than regular onions—especially once cooked—these cylindrical white-and-green alliums are wonderfully versatile. Once you start cooking with leeks, you’ll want to keep them in your fridge for soups, sautés, roasts, and more. What’s In This Post? What Are Leeks? What Do Leeks … Read more

Honeycomb is literally where bees live and store their honey. When beekeepers harvest honey, they sometimes collect sections of honeycomb to sell as an edible delicacy. Because bees invest far more effort producing beeswax than making honey, honeycomb is considered a special treat. Built of hexagonal wax cells arranged in a strong repeating pattern, honeycomb … Read more

This simple cubing technique works for both raw and cooked chicken breasts. Raw chicken is softer and can be harder to cut into even pieces, so a very sharp knife and a steady hand help a lot. If you find the meat too floppy, briefly firm it in the freezer (see the tip below). With … Read more

Pomegranates are unmistakable — visually striking and full of distinctive flavor. Used in both sweet and savory dishes, they feature prominently in Israeli, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Indian, and North African cuisines. Their juice is popular for cooking and mixing into beverages, and ready-made bottled pomegranate juice is widely available for drinking, cocktails, and mocktails. These … Read more

Whether chosen or required, a gluten-free diet doesn’t mean you have to forgo dessert. Finding delicious gluten-free sweets can be challenging, but desserts should be for everyone. Below is a curated collection of gluten-free dessert ideas and recipes. Many are naturally gluten-free, while others can be made safe by swapping in a reliable 1-to-1 gluten-free … Read more