For the first time in several years, someone told me a trick for peeling hard-boiled eggs that I hadn't heard before. So of course I had to try it. … [Read more...]
All-time Favorites
What’s a kosher substitute for lard in pastries?
August 5, 2009 (Updated March 28, 2014) by
I've got another question for you. Someone sent me a cake frosting recipe recently, and it included Crisco. I thanked her for the recipe, but said that I wouldn't use that one because Crisco isn't food. Then she pointed out something I never thought of: It's kosher. Well how about that. An actually good reason to choose Crisco over lard. … [Read more...]
How To Make Blueberry Coffee Cake
July 29, 2009 (Updated March 24, 2014) by
I've got to ask my wife to stop bringing me these great dessert recipes. For years I've been telling people, "I'm a cook, my wife is the baker." Then she leans over and whispers in my ear, "Blueberry ... coffee ... cake." Are you kidding me? Of course I had to make it. And of course it was delicious. But if she keeps bringing me this stuff, people are going to start thinking I can bake. And how manly would that be? … [Read more...]
How Do You Pick Good Poultry?
July 27, 2009 (Updated March 28, 2014) by
I just spent the most frustrating half-hour online. I was looking for tips on how to identify good poultry. You know, like with steak you look for good color and marbling, with vegetables you want them heavy for their size and not soft or bruised. But chicken? Can't find a single word about it. Oh sure, there's lots of stuff about different kinds of chicken: fryers, capons, Cornish game hen -- yeah, "game", not believing it. But when I'm looking into the meat counter at the grocery store, how … [Read more...]
How To Make Banana Cake
July 16, 2009 (Updated January 26, 2015) by
I've had plenty of banana bread in my day. But it always seems like more of a cold weather food. Go figure, a tropical fruit that makes a cold weather bread. Doesn't make sense, but that's how it is. This cake, though, is lighter than any banana bread I've ever had. And with the brown sugar buttercream frosting, it's an amazing summertime treat. … [Read more...]
