Our how-tos & guides provide you with all the necessary information to step into your kitchen and start cooking, covering everything from essential techniques to the underlying reasoning behind our recipes.
Yes, raw pierogi dough freezes well for up to 3 months. Shape it into a disc, wrap it tightly, and thaw it overnight in the fridge before rolling it out. I make a big batch of dough whenever I’m already committed to rolling out pierogi, and freezing half of it saves me from doing the
Horseshoe crabs aren’t really a food item in most of the world, including the US, where harvesting them for eating is restricted or illegal in many states. Where they are eaten, mostly the roe in parts of Southeast Asia, people describe the taste as mild and not particularly memorable. I’ll be upfront that this isn’t
You can freeze capers, but you probably don’t need to. Opened jarred capers already keep for about a year in the fridge thanks to the salt brine, so freezing is more of an option than a necessity. I used to think capers needed the same freezer treatment as fresh herbs, but they’re basically pickled the
You can freeze dry lettuce, but I wouldn’t bother if you’re hoping for salad-ready greens later. Lettuce is around 95% water with almost no structure to hold it together, so it comes out of the freeze dryer brittle and never really regains that crisp texture once rehydrated. I tried this with a head of romaine
Croaker fish tastes mild and slightly sweet, with tender, flaky white meat that’s close to tilapia or cod. It’s not a strong or “fishy” fish at all. I’ve cooked it more times than I can count, and it’s become one of my go-to picks when I want something light and easy. Here’s what to expect
Plan for 2-3 chicken skewers per person for a lunch event or as part of a bigger spread, and 4-5 skewers per person when they’re the main dish at dinner. Several variables, including skewer size, your guests’ appetites, and what else is on the menu, can shift that number up or down. This article breaks
Yes, you can reheat a bagel with cream cheese in the microwave. Slice the bagel in half, spread the cream cheese, cover it loosely with a damp paper towel, and microwave in 10-15 second bursts until it’s warm. Few things beat a freshly baked bagel with a generous spread of cream cheese, but reheating leftovers
A kiridashi knife is a small, single-bevel Japanese cutting tool built for precise woodworking, marking, and carving, not for food prep. Despite what you might read elsewhere, it’s not a good substitute for a paring knife or peeler. I picked one up for a woodworking project and got curious about its other uses, since it’s
A Spanish onion is actually a type of yellow onion, just a larger, milder variety with lower sulfur content. Every Spanish onion is a yellow onion, but not every yellow onion is a Spanish onion. I used to think Spanish and yellow onions were two totally separate categories on the produce shelf. They’re not, and
Yes, coconut flour can go bad. Moisture exposure is the main cause, leading to clumping, discoloration, or a rancid smell, but stored airtight in a cool, dry spot, an unopened bag typically lasts about 6 to 12 months. Going bad is a different question than whether it has expired. Expiring is about the date printed
Kimchi smells sour, garlicky, and a little funky, with a sharp tang from fermentation and a kick of chili and ginger underneath. It’s a strong, pungent smell that takes some getting used to, but once you get past the first whiff, the flavor makes it worth it. I get asked about this a lot, so
No, Jack Daniel’s doesn’t expire in the same way that food or other perishable items do. As a distilled spirit, it has a long shelf life and can last for years, even decades, if stored properly. I keep a bottle of Jack Daniel’s in my cabinet because that smooth, smoky flavor and the history behind
Reheat scallops in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute on high, covered with a damp paper towel, checking every 15 seconds after the first 30 to avoid a rubbery texture. Scallops go from perfectly tender to rubbery fast in the microwave, so the technique matters more here than with most leftovers. This is
Yes, coconut flour does expire. An unopened bag typically lasts roughly 6 to 12 months past purchase if I store it properly, and once I’ve opened it, I try to use it within 3 to 6 months. For the physical signs of spoilage (smell, texture, mold) and the actual storage steps that keep coconut flour
When cooked well, Brussels sprouts emit a pleasant sweet and nutty aroma. Different cooking methods result in slightly varied scents. Steamed Brussels sprouts have a subtle aroma with earthy and sweet hints, while roasting intensifies the scent, giving it a caramelized and inviting quality. Sautéing produces a somewhat more pungent but still pleasing aroma to