Cooking often improves once the small details begin to make sense. These articles explain techniques, kitchen habits and terms that aren’t always obvious from a recipe card.
Find help with preparation, texture and the decisions that can change the final result.
Browse the posts below when you want to sharpen your kitchen skills.
Wok hei is the smoky, singed quality that gives a good stir-fry its edge. The term comes from Cantonese and is often translated as “breath of the wok.” It’s tied to very high heat, fast movement and the way oil, sauce and food hit the metal during cooking. If you’ve ever wondered why restaurant fried…
Cooking professionally is a dream that a lot of people have. Whether they want to work in a fast-paced kitchen, be a private chef or sell products they make in their own home, the desire to turn a passion into a career is a common one. A lot of people have fallen in love with…
Do you like butternut squash recipes? This vegetable (technically a berry!) is also known as butternut pumpkin or gramma in Australia as well as in New Zealand. This winter squash grows on a vine and has a scrumptious sweet and nutty taste similar to pumpkin. The tan-yellow skin encases orange fleshy pulp with a compartment…
Hispi cabbage, also known as sweetheart cabbage, sugarloaf cabbage or pointed cabbage, is a trendy vegetable that has recently been making waves in the culinary world. Rather a relative newcomer in the produce section, it has quickly gained popularity among both chefs and home cooks, thanks to its unique flavor profile and texture. But what…
Chai vs chai latte: aren’t these different terms for the same drink? Actually no, although they do share similarities. Let’s look at each of these terms to discover what the differences are, and which one you should make or order. If you’re a tea aficionado like me (well, I am British!) you might also enjoy…
Clean cut pizza vs normal cut pizza – what’s the difference and what is clean cut pizza anyway? This is a relatively new term and it refers to the way a pizza restaurant slices their pizzas. Maybe you’re at a restaurant (in which case you can just ask) or perhaps you’re in the middle of…
Soup vs stew is an often-asked question, so let’s look at what sets these apart, as well as chowders and bisques. They’re all similar, after all, and share some things in common. There are so many different terms for foods. Sometimes it can be hard to tell one from the other. For example, how many…
Red wine, in moderation, has been found to have a myriad of benefits for the heart. Its potent quotient of antioxidants and polyphenols (like resveratrol) have been found to prevent coronary heart disease. Moderation is key when it comes to making the most of wine, and cooking can play a role in ensuring you consume a little…
Italian food is always amazing. Italian has long been one of the most well-liked cuisines in the world. Every day, people eat meals of freshly prepared Italian cuisine that taste so excellent that it is hard to conceive of preparing it yourself. However, some people are up for the task of mastering the art of…
Find out more about how to open, enjoy and save leftover champagne. Is prosecco champagne? What is brut champagne? What is demi-sec champagne? Which champagne is sweet? The questions about this iconic bubbly beverage are endless. Although there are lots of types of sparkling white wine to choose from (cava, prosecco etc) it is fair…
Low carb cooking and following a low carb diet is not just for diabetics and those who have problems digesting carbohydrates, but for anyone who wants to drop weight and eat tasty food while still maintaining a great shape and not feeling hungry or deprived. Although low carb cooking sounds easy, it takes a while…
If you have chicken breast or chicken tenders but not ground chicken, you can still make chicken wontons or chicken wonton soup, by grinding your own chicken. Preparing ground chicken for wonton recipes means you can make this tasty filling quickly and easily. Ground chicken (or minced chicken) needs to be chopped very finely, and…
Consomme soup is refined and clear. Learn how to make consomme and you will be able to prepare this classic French dish anytime. If you want to make consomme for 4 people, you will need 2 pints of good quality clear stock, 2 peppercorns, a clove, 2 peeled, seeded, sliced tomatoes, and a chopped celery…
I love seafood, especially stuffed squid. I was born in England but have lived in various places including the Canary Islands and Spain, which is how I picked up many tips about cooking stuffed squid and other seafood and how I developed my love of squid, octopus and every delightful treat from the sea! Like…
Cooking squid is not difficult and it is important to be aware of that. Too many cooks quit before they even begin, not knowing how straightforward this type of seafood is to prepare. Read the following squid cooking tips and find out how to prepare and cook this wonderful ‘fruit of the sea’. Step by…