Most recipes for classic mignonette don’t give it the respect and attention it deserves. With a sharp knife and a little attention to detail you can raise the bar on this raw bar staple. Why It Works Precise knife cuts prevent the shallots from producing sulfurous aromas that can overwhelm the flavor of a mignonette.…
For a holiday so frequently associated with tipsy merriment, St. Patrick’s Day is certainly celebrated with a bum bunch of drinks. Okay, there’s Guinness—I’ll give you that as the primary redeeming tipple for the day, with a tip of the hat also to the decent drams of Red Breast. But what else do you see…
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 2 cups ripe strawberries, stemmed, hulled, and roughly diced 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/8 teaspoon lemon zest Bring balsamic vinegar to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer until vinegar has thickened and reduced to 1/4 of its…
Gallery Chile-Lime Peanuts Credit: Kate Mathis Advertisement Ingredients Ingredient Checklist 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 1/2 cups peanuts 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt 1 teaspoon thinly sliced Thai or serrano chiles 2 tablespoons fresh lime zest 2 tablespoons sugar Directions Instructions Checklist Step 1 Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chiles and…
Grape season is short, seize the day and make some jam. Why It Works A food mill saves the trouble of peeling and seeding grapes.Citrus juice adds a tart contrast to sweet grapes. Grapes appear at the farmers’ markets for but a few weeks here in Philadelphia. Every year I mean to put some up,…
This delicious blueberry jam made from in-season summer blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice couldn’t be more simple to make. The key is to select the best berries: Namely, a mixture that includes mostly just-ripe berries with a few under-ripe berries as well. Why this recipe works: By selecting berries that aren’t too ripe, you’ll get…
Why It Works Egg yolks make a rich and golden cookie dough that tastes like yellow cake.Honey helps with browning and moisture retention.Dried fig purée doesn’t require additional sugar like a traditional jam and provides the filling with a concentrated fig flavor.Boxing the cookies while warm helps trap steam, giving them a moist and cakey…
Why It Works Making crème fraîche at home is an easy and cost-effective alternative to specialty store-bought versions.The bacterial cultures in buttermilk and yogurt thicken and acidify the cream, while also preventing bad bacteria from taking over.Adjusting the amount of buttermilk or yogurt and amount of time left at room temperature will determine the consistency…
Note: After cooling completely, these shells can be stored in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Fill these taco shells with soft scrambled eggs, or with charred corn. Vegetable oil 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated on a microplane grater Using a paper towel, spread a thin layer of vegetable oil…
