What's the proper way to hold a knife? How should you open an avocado or chop a clove of garlic? More importantly, what are the ways you should never hold or use a knife? The folks behind First We Feast asked Henry Molina, a cook at Mission Chinese Food in New York, for a few quick knife tutorials, which they've illustrated in GIFs! Ah, the wonder of the GIF comes through again. 

I have imbibed my fair share of drinks at trendy cocktail bars, and after a while, a gal starts to pick up a thing or two about making a top-notch cocktail. It's not always about fancy artisan spirits or the enthusiasm with which you shake that cocktail shaker. Just as often, it's the little things that make the difference — simple things that can take our own cocktails from good to restaurant-worthy.

I first became aware of the British writer and cookbook author Fuchsia Dunlop when her book Shark’s Fin and Sichuan Pepper: A Sweet-Sour Memoir of Eating in China was published in the US back in 2008. It's a fascinating tale of how she discovered and fell in love with a culture much different than the one she grew up in, mostly through eating and preparing and educating herself in their cuisine. Shark's Fin is still high on my most recommended book list, so I was very excited to speak with Fuchsia Dunlop about her take on the 5 essential things a good cook should know, with a Chinese twist.

What's the best way to salt a dish? How can you tell when your risotto is perfect? What's the secret to making delicious tofu every time? We've picked up a few pro tips and techniques over the years, and here are 15 of our favorites for easier, quicker, and better weeknight cooking:

Being a good cook isn't just a matter of knowing the big, impressive skills you can show off to friends and family, like roasting a turkey or making challah bread. It's also about the small habits you practice daily, the ones that transform cooking into a more effortless and joyful part of your day. These 8 simple habits are easy to pick up, yet make a major difference in your cooking.

Bryant Terry is an energetic and passionate man, self-described as an eco chef, author, and social justice activist. He first came to my attention in 2006 when he co-authored the book Grub: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen with his friend Anna Lappe. He has since gone on to author two more vegan cookbooks, with a third one in the works. What does this spokesman for local, sustainable, and delicious food think are the top essentials for a modern, socially engaged, soulful kitchen? More

As we've said before, it's hard to make a 100 percent whole grain bread that doesn't end up dense and heavy. That's why it's suggested to mix in all-purpose flour with your whole grain flour. (Emma does a 50:50 blend.) But Mark Bittman set out to make a delicious 100 percent whole grain bread, to find a recipe that brought out the best of whole grains. He got pretty close, and in the process, discovered three secrets that made it possible: More

I'm not hating on salt shakers here: I mean, how else am I supposed to surreptitiously salt my eggs when I'm at my parents' house? I'm just saying that if you want to cook like a pro in the kitchen, leave the salt shaker on the table.

Annie Somerville has been with Greens Restaurant in San Francisco for 31 years, most of that time as the Executive Chef (which, if you know the restaurant industry, is an almost unheard of length of time). Since it opened in 1979 and long before it was trendy, Greens worked with local organic farms and dairies to source their ingredients, creating a vibrant, refined vegetarian menu that continues to inspire today. Annie brings these same sensibilities to her home kitchen in San Francisco, which is within walking distance of Greens and the Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market. Read on for her simple but essential things for the home cook. More

With Hanukkah in its full swing, many a household is frying up some latkes. In the years of trying to get my hands on every latke recipe I could find, I've learned a few reliable techniques that turn out lacy, crispy, delectable latkes each and every time. And I'm here to show you how to get the same results in your own kitchen! More