The Kitchn Archive: Nov 2013

Wise Words on Cooking & Gathering from Our Expert Essentials

For over a year now, we’ve been talking with cooking experts (chefs and cooks, cookbook authors, food writers, recipe developers) about what they feel are their top five essential things a home cook should know, do, own, or understand in order to be a great cook. In honor of the Big Feast day tomorrow, we combed our Expert Essentials archives, pulling out nuggets of kitchen wisdom to help you make it though your cooking marathon with body and mind intact.

Dana Velden

Nov 27, 2013

A Banana Tree in a Brooklyn Kitchen

I know what you’re thinking: a banana tree? In Brooklyn? Yes, indeed. Joey and Antoni live in a 600-square-foot studio that’s decorated in a mix of industrial, mid-century modern, and “1960s beach babe,” complete with two banana trees! Joe is a senior designer for 1stdibs.com, so it’s no surprise his apartment is full of interesting pieces. However, he’s not above picking up things on the street!

Cambria Bold

Nov 27, 2013

Recipe: Fennel-Lemon Latkes with Toasted Caraway Sour Cream

The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah typically arrives in December, but I start getting excited for it sometime around Labor Day. I love lighting the menorah (Hanukkah candelabra) and watching the candles’ reflection, warm and comforting, in my window. And I crave the overall feeling of coziness that comes with the season. But what I long for most are the latkes — fried potato pancakes that Jewish families fry up during the eight-day holiday.

Leah Koenig

Nov 27, 2013

I Rendered Lard in My Slow Cooker, and It Was Easy!

Rendering lard was one of those things I had on my list: big, complicated cooking projects I wanted to try. Months ago, one of my favorite farmers’ market vendors offered me a bag of pork fat. Who wouldn’t take a free bag of pork fat? He suggested that I try rendering it and I couldn’t wait to give it a try. So why did I leave it in the freezer for so long? I figured I would need a whole day.

Anne Wolfe Postic

Nov 27, 2013

The Science of Gravy: Wylie Dufresne on Emulsions & His Advice for Better Gravy

There’s something a little magical about a really good gravy. From drippings, a little flour and some stock comes a bubbling pot of liquid gold, ready to be poured over turkey, mashed potatoes and everything in between. But have you ever wondered what’s going on inside the pan when you make gravy? We turned to chef and Harvard food science instructor Wylie Dufresne for a scientific explanation, as well as his advice for making better gravy on Thanksgiving and beyond.

Anjali Prasertong

Nov 27, 2013

5 Party Games to Break the Ice

(Image credit: Anjali Prasertong) From Apartment Therapy → Break the Ice: 5 Favorite Party Games

Cambria Bold

Nov 27, 2013

Why You Should Buy a Second Turkey, Not a Bigger Turkey

Is it just me or do turkeys seem to get bigger every year? Here’s the thing: bigger isn’t always better. In fact, if you’re feeding a crowd at Thanksgiving, my advice is to buy a second turkey rather than one of those mammoth ones, and here’s why. With a big turkey, you start running into some big problems. It takes longer to thaw if it’s frozen and then exponentially longer to cook. Plus, it tends to cook less evenly, leaving you with a platter of dry meat.

Emma Christensen

Nov 26, 2013

The Best New Jewish Cookbooks to Gift for Hanukkah

With all due respect to the Kindle and other e-readers, I think that cookbooks — meaning the printed-in-ink kind — make the best presents. There is just nothing that can quite top the joy of unwrapping a beautiful cookbook, thumbing through the collection of recipes, stories, and photos within, and starting to dream about which dish to make first. Just in time for the holiday, here is a roundup of our favorite recently-published Jewish cookbooks.

Leah Koenig

Nov 26, 2013

Alicia & Adam’s Southern Victorian Kitchen

Who cooks and eats here: Adam and Alicia Whitely (and a new baby boy) Where: Montgomery, Alabama Rent or Own? Own Leftovers? Nonsense. Do-overs are an option cook Alicia Whitley rarely explores in her culinary adventures. With all the options out there, Alicia thinks diving into something new for daily meals makes perfect sense and is where she finds joy in the kitchen of her home nestled in one of Montgomery, Alabama’s oldest neighborhoods.

Erika Tracy

Nov 26, 2013

5 Breakfast Recipes Made with Thanksgiving Leftovers

While eating all that ridiculously good food for Thanksgiving, it’s unlikely that you’re thinking about breakfast for the following day. If, however, you have a house full of guests, and you don’t feel like grazing or just making sandwiches, these five recipes utilize leftovers in simple, smart ways. As you can tell from the photos of four of the recipes, eggs are your friend for transforming Thanksgiving leftovers.

Ariel Knutson

Nov 26, 2013

Make this Homemade Holiday Gift: Hand-Sewn, Printed Tea Towels

(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → Make this Homemade Holiday Gift: Hand-Sewn, Printed Tea Towels

Cambria Bold

Nov 26, 2013

Wine Word: Fruit

Fruit might seem an odd word to choose as a Wine Word. “Aren’t grapes fruit?” you might ask. Of course they are, but the term ‘fruit’ when it comes to describing a wine means more than a simple acknowledgement of its botanical birthright. When describing a wine the word fruit takes on many dimensions. While wine is made from grapes the fruit words we use to describe wine aromas and flavors covers the whole gamut.

Mary Gorman-McAdams

Nov 25, 2013

Thanksgiving Recipe: Whipped Cauliflower with Crème Fraîche

If you’re looking for an easy, healthy, and absolutely delicious side dish to complete your Thanksgiving menu, look no further. (Bonus points for not taking up precious oven or stovetop space!) Can I just say that I am officially obsessed with whipped cauliflower now? My family is set in their Thanksgiving ways, which doesn’t bother me in the least.

Nealey Dozier

Nov 25, 2013

The Science of Roasting Turkey: Nathan Myhrvold Explains the Maillard Reaction

Of course you know that the iconic image of Thanksgiving dinner is the turkey, roasted brown and crisp-skinned, sitting proudly on a platter. But what you might not know is the science behind what goes on in the oven, the process that transforms a pale, flabby bird into something fragrant and irresistible.

Anjali Prasertong

Nov 25, 2013

Make This Homemade Holiday Gift: Wooden Cutting Boards

(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → Make this Homemade Holiday Gift: Wooden Cutting Boards

Cambria Bold

Nov 25, 2013

Secret Kids Play Space: Table Fort

(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → Secret Kids Play Space: Table Fort

Cambria Bold

Nov 22, 2013

A Beautiful Brass Hood in Brooklyn

A recent Sneak Peek on Design*Sponge stopped me in my tracks when I saw the kitchen. Farah Malik knew she absolutely wanted a brass hood, and she searched for over a year before she found one on eBay for $200. That, combined with the Viking stove and brass hardware, make for a gorgeous little space.

Cambria Bold

Nov 22, 2013

Thanksgivukkah: Decor, Menu, and Music

(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → Thanksgivukkah: Decor, Menu, & Music Ideas

Cambria Bold

Nov 21, 2013

Dessert at the First Thanksgiving? Not Pie!

Are you preparing for dessert on Thanksgiving day? Does it include baking a pumpkin, pecan, or apple pie? While that’s quite the tradition today, the Pilgrims didn’t have sweeteners like sugar, molasses, or even honey. It turns out that the desserts on the big day were more likely sweetened by something else entirely: Dried grapes and raisins!

Regina Yunghans

Nov 21, 2013

The Best Way to Separate an Egg Is With Your Hands

That brilliant yellow egg yolk is a surprisingly delicate thing, and separating the yolk from its white without breaking it can be an exercise in frustration. I say forget those fancy gadgets and forget tossing the yolk between sharp-edged shells — the most reliable, sure-fire way to separate an egg is to get your hands dirty. The method is simple: Crack an egg into a shallow bowl and discard the shell. Lower your fingers into the bowl and gently cup them under the yolk.

Emma Christensen

Nov 21, 2013

Make this Homemade Holiday Gift: Cloth Napkins

(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → Make this Homemade Holiday Gift: Cloth Napkins

Cambria Bold

Nov 21, 2013

The Best Way to Melt Chocolate: Alice Medrich’s Smart, Easy Method

When we spoke with Alice Medrich about her 5 essential tips for working with chocolate, her years of expertise coupled with her enthusiasm for the subject meant that she ended up giving us way more than five tips! So today we’re highlighting one of our favorites: Alice’s tried-and-true method for melting chocolate. “I’ve been using this method for decades and I cannot remember the last time I burned chocolate,” she said. Read on for her simple, foolproof method.

Dana Velden

Nov 21, 2013

24 Thanksgiving Ideas, Decorations, Activities & Craft Projects Just for Kids

(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → 24 Thanksgiving Ideas, Decorations, Activities & Craft Projects Just for Kids

Cambria Bold

Nov 20, 2013

Alice Medrich’s 5 Essential Tips for Working with Chocolate

Alice Medrich is truly the queen of all things chocolate. We loved her newest book Seriously Bitter Sweet but we also love many of her other award-winning chocolate and dessert books (Pure Dessert) and her helpful tips, like how to peel hazelnuts. With the winter holidays arriving and the many sweet kitchen projects that they bring, we thought this would be a perfect time to talk with Alice about her five essentials for working with chocolate at home.

Dana Velden

Nov 20, 2013

Food Label Ideas for Easier Entertaining

(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → Food Label Ideas for Easier Entertaining

Cambria Bold

Nov 20, 2013

6 Hi-Tech Designer Coffee Machines

(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → 6 Hi-Tech Designer Coffee Machines

Cambria Bold

Nov 19, 2013

Beyond Cinnamon: 5 Delicious Things to Add to Your Hot Apple Cider

It’s that time of year when a hot cup of spiced apple cider is just what we need to warm our hands and bellies, a true comfort against the colder and darker days. Getting bored with just cinnamon in your cider? Try these delicious additions instead! Hot apple cider is an excellent choice for those times when we want a warm beverage but need to forego the stimulation of coffee, tea or chocolate.

Dana Velden

Nov 19, 2013

Farm-to-Restaurant Chef Peter Hoffman’s Humble Yet Hardworking Kitchen

Who cooks and eats here: Peter Hoffman, his wife Susan, and their teenage daughter Where: West Village, New York Rent or Own? Own Decades before most people had ever heard the term “farm to table,” chef Peter Hoffman was shopping at New York’s farmers markets and biking its fresh produce back to to his restaurants, Savoy (now closed) and Back Forty/Back Forty West.

Jill Slater

Nov 19, 2013

Host a Saint Nick’s Cookie Exchange: Decor, Menu, & Music

(Image credit: Regina Yunghans) From Apartment Therapy → Saint Nick’s Cookie Exchange: Decor, Menu, & Music

Cambria Bold

Nov 19, 2013

Wine Words: American Oak vs. French Oak

In a previous Wine Words post I gave a general overview of oak as it pertains to wine. Today I am going to explain in more detail the difference between American oak and French oak. To start off, both American oak and French oak are species of white oak. Red oak is never used for winemaking because it is too porous. While there are many different types of white oak, three are most used for wine cooperage. These are Quercus Alba, Quercus Petraea (also known as sissile oak) and Quercus Robur.

Mary Gorman-McAdams

Nov 18, 2013

The Complete Guide to Concrete Countertops

(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → Inspiration, Installation, and Maintenance: The Complete Guide to Concrete Countertops

Cambria Bold

Nov 18, 2013

10 Tips for Being a Great Thanksgiving Dinner Guest

Thanksgiving tips often focus on the host of the meal and their concerns — the scheduling, the cooking, the attention to details. But a lot of us won’t be doing the heavy lifting this year; we’ll simply be guests on The Big Day. Even though this role may be smaller, there are still things you can do to be an exceptional guest and help out your host. 1. Notify your host well in advance of any dietary issues. Gluten-free, vegetarian, allergies etc.

Ariel Knutson

Nov 18, 2013

6 Tips for Creating a Seating Plan

Assigned seating for dinner parties was de rigueur back in the day and had very prescribed rules of etiquette. Nowadays, you might occasionally see a dinner party seating plan, especially at weddings but also big dinners like Thanksgiving. Sometimes I suspect that this practice has survived because we want to use all those pretty/cool/interesting place cards more than any excessive need to control the table, but it can also be a hospitable gesture to offer each guest a named place at the table.

Dana Velden

Nov 18, 2013

5 DIY Craft Projects for the Table

(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → 5 DIY Craft Projects for the Table

Cambria Bold

Nov 18, 2013

Kitty Cutouts and Deluxe Dog Beds: 15 Awesome Kitchen Built-Ins for Your Pets

The cat shaped cutout below the sink just kills me. I stumbled across it this morning, and from there I was on a search to see what other kitchen built-ins devoted owners had devised for their pets. From dog bowls in the island to a kitty hideaway in the cabinet, here are 10 ways your pet can find a home in your kitchen: Have you ever done something like this for your pet in your own kitchen?

Cambria Bold

Nov 15, 2013

An Organic Modern Thanksgiving Table

(Image credit: Kim R. McCormick) From Apartment Therapy → Organic Modern Thanksgiving Table Inspiration

Cambria Bold

Nov 15, 2013

Don’t Forget This One Very Important Thing in Your Thanksgiving Day Schedule

Last week I shared my small and swanky Thanksgiving dinner with you, and we spent some time talking about how to schedule out the cooking on the day itself. One commenter left a note, though, of something I neglected to mention, and it made me laugh out loud. Know what it is? It’s important… When planning Thanksgiving dinner, schedule in time to take a shower. This is so right on, and it made me laugh, but wryly.

Faith Durand

Nov 14, 2013

Do Roomba Vacuums Actually Work in the Kitchen?

It was the promise of the Jetsons: Get a robot to do all your cleaning for you and never have to pick up a dust rag again. Reality has been disappointing, but there’s one little gadget that promises to keep your floor clean without (much) thought from you. Have you ever tried the automatic vacuum, the Roomba, in the kitchen? Or its sister Bravaa, the one that mops? I’m just really curious — do these things actually work?

Faith Durand

Nov 14, 2013

Favorite Retro Holiday Foods

(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → Favorite Retro Holiday Foods

Cambria Bold

Nov 14, 2013

The Easiest Way to Get Fresh Thyme Leaves Off the Stalk

When a twig of thyme is perfect, at least for my purposes, the leaves practically separate themselves from the branch. But that rarely happens. The twig is too thin, or too green, or there are twiglets hanging off the twig that fall into my dish along with the leaves. Picking the leaves off one by one is tedious and I like to add a lot of thyme. But the other night, I finally figured out a way to make this easy. Without even checking the stems, I ripped a handful of thyme from my plant.

Anne Wolfe Postic

Nov 13, 2013

Recipe: Quinoa & Winter Squash Bake

When we think of meatless sources of protein, foods like beans, tofu, and cheese generally top the list. But one of my favorites is quinoa (shark-jumping be darned!) — not only is it a delicious and complete protein, but it’s also rich in iron and fiber, vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and unprocessed. For ethical farming reasons, I always make sure to buy Fair Trade quinoa. This season I’m baking quinoa into a savory pie with roasted winter squash and aromatic herbs and spices.

Emily Han

Nov 13, 2013

12 Things That Prove Cauliflower Is the Most Magical Food on the Planet

Oh, did you think you were about to bite into a delicious BBQ chicken wing? THINK AGAIN. Cauliflower has been rising into vegetable stardom the last couple years, and these 12 insane dishes are definitive proof that it has magical powers. What other veggie can morph into sushi rice, tater tots, and tortillas? That’s right – none of them. Prepare to be amazed. All these recipes sneakily feature cauliflower.

Ariel Knutson

Nov 13, 2013

Holiday Meals: Dealing With Special Diets

(Image credit: Monica Wang) From Apartment Therapy → Holiday Planning: Accommodating Special Diets

Cambria Bold

Nov 13, 2013

A Chic Toronto Kitchen (Designed With IKEA Cabinets)

If I needed any further convincing after this that IKEA kitchen cabinets can look way more expensive than they are, there’s today’s House Tour on Apartment Therapy. Meg and Steve’s modern and cozy Toronto home (which they call “modernozy”) includes a beautiful, chic kitchen with — yes — a few high-end elements like Caesarstone counters and Thermador appliances. But the foundation? IKEA’s Ankurum cabinets!

Cambria Bold

Nov 12, 2013

Recipe: Pork Chops Stuffed with Pine Nuts, Porcini Mushrooms & Pecorino

Laziness is occasionally the mother of very tasty invention. In this case, it was a desire for something other than my usual weeknight pork chops combined with a distinct lack of desire to actually…well…cook. Ahem. The solution — stuffing the pork chops with a mix of toasted pine nuts, dried porcini mushrooms, and a handful of snowy pecorino — is both the ultimate in convenience and the ultimate in deliciousness. It’s a win-win supper situation.

Emma Christensen

Nov 12, 2013

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Entertaining Made Easy with Slow Cookers from BELLA

You already know that slow cookers are a time-efficient way to create a delicious meal. And as we head into the season of holiday parties and potlucks, using these kitchen workhorses is essential for stress-free entertaining. BELLA’s slow cookers offer seriously chic and portable options with some unique features that make entertaining fun. For medium-sized gatherings that feature main dishes with veggies, meat, and grains the 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Locking Lid is ideal.