The Kitchn Archive
2015
September

The Kitchn Archive: Sep 2015

5 Techniques for Using Food as Decor Inspiration
(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → 5 Delicious Ways to Use Food as Decor Inspiration
The Kitchn
Sep 30, 2015
Can I Sand My Cutting Board to Get Rid of Rough Edges?
Q: I recently bought a beautiful handmade cutting board at my local farmers market. They mentioned that they had only oiled it a couple of times and that I should do it again when I got it home, but otherwise it was ready to go. I oiled it and let it sit for a day and then started using it. I have had it for about two weeks now and the surface of the board is really rough, like it needs to be sanded! What should I do? Should I sand it down and oil again? Or something else?
Kelli Foster
Sep 30, 2015
8 Vacation Rentals with Kitchens I’d Love to Cook In
One of my favorite things about staying in vacation rentals this past summer was getting to cook in unfamiliar kitchens. There’s just something so fun and challenging about exploring and navigating a new cooking space. Inspired by my recent travels, I took a look at the rental options in a bunch of the cities on my to-visit list to find kitchens I wouldn’t mind cooking a meal or two in.
Kristin Appenbrink
Sep 30, 2015
Why Won’t Mason Jars Work with My Oster Blender?
Q: I recently watched the YouTube video on using a mason jar with a blender. Thank you for your helpful hints. As I saw that most of the people advocating using mason jars with blenders have the Oster brand, I recently purchased an Oster Professional Series blender for this purpose. However, when I attempt to attach the jar to the blade base, the thin silicon gasket keeps on getting graunched by the jar and then pops. The gasket is needed, otherwise the setup leaks.
Christine Gallary
Sep 30, 2015
Yes, You Can Bake Pumpkin into Fries
While I love pumpkin in all its sweet applications — pie, ice cream, cookies, cake — I always forget it has a savory side, too. Maybe that’s because I’ve been missing out on one very crucial way to use pumpkin in a savory capacity: baked pumpkin fries. Seriously, pumpkin fries — where have you been all my life?
Lauren Kodiak
Sep 30, 2015
Use Ketchup to Clean Copper and Brass
(Image credit: Lauren Naimola) From Apartment Therapy → Can You Really Use Ketchup to Clean Copper and Brass?
The Kitchn
Sep 29, 2015
How Else Can I Use My French Onion Soup Crock?
Q: I received a set of four handled French onion soup crocks as a wedding gift. Any advice on other uses for these crocks besides French onion soup? Sent by Caitlin Editor: What a fun gift! With fall and winter on the way, certainly be sure to make use of those bowls with some homemade French onion soup. But really, there are also so many other ways to use them.
Kelli Foster
Sep 29, 2015
Does Anyone Have a Recipe for This Eastern European Spread?
Q: A friend of mine told me about a traditional Eastern European spread that is made from eggs and yogurt, but he wasn’t able to really explain how to make it even though someone had taught him (he is not a cooking enthusiast). I’ve been scouring the Internet trying to figure out what on earth it is called and how to make it, but I can’t find anything similar anywhere! I was wondering, do you know what this could be?
Christine Gallary
Sep 29, 2015
Soon You’ll Be Able to Pair Wine with Your Blue Apron Meals
Now that Blue Apron has pretty much dominated the meal subscription box market, they are stepping up their game and, like any good dinner guest, bringing the wine as well. Last week the company announced they will be offering monthly wine deliveries that will be designed to pair perfectly with the Blue Apron meals for that month. The company decided to launch the service based on requests from their subscribers. So how much will it cost?
Kristin Appenbrink
Sep 29, 2015
4 Easy Ways to Improve Any Kitchen
(Image credit: Natalie Jeffcott) From Apartment Therapy → 4 Easy Things You Can Do to Make Any Size Kitchen Better
The Kitchn
Sep 28, 2015
5 Alternative Ways to Use a Wok
I invested in a wok a few years ago, mainly to stir-fry and do high-heat cooking. I didn’t make the decision lightly, though, since a wok takes up a fair amount of room and needs care and maintenance to work at its best. I was worried it would only be able to do one thing well, but it’s actually a really versatile piece of cookware!
Christine Gallary
Sep 28, 2015
The Kitchn Cure Day 16: The Under-the-Sink Area, the Trash Can & the All-Important Tea Break
The Kitchn Cure Day 16: Clean the under-the-sink area and your trash can. Join The Kitchn Cure: Sign up and see all The Kitchn Cure assignments Gasp! What is this? We are already on the final week of the Cure? Time sure passes quickly when you throw yourself into a project! This final week of the Cure has a few challenges (like today’s under-the-sink clean-out, if your kitchen is anything like mine), but mostly it’s about caring for our kitchens on a simpler, quieter level.
Dana Velden
Sep 28, 2015
Why Does Spinach Leave a Weird Film on Your Teeth?
I’m a spinach fan and love that it cooks quickly so I can stir it into eggs, pasta, stews, soups, or just about anything I choose. What I don’t love, however, is that strange film it leaves on my teeth. You know what I’m talking about — that unpleasant coating that’s both dry and chalky. “Spinach teeth” is such a weird phenomenon; where does it come from, and is there anything that can be done to minimize or prevent it?
Christine Gallary
Sep 28, 2015
Help Me Find a Strainer or Colander That Actually Does Its Job
Q: Why do so many big colanders/strainers function so poorly? Most of them can’t drain out all the water — instead of getting dry pasta or veggies, everything is left in some water that won’t ever drain out of the holes! My mom has an old, beat-up metal one that does work, but we’re not sure why this one drains water properly.
Christine Gallary
Sep 28, 2015
Not Enough Freezer Space? You Can Now Rent a Meat Locker
What’s an apartment-dweller to do when you want to buy meat directly from a farmer who has raised the beef or pork you want to eat, but you don’t have the space to store that much meat? Consider renting space in a meat locker. NPR recently looked at the resurgence of the meat locker. In a few towns in upstate New York, this old concept is making a comeback as consumers want to both save money and know where their food is coming from by buying directly from farmers.
Kristin Appenbrink
Sep 28, 2015
10 Beautiful Examples of Small-Space Indoor Gardens
(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → Two Green Thumbs Up for Small Space Indoor Gardens
The Kitchn
Sep 25, 2015
The Kitchn Cure Day 15: Sharp Knives and Wooden Utensils
The Kitchn Cure Day 15: Focus on your knives and wooden utensils. Join The Kitchn Cure: Sign up and see all The Kitchn Cure assignments I’ll cut straight to the punchline: The most important thing in your kitchen is the sharpness of your knives. I was going to add that maybe running water is more important, but after careful thinking, I still come back to sharp knives. You can haul in water if it comes to that, but you can’t cut a tomato with a dull knife.
Dana Velden
Sep 25, 2015
Your Checklist for Doing Fall Right
Summer, we definitely knew ye — with your record-setting high temps and low rainfall, your cobblers and corn on the cob, and your iced tea and ice cream. We knew ye and loved ye — most of the time. (Sometimes you were a real piece of work, just sayin’.) But that’s all in the past. So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye. Guys, fall is here.
Cambria Bold
Sep 25, 2015
Recipe: Tandoori Chicken Pizza
Phew, it is finally Friday. After a whirlwind busy week of school, after-school activities, work, and writing, Friday night is my night to chill and relax with my family, along with some pizza and wine. And what better way to fuse East and West, than this tandoori chicken pizza? I usually prep for my pizza the night before, after my daughter is in bed. I get the chicken in its marinade and make the pizza dough, which always benefits from a slow rise in the fridge.
Michelle Peters-Jones
Sep 25, 2015
Why Won’t Muffins Rise in My New Gas Oven?
Q: I have a fail-safe muffin batter recipe I have always used with much success in my electric oven. I have now installed a gas oven, and while it has been perfect for browning dishes like mac and cheese, the muffins are not as impressive. They do not rise as much as when they bake in the electric oven (they are about 20 percent smaller). They don’t have that classic crunchy outer shell that you would expect in a muffin, they take longer to bake, and they don’t brown.
Christine Gallary
Sep 25, 2015
The Best Ways to Tone Down a Too Spicy Dish
Apartment Therapy
Sep 25, 2015
8 Home Rules You Seriously Should Be Following
(Image credit: Lindsay Tella) From Apartment Therapy → 8 Important Home Rules You Haven’t Been Following (It’s Ok, You Can Start Now)
The Kitchn
Sep 24, 2015
A Visual Guide to the 7 Major Types of Canned Tomatoes
A lot of recipes rely on canned tomatoes for flavor, acidity, richness, liquid, and so much more. Canned tomatoes are definitely a pantry staple we can’t live without, especially when it’s the middle of winter and there aren’t any good fresh tomatoes to be found. The canned tomato aisle at the grocery store is pretty impressive, with so many varieties and brands competing for your attention. How is each kind made, and how is it best used?
Christine Gallary
Sep 24, 2015
Why Do You Have to Add Lemon Juice When Making Jam?
Besides the obvious fruit and sugar, most jam recipes also include lemon juice in the list of ingredients. That lemon juice isn’t just there for flavor; it actually plays a very important role. Here’s why we have to add lemon juice when we make jam. I know, I’ve said that before, haven’t I? But in food science, pH plays a key role, so it really is a matter of pH when you are making jam.
Janice Lawandi
Sep 24, 2015
The Kitchn Cure Day 14: Field Trip!
The Kitchn Cure Day 14: Replenish and replace. Join The Kitchn Cure: Sign up and see all The Kitchn Cure assignments Today is the day we finish up creating our Super Magical Power Pantry; replenish our spices; and replace any unhappy dish, tool, or gadget. Yes, today is the day we go shopping. Grab your bags; tuck in your pantry, spice, and utensil list; and set your mind towards a more conscious, mindful shopping experience. What?
Dana Velden
Sep 24, 2015
10 Smart Places to Put a Pot Rack
When storage space is at a premium in the kitchen (or any room, for that matter), you’ve got to think vertically. We love hanging racks for pots and pans; they ensure your cookware doesn’t take up valuable cabinet or drawer space, and give purpose to spaces that would otherwise likely go unused. If you’re unsure where a hanging rack would fit in your kitchen, take a look at these 10 hot spots where a rack just fits.
Kristin Appenbrink
Sep 24, 2015
The Kitchn Taste Test: Instant Oatmeal
Apartment Therapy
Sep 24, 2015
Tips for Adding Texture to Your Kitchen
(Image credit: Jacqueline Marque) From Apartment Therapy → How To Transform Your Kitchen With Texture
The Kitchn
Sep 23, 2015
The Kitchn Baking School: 20 Days, 20 Lessons to Become a Better Baker
Do you dream of pastry? Do you love all baked goodies, but wish you could just once and for all perfect your layer cakes and chocolate chip cookies? Ever wonder just what all the fuss is about puff pastry? Welcome to The Kitchn Baking School — a 20-day program in the style of our immensely popular Cooking School. Baking School starts October 5 — sign up today!
Faith Durand
Sep 23, 2015
The Kitchn Cure Day 13: Exploring the Ways in Which Your Dish Cupboard and Your Shoe Rack Are Not the Same Thing
The Kitchn Cure Day 13: Sort through your dishes and serveware. Join The Kitchn Cure: Sign up and see all The Kitchn Cure assignments Today we’re going to rummage through our dish and glassware cupboards and upend our various drawers of silverware, tools, and implements. We’re going to sort through and clean out and rearrange all manner of kitchen chaos. Hurray! But first, let’s talk about shoes. Shoes are purely functional objects, right?
Dana Velden
Sep 23, 2015
Recipe: Egg Curry with Cherry Tomatoes
I love summer and early autumn. Even though school has started and my life has been steadily getting packed with all the activities that come along with having a child, there is something about harvest time that makes me want to cook and preserve. My tomato plants have been producing a lot of fruit; I am overloaded with cherry tomatoes. Any that don’t make it into sauce get cooked in creative ways — like this simple weeknight curry. This recipe started off as a pasta sauce.
Michelle Peters-Jones
Sep 23, 2015
The Best Way to Reheat Meatballs
Whether they’re made with beef, pork, lamb, or turkey, meatballs are supremely satisfying and have a way of making dinner more comforting. While they can certainly be made during the week, I prefer to make a big batch on Sunday afternoon. I tuck some away in the freezer, and pop the rest in the fridge to reheat for dinner.
Kelli Foster
Sep 23, 2015
These 5 Tiny Investments Will Take Your Baking to the Next Level
Apartment Therapy
Sep 23, 2015
6 Disposable Products You Can Use Again and Again
(Image credit: Ashley Poskin) From Apartment Therapy → “Disposable” Household Products You Should Reuse Again (& Again)
The Kitchn
Sep 22, 2015
Here’s a Visual Guide to the 34 Ingredients in Cool Ranch Doritos
New book Ingredients takes popular processed foods and photographs their individual chemical components. So what does it take to make Cool Ranch Doritos? The 34 ingredients you see pictured. Turns out even the cheese in Cool Ranch Doritos is composed of 10 flavors and chemicals. This book delves into other popular foods, like Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup and Quaker Instant Oatmeal, and visually explores just how processed modern food production has become.
Christine Gallary
Sep 22, 2015
3-Ingredient Energy Bars: The Video!
The easiest, most delicious snack is just three ingredients away. Just three ingredients! No cooking, no baking, no problems. Make a big batch of them today, put them in the fridge, and be the envy of everyone at school or the office. This energy bar recipe is very customizable. We used a cup of dates, a cup of almonds, and one cup of dried cherries, but you can use a different nut or dried fruit if you like.
Ariel Knutson
Sep 22, 2015
8 Ways to Get Over Your Fear of Baking
I grew up in an icebox cake family. On birthdays, my mother made the traditional treat, or what she lovingly called, “the birthday log,” which consisted of whipped cream and chocolate wafers, carefully pressed together to form — you guessed it — a log shape. This was the extent of my baking exposure, which involved no baking at all.
Jessica Goldman Foung
Sep 22, 2015
The Kitchn Cure Day 12: Our Spice Rack, Ourselves
The Kitchn Cure Day 12: Clean and organize your spice rack. Join The Kitchn Cure: Sign up and see all The Kitchn Cure assignments Today is going to be a nice day; a bit of a treat for the senses after a couple of weeks inhaling all-purpose cleaner and vinegar. Today we’re going to play with — err, clean and organize — our herbs and spices. In the process, we may also get a glimpse into our own inner workings. How big is your spice area?
Dana Velden
Sep 22, 2015
12 Fall Friendly Alcohol-Free Drinks
Apartment Therapy
Sep 22, 2015
Colorful Tile in the Kitchen
(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → Kitchen Design Trend: Colorful Tile
The Kitchn
Sep 21, 2015
Waste Not, Want Not – The Condiment Edition
Apartment Therapy
Sep 21, 2015
Yes, You Can Fit a Built-in Bar in a Small Home
(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → How To Fit a Built-In Bar in a Small Home
The Kitchn
Sep 18, 2015
What Type of Dessert Would Hold Up Best for a Long Flight?
Q: My husband is moving to Japan to start a new job teaching English (I’ll join him there in a month!). It’s traditional to bring a small gift, miyage, for your new bosses and colleagues, which is typically food and something representative of your hometown. We are from South Florida, so I’m planning something key lime flavored, but my question is what type of dessert (candy, cookie, bar, etc.) would hold up best during a 20-hour international flight, and how should I pack it?
Kelli Foster
Sep 18, 2015
The Kitchn Cure Day 10: A Quiet Day of Reflection, Renewal, and Reward
The Kitchn Cure Day 10: Quietly reflect on the last nine days. Join The Kitchn Cure: Sign up and see all The Kitchn Cure assignments Did you notice we’re almost halfway though the Cure already? How did that happen? Time can pass quickly when we’re engaged and steadfast in our efforts. Especially these first two weeks, which were full of some very heavy-duty projects. Today, though, we’re going to head back into the kitchen for a more quiet, reflective endeavor.
Dana Velden
Sep 18, 2015
4 Important Tips for Using Cooking Thermometers
Food thermometers take the guesswork out of cooking and give us some peace of mind and reassurance that food is cooked properly. There’s a wide range of them out there on the market, from simple ones with a dial to fancy digital ones that promise quick results. They’re an important part of cooking, so we’re here to give you some tips for buying, using, and maintaining them. Not all kitchen thermometers are created for the same purpose.
Christine Gallary
Sep 18, 2015
6 Tips for Organizing Your Refrigerator
(Image credit: Leela Cyd) From Apartment Therapy → Tiny Refrigerator Tips: Ways To Organize More, Waste Less
The Kitchn
Sep 17, 2015
6 DIY Dining Tables You Can Make on a Budget
When I moved into my apartment, I did a half DIY job on my kitchen table, which is also our dining table. I painted the top and attached the legs, but it wasn’t really a building project. But now that we’re getting into fall, I’m getting the itch to tackle new projects, and a new DIY dining table just might be on my list. Here are the tutorials I’ve been looking to for inspiration. Maybe you’ll feel inspired to build something too.
Kristin Appenbrink
Sep 17, 2015
The Kitchn Cure Day 9: Dealing with Small Appliances (in Which I Instruct You on Something I Have Very Little Experience With)
The Kitchn Cure Day 9: Give your small appliances a good cleaning. Join The Kitchn Cure: Sign up and see all The Kitchn Cure assignments Today we’re going to take care of those small but hardworking appliances that help make our kitchens truly function. If you own a dishwasher, microwave, toaster oven, and a coffee grinder, then this is going to be a busy day. But it’s also the last of the major cleaning, so one more push and the heavy labor will soon be done.
Dana Velden
Sep 17, 2015