Cooking & Baking Essentials The Technique Pignolias Pine nuts have long been a staple in Mediterranean recipes. They may be served on antipasto platters with marinated cheese, roasted vegetables & bread or added to appetizer classics such as Rosemary-Pine Nut Olive Tapenade. Modern side dishes including Farro-Pine Nut Tabbouleh Salad & Kale-Orange Panzanella Salad benefit tremendously from them […]
Tag Archives | Side Dish
Winter Entertaining: Panzanella Salad
Winter Entertaining Southern Socials Panzanella Salad Panzanella salads are typically served during the summer months when tomatoes & basil are plentiful but they may just as easily feature seasonal ingredients of the moment. The Tuscan based chopped salad makes smart use of stale bread which is typically the main component with pantry staples such as […]
The Basics: How To Section An Orange
Cooking Essentials The Technique How To Section An Orange Citrus has always been good at stepping up in the winter months to not only provide fresh flavor to recipes but the bright color may be relied on to perk up the plate as well. Fresh oranges make recipes glow. Use the juice in a Fresh Orange Glaze to […]
The Basics: Kale
Cooking Essentials The Technique Kale Kale is a leafy green member of the cabbage family that can be relied on in the winter months to provide valuable nutrition during meal time. It offers a faint bitter flavor to salads, sides & main dish recipes. Although available year round from your local market, kale is grown & […]
The Basics: Olive Oil
Cooking Essentials The Technique Olive Oil Olive oil offers good flavor & versatility when cooking & entertaining. It may be used to season dishes or sauté vegetables for soups, side dishes & entrees but it also may accompany homemade bread for dipping in place of butter. Extra virgin olive oil in particular has long been […]
The Basics: Cannellini Beans
Cooking Essentials The Technique Cannellini Beans Cannellini beans may be served by themselves or cooked & added to a variety of recipes from soups & stews to main dishes. Puree them with a bit of olive oil & fresh lemon juice, then season the beans further & you have created a delicious appetizer that may […]
The Basics: Gruyère
Cooking Essentials The Technique Gruyère Gruyère cheese is widely known for its’ pungent taste notes when added to recipes. It imparts bold flavor to simple foods from potatoes & grits to pastas & sauces. Prepared from cow’s milk, gruyère contains about 40% fat & boasts Swiss origins. It’s a compact, hard cheese with semi-soft qualities […]
Cooking Classics: Potato Gratin
Cooking Classics The Technique Potato Gratin Classic Potato Gratin is a side ideal to serve guests for a variety occasions & it pairs particularly well with beef. Although the most traditional recipes instruct to layer raw, thinly sliced potatoes in the dish, I find that boiling them briefly ensures they will be throughly cooked in […]
The Basics: Béchamel Sauce
Cooking Essentials The Technique Béchamel Sauce A Béchamel Sauce is one of the five classic French mother sauces. A light roux is prepared by combining butter & flour & the technique is complete before any browning of the flour occurs. Milk or cream is then added whilst whisking vigorously over the heat. As the mixture […]
Cooking Classics: Oven-Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Cooking Classics The Technique Oven-Roasted Brussel Sprouts Oven-Roasted Brussel Sprouts are one of those recipes every entertainer should know how to prepare & once the technique has been mastered, they may be flavored a variety of ways. Brussel sprouts pair beautifully with turkey, chicken, pork & beef making them a versatile side dish that frees […]
