January 21, 2025
January 2025

food & hospitality

Chronicles

Mastering the Art of Roasting Vegetables: Your Essential Guide

Silver sheet pan filled with a mixture of roasted new potatoes, slices of orange, red peppers, poblano pepper slices and onion.

Discover the secrets of roasting vegetables to perfection with our ultimate guide! Learn how this simple cooking technique can transform your meals with enhanced flavors and irresistible textures. From the origins of roasting to expert tips and health benefits, our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to master roasting vegetables. Whether you’re looking to spice up your side dishes, add nutritious options to your diet, or explore new ways to enjoy seasonal produce, this article is packed with valuable insights. Read more and turn ordinary vegetables into extraordinary masterpieces!

Must Try in 2025: Best Sides to Savor

Must try in 2025 sides to savor with roasted spears of asparagus on a blue floral plate garnished with a lemon twist.

Welcome to “Must Try in 2025: Sides to Savor”—your ultimate guide to redefining mealtime with innovative and delectable side dishes. Each month, I’ll bring you a new recipe that not only complements a variety of main dishes but also stands out with its unique flair. Whether it’s the robust, smoky notes of charred winter vegetables or the bright, fresh zests of summer greens, this series promises to enhance your dining experience throughout the year.

Our culinary adventure will span the seasons, showcasing ingredients at their peak and infusing traditional favorites with new twists. Expect everything from comforting, hearty sides to elevate those chilly evenings to light, vibrant accompaniments perfect for outdoor gatherings. Get ready to transform your table with side dishes that are as visually appealing as they are palate-pleasing.

Join me in exploring a world of flavors as we make 2025 a year to remember in the kitchen. Stay tuned for our first stop in January with a dish that’s sure to ignite your culinary passion!

The Essential Guide to Blanching Vegetables: Unlocking Vibrant Colors and Perfect Texture

Round board tray with blanched fresh vegetables of green beans, petite carrots, asparagus, new potatoes, broccoli garnished with fresh petite tomatoes and petitite mini red, yellow and orange peppers.

Dive into the vibrant world of vegetables with our Essential Guide to Blanching! Perfect for home cooks looking to elevate their culinary skills, this guide covers everything from the basics of blanching to advanced tips for storing and reheating your beautifully blanched veggies. Whether you’re preparing a crisp salad, setting up for a quick stir-fry, or prepping veggies for the freezer, blanching is your secret weapon for enhancing color, texture, and flavor. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Cooking Vegetables for precise timings and get ready to transform your kitchen into a hub of healthy, delicious meals. Join us in mastering this simple yet transformative cooking technique and make every meal a feast for the eyes and the palate!

10 Tips to Holiday Cooking

A holiday kitchen scene with black granite countertops and white cabinets. The countertop is filled with holiday dishes in the process of being prepared, featuring a roasted turkey, fresh vegetables, pies, and cookies. Various cooking ingredients and utensils are scattered around, adding to the bustling atmosphere. Holiday-themed decorations like garlands, red ribbons, and a festive wreath on the cabinets create a warm and inviting ambiance. The scene is well-lit, emphasizing the sleek granite surface and clean, bright cabinets, with a holiday table setting visible in the background.

The holiday season is joyful but can be stressful in the kitchen. This guide shares 10 essential tips to simplify holiday cooking, from planning your menu to managing time efficiently, so you can enjoy a memorable, stress-free feast.

Mastering Invitation Etiquette: Expert Tips for Every Occasion

Stack of white salad plates on top of dinner plates with silverware on top. An invitation on a small rectangle piece of white card stock with the words You're Invited in gold is next to silver ware.

Master the art of invitation writing with our ultimate guide! Learn key tips for crafting perfect invitations for any event, from formal receptions to casual get-togethers. Discover etiquette, themes, and RSVP insights to ensure your next gathering is a memorable success. Dive into our expert advice!

Reviving the Vintage Party: Blending Classic with Contemporary

multiple hands holding champagne flutes and wine glasses clinking while making a toast at a party

Vintage gatherings meld with modern sophistication to transform traditional social events like the cocktail party into experiences brimming with both nostalgia and contemporary flair. This blend of classic elegance and innovative trends invites a fresh perspective on the art of hosting, revitalizing the timeless allure of personal connections and refined celebrations.

Ultimate Guide to Cooking Vegetables

tray with blanched green beans, fresh petite carrots, broccoli, and baby orange, red and yellow peppers

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just starting in the kitchen, this is your comprehensive resource for mastering the art of preparing a variety of vegetables using diverse cooking methods. Whether you’re blanching, boiling, grilling, roasting, sautéing, or steaming, this guide offers detailed instructions to help you achieve perfect results every time.

Optimum Doneness

Describing the optimum doneness of vegetables can vary depending on personal taste, the specific vegetable, and the intended use in a dish. Here’s a general guide that captures the range of doneness from crisp-tender to fully cooked, which can be tailored to individual preferences: Tender-Crisp Description: Vegetables are cooked through but retain a slight crunch. […]

Vegetable Cooking Methods

Vegetable Board

Explore essential vegetable cooking methods like blanching, boiling, grilling, pan roasting, oven roasting, sautéing, and steaming. Learn how to enhance flavors, preserve nutrients, and achieve perfect doneness with our comprehensive guide to transforming vegetables into delicious meals.

How to Keep Apples from Browning

spoon full of diced apples draining from a slotted spoon

Whether you’re enjoying apples on their own or adding them to recipes like fruit salads, apple pie, or platters, keeping apples from browning, look fresh and visually appealing is key. Luckily, there are simple and effective methods to keep your apple slices looking crisp, vibrant, and ready to eat!

Discover 4 Types of Cinnamon

white dish with powder cinnamon and 3 whole cinnamon sticks

Discover the 4 types of cinnamon, their unique taste profiles, health benefits, and best uses. Learn how Ceylon, Cassia, Saigon, and Korintje cinnamon can elevate your cooking and well-being.

Punch of Capers

Jar of capers on wooden counter

If you’re seeking a burst of flavor in your meals, capers are a must-try. These small, green gems are unripe flower buds. They hail from the caper bush, native to the Mediterranean. Their unique taste brings a zesty spark to various dishes.

Fresh Dill Unleashed

large bunch of cut fresh dill on white counter in white kitchen background

Dill isn’t just an herb – it’s a little bundle of flavor and joy. Its versatility and unique flavor always bring something special to my dishes. It’s one of those ingredients that can transform a good dish into a great one.

Popular Herbs in Demand

Popular herbs including large bunch of caper stems, dill, basil, myrtle and mint on white background with leaves scatter about

Dive into the exciting flavors and health benefits of 2023’s most popular herbs. Learn how to incorporate these natural wonders into your daily life for both taste and wellness. Don’t miss out on this herbal exploration.

Range vs Cooktop: A Personalized Guide

4 gas burner sleek stainless steel cooktop on island with 2 sleek side by side ovens

Choosing between a range and a cooktop with wall oven isn’t just about functionality; it’s a deeply personal choice influenced by various factors.

Chervil: The Secret Ingredient

bunch of chervil on wood cutting board with woman chopping with knife

Chervil, the secret ingredient, has delicate flavor and versatility in the kitchen making it a hidden gem in the world of culinary herbs.