If you ask your preferred AI informant “how to boil chicken” and wind up with an overcooked puck of poultry, shame on the programmers—but they aren’t entirely to blame. The better question is: How should I poach chicken? Poaching refers to something cooked gently in a simmering liquid. Boiling, on the other hand, is rough … Read more
As you sprint from oven to stove to freezer on Thanksgiving, multiple timers blaring, you may whisper to yourself: “Do I really need to toast the pecans for my pecan pie like the recipe calls for?” Such a finicky step in the scheme of things, right? We’ll put it this way: Your pie (and other … Read more
Let’s not blame family members, friends—and most importantly, ourselves—for the sad roast turkeys of Thanksgiving dinners past. Learning how to season a turkey is much like seasoning anything: a skill perfected over time. The trouble is, most of us only cook a turkey once or twice per calendar year (and who can remember what seasoning … Read more
You could swap the butter for a neutral oil like canola or safflower if preferred. Whichever fat you choose, follow these proportions to elicit crispy, golden brown skin and juicy meat. 6. Season your turkey (if necessary). If you’ve chosen to brine your bird (via a wet brine or dry brine), you can skip this … Read more
Picture this: you’ve spent an afternoon lovingly tending to a stew simmering on the stove as you gear up to serve dinner to your friends and family. The table is set, the candles are lit, and mealtime is moments away. In the final countdown to dinner, you give it a taste only to be hit … Read more
Clafoutis might be one of the easiest, most forgiving French desserts. It’s the kind of dish you keep in your back pocket, ready to pull out when you’re at an ill-equipped vacation stay or when friends stop by at the last minute and you suddenly get the urge to whip something up. And because it’s … Read more