No Images? Click here Tomorrow is Lunar New Year. Yes, it is a celebration of the year ahead, but like Thanksgiving, it's really about having family come together and celebrate with lots of good food. The holiday itself is observed in many countries throughout Asia, from Korea to China to Vietnam, and each has slightly different traditions. Still, there a few common practices that most, if not all, of these countries share. Tradition mandates that the New Year meal is comprised of foods with symbolic significance, cooked and served to bring good fortune to the year ahead. If you're looking for a positive start to the Chinese New Year, these classic dishes will be sure to bring you daji dali—good luck and great prosperity. A whole fish symbolizes plentiful prosperity for this year and the next. It's also one of the most simple dishes to make. Here, it's steamed, then topped with fermented black beans, garlic, chili flakes, cilantro, and ginger for plenty of fresh, deep flavor. Nice fatty pork keeps things moist, while cabbage serves the same function that breadcrumbs do in meatloaf or meatballs: it physically impedes the pork’s muscly proteins from binding too tightly with one another, ensuring that the filling stays tender without shrinking. The Kitchen Essential Joyce Chen Wok |
Monday, February 4, 2019
A Last-Minute Guide to Chinese New Year
Foolproof Savory Cheese Soufflé
Your Recipe of the Day No Images? Click here Savory Cheese Soufflé A classic of the French kitchen, soufflés have struggled under the bad reputation of being difficult for far too long. The truth is a soufflé is easy to make and not nearly as sensitive as people often say. Yes, you can open the oven door; no, you don't need to walk on eggshells while making it (though you should try to keep the eggshells out of the soufflé mixture). The secret to its success lies in the ability of beaten egg whites to expand as gases and steam to inflate tiny air bubbles larger and larger. It's just science, and it works. The Kitchen Essential Balloon Whisk |
Friday, February 1, 2019
Your Next Weeknight Meal Plan (And Weekend Cooking Project!)
What to Cook Next Week No Images? Click here After a busy day, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen pulling dinner together. Luckily, we have a wealth of delicious weeknight meals that will have you in and out of the kitchen in one hour or less. Meet our weekly dinner plan: Five easy dinners for five busy weeknights, all sent in advance so you can get your shopping done ahead of time. Cook along with us! Your Week Ahead MONDAY Pressure Cooker Chunky Beef and Bean Chili Unlike a lot of chili recipes that call for short cooking times but deliver lackluster flavor, this classic chunky beef-and-bean recipe saves time the right way: by using a pressure cooker, not by cutting corners. TUESDAY One-Skillet Salmon With Curried Leeks and Yogurt-Herb Sauce WEDNESDAY Oysters Oaxacafeller THURSDAY Spaghetti Aglio e Olio (Pasta in Garlic and Oil Sauce) One of the most basic pasta sauces, aglio e olio uses just garlic and olive oil (and maybe a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat). It sounds too simple to be good, but it's among the best. Pair it with a nice glass of wine for a perfect Thursday night in. FRIDAY Baked Saffron Risotto With Mozzarella and Crispy Topping Your Weekend Project Ah, the weekend. Visions of time-consuming kitchen endeavors dancing in your head all week long, and finally you have the time to pursue them. But which one to choose? Let us guide your efforts with what we're taking on over the weekend. These quick scones are perfect on their own. They're even better when dunked into a super-creamy Nordstrom-inspired tomato soup. Whip 'em both up Saturday morning and devour them all weekend long. |