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Chef-Approved Tips for Cleaning a Cast Iron Skillet

February 2, 2016 by

The trusty cast iron skillet is a mainstay in any home chef’s kitchen, but it’s also one of the most confusing items when it comes to its care. Should you wash it with water? Try a salt scrub? These chef-approved tips will show you exactly how to clean your cast iron skillet properly — and tell you which techniques you should never use!

  • Never use soap. No matter what you do, never soak your skillet in soapy water. This removes the natural, nonstick coating that comes from frequent use and oil absorption.
  • Clean it while still warm. This makes it much easier to remove food particles.
  • Use a stiff brush. Using a stiff brush made of natural materials that won’t melt, run the skillet under hot water and give it a good scrubbing. This will remove food without stripping it of its natural oils and seasonings.
  • Sprinkle on salt. To remove particularly built-up food particles, sprinkle coarse Kosher salt on the surface of the pan. Scrub it dry, and then run water over the surface to remove the salt.
  • Dry. Dry your pan using a clean towel or by letting it sit on the stove on low heat.
  • Season. Finally, apply a light coating of oil or shortening to lock in that lovely seasoning.

How To Clean and Season an Old, Rusty Cast Iron Skillet [Apartment Therapy]
Cleaning and Seasoning a Cast-Iron Skillet [Real Simple]
How To Clean a Cast Iron Skillet [The Kitchn]

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Healthy Rice and Potato Dishes That Won’t Weigh You Down

November 3, 2015 by

Starches and whole grains are important for feeling energized, but if eaten in excess, they can make you feel heavy or weighed-down. These delicious and nutritious recipes from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute incorporate rice and potatoes into your diet in a way that benefits your body and provides proper portion sizes.

Delicious Oven French Fries
Though fast food French fries are anything but healthy, this oven-baked alternative provides the same classic taste without the added fat and salt.

Wonderful Stuffed Potatoes
By stuffing a baked potato with low fat milk and cottage cheese instead of the usual sour cream, you can save calories and still get the same savory taste.

Candied Yams
The holiday favorite gets a healthy makeover in this fast and easy recipe, with sweet brown sugar and tangy orange juice for a boost of added flavor.

Scallion Rice
The addition of green onions and bullion gives this simple, low-calorie rice dish a little something extra, and makes it perfect for eating with a variety of meats, vegetables or stir-fries.

Sunshine Rice
Perfect for pairing with grilled chicken or for eating on its own, this rice recipe contains unique ingredients like hot sauce, almonds, and lemon juice for a distinctly flavorful taste.

For more healthy rice and potato dishes, visit the NIH website by clicking here.

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Think Beyond the Bouquet With These Lavender-Centric Recipes

September 9, 2015 by

Though lavender is a flower, it’s also a deliciously fragrant herb that can be used to add flavor to many sweet and savory dishes. By simply cooking or garnishing with this beautiful flower, you can transform the taste of an entire dish. If you haven’t yet explored the culinary wonders of lavender, these two simple recipes will give you a bit of inspiration.

Lavender Shortbread [Food Network]
Shortbread is known for its rich, crumbly texture and buttery flavor, which makes it a perfect companion for the floral notes of lavender. This recipe uses only six simple ingredients and takes just 50 minutes to make, but after it’s complete your whole home will be filled with the sweet, delicious scent. Simply knead the ingredients together, adding dried or fresh lavender flowers, and bake in the oven until each bar reaches the perfect golden brown.

Pepita and Lavender Brittle [Martha Stewart]
Most brittle candies have a rich, caramel texture, but this particular brittle is uniquely earthy and fragrant. The recipe uses Martha Stewart’s basic brittle recipe to create a crunchy base, while the pepitas, or green hulled pumpkin seeds, offer even more texture. To top it off, dried lavender cooked throughout adds a floral flavor that only the small purple flower can provide.

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Knife Techniques and Tips Every Home Cook Should Master

May 5, 2015 by

Kitchen knives are a necessity for just about any type of cooking, but they can also be quite dangerous if used incorrectly. By learning the proper knife techniques, you can master the art of chopping, dicing, and slicing without risking injury.

  1. Start with a clean knife. Although you may think that cuts are the only dangers caused my knives, bacteria is also incredibly hazardous to your health. Be sure to clean your knife with hot water and dishwashing soap before using.
  2. Keep knives sharp. In order to guarantee fast, accurate cuts with minimal effort, you'll need to keep your knives sharp. You can do this by using a sharpening stone or by taking your knives to the store where you purchased them for sharpening.
  3. Learn to chop. Chopping involves roughly cutting a food item into pieces, and it is likely the most common cutting technique. To properly chop something, grip the knife securely and place either the knife's tip or the corner closest to your hand firmly against the cutting board. Use your wrist as a fulcrum to pull the rest of the knife up and down, keeping that end against the cutting board the whole time.
  4. Research other techniques. Dicing involves cutting into small, uniform pieces, while a chiffonade is how you properly cut herbs. You should also practice peeling things like apples or potatoes with a sharp knife.

Knife Skills: Different Types of Cuts [The Culinary Cook]
Top 10 Knife Skills [How Stuff Works]
Perfect Your Knife Skills With This Chef's Guide to Knives [Lifehacker]

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Learn to Make Risotto With These 4 Recipes

May 6, 2014 by

Risotto is an Italian rice dish made with flavorful broth and cooked until it reaches a rich, creamy consistency. It is usually made with butter, onion, and a large splash of white wine, but there are a number of other ingredients that can go in a risotto. Here are a few recipes to help you prepare this comfort food at home.

Mushroom Risotto with Peas
Mushroom risotto is likely the most popular of all types of risotto, and this recipe adds soft green peas for a little something extra. In just one hour, you can create this rich dish on your own stovetop.

Risotto with Bacon and Kale
Just about everyone loves bacon, and it improves almost any dish that you add it to. This unique risotto combines crispy bacon with leafy, nutrient-rich kale for a truly exciting side dish.

Butternut Squash Risotto
Make your risotto a little bit sweeter with the addition of soft, seasonal butternut squash.

Prawn and Pine Nut Risotto
Adding meat or seafood to risotto is a simple way to turn it from a side dish to a main course. This recipe uses crunchy pine nuts and plump prawns to create a gourmet-style dish for your next dinner party.

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