Cooking One Step At A Times

 Does anyone actually follow cookbook directions these days? Don't we kind of adjust the recipes to our tastes, adding this, omitting that. Yet doing such makes home chefs miss out on the dishes history or the reason it was included in the book. Cooks will also miss the intended flavor of the recipes along with their nuances and subtleties.

Genevieve Ko, cooking editor of the Los Angeles Times and the author of the healthy baking cookbook,  Better Baking wrote this interesting article in yesterday's New York Times Food section. She feels that home chefs can get to know the creators better, understand their backgrounds and figuratively  leave their kitchens and enter someone else's. She gives ideas about how to get the most out of executing a recipe. The first is look for recipes written to be followed precisely. To assess the deliberateness of a recipe creator, took to recipes and instructions guaranteed for success. Another must is choose recipes that will work as published. Ms. Ko suggests flipping to the cookbook's acknowledgements to see if testers are thanked. Most major media companies do professionally test and edit recipes before publication. One of the best pieces of advice is pick recipes that sound surprising in some way. Try something different that's out of your wheelhouse. Ms. Ko tried an East African dish  from In Bibi's Kitchen  written by Hawa Hassan and Julia Turshen. She followed contributor Jeanne Razanamaria's recipe to the letter and came out with a tangy dish with earthy flavors.

Ms. Ko offers more advice.  Home chefs must track down ingredients, even ones that are hard to find. The search is part learning about other cuisines and cultures. You can get any ingredient on Amazon or at other sites. Also check the internet to find where ethnic groceries in your area. They too can offer advice and steer you to the right ingredients.As with any set of instructions read the recipe carefully and stick to it. Before you start anything, read the top note or even the whole cookbook to contextualize the dish. Another important must do read the recipe carefully to anticipate the steps because methods may differ from what you expect. Also resist the temptation to alter it especially if it's close to a recipe you know. Sticking exactly to the instructions will reveal the surprise of a vibrant flavors. One of the most important things to do is taste with an open mind. We tend to think we know what dishes should taste like but if there's a variation or new ingredient it may be a bit off putting. Our palates will evolve with the recipes we try. Ms. Ko also includes a coconut chicken curry and , that Madagascar white bean stew and a dulce de leche chocoflan.

Look though your cookbooks and reread the recipes you want to try. Stick to the recipes. It'll open up your mind to new methods, techniques and ingredients. Adhere to the instructions and create memorable dishes.

The Internet As Cookbook

Are home chefs using the Internet a bit too much? It seems that way, thanks to blog like this one along with Pinterest and Instagram. Will the cookbook go the way of Blockbuster and coal stoves.

Thanks to the invention of the information highway cooking with Internet recipes has gotten easier. There's literally every recipe on the World Wide Web even ones I thought were only unique to my family (they're not). It's so easy to type in any type of recipe and what seems like thousands pop up. The other day I wanted to make the M&M cookie  my Mom had made for me as a small child.. I remember the recipe  being in Life Magazine in one of the ads for the candy. Now type it in the search bar and every kind comes up. I was hoping for the original recipe, but wound up choosing one that produced monster cookies. They were delicious but not what I was really going for. For my holiday cooking I had to do a second check on Brussels sprouts because I had half forgotten my mother's recipe for them. It was one of those times I longed for a family recipe book. Someone else's recipe is not the same as one passed down from generation to generation. Don't get me wrong. I rely on the Internet for most of my info, but it would be nice to open a book and get what I need from it.

Which brings me back to the question - are we relying too much on the world for our cooking techniques instead of books written by real chef?. My tween years were spent in many a bookstore and the book section of department stores (yes, that was a section back then, along with wine and home repair sections in stores such as Macy's).There was nothing like poring through exotic themed cookbooks  with glossy pictures of dishes photographed on villas or fancy beaches or restaurants. The recipes were straightforward. Anyone could create them. What I liked were the explanations of the dishes along with their stories and histories. They were more than just cookbooks. They were kind of like encyclopedias. Some even had room to write notes in along side the list of ingredients. There are still cookbooks like that out there, one in particular is one by Sheila and Marilynn Brass, Their Heirloom Cooking (Black Dog & Leventhal Publishing ) has a wonderful collection of classic recipes plus a folder in the back for your own ones.  They, like many other cookbooks have information and vital advice about how to shop and what to have. You really can't get that from the internet.

Will the upcoming generations wonder what was an actual cookbook? I hope not. There should be cookbooks with crucial information and lots of beautiful glossy pictures.

Giving Old Spice Some Spice

One of the most needed artillery in any home chef's arsenal is a well stocked spice rack.These little bottles of flavor and fire, sweet and savory give oomph to even the simplest of dishes. Yet do you know when to toss them once they lose their spice? What do you do with all those unused bottles?

That's the question posed and answered by Jennifer Steinhauser in today's New York Times Food section. Ms. Steinhauer, who writes both about food and politics for The Times has explored a kitchen's most used area - the spice rack. We all have a plethora of them in our racks or cabinets (some of us more than others) and they can sit there for years.What she does recommend is pouring all your remaining spices into individual bottles of the same size (don't mix them). Create labels for them with painter's tape and a Sharpie.However here's a short guide  to let you know when to toss and when to keep. Ground spices such as cinnamon,curry cumin and nit meg should be thrown out after two or three years.Whole spices like cinnamon sticks and cloves can last longer between four and five years. The same goes for whole peppercorns. Dried ground herbs such as parsley, basil and oregano are only good for three to four years.

What do you do with all those spices? Ms. Sullivan suggests making a curry from Indian chef and cookbook author, Meera Sodha's Made In India: Recipes From An Indian Family Kitchen. It's a crunchy fun mix of cauliflower, cashews,peas and coconuts. The spices used are coriander , cumin and chili powder along with garam masala. There's also tomato paste and garlic along with green chile for fire.It's a great way of using these spices. The same can be said for turmeric which is also great in any curry. For sumac, the base in za'atar, she received inspiration from Cathy Barrow's latest book Pie Squared: Irresistably Easy Sweet and Savory Slab Pies. It's a sumac scented eggplant slab pie however Ms. Steinhauser nixed the dough and added the sumac to the eggplant.It's then baking it and simmering the cubes with tomatoes and chickpeas. Pomegranate molasses is used for a bit of sweetening. All spice racks have the herbes de Provence and Ms. Steinhauser used hers to season chicken breasts. along with salt and pepper. This recipe is a great way to use up rosemary, thyme and sage.

This is the perfect time to re evaluate your spice rack. Use up what you have in these recipes or others. Just don't let them sit there.

The App That Fed India

Social media may have many negatives but it also has many pluses. It can reconnect
 disconnected families, It can bring groups together such as the #MeToo. It can promote businesses and offer  knowledge. This is what happened with the messaging platform What's App and India. The two meshed perfectly, connecting home chefs, cooks and farmers.

Regular contributor and food writer, Priya Krishna wrote about this happening in yesterday's New York Times Food section.The app , What's App was able to connect a wide network of different food related groups all over the subcontinent. The Indians have Prime Minister Narenda Modi who  started Digital India, an initiative to increase internet connectivity across the country. It would connect urban areas to rural ones. Whats App, owned by Facebook is the medium of choice, It is free and only requires an internet connection. Most new phones already have it installed.As a result over 200 million (!) or one in six Indians have it, more than any other country. Some have misused it, spreading false news, inciting mob violence and even manipulating votes during elections in India and other countries. Yet it also has done a lot of good too, especially those who farm, cook or care about food. India is a country whose culinary traditions are orally passed down, not written on cards or in notebooks. Whats App allows them to share and arrange knowledge and skills.Some have even made a profit from this.

Whats App has affected all corners of India/Aysha Tanya, a founder of the food and culture publication, The Goya Journal uses it to get recipes from her mother . Saee Koranne-Khandekar uses her WhatsApp created a group with just her family. She even created a cookbook of their recipe  messages and pictures in 2014. Older Indian home chefs tend to be secretive with their family''s recipes, guarding them as if they were gold. Whats App has loosened them up and they're posting all sorts of dishes. .For mango farmer, Noshiran Mistry, Whats App is a godsend. He is able to get an internet connection five kilometers outside his town so he uses the application to send photos of the fruit  as they're growing to vendors all over the country. He also uses it to  pass along lore  about the fruit, preferring to writing a blog.He feels that more will read his messages than that.India's restaurant industry has also benefited. Chef Thomas Zacharias, the executive chef and and partner in the Mumbai restaurant, Bombay Canteen belongs to more than twenty Whats App groups . He uses groups to train employees on the menu and devise dishes, along with motivating the staff.

What's App is  connecting the food world of India. Recipes will not be lost. Farmers will prosper as will restaurants. Best of all people will come together and share their love of food.

Lou And His Special Diet

Kids today are beset with a plethora of allergies.They suffer from everything from gluten to nut allergies. Many along with their parents r don't know what to do or how to refuse. Luckily, there's a brand new book out there to help along. A smart boy, named Lou can help them.

The children's book, Lou Knows What To Do; Special Diet "Boystown Press 2017) was co-written by Kimberly Tice,MS CCC-SLP and Venita Livack MA, CCC-SLP who have encountered children who have had allergies. It is a plague of the modern world, with more and more children (along with adults) being diagnosed with severe food hypersensitivity. This book is a gentle tale about a young boy , named Lou who has to deal with the double onus of a peanut and gluten allergies. This wide eyed boy, expertly drawn by Andre Kerry ,discovers he has to change his diet. His magic bubble wand (and what kid - or adult for that matter wouldn't want this) shows him the type of foods that he can't have. There is a bubble depicting a table full of doughnuts, cereal, bread and cake along with a bubble showing Lou looking fretfully at a jar of peanut butter.There are also pictures of him checking out boxes with his mom in the their local supermarket. Another shows hin at a restaurant, scanning over a menu along with thanking a chef for creating a "safe" meal for him. More illustrations show Lou  at school , with him saying no to trading questionable snacks,. There's also him with his teacher and the explanation of how to use an epi pen.

This is the must have book for both parents and teachers. What I like about it is that every page starts with the red ink highlighted Lou knows. Ms. Tice and Ms. Livack also know not to talk down to kids, and explain everything in simple, uncomplicated terms. They  have written other "Lou" books" that features the hero at the supermarket and at a party.Another plus is that they stress the seriousness yet liveability of severe allergies without also showing the sometimes dire consequences. This book is definitely a learning tool, allowing for a dialogue to take place between teachers and students. There is even a page of tips for educators.It can also open a conversation  for healthy eating and what foods are good or bad.There's also a quiz at the back too to see if the kids really understood the story and if they retained anything.A nice bonus would have been a section on recipes that feature gluten and nut free dishes and snacks. Hopefully the authors will consider this in this future and include recipes for sunflower seed butter as well as for gluten pizzas and cupcakes.

Lou Knows What To Do, Special Diet, is a great book for kids with allergy. It is smartly and sensitively written by two authors who have a keen insight into children. This is a must have for any young person's library.,

Party Time What Works For You

It's mid May and that means one thing - the start of the warm weather party season! This is the season for celebrating whether a new grad or an impending wedding or child. Each gathering should be special and unique.It's easy to do, all you need is imagination and creativity.

College graduations abound right now. What would make any stand out? Customizing it to the grad;s tastes. If he or she like chili', then think about a Texan do . Serve up the dish along with chili burgers  with sides of freshly roasted corn and corn bread.Put up large pots of baked beans and potato salads. A Mexican themed one is not only easy but fun.. Taco and fajita bars can be set up, featuring, beef, chicken and tofu. Bowls of homemade guacamole - super easy to make and tortilla chips can be set up on the tables.drinks could range from Coronas with lime to virgin margeritas. Dessert can be a chocolate  mole cake or cupcakes, spiked with  ancho peppers.Another idea is an international theme. Pass around trays of Indian samosas and Chinese spring rolls along with bruschetta and gravlax.If the ex-student spent a semester abroad , then center the grad party around the food of the country visited.If the grad spent time in Greece, then make sure there is spanakopita, spinach pie and moussaka. For someone who studied in Madrid or Barcelona, then think paella and tapas as a nice reminder of both the food and the culture.

May is the month for bridal and baby showers too., Most of these are usually brunches served in a local restaurant.This is OK, but really nothing special. .If it is a small affair then think about having it at home. Nothing beats a small, intimate party where everyone can take their shoes off and relax. It can be catered but a better idea is designating two cooks who can whip up omelets and Eggs Benedict. These alone along with a small salad make for a lovely and light late breakfast. As for dessert , think a small cake and maccarons. .If it's a baby shower bake a reveal cake. This new phenomenon involves  contacting the doctor or midwife first for the baby's sex and then baking a pink or blue cake with white frosting.The mother to be finds out as she cuts the first slice. Another idea is baking vanilla and chocolate cupcakes and icing them with pink and blue icing. The party thrower can go the folksy route with everyone bringing designated dishes such as main dish, sides, salads and desserts. Each has to be a family recipe with a written version attached. Not only is this a sweet throwback to a more innocent time, it also is a handmade gift of various recipes.This would be perfect for a kitchen shower where all the gifts are related to cooking.

May is the time for planning all sorts of parties, Make them stand out with good home made food, and themes. They will be throroughly enjoyed - and remembered for a long time to come.

Bring Your Restaurant Home

Who doesn't love to eat out? Our favorite eateries, whether they be privately owned or chain, provide us with some of our favorite dishes and desserts. The problem is that eating out regularly can be costly. You can cut back and still enjoy the great food. Just make it at home.

One of the best part of being a regular customer at a family owned restaurant is that the family comes to know you. They basically have your order already in the oven when you and yours walk through their doors. If you love the recipe, don't be afraid to ask for it. Some will be happy to give it to you, enthusiastically writing it down. They'll even give you advice on how to cook or bake it. Common dishes like fried rice or spaghetti are easy to copy as are pizzas and certain grilled meats.The same can apply to desserts as well . Ask for the recipe. If your restaurant refuses to give their recipes away, there is the Internet where the dish or dessert  and a million variations can be found.

Chain restaurants are another matter. Most of their dishes can be found in your supermarket., usually in the frozen food aisle. Chains realize they have a loyal following and branched out to their fans who also like to eat in once in a while. If you crave sliders then you can buy White Castle's famed mini burgers along with their fries at your local super market.If your family loves TGIF's, there 's all sorts of their famed dishes in your grocer's freezers, from the spinach dip to the quesadillas and honey barbecue wings.The same applies to PF Changs. They sell everything from spring rolls and dumplings  to main meals to noodle dishes. Throw in a fancy drink and it's just like eating at the restaurant without all the noise and sometimes hour long wait.

There's nothing like your favorite restaurant food. However sometimes the budget doesn;t always allow it. Have it at home. Save pennies and also save a trip by just eating it at your dining room table.

That Other NY Paper Food Section

For those of you foodies out there who ar e not so snobbish, there's another Manhattan based newspaper with a pretty good food section. It belongs to the Daily News and it's seen on Fridays and Sundays. It may not have the gourmet cred that the New York Times Food section has but the Daily News does have more popular and more affordable recipes and meal ideas.

I've always loved the News for their basic and easy to follow recipes. My favorite pizza recipe came from there over twenty years ago and it's still relevant . It was a thin, easy to make crust topped with fresh tomatoes , basil and mozzarella. I never tired of making it and it became my signature dish. Other recipes that were great were the cookie and pie ones. as well as a marble scratch cake one. The News believes in giving its' readers simple but tasty dishes. There are no fancy ingredients, no culinary names attached to them and no sending away to some fancy mail order supply house. Onc in a while they will feature a celebrity chef but the recipes are always accessible and easy to replicate.

Another part of the News' food section are the local cook contests. People from all over the New York metro area can contribute recipes , from spaghetti and meat balls to blintzes. Some contestants are even junior chefs who barely reach the table top. These recipes are always fun and tasty with simple instructions. Check out the News' Christmas cookie section where readers contribute their favorite snaps and bars recipes. It's a great place for garnering some new ideas for holiday baking.

Don't be swayed by the Times and their Food section. Yes, it's informative and good. However if you want just basic , down to earth dishes and articles , then check out The Daily News. You'll definitely find something that suits your taste.

Cherished Memories and Recipes

Who hasn't relied on their Mom's lasagna or their Gran's advice for cutting vegetables? Family recipes are to be cherished, much like that of photographs and hand made items. The most important thing to do is cherish what you've been given - and that includes any dishes that have been passed down to you.

For a fun fall activity , collect all your recipes and make them with your kids. There's bound to be a dish from your childhood that you'd like to share with the next generation. Also it's a good time to organize your recipes as well (check Borders or Barnes and Nobles for recipe scrapbooks). Consider making these for the holidays. After all what person wouldn't want to have their family's special pie recipe to finish a Thanksgiving meal or those snickerdoodles wrapped up as a Christmas gift? Even get together with your siblings or cousins to recreate the meals you had when you were growing up.

Cherish all that's been passed down to you. This includes the recipes,aromas and tastes that shaped you as the foodie you are today.

Your Write To Foodie Pantry

Ok readers (well all three of you) let's hear your summer time of 2008 stories. Are there any recipes you'd like to share? Any comments? A review of your favorite summer eatery?

Let me know This blog is open for discussion.

Liz