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Know Your Ingredients: Buttermilk

At his sous vide seminar in Aspen, Momofuku chef David Chang urged us not to fear the buttermilk.

At his sous vide seminar in Aspen, Momofuku chef David Chang urged us not to fear the buttermilk. "Buttermilk is just cultured milk!" he exclaimed — at which point I realized that I knew very little about the stuff.

Although they are both rich, creamy dairy items, the term buttermilk refers to two different products. There's old-fashioned buttermilk, which is the thin liquid left over after the natural process of butter being churned. It's acidic and often has flakes of butter still floating in it. Then there's cultured buttermilk, the thick and creamy fermented milk product that Chang was referring to, and what's typically seen sold in cartons at the supermarket. Sometimes called artificial buttermilk, it contains no butter. It is created by adding a lactic acid bacterial culture to dairy to ferment it, resulting in a tangy flavor and a thicker consistency.

Buttermilk is a popular ingredient in biscuits, scones, and fried chicken batter. (Chang likes to make a buttermilk dressing.) Since it typically has a longer shelf life than regular milk, buttermilk can be a good investment. However, in a pinch, one can make acidified buttermilk, a product made by adding acid such as lemon juice to regular milk. Do you use buttermilk?

Source: Flickr User jeffreyw

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Definition: Gojuchang

At his sous vide demo in Aspen, chef David Chang talked about his affinity for cooking with gojuchang.

At his sous vide demo in Aspen, chef David Chang talked about his affinity for cooking with gojuchang. Gojuchang (pronounced "go-joo-chong") is a Korean red pepper paste. Usually fermented, it contains dried chile peppers and an emulsifying sweetener such as molasses. The paste is used sparingly for marinating, cooking, and as a condiment for marinated beef, mixed vegetables over rice, noodles, and other dishes. It can be purchased at most Asian markets.

Have you ever tried gojuchang?
Source: Flickr User joyosity

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Definition: Drafting

When it comes to saving energy when cycling, two riders are better than one.

When it comes to saving energy when cycling, two riders are better than one. That's because the pair can draft, a technique that puts aerodynamics to work. The two cyclists ride in a tight single file line, with the back rider taking advantage of the slipstream created by the front rider. Essentially, the front rider cuts through the wind, decreasing the wind resistance of the second cyclist, who saves a significant amount of energy — estimated to be as high as 40 percent. The front rider will experience a slight push from the second rider as well.

Drafting is an important tactic in bike racing. Teams use it to save energy and rotate in and out of the lead position. The single file line of two or more cyclists is referred to as a paceline. This is also a technique used to propel a rider to the finish line, allowing the back rider to draft and save energy before jumping to the lead and sprinting to the finish.

To properly draft in a headwind, cyclists must ride with mere inches between their wheels. In a crosswind, cyclists will form an echelon, a staggered diagonal line with each rider slightly downwind of the previous rider.

French

Definition: Beurre Monté

In Aspen, Thomas Keller talked about beurre monté, or what he refers to as "the workhorse sauce."

In Aspen, Thomas Keller talked about beurre monté, or what he refers to as "the workhorse sauce." Beurre monté (pronounced "bur mahn-tay") is an emulsified sauce made by whisking butter with water over heat. It contains about two percent milk solids, 80 percent milk fats, and 18 percent water. It can be used to cook meats and create sauces and is ideal for poaching delicate shellfish like lobster. Have you ever worked with the French sauce?

Source: Flickr User lucy like whoa

Appetizers

Definition: Verrine

Not to be confused with terrine, a verrine ("ver-een") is an appetizer or dessert made of components layered in a small glass.

Not to be confused with terrine, a verrine ("ver-een") is an appetizer or dessert made of components layered in a small glass. The word, which translates to "protective glass" in French, refers to a trend that began in France a decade ago that has spread to the United States and other corners of the culinary world.

Les verrines, as French chefs call them, are served in a very small transparent glass or bowl that highlights layers of color and texture. Ingredient layers can be sweet or savory, hot or cold, raw or cooked, custardy or whipped, creamy or liquidy — just about anything with contrast to create an element of surprise for the diner. Have you ever tried a verrine?

Source: Flickr User fred_v

Chocolate

Know Your Ingredients: Cacao Nibs

If you have a penchant for all things chocolate, you may have noticed a recent trend with cacao nibs popping up in desserts and other dishes.

If you have a penchant for all things chocolate, you may have noticed a recent trend with cacao nibs popping up in desserts and other dishes. While they're a crucial step in the chocolate-making process, cacao nibs (sometimes called cocoa nibs) are now being sold on their own as a stand-alone item in specialty markets.

Once cacao beans are picked and roasted, they're separated from their husks, then broken into pieces. These are cocoa nibs. To make chocolate, the pieces are ground into a thick paste called chocolate liquor, which is combined with cocoa butter and sugar. But these bits of bean can also be used to add a subtle chocolate flavor and soft crunch to baked goods and savory dishes.

While cocoa nibs can be eaten as a snack, I particularly enjoy them as a topping on ice cream or studded inside chocolate bars. I've heard they're great mixed into cookies as well. How have you had them?

Source: Flickr User La.Catholique

Water

Sparkling, Seltzer, Soda: A Primer on Carbonated Water

PartySugar's the queen of cocktails, and her bar is stocked with tons of essential ingredients for mixing, from grenadine to simple syrup.

PartySugar's the queen of cocktails, and her bar is stocked with tons of essential ingredients for mixing, from grenadine to simple syrup. Yesterday, she brought up a good question about carbonated water, another popular bar fixture. Soda water, seltzer, club soda, sparkling water, mineral water: there are so many different fizzy waters out there. Are they all the same thing? To find out the answer, keep reading.

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Definition: Compote

A compote is fresh or dried fruit that's been stewed or baked in a syrup.

A compote is fresh or dried fruit that's been stewed or baked in a syrup. The dish is slow-cooked on low heat to break the fruit down gently and allow it to retain some shape. Compote may involve one or a variety of fruits, and may be spiced with the addition of citrus peel, cinnamon, or cloves, or with alcohol. The dish can be served warm or chilled for breakfast or dessert, either on its own or as a topping for another dessert, such as ice cream.

Compote also refers to a deep, stemmed dish that's used to retain fruit, nuts, and candy.

Source: Flickr User jules:stonesoup

taste test

If You Like Guavas, You'll Love the Feijoa

I love discovering lesser-known fruits — my recent finds include white sapotes and tayberries — so I couldn't say no when specialty produce company Frieda's offered to send me an exotic fruit called the feijoa.

I love discovering lesser-known fruits — my recent finds include white sapotes and tayberries — so I couldn't say no when specialty produce company Frieda's offered to send me an exotic fruit called the feijoa. Pronounced "fe-ho-a," feijoas (also known as pineapple guavas or guavasteens) originated in South America and are related to — you guessed it — the guava. Learn more about them when you keep reading.

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Definition: Crudo

If you like sashimi, chances are, you'll enjoy crudo (pronounced "crew-doh").

If you like sashimi, chances are, you'll enjoy crudo (pronounced "crew-doh"). The word, which means raw in Italian and Spanish, refers to the preparation of slicing fish thinly, then drizzling it with oil, acid, and seasonings.

A classic example, which has been served for generations in Italian fishing towns, might include olive oil, citrus juice, and salt.

Source: Flickr User fabriziocolors