To die for.
A chiffonade is an elegant cut of leafy vegetables into long, thin strips. The technique is incredibly simple, and the result is a really beautiful cut or garnish. Stack three to four leaves of whatever vegetable you're using (I used basil here). Roll the leaves up tightly and hold them together at one end. To see more steps (and photos for each), keep reading. Read more
When you first step into the kitchen and prepare a dish you love for the first time, things can be a little overwhelming; often the last thing you want to do is translate what a technique actually means as you're knee deep in the kitchen. I get it: there are some French cooking methods and terms that scared me so much when I started cooking that I let go of the dream of creating a certain recipe Read more
Now that you've become acquainted with the culinary term chiffonade, learn how to employ the kitchen cutting technique in your cooking. It's easy — we've got step-by-step instructions to show you how. This method applies to herbs used for garnish, like basil and sage, or vegetables that have firm leaves, such as cabbage, spinach, collard greens, or chard. Read more
Chiffonade A kitchen cutting technique used to shred the leaves of herbs and vegetables into long, skinny ribbons. It is accomplished by stacking leaves, rolling them tightly, then slicing the rolled leaves thinly and evenly with a sharp knife, producing long strips. A chiffonade may then be used in a light sauté or as a garnish. Read more
What do backyard chickens and 11 Olympic medals have in common? Natalie Coughlin, that's what. The gold medalist and world champion is gearing up for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, while cultivating a healthy interest in all things food-related. From growing vegetables in her own backyard in Lafayette, CA to her highly effective method of kitchen organization, Natalie gives us the scoop on Read more
Although typically I don't veer far from my trusty green salad, there's something about Easter that makes me want to fill the table with all kinds of color. And when a gorgeous bunch of multicolored carrots appeared in my CSA box last week, I knew exactly how I wanted to enjoy them. When vegetables are shaved (with a peeler or a mandoline), they take on an entirely new quality. Tossed in a Read more
A large dice is a relatively straightforward knife cut. Measuring at about 3/4-inch on each side, this cut may not seem as complicated as a julienne or a chiffonade, but with the right technique, you can really speed up your prepping process. This cut's ideal for large vegetables, like tubers. A peeled potato is an easy example. Cut the potato into 3/4-inch planks. Keep reading to find out how Read more
Like the chiffonade, a julienne is a very useful and visually appealing way to cut vegetables. This cut will take many of your dishes to the next level in terms of aesthetics and texture. We're using a zucchini for our demonstration, but this technique works on any number of fruits and vegetables. Cut a 2 1/2 to 3-inch section of your zucchini so that it stands up straight and square off the Read more
Even in the dark, Yoo Eatz's recipe for a cherry tomato, soft tofu, and shiso salad looks pretty incredible. When I was about 2 years old, my best friend in the whole world was Jon. He was 6 months younger, but a whole head taller than me, and while I was very quiet and shy, he could wail loud enough for the both of us (or so my mom says). Where I would scamper, he would lumber. One of the only Read more
Eggplant parm is one of our favorite vegetarian entrées, and we love how it's ideal for feeding a crowd. But did you know that it makes fancy-looking party bites, too? I came across the creative idea at Carts in the Parc, where FoodParc vendor Fornetti was serving bite-sized antipasto skewers — along with miniature stacks of eggplant parmesan. The execution was elegant, but the idea simple: Read more
