For Better Asparagus, Ditch the Water


Updated 04/24/12 12:45 PM · Posted by · 12 comments

Best Way to Cook Asparagus

Ever noticed how asparagus has a more robust, nutty flavor when you roast it in the oven with olive oil than when you blanch or steam it? I'd always assumed that was just because, well, roasting makes everything taste better, but it turns out there's actually a scientific explanation behind the difference. According to Fat Duck chef Heston Blumenthal, the flavor molecules in asparagus are water Read more

4 Ways to Get Into the Spring Spirit With Floral Flavors


Updated 04/23/12 12:05 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

Cooking With Flowers

With Spring in full bloom, there's no better way to get into the spirit of the season than some fresh, fragrant flowers. You may think that getting a dose of the color and beauty of flowers could only come in the form of an arrangement, but guess again. It may sound a little outside of your comfort zone, but injecting a little flower power may add a potent punch of flavor or lively color to wake Read more

Know Your Ingredients: Bamboo Shoots


Updated 04/10/12 6:40 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

How to Cook With Bamboo Shoots

On my last trip to Tokyo, we hit up a tiny place known for its spicy tonkotsu ramen, those famous skinny noodles topped with a hearty pork bone broth. The guys behind the counter shouted a counting rhyme as they deftly assembled each element of each serving, and when my teeming bowl appeared before me, I was thrilled to see a heaping pile of seasoned bamboo shoots atop the noodles. It's Spring, Read more

Know Your Ingredients: Onions


Updated 04/04/12 11:55 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Onion Types

With so many different types of onions, a full, comprehensive guide would be more than a little tedious, so we've put together a short, simple list of all the must-know points — from taste variation to shelf life to quick cooking tips. Not sure which onions to use in which dish? Learn these basics to boost your knowledge: Colors Onions come in a large variety of types, tastes, and colors, the Read more

5 Simple Recipe Substitutions


Updated 03/29/12 11:41 AM · Posted by · 5 comments

Substitutions For Buttermilk and Self-Rising Flour

There's nothing worse than being elbow-deep in an exciting recipe, only to realize it calls for an ingredient you don't have. But there is a way around the situation that doesn't involve keeping your kitchen stocked with items you won't get much use out of. Read on for five slightly unusual ingredients many recipes call for and an easy substitution for each. Source: Flickr User sleepyneko, Read more

Slaw and Order: How to Use Up a Jar of Kimchi


Updated 05/15/12 12:55 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

Other Uses For Kimchi in Cooking

So you took the plunge and bought a jar of kimchi. It has paired nicely as a side dish beside rice and delicious Korean barbecue, but now that the honeymoon period is over, you're looking for what's next. While the pungent fermented cabbage will last several weeks tightly sealed in the fridge, it will eventually expire, and boy, you don't want to be around when it does! If you're in a pickle Read more

Roasting vs. Baking: What's the Difference?


Updated 03/19/12 3:03 PM · Posted by · 2 comments

Difference Between Roasting and Baking

Living in a small, city apartment, I've learned that I can go without a lot in the appliance department while still managing to create delicious food. The oven, however, is not one of those things; in the modern kitchen, it's the king. Two cooking methods — roasting and baking — are nearly synonymous with the concept of the oven itself, yet they are seemingly identical techniques. They both Read more

5 Tips on Cooking Healthy For One


Updated 03/19/12 9:27 AM · Posted by · 1 comment

Tips For Cooking For One

After YumSugar reader Dreamalittledream asked for some advice on cooking healthy for one, we got to thinking. It's definitely easier to stay committed to healthy cooking when you've got people to share it with — or a few mouths to feed! — but cooking for yourself need not be a lonely or trying experience. In need of some inspiration? Look no further. We've got you covered with five helpful Read more

For a Fresh Start, Reach For These Greek Yogurt Mix-Ins


Updated 03/15/12 5:30 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

What to Put in Greek Yogurt

While I appreciate and admire anyone who is able to fit in a solid, satisfying breakfast before heading to work in the morning, I just can't relate. Most days it's a race out the door, and taking time to sit down and eat just isn't a priority (or a possibility). That said, I've come to love Greek yogurt, mostly because I can buy a tub of it on my way to work, and the possibilities are nearly Read more