Category: Basics and Blends

Basic procedures and custom spice blends

Never-Fail Biscuits

6 ounces /170 grams (1 1/2 cups) self-rising flour 1/8 teaspoon salt (optional; for a saltier biscuit, add up to to 1/4 teaspoon) 6 ounces /170 grams (3/4 cup) heavy or whipping cream Heat the oven to 450° F, with a rack in the top third of the oven. Mix the flour and salt together… Continue reading Never-Fail Biscuits

Pressure Cooker Mashed Potatoes

4 (~2.5lbs/1100g) russet potatoes or 6 Yukon gold potatoes , peeled and quartered 1 cup (250ml) cold water 1/2 cup (100ml) milk 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter 2 cloves garlic , minced 2 tablespoons (30g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese Kosher salt & pepper to taste Pressure Cook Potatoes: Fill the pressure cooker with 1 cup… Continue reading Pressure Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese

1 pound medium elbow macaroni 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided 2 cups grated American cheese 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan 3 cups whole milk 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon onion powder Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to… Continue reading Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese

Skillet Yeast Rolls

3/4 cup whole milk (105-110 degrees F) 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast 2 tablespoons sugar, divided 1/3 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary, divided 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 large egg, at room temperature 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted Combine milk, yeast and… Continue reading Skillet Yeast Rolls

Slow Cooker Spiral-Cut Ham with Orange Glaze

1 cup orange marmalade 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice Zest of 1 orange 1 (7-10 pound) bone-in, spiral-cut ham 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed 15 whole cloves In a small bowl, whisk together orange marmalade, Dijon, orange juice and orange zest; set aside. Place ham into a 6-qt slow cooker.… Continue reading Slow Cooker Spiral-Cut Ham with Orange Glaze

Easy Thanksgiving Turkey

1 (12-14 pound) fresh whole turkey Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 shallot, minced 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage leaves 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves 1 tablespoon lemon zest 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 carrots, peeled 3 stalks… Continue reading Easy Thanksgiving Turkey

Fool-Proof Turkey Gravy

Pan drippings from turkey 1/4 cup unsalted butter 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Strain pan drippings through a fine-mesh sieve; discard solids and reserve 2 1/2 cups pan drippings; set aside. Melt butter in a medium… Continue reading Fool-Proof Turkey Gravy

Creole Seasoning

1 tablespoon smoked paprika 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or less, if desired) 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Roast-Turkey Gravy

2 to 3 pounds raw turkey necks and/or wings (not smoked) 6 cups homemade chicken broth (see headnote) 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter 1 small red onion, minced 6 tablespoons Madeira 8 tablespoons flour 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more as needed 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more as needed 1 cup… Continue reading Roast-Turkey Gravy

Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter 1/2 cup flour 4 cups defatted turkey stock, warmed (may substitute no-salt-added chicken stock) 1/2 cup dry red wine Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 to 1 1/2 cups turkey pan drippings Melt the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, watching carefully so it does… Continue reading Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

Simple Turkey Pan Gravy

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter 1/2 cup minced shallots 3/4 cup dry vermouth (see headnote) 1/3 cup Wondra flour or all-purpose flour 2 cups turkey stock or no-salt-added chicken broth (see NOTE) Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the shallots and cook… Continue reading Simple Turkey Pan Gravy

Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Salt 1 pound cavatappi or elbow macaroni 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 6 cups whole milk 1 pound sharp or extra-sharp yellow Cheddar, coarsely grated (5 1/4 cups) 8 ounces Velveeta, torn into pieces 4 ounces Pecorino Romano, coarsely grated (1 cup) 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder 1/4 teaspoon onion powder Pinch… Continue reading Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Pressure Cooker Chicken Breasts

3 pounds fresh or frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 large breasts) 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water Arrange the chicken, salt, and water in the electric pressure cooker. Set a trivet or a steamer basket inside the insert. Season the chicken with the salt and set on the… Continue reading Pressure Cooker Chicken Breasts

Sheet Pan Macaroni and Cheese

1 pound large elbow macaroni 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 medium shallot, minced 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon paprika 2 cups whole milk 1 cup heavy cream 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 16 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated 1/2 cup freshly grated… Continue reading Sheet Pan Macaroni and Cheese

Pressure Cooker Beef Barbacoa

3 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar 1 Chipotle Chile in Adobo Sauce 6 Garlic Cloves 1 tablespoon Ground Cumin 2 teaspoons Dried Oregano 1.5 teaspoons Kosher Salt 1 tablespoon Mexican Red Chili Powder 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves 1 cup Water 1 pound Chuck Roast beef, cut into 5-6 even pieces 2 tablespoons lime juice In a… Continue reading Pressure Cooker Beef Barbacoa

Beef Ragu

1 lb stewing beef 2 Tbsp olive oil 1/3 cup onions, diced 1/3 cup carrots, diced, about 1/4-inch dice 1/4 tsp crushed red chili pepper flakes 4 cloves garlic , roughly chopped 2 Tbsp tomato paste 1/2 cup red wine 28 oz whole canned tomatoes, San Marzano recommended 1 cup beef broth 2 Tbsp salted… Continue reading Beef Ragu

Ginger & Garlic Vegetable Stir-fry

1 tablespoon olive oil 4 cups chopped vegetables* 1 tablespoon Yondu 1 teaspoon grated ginger 1 teaspoon minced garlic In a large pan over high heat, add oil and vegetables and saute until brown to your liking; 2-5 minutes. Combine Yondu, ginger and garlic in a small bowl and set aside. Remove pan from heat;… Continue reading Ginger & Garlic Vegetable Stir-fry

All-Purpose Marinade for Grilling Vegetables

3 Tbsp. Yondu 2 tsp apple cider vinegar (or another mild vinegar) ½ tsp ground black pepper ½ tsp dry thyme 1 clove of garlic, finely minced 1 lb. Your favorite vegetables for grilling Method 1. In a bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients. 2. Prepare your vegetables for the grill by washing, peeling and… Continue reading All-Purpose Marinade for Grilling Vegetables