Cooking with wine: Does the alcohol evaporate? Do the calories disappear?
For those curious about cooking with wine and other alcoholic beverages, this post is about the evaporation of alcohol, the “bitterness” and about how much of the …
Kitchen
Divided into three sub-categories — ingredients, how-tos and tools — this section includes tips on choosing a kitchen countertop (in case you're remodeling) and kitchen organizing.
How to prepare wood ears and black fungus
Until recently, I couldn’t tell the difference between black fungus and wood ear mushrooms when buying them in dried form. Actually, I thought they were the same. My, …
How to sear and roast (or braise) duck breast fillet
Sear both sides of the fillet in a frying pan, pop into the oven and roast. Or add sauce after searing and braise in the oven or on the stovetop.
How to tenderize meat for stir fries
Pounding the meat and cutting it across the grain are two very important steps. Soaking in baking soda or fruit puree are optional. Velveting gives the meat a springy …
How to clean fresh whole squid (calamari)
If you like squid (or if you're just a fan of crispy calamari), knowing how to clean fresh whole squids is an indispensable skill. See our illustrated guide.
How to score a whole fish
With recipes for cooking whole fish, it is common to see instructions to “score” the fish. What exactly does “score” mean and what is its purpose?
Are century eggs preserved for 100 years?
You’ll find them cut into wedges and served alongside cold meat and pickled jellyfish in Chinese restaurants. They’re called century eggs, a popular Chinese delicacy.