CookShelfMichael Ruhlman recently released a new book called Grocery: The Buying and Selling of Food in America. The book offers commentary on America's relationship with its food and investigates the overlooked source of so…
People in the United States cannot claim to have invented ice cream, but we sure do love to eat it. On average, US citizens each consume a staggering 40+ pints of ice cream in a year. Our fondness for the cold treat is…
In yesterday's post I declared that I read cookbooks like other people read novels. I enjoy getting to know the author's voice, and learning about different cultures and locales through the foods of the area. I am…
Do you remember the first time you tasted cardamom? Perhaps it occurred when you nibbled on Swedish meatballs or drank masala chai. Cardamom's enchanting flavor has made a home for itself in cuisines across the globe.…
It can be difficult to imagine cooking before the internet, but it was not that terribly long ago when you had to rely on cookbooks or family members to find a recipe. The proliferation of easily available recipes for…
Perfectly ripe tomatoes are a favorite part of summer. Their brief season (brief, at least, to those of us in the far northern latitudes) is something people look forward to during the long winter months. Once the…
Baking can be intimidating to the most seasoned of cooks because of its requirements for accurate measuring. Using a digital scale solves a lot of measuring problems, but there are some instances when it might not be…
It's difficult to imagine baking without vanilla. The flavor is ubiquitous in everything from pies to cakes to cookies. Other desserts like puddings and pastry cream also rely on it distinctive floral and fruity flavor…
When you go into any American deli, you're likely to find many of the same deli products, with a few regional specialties thrown into the mix. Among the staples you will usually find corned beef or pastrami. Most people…
One of the best ways to learn a language is through everyday experiences like eating. That's part of the philosophy behind the Manchester, England supper club called Heart and Parcel. The club teaches English to migrant…
Following James Beard's death in 1985, a group of his friends and colleagues, led by Julia Child, banded together to find a fitting use for the culinary icon's home, a New York City brownstone. Beard had welcomed…
Cool, rich and creamy treats like ice cream, sherbet, sorbet, and gelato are some of life's best simple treasures. They are all delicious, but there are distinctions between the types of frozen dessert. As with most…
