Duck Fat Roasted Brussels Sprouts – P.H.A.T. with an “F”

With all the rich and decadent football party food I’ve been sharing lately, I’d thought I’d take a little break, and post a nice, simple green vegetable side dish. Of course, these beautiful roasted Brussels sprouts were just a prop so I could demonstrate using leftover duck fat, but still.

If you watch any amount of celebrity chef TV, you’ve undoubtedly heard them going off on the virtues of duck fat. They mostly pontificate on its deep, palate-coating richness, which is true; but they also like to point out the health benefits. That part is a little cloudy…you know, like saturated fat when it cools down.

Duck fat does have much less saturated fat than butter, and is higher in oleic acid, the stuff that makes olive oil so popular with the healthy eating gurus, but make no mistake, this is still an animal fat, and should be used in moderation. The good news: “in moderation” totally works!

A few tablespoons and a very hot oven is all you need to turn some sleepy vegetables into something much more special. As I mention in the video, bacon grease will make a fine (and even more flavorful) substitute, but if you do cook duck, saving the leftover fat is nothing short of mandatory. I hope you give this technique a try soon. Enjoy!


Ingredients:
Brussels sprouts (about 4-6 per person)
salt, pepper, cayenne to taste
enough melted duck fat to coat vegetables generously (about 2-3 tablespoons per pound of sprouts)
fresh squeezed lemon to finish
*Roast at 450 degrees F. until tender but still a little firm, about 15-20 minutes

View the complete recipe

Duck Fat Roasted Brussels Sprouts – P.H.A.T. with an “F”

With all the rich and decadent football party food I’ve been sharing lately, I’d thought I’d take a little break, and post a nice, simple green vegetable side dish. Of course, these beautiful roasted Brussels sprouts were just a prop so I could demonstrate using leftover duck fat, but still.

If you watch any amount of celebrity chef TV, you’ve undoubtedly heard them going off on the virtues of duck fat. They mostly pontificate on its deep, palate-coating richness, which is true; but they also like to point out the health benefits. That part is a little cloudy…you know, like saturated fat when it cools down.

Duck fat does have much less saturated fat than butter, and is higher in oleic acid, the stuff that makes olive oil so popular with the healthy eating gurus, but make no mistake, this is still an animal fat, and should be used in moderation. The good news: “in moderation” totally works!

A few tablespoons and a very hot oven is all you need to turn some sleepy vegetables into something much more special. As I mention in the video, bacon grease will make a fine (and even more flavorful) substitute, but if you do cook duck, saving the leftover fat is nothing short of mandatory. I hope you give this technique a try soon. Enjoy!


Ingredients:
Brussels sprouts (about 4-6 per person)
salt, pepper, cayenne to taste
enough melted duck fat to coat vegetables generously (about 2-3 tablespoons per pound of sprouts)
fresh squeezed lemon to finish
*Roast at 450 degrees F. until tender but still a little firm, about 15-20 minutes

Baked Crab and Artichoke Dip – A Snack So Nice, You Finish it Twice

Nothing says, “this party rocks” like a creamy, cheesy, baked dip, and when you’re talking about a hot crab and artichoke dip, people have been known to put an extra choice word or two before “rocks.” If only there were a big event coming up soon to test this theory.

Not only is this additive dip easy to make, it works with any budget. You can load it up with the finest fresh crab, use frozen or pasteurized lump crab meat, or even canned in a pinch. By the way, (and off the record) I’ve had these made with fake crab, and it wasn’t bad at all.

While the loaf of bread base does make for a nice presentation, not to mention recycled after party snack food, you can simply bake this in a casserole dish as well. As I mentioned in the video, I had a little extra leftover, and if this happens to you, give it a try as a stuffing for ravioli, wontons, or other dumpling-like delivery systems.

No matter which team they’re rooting for, all your guests will be cheering for more of this delicious baked dip. By the way, nothing beats watching your friends play tug-o-war with the crust once the dip is gone. I hope you give it a try soon. Enjoy!


Ingredients for 12 portions of Baked Crab and Artichoke Dip:
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
1/3 cup chopped green onions
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp fresh chopped tarragon leaves
zest and juice from 1 lemon
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste
cayenne to taste
1 pound lump crab meat, drained
1 (14-oz) can artichoke bottoms
6 oz white Cheddar cheese, divided
1 large round or oval loaf sourdough bread
About 30 min at 375 degrees F.

Baked Crab and Artichoke Dip – A Snack So Nice, You Finish it Twice

Nothing says, “this party rocks” like a creamy, cheesy, baked dip, and when you’re talking about a hot crab and artichoke dip, people have been known to put an extra choice word or two before “rocks.” If only there were a big event coming up soon to test this theory.

Not only is this additive dip easy to make, it works with any budget. You can load it up with the finest fresh crab, use frozen or pasteurized lump crab meat, or even canned in a pinch. By the way, (and off the record) I’ve had these made with fake crab, and it wasn’t bad at all.

While the loaf of bread base does make for a nice presentation, not to mention recycled after party snack food, you can simply bake this in a casserole dish as well. As I mentioned in the video, I had a little extra leftover, and if this happens to you, give it a try as a stuffing for ravioli, wontons, or other dumpling-like delivery systems.

No matter which team they’re rooting for, all your guests will be cheering for more of this delicious baked dip. By the way, nothing beats watching your friends play tug-o-war with the crust once the dip is gone. I hope you give it a try soon. Enjoy!


Ingredients for 12 portions of Baked Crab and Artichoke Dip:
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
1/3 cup chopped green onions
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp fresh chopped tarragon leaves
zest and juice from 1 lemon
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste
cayenne to taste
1 pound lump crab meat, drained
1 (14-oz) can artichoke bottoms
6 oz white Cheddar cheese, divided
1 large round or oval loaf sourdough bread
About 30 min at 375 degrees F.

Super Bowl Spoiler Alert: San Francisco 49ers Will Win!

As promised, here’s my official Super Bowl XLVII prediction, using our patented Buffalo chicken wing bones method. The game will feature the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens, and while I’m sure you’ll have fun either way, recent studies have shown that winning lots of money during a sporting event, results in significantly higher levels of enjoyment.

And of course, by using chicken wing bones to predict the winner, I don’t waste time and money sifting through information, analyzing game film, or considering any actual facts. This allows me to pass the savings on to you. Anyway, this is obviously not a joke, and I fully expect you to bet your entire savings on this sure thing. Not doing so would just be plain stupid. Enjoy!

Super Bowl Spoiler Alert: San Francisco 49ers Will Win!

As promised, here’s my official Super Bowl XLVII prediction, using our patented Buffalo chicken wing bones method. The game will feature the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens, and while I’m sure you’ll have fun either way, recent studies have shown that winning lots of money during a sporting event, results in significantly higher levels of enjoyment.

And of course, by using chicken wing bones to predict the winner, I don’t waste time and money sifting through information, analyzing game film, or considering any actual facts. This allows me to pass the savings on to you. Anyway, this is obviously not a joke, and I fully expect you to bet your entire savings on this sure thing. Not doing so would just be plain stupid. Enjoy!

I Dip, You Dip, We Dip

I just started working on this year's special Super Bowl dip recipe (spoiler alert: it's not low-cal), and thought in the meantime I'd repost this short but delicious collection of previously posted dips. Just click on the recipe name in the caption, and as always, enjoy!

I Dip, You Dip, We Dip

I just started working on this year's special Super Bowl dip recipe (spoiler alert: it's not low-cal), and thought in the meantime I'd repost this short but delicious collection of previously posted dips. Just click on the recipe name in the caption, and as always, enjoy!

How to Butterfly, Stuff, Roll, and Tie a Pork Roast Like a Celebrity Butcher

Like almost all the videos I do, this tutorial for how to butterfly, stuff, roll, tie, and roast a pork loin was inspired by a viewer’s request. However, this was NOT your typical food wish, as it came via Chris LaFrieda, from the celebrated Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors

That’s right. America’s most famous butchers are fans of the channel, and asked me if I wanted to do a video with some of their fabulous meat. After carefully considering the offer for two or three seconds, I agreed, and we decided to show their technique for a rolled, stuffed, caul-fat-wrapped pork loin.

Not only do the LaFrieda’s star in their own TV show, "Meat Men," but their client list is a who’s who of the country’s top chefs. Their custom burger mixes are legendary, with the most famous being the Minetta Tavern’s “Black Label Burger.” Basically, if you’ve not heard of Pat LaFrieda Meats, you need to turn in your foodie card right now.

I tried my best to adapt their technique for the home kitchen, and as you’ll see, there really isn’t anything that even an average home cook couldn’t accomplish. For example, the butterflying may not look very elegant with all those slash marks, but in the end it will look amazing, and is a bit easier than the pro method.

As far as the caul fat wrap goes, you’ll need to go past the supermarket meat case, and talk to a real butcher. Anyone that can get you a large pork loin roast, like the one we used here, will be able to get you a half-pound of caul fat. It really is one of the keys to this procedure.

Pork loin is so lean, and by covering it in a thin layer of caul fat, you’re adding lots of moisture, as well as another layer of flavor. I highly suggest you find some, and if you don’t use it all for your roast, it makes a perfect casing for some sausage patties.

Anyway, a very special thank you to Chris LaFrieda, and the rest of the LaFrieda family for the opportunity to share this great technique. I hope you enjoy the video, and it gives you the confidence to try this exciting technique soon. Enjoy!


Ingredients:
5-6 pound boneless pork loin roast, butterflied as shown
salt and pepper to taste (be generous, that’s a lot of meat)
3 cups any prepared bread stuffing recipe (ones with herbs and dried fruit will be particularly delicious)
caul fat, as needed
1 sliced onion for the roasting pan

Roast at 450 degrees F. for 15 minutes to sear.
Reduce heat to 325 degrees F. for about 1 1/2 hour OR until an internal temperature of 140 degrees F.

Pan Sauce Note: Once you remove the roast, you can add a splash of water to the pan, along with a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar if desired. Place over high heat and bring to a boil, scrapping the goodness from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Season to taste, and spoon over sliced meat.

How to Butterfly, Stuff, Roll, and Tie a Pork Roast Like a Celebrity Butcher

Like almost all the videos I do, this tutorial for how to butterfly, stuff, roll, tie, and roast a pork loin was inspired by a viewer’s request. However, this was NOT your typical food wish, as it came via Chris LaFrieda, from the celebrated Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors

That’s right. America’s most famous butchers are fans of the channel, and asked me if I wanted to do a video with some of their fabulous meat. After carefully considering the offer for two or three seconds, I agreed, and we decided to show their technique for a rolled, stuffed, caul-fat-wrapped pork loin.

Not only do the LaFrieda’s star in their own TV show, "Meat Men," but their client list is a who’s who of the country’s top chefs. Their custom burger mixes are legendary, with the most famous being the Minetta Tavern’s “Black Label Burger.” Basically, if you’ve not heard of Pat LaFrieda Meats, you need to turn in your foodie card right now.

I tried my best to adapt their technique for the home kitchen, and as you’ll see, there really isn’t anything that even an average home cook couldn’t accomplish. For example, the butterflying may not look very elegant with all those slash marks, but in the end it will look amazing, and is a bit easier than the pro method.

As far as the caul fat wrap goes, you’ll need to go past the supermarket meat case, and talk to a real butcher. Anyone that can get you a large pork loin roast, like the one we used here, will be able to get you a half-pound of caul fat. It really is one of the keys to this procedure.

Pork loin is so lean, and by covering it in a thin layer of caul fat, you’re adding lots of moisture, as well as another layer of flavor. I highly suggest you find some, and if you don’t use it all for your roast, it makes a perfect casing for some sausage patties.

Anyway, a very special thank you to Chris LaFrieda, and the rest of the LaFrieda family for the opportunity to share this great technique. I hope you enjoy the video, and it gives you the confidence to try this exciting technique soon. Enjoy!


Ingredients:
5-6 pound boneless pork loin roast, butterflied as shown
salt and pepper to taste (be generous, that’s a lot of meat)
3 cups any prepared bread stuffing recipe (ones with herbs and dried fruit will be particularly delicious)
caul fat, as needed
1 sliced onion for the roasting pan

Roast at 450 degrees F. for 15 minutes to sear.
Reduce heat to 325 degrees F. for about 1 1/2 hour OR until an internal temperature of 140 degrees F.

Pan Sauce Note: Once you remove the roast, you can add a splash of water to the pan, along with a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar if desired. Place over high heat and bring to a boil, scrapping the goodness from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Season to taste, and spoon over sliced meat.

Gaining Weight at the Taste Awards

No, not from all that Schiltz smoked goose, but from those two gorgeous medals hanging off my neck. Speaking of gorgeous, as great as getting the hardware was, it was even more special to catch up with old friends, like Sara from Average Betty (right), as well as meet new ones, like Laura Vitale from Laura in the Kitchen (left).


I want to give everyone who voted for us one last thank you for taking the time to support what we’re doing here. I’ve said it many times before, but you're the best and most loyal fans on the web! Thank you very much.

Gaining Weight at the Taste Awards

No, not from all that Schiltz smoked goose, but from those two gorgeous medals hanging off my neck. Speaking of gorgeous, as great as getting the hardware was, it was even more special to catch up with old friends, like Sara from Average Betty (right), as well as meet new ones, like Laura Vitale from Laura in the Kitchen (left).


I want to give everyone who voted for us one last thank you for taking the time to support what we’re doing here. I’ve said it many times before, but you're the best and most loyal fans on the web! Thank you very much.

Baked Eggplant Sandwiches – Get’em While They’re Room Temp!

I didn’t intend for this baked eggplant sandwich to turn into yet another Super Bowl party food post, but two bites in and I realized that’s what may have happened. The reason for this epiphany had nothing to do with taste or texture, but with temperature. I’d forgotten just how truly delicious these are served at room temp, which was always how the Italians I learned this from served it.

Of course, like any normal person faced with a warm, cheese-filled anything, I ate one as soon as possible, and it was great. Golden-brown and crisp on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside. However, when I went back for seconds an hour later, I got to experience these in all their cooled-off glory.

While not as crispy, they were still crunchy around the edges and featured an entirely different flavor profile. Hot salami isn’t the greatest expression of the sausage maker’s art, and you really don’t appreciate the eggplant’s subtle sweetness playing against the cheese when hot.

I’m not sure exactly why, but Italians seem to have a thing for room temperature fried foods, especially vegetables. I’ve heard Mario Batali talk about this before, but there seems to be a long tradition of letting fried stuff cool down first before eating.

Happily, this practice works perfectly for entertaining, since you can bake these off ahead of time, and put them out on a tray anytime. Whether for your Super Bowl party, or not, I hope you give these addictive eggplant sandwiches a try soon. Enjoy!


Ingredients for each eggplant sandwich:
2 thick slices eggplant (Note: some people salt the slices to draw off liquid, which they say is bitter. I’ve done this for other eggplant recipes, but not for these sandwiches. With the breading and filling, I actually think the slight bitterness is an advantage.)
3 thin, small slices of salami
1/2 slice provolone cheese
1 generous tablespoon olive oil, divided
seasoned flour as needed (flour with enough fine salt, pepper, and cayenne so that it tastes “seasoned” when you dip your finger in it)
beaten eggs, as needed (2 eggs is enough for about 4 sandwiches)
plain breadcrumbs, as needed
1 tsp very finely grated Parmesan cheese

Baked Eggplant Sandwiches – Get’em While They’re Room Temp!

I didn’t intend for this baked eggplant sandwich to turn into yet another Super Bowl party food post, but two bites in and I realized that’s what may have happened. The reason for this epiphany had nothing to do with taste or texture, but with temperature. I’d forgotten just how truly delicious these are served at room temp, which was always how the Italians I learned this from served it.

Of course, like any normal person faced with a warm, cheese-filled anything, I ate one as soon as possible, and it was great. Golden-brown and crisp on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside. However, when I went back for seconds an hour later, I got to experience these in all their cooled-off glory.

While not as crispy, they were still crunchy around the edges and featured an entirely different flavor profile. Hot salami isn’t the greatest expression of the sausage maker’s art, and you really don’t appreciate the eggplant’s subtle sweetness playing against the cheese when hot.

I’m not sure exactly why, but Italians seem to have a thing for room temperature fried foods, especially vegetables. I’ve heard Mario Batali talk about this before, but there seems to be a long tradition of letting fried stuff cool down first before eating.

Happily, this practice works perfectly for entertaining, since you can bake these off ahead of time, and put them out on a tray anytime. Whether for your Super Bowl party, or not, I hope you give these addictive eggplant sandwiches a try soon. Enjoy!


Ingredients for each eggplant sandwich:
2 thick slices eggplant (Note: some people salt the slices to draw off liquid, which they say is bitter. I’ve done this for other eggplant recipes, but not for these sandwiches. With the breading and filling, I actually think the slight bitterness is an advantage.)
3 thin, small slices of salami
1/2 slice provolone cheese
1 generous tablespoon olive oil, divided
seasoned flour as needed (flour with enough fine salt, pepper, and cayenne so that it tastes “seasoned” when you dip your finger in it)
beaten eggs, as needed (2 eggs is enough for about 4 sandwiches)
plain breadcrumbs, as needed
1 tsp very finely grated Parmesan cheese

An Award-Winning Smoked Goose

I’m heading down to Los Angeles tomorrow for the Taste Awards, and in addition to the medals we won for “Best Food Program: Web” and “Best Home Chef in a Series,” we also were gifted a smoked goose by one of the show’s sponsors, Schiltz Foods

While the picture may look food styled and photoshop’d, I can assure you it was not. These delicious geese really are as gorgeous as you see here, and I thought I’d repost the video below as a little thanks to the fine folks at Schiltz for this year’s bird.

The Taste Awards may not yet have risen to match the prestige of the James Beard Awards, but the last time I checked, those guys weren’t getting any free poultry, so there. To read the original post, and get the ingredients, just follow this link. Enjoy!

An Award-Winning Smoked Goose

I’m heading down to Los Angeles tomorrow for the Taste Awards, and in addition to the medals we won for “Best Food Program: Web” and “Best Home Chef in a Series,” we also were gifted a smoked goose by one of the show’s sponsors, Schiltz Foods

While the picture may look food styled and photoshop’d, I can assure you it was not. These delicious geese really are as gorgeous as you see here, and I thought I’d repost the video below as a little thanks to the fine folks at Schiltz for this year’s bird.

The Taste Awards may not yet have risen to match the prestige of the James Beard Awards, but the last time I checked, those guys weren’t getting any free poultry, so there. To read the original post, and get the ingredients, just follow this link. Enjoy!

Beef Goulash! Thick Hungarian Soup, Thin Austrian Stew, or None of the Above?

I’m not sure how authentic this goulash recipe is, since the recipe I use is adapted from one by Austrian chef Wolfgang Puck. Austria is Hungary-adjacent, and I’m pretty sure they were the same country once, but still, the Puckmeister’s version, further modified by me, is closer to a stew called "Pörkölt." Apparently true goulash, or Gulyás, is much more like a soup, and is served with dumplings.

Okay, two things. First, when it comes to a main course, I like stew more than soup. If you want to stay truer to the original, add more liquid. That’s not going to bother me, or Wolfgang. Also, since I operate in a universe ruled by Google, I went with “goulash” since it’s a thousand times more recognizable than pörkölt. When’s the last time you heard someone say they were craving a big bowl of pörkölt?

Of course, none of this helps my American viewers who, thanks to the cafeteria ladies from our childhoods, think “goulash” is a tomato, hamburger, and elbow macaroni casserole. I’m assuming that variation was born when some Hungarian (or Austrian?) immigrant tried to stretch the last few ladles of soup/stew into another full meal.

Anyway, now that we’ve cleared up absolutely nothing, I can talk about this gorgeous dish of food. I adore everything about this dish. The color is stunning, the beef is sticky and succulent, and paprika-based sauce is incredible.

By the way, I’ve heard from my people on YouTube that this is never served on noodles. How do you say, “whatever” in Hungarian? Despite our questionable naming, ingredients, and side dish, this made for a fantastic winter dinner, and I hope you give it a try soon. Enjoy!


Ingredients for 4 large portions of beef goulash:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 1/2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes, seasoned generously with salt and pepper
2 onions, chopped
2 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
2 teaspoons caraway seeds, toasted and ground
2 tablespoons Hungarian paprika
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1 tsp dried marjoram leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
4 cups chicken broth (1 to deglaze pan, 3 more added to stew)
*Note: real goulash is more like a soup, so if you want yours thinner, just add 2 or 3 extra cups of broth.
1/4 cup tomato paste
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
1 bay leaf
1 tsp sugar
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
*Simmer for about 2 hours, or until tender
Garnish with sour cream and fresh marjoram if desired.

View the complete recipe

Beef Goulash! Thick Hungarian Soup, Thin Austrian Stew, or None of the Above?

I’m not sure how authentic this goulash recipe is, since the recipe I use is adapted from one by Austrian chef Wolfgang Puck. Austria is Hungary-adjacent, and I’m pretty sure they were the same country once, but still, the Puckmeister’s version, further modified by me, is closer to a stew called "Pörkölt." Apparently true goulash, or Gulyás, is much more like a soup, and is served with dumplings.

Okay, two things. First, when it comes to a main course, I like stew more than soup. If you want to stay truer to the original, add more liquid. That’s not going to bother me, or Wolfgang. Also, since I operate in a universe ruled by Google, I went with “goulash” since it’s a thousand times more recognizable than pörkölt. When’s the last time you heard someone say they were craving a big bowl of pörkölt?

Of course, none of this helps my American viewers who, thanks to the cafeteria ladies from our childhoods, think “goulash” is a tomato, hamburger, and elbow macaroni casserole. I’m assuming that variation was born when some Hungarian (or Austrian?) immigrant tried to stretch the last few ladles of soup/stew into another full meal.

Anyway, now that we’ve cleared up absolutely nothing, I can talk about this gorgeous dish of food. I adore everything about this dish. The color is stunning, the beef is sticky and succulent, and paprika-based sauce is incredible.

By the way, I’ve heard from my people on YouTube that this is never served on noodles. How do you say, “whatever” in Hungarian? Despite our questionable naming, ingredients, and side dish, this made for a fantastic winter dinner, and I hope you give it a try soon. Enjoy!


Ingredients for 4 large portions of beef goulash:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 1/2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes, seasoned generously with salt and pepper
2 onions, chopped
2 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
2 teaspoons caraway seeds, toasted and ground
2 tablespoons Hungarian paprika
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1 tsp dried marjoram leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
4 cups chicken broth (1 to deglaze pan, 3 more added to stew)
*Note: real goulash is more like a soup, so if you want yours thinner, just add 2 or 3 extra cups of broth.
1/4 cup tomato paste
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
1 bay leaf
1 tsp sugar
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
*Simmer for about 2 hours, or until tender
Garnish with sour cream and fresh marjoram if desired.

Cara memasak steak yang sempurna


Steak yang baik, saya pikir, salah satu kenikmatan karnivora murni yang tersedia. Makan malam panggang hangat memiliki pesona, tentu saja, seperti halnya lambat-dimasak, rebus agar-agar, tapi tidak begitu mutlak, hampir primitif gemuk sebagai steak sederhana - yang merupakan salah satu alasan itu muncul begitu sering, dalam pengalaman saya , dalam makanan final fantasy rakyat.

Memasak Steak


Yang lainnya, saya menduga, adalah bahwa steak mahal, dan memiliki reputasi sebagai sulit untuk melakukannya dengan baik di rumah, yang berarti tetap memperlakukan langka bagi banyak dari kita. (Langka, tentu saja, menjadi satu-satunya cara yang masuk akal untuk makan steak.) Tapi itu bahkan pricier ketika Anda membayar orang lain untuk memasak, dan orang lain untuk melayani, namun lebih banyak orang untuk mencuci setelah itu - pasti itu harus dimungkinkan untuk memasak steak yang layak di rumah tanpa grill 18.000 Josper £?

Bahkan, saya memutuskan untuk menyingkirkan apapun chargrilling, karena dalam iklim kita untuk sebagian besar tahun itu tidak praktis untuk menyarankan mendapatkan barbekyu keluar, ini menjadi urusan dapur-satunya ketat. Dan sementara jelas pendapat akan berbeda untuk memotong "sempurna", aku memutuskan untuk pergi untuk iga, atas dasar bahwa tampaknya menjadi yang disukai di sebagian besar resep steak, dari Hawksmoor London ke Baru York April Bloomfield. Dan jika itu cukup baik untuk koki ...

Persiapan


Wall Street Journal resep steak. Foto: Felicity Cloake
Makanan ilmu sarjana (sebagai pers populer akan istilah dia) dan umum jenius Harold McGee menganggap ada dua rahasia untuk memasak steak yang sukses: "daging hangat dan sering membalik". Yang kedua saya akan datang ke dalam sesaat, tapi rupanya cara terbaik untuk memastikan pertama adalah untuk membungkus steak di cling film kemudian membenamkan mereka dalam air hangat selama 30-60 menit sebelum memasak.

Sebuah resep dari Wall Street Journal berdasarkan tips dari beberapa steakhouses New York City terbaik merekomendasikan memungkinkan mereka datang ke suhu kamar sebelum memasak, seperti halnya Michelin-mega-chef Alain Ducasse dan Hawksmoor at Home, buku resep dari luas-menyembah London steakhouse kelompok. Aku bisa melihat solusi McGee adalah satu yang baik jika Anda hanya pulang satu jam sebelum Anda ingin memasak steak atau jika Anda terikat oleh peraturan kebersihan makanan kejam, tetapi sebaliknya, yang memungkinkan mereka untuk duduk selama dua jam tampaknya menuai persis hasil yang sama.

Pengeringan


Hawksmoor resep steak. Foto: Felicity Cloake
The Wall Street Journal, dan Hawksmoor Illustrated ini buku resep New Cook Terbaik semua merekomendasikan menepuk-nepuk permukaan steak kering sebelum memasak, yang masuk akal bagi saya setelah pengalaman saya rambut-dryering bersama daging babi dalam mencari berderak sempurna.

Hawskmoor menjelaskan bahwa steak basah akan "berjuang untuk membentuk kerak yang layak dan dapat mengambil beberapa rebus daging rasa yang tidak menyenangkan". Ini tampaknya membantu sedikit dengan pencok awal, meskipun sekali steak telah pada suhu kamar selama beberapa jam mereka sudah sedikit lebih kering dari mereka akan langsung dari lemari es dalam hal apapun.

Bumbu


Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall resep steak. Foto: Felicity Cloake
Dalam Misteri buku Kitchen nya, Hervé kimiawan Perancis ini menganjurkan tidak pengasinan daging "karena fenomena osmosis menyebabkan jus untuk melarikan diri daging saat serat otot dipotong dan terbuka" - tapi Cook Illustrated, Ducasse, Wall Street Journal, Hawksmoor, Daging Leiths Alkitab dan April Bloomfield of New York, The Pig Spotted, semua setuju.

Memang, dalam bukunya A Girl dan Babi nya, April menunjukkan "murah hati" bumbu steak seluruh dengan garam dan membiarkan mereka berdiri selama 10 menit - "ini akan membantu steak masak merata". Nigel Slater dan Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall garam baik proses memasak separuh jalan. Anak-anak Hawksmoor, sementara riang mengabaikan gagasan, mendesak pembaca untuk musim daging "baik Lebih dari Anda mungkin berpikir masuk akal.. Ini akan membantu membangun kerak asin lezat. Ada yang mengatakan Anda tidak seharusnya musim steak sampai setelah Anda ' sudah dimasak itu. Kami pikir mereka salah. "

Setelah memasak dengan cara saya melalui tujuh steak secara berurutan, saya harus setuju dengan mereka: garam pasti tampaknya untuk membantu membangun garing, gurih lapisan pada bagian luar daging, dan tidak tampaknya telah mengakibatkan kerugian yang signifikan jus, mungkin karena waktu memasak yang singkat yang terlibat.

Lemak


Alain Ducasse resep steak. Foto: Felicity Cloake
Hervé ini menunjukkan Anda dapat "meningkatkan kontak dan transfer panas" dengan menyikat daging dengan minyak atau mentega sebelum dimasak - ide juga disukai oleh Slater di Appetite (meskipun "tidak terlalu banyak, hanya cukup untuk memberikan gloss yang baik" ). The Wall Street Journal, Fearnley-Whittingstall dan Babi Buku Jahe Daging memilih untuk grease panci gantinya: WSJ dengan flavourless minyak canola, Fearnley-Whittingstall mentega menyarankan, menetes atau lemak babi, dan Ginger Pig terjadi, seperti Slater, untuk minyak zaitun .

Saya menggunakan menetes, tapi menyimpulkan bahwa lemak apapun yang tidak perlu, jika tidak benar-benar berita buruk - meskipun sizzles steak yang Fearnley-Whittingstall sebagai hits panci, kemudian tampaknya gelembung pergi untuk 30 detik pertama daripada kecoklatan. Harus ada cukup lemak pada tulang rusuk-mata yang baik agar tidak menempel dalam hal apapun. Bloomfield drizzles steak nya dengan minyak zaitun dan jus lemon karena terletak sebaliknya, yang menurut saya ide jauh lebih baik jika Anda benar-benar seperti rasa, meskipun lagi, tidak benar-benar diperlukan.


Cook Illustrated bistik resep. Foto: Felicity Cloake
Ducasse menggunakan mentega - tapi bukannya menambahkannya ke panci kosong, atau menyikat pada steak, dia menunggu sampai steak yang kecoklatan di semua sisi sebelum memperkenalkan itu. Mentega mencair dengan cepat, dibumbui dengan bawang putih, kemudian digunakan untuk jelujur steak karena selesai memasak. Ini memberikan sebuah kekayaan cantik - bahkan buku Hawksmoor, yang tidak repot-repot dengan memasak lemak dalam resep restoran, mengakui bahwa steak di mentega adalah salah satu penulis '"favorit, cara yang paling memanjakan memasak mereka di rumah". Yang penting, mencokelatkan mentega membantu untuk memberikan beberapa rasa gurih indah untuk kerak bersama dengan bawang putih, itu tidak dalam panci cukup lama untuk membakar. Steak adalah indulgensi sesekali bagi kebanyakan dari kita, sehingga Anda mungkin juga menikmatinya dengan penuh.

Soup For You!

I'm not sure where you're reading this from, but for the sake of this post I'll assume it's freezing outside, and you're craving a huge bowl of steaming, hot soup. Sweaters are great, but when you need to get warm from the inside out, there is really only one way...well, two actually, but this isn't a cocktails blog, so we're just going with soup. Here are a few of my personal favorite cold weather soups. Click on caption to read the post and watch the video. Bundle up and enjoy!

Spicy Coconut Shrimp Bisque
















Bumblebee Soup - Bacon, Black Bean and Corn Chowder


















Minestrone Soup
















Cream of Mushroom Soup


















Classic Chicken Noodle Soup