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New York Culinary Experience

April 10, 2014 by pamflo

New York Culinary Experience 2014! I just spent the weekend with fellow chefs and foodies at the International Culinary Center in New York City. It is a unique experience of hand-on cooking classes with renowned chefs. Cooking alongside these master chefs is the most fabulous kind of sensory overload. I took four classes over the course of the two days. I had the unbelievable opportunity to hear Lidia Bastianich and Ruth Reichl speak as well. I took a Greek 101 class […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: Prep

Vodka Pie Crust

November 22, 2011 by pamflo

Vodka in pie crust, yes vodka….can you believe it! Americas’s Test Kitchen published a recipe in their 2007 Cook’s Illustrated magazine for a pie crust with vodka. I tried it that year and then repeated it for a few Thanksgiving holidays following that. The vodka provides the dough with moisture and imparts no flavor. It’s worth a try! You can use the rest of the vodka for a holiday cocktail 🙂 FOOLPROOF VODKA PIE DOUGH Makes one 9-inch double pie […]

Categories: Cooking Tips, Dessert, Gifts, Holiday Ideas, Pie • Tags: Bake, Prep

Turkey Brine

November 6, 2011 by pamflo

I have hosted Thanksgiving at my home every year for the last eleven years. I always brine my turkey. A brine is simply a salty water solution that adds moisture and flavor to meat. I have brined my turkey in salted water, apple cider and even bourbon (not something I’d recommend!). There are many recipes for brines and it is worth the effort to brine your meat, especially turkey. The turkey should be cleaned out and completely thawed. A fresh, “natural” […]

Categories: Brine, Cooking Tips, Holiday Ideas, Meat/Poultry • Tags: Brining, Prep

Mise en Place

September 27, 2011 by pamflo

Mise en place literally means “putting in place”. In culinary context, the term is a French phrase referring to having all of your ingredients ready to prepare a dish. This means you need to review the recipe start to finish and check for ingredients and equipment. When setting up mise en place, the ingredients are washed, measured, chopped and placed into individual bowls. It includes pre-heating the oven and taking out your tools and appliances. If you are a fan […]

Categories: Cooking Tips • Tags: Mise en place, Prep

Zest For Cooking

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Tag: Prep

New York Culinary Experience

Vodka Pie Crust

Turkey Brine

Mise en Place