Category: Cooking 101
Verjus
Verjuice, verjus or verjus molasses, as it may be called, is the vinegar made from juice of unripe grapes as well as of red ones. Other unripened fruit such as apples, pears and plums have also been used to produce verjus דף. Verjus in French means ‘green juice’. Almost every wine-producing region in France and…
How to Peel Pineapple and Cut it Into Rings
⇓ You may also listen to the instructions by pressing the play button below INSTRUCTIONS STEP 1: With a chefs knife, cut off the plume and base of the pineapple and set it upright, base-end down, on a chopping board. Cut away the peel in strips, working from top to bottom following the curve of…
How to Clean a Whole Fish Through the Gills
Fish to he served whole are cleaned through the gills in order to maintain their shape. If the fish is cleaned by your fishmonger, make sure you specify “through the gills”. If the stomach is cut open, it will curl unattractively during cooking. ⇓ You may also listen to the instructions by pressing the play…
How to Peel and Chop Garlic
The strength of garlic varies with its age and dryness. Use more when it is very fresh. ⇓ You may also listen to the instructions by pressing the play button below INSTRUCTIONS STEP 1: To separate the garlic cloves, crush the bulb with the heel of your hand. Alternatively, pull a clove from the bulb…
How to Chop Herbs
Parsley, tarragon, thyme, chives, rosemary, dill, and basil are herbs that are usually chopped before being added to other ingredients. Do not chop delicate herbs like basil too finely because their leaves bruise easily. INSTRUCTIONS STEP 1: Strip the leaves or sprigs from the stalks. Pile the leaves or sprigs on a chopping board. TIP:…
How to Make Croutes
Croutes – larger versions of the well-known croutons – are the classic accompaniment to a Provençal bouillabaisse. Here, they are brushed lightly with olive oil and toasted until crisp and browned. ⇓ You may also listen to the instructions by pressing the play button below
How to Peel, Deseed, and Chop Tomatoes
Tomatoes are often peeled and deseeded before chopping so they will cook to form a smooth puree. ⇓ You may also listen to the instructions by pressing the play button below INSTRUCTIONS STEP 1: Bring a small pan of water to a boil. Using a small knife, cut out the cores from the tomatoes. Score…
How to Halve and Core an Apple
If you use the correct technique and equipment for preparing fruit, no matter how simple these are, you are more likely to get a professional finish. ⇓ You may also listen to the instructions by pressing the play button below INSTRUCTIONS STEP 1: With the point of a small, sharp knife, cut around the stalk…
How to Core, Deseed, and Chop hot Chillies
Be sure to wear rubber gloves and avoid contact with eyes; hot chillies can burn hands and eyes. ⇓ You may also listen to the instructions by pressing the play button below INSTRUCTIONS STEP 1: Cut the chillies lengthwise in half with a small knife. Cut out the core and fleshy white ribs. STEP 2:…
Bay Leaves
Taken from the bay shrub or tree, these are widely used to flavor slow-cooked recipes like stocks, soups and stews. They are also added to marinades, threaded on to kebab skewers, thrown on the barbecue to invigorate the smoky flavor, or used for decoration. One or two young bay leaves, infused with milk or cream…