Why Does My Brie Cheese Smell Like Ammonia? I received a comment from Angie who read my post, Moldy Brie Cheese asking about some brie she purchased that looked lovely, but had an overwhelming ammonia smell. I sent her question to my favorite cheesemonger, Jack Morgan, who gave a great reply. Jack gives a small […]
How do you keep the Wontons from getting mushy In Wonton Soup? The Reluctant Gourmet receives a lot of questions via email. Some of them I can answer right away, and others I rely on the help of some of my chef friends for answers. Remember, I am by no means a professional chef. I’m […]
New Year’s Eve Beef Tenderloin Dinner If you are reading this holiday recipe, it just may be near the New Year so I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday, full of great joy and wonderful meals. I’m looking forward to the New Year and all the new cooking techniques and recipes I will learn and […]
Great Turkey Tips from The Curious Cook Yesterday I was sitting here listening to Harold McGee on NPR’s “Radio Times” with Marty Moss-Coane promoting his new cookbook. Harold is a food scientist and author, with a regular column titled “The Curious Cook” in the New York Times. On the radio show this morning, Harold gave […]
New Online Cooking Classes with Ann Marie Michaels I want to introduce you to a new culinary friend of mine, Ann Marie Michaels. Ann Marie is a cookbook author, cooking instructor, advertising guru and now online cooking instructor. She is also involved with teaching families how to eat healthier meals by eating at home with […]
Carrot Cake – A Question of Timing I received this question from Laurie Koch asking, Can I prepare a carrot cake at 8 in the morning, put it in a 9×13 pan, put it in the fridge, and then take it out and bake it at 8 p.m. at night? If not, why not? The […]
Dazed and Confused: Smoke Point Versus Flash Point A couple of days ago, I received a question from Carla regarding cooking oils. There are tons of oils out there that are suitable for cooking, but it can be very confusing. I have certainly been confused, and Carla is, so I figured that there would be […]
Can you reuse breadcrumbs that have already been used? Debating with friends whether you can reuse breadcrumbs that egg battered fish were dipped in if I froze it immediately and will cook with it immediately. Everyone says “no” but I don’t understand why when you can freeze raw egg, freeze raw meat and no bacteria […]
Why Does My Fish Stick To The Pan? A while ago I had quite a lengthy discussion of how to properly pan fry or saute fish to prevent it from sticking. There was so much conversation about it that I thought it would make a good article. I think we’ve all experienced that awful feeling […]
Seizing Ganache Some of you may not be that familiar with “ganache”. I know I wasn’t until I became friends with Pastry Chef Jenni Field and she started teaching me about various baking techniques and how some of my recipes call for ganache and I didn’t even know it. See Chocolate Pudding Recipe Italian Style […]
I'm a work-at-home dad who enjoys cooking, learning everything I can about the culinary world and sharing it with you. To learn more about me... Read More
How to Make the Best Beef Wellington This Beef Wellington recipe has become a tradition in our house. We prepare it every couple of years for Christmas and made it again this year. If I’m lucky, we will have it next year and the year after that. My wife originally found a recipe in Fine […]
Christmas Standing Rib Roast Thanksgiving is a holiday in which turkey really shines. Many of you would rather not deal with another turkey just four weeks after Thanksgiving. Some of you might still have some frozen leftovers. The Christmas meal is a celebratory meal, and as such, celebration food is a natural at the Christmas […]
How to Bake A Ham For Christmas
Baked Christmas Ham Recipe Would you like to serve a wonderfully flavorful and juicy ham for the holidays? Here’s a can’t-go-wrong recipe that will have your guests asking for seconds, and for a plate of leftovers, as well. Be sure to read about the history of serving ham on Christmas and the various types of […]
