Brown Butter Blondies with Dark Chocolate and Espresso

Brown Butter Blondies with Dark Chocolate and Espresso How should brown butter blondies be stored to maintain freshness? The blondies should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their fudgy texture for up to five days. If you prefer a slightly firmer texture, refrigeration is an option, but it may dry them out slightly unless wrapped well in plastic wrap or parchment. For longer storage, brown butter blondies can be frozen for up to three months; wrap each piece individually or store the entire pan tightly covered. Thaw at room temperature before serving. What is the … Read more

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Desserts

Fluffy Strawberry Donuts

Fluffy Strawberry Donuts What is the best flour to use for making these donuts? The best flour to use is all-purpose flour because it provides the ideal balance of gluten to create a soft yet structured dough. All-purpose flour has enough protein to allow the dough to rise properly while remaining tender, ensuring the donuts are light and fluffy. Bread flour can be too strong, resulting in denser donuts, while cake flour may make the dough too delicate and difficult to handle. When measuring flour, it’s important to weigh it or spoon it into the measuring cup lightly to avoid … Read more

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Desserts / Hanukkah

Sun Dried Tomato Focaccia with Cheddar and Thyme

Sun Dried Tomato Focaccia with Cheddar and Thyme How long should dough be cold fermented for best flavor and texture? Cold fermentation is a defining factor in the final quality of sun dried tomato focaccia, influencing flavor complexity, crumb structure, and digestibility. A minimum of 12 hours in the refrigerator allows yeast to slowly break down starches into sugars, producing a more nuanced, lightly tangy flavor and improving browning during baking. At this stage, the dough will still be mild but noticeably more developed than same-day focaccia. Extending fermentation to 24–48 hours deepens aroma, creates a more open crumb, and … Read more

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Bread / Sides

Rich Chocolate Babka Bread

Rich Chocolate Babka Bread What type of chocolate is best for babka bread? High-quality dark chocolate with at least 60 to 70 percent cocoa content is ideal, as it provides a rich, deep flavor without being overly sweet. Semi-sweet chocolate can also be used if a slightly sweeter filling is preferred, but avoid milk chocolate because it tends to be too soft and overly sweet, which can make the filling runny during baking. Chopping chocolate into small pieces or melting it before mixing with butter and cocoa powder ensures a smooth, spreadable filling. Using chocolate with a high cocoa butter … Read more

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Desserts

Slow Cooked Short Ribs with Sweet Potatoes

Slow Cooked Short Ribs with Sweet Potatoes What is the best cut of beef for slow cooked short ribs? The ideal cut is the bone-in beef short rib itself, which comes from the plate or chuck section of the cow. These ribs have a generous amount of connective tissue and marbling, which break down during long, low-temperature cooking to produce rich, tender meat. Boneless short ribs can also be used but may lack some depth of flavor provided by the bones. When selecting, look for uniform thickness and well-marbled pieces to ensure consistent cooking. Avoid ribs that are overly lean … Read more

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Beef / Slow-Cooked

Crisp Greek Zucchini Fritters with Tzatziki

Crisp Greek Zucchini Fritters with Tzatziki What is the best way to make the fritters crispy? The most important step is removing excess moisture from the zucchini before mixing it into the batter. Grate the zucchini finely and then squeeze it thoroughly using your hands or a fine-mesh strainer to release water. Using self-rising flour helps give structure and a light texture, while frying in hot oil over medium-high heat ensures the exterior becomes golden and crunchy without overcooking the interior. Avoid overcrowding the skillet, as this lowers the oil temperature and results in soggy fritters. Serve immediately after frying … Read more

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Hanukkah

Cinnamon Roll Donuts

Cinnamon Roll Donuts What is the ideal dough texture before the first rise? The ideal dough texture should be smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky. When properly kneaded, the dough should pull cleanly away from the sides of the mixing bowl and form a cohesive mass that stretches without tearing. This level of gluten development is critical for cinnamon roll donuts because it allows the dough to expand evenly during proofing and frying, producing a light interior rather than a dense crumb. If the dough feels stiff or dry, the finished donuts may crack or fry unevenly. Conversely, … Read more

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Desserts / Hanukkah

20-Minute Udon Noodle Stir Fry with Sausage

20-Minute Udon Noodle Stir Fry with Sausage What type of udon noodles should I use for this recipe? For this udon noodle stir fry, fresh or refrigerated udon noodles are ideal because they have a soft, chewy texture that absorbs sauces well without breaking apart during stir-frying. Dried udon noodles can be used, but they must be boiled until just tender and drained carefully to prevent sticking. Fresh udon noodles typically require less cooking time and integrate seamlessly with quick-cooking vegetables and sausage. Avoid instant or pre-seasoned noodles, as they often contain additives or flavor packets that could overpower the … Read more

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One Pot

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad with Spicy Gazpacho

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad with Spicy Gazpacho Can this roasted Brussels sprouts salad be made ahead of time? To make ahead, roast the Brussels sprouts and tomatoes, then cool them completely before storing separately from the fresh herb and citrus salad. The gazpacho base can also be made in advance and kept chilled in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, combine the cooled roasted vegetables with the herb salad and place over the gazpacho. Preparing the salad ahead saves time while maintaining freshness, but it is recommended to add the radish and red onion slices just before serving to retain … Read more

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Salads

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