Ghee, or clarified butter, is butter that has had the milk solids removed. This allows you to heat the oil that is left over to higher temperatures without burning it. Ghee is one of my favorite cooking fats—it has a nutty, buttery flavor, and is great for sautéing,...
Homemade mayonnaise is a game changer for me. I was never a fan of commercial mayo, and the homemade kind has a mild flavor that’s perfect for making aioli and also adds a creaminess to many recipes. Prep time 10 minutes Makes about 1 cup (225 g) 2 egg yolks (from...
I bought a Thai spice blend once and was hooked! It was a rather expensive blend, so I decided to re-create it at home, and I love the way it turned out. Prep time 10 minutes Makes about 1/2 cup (50 g) 2 tablespoons (14 g) paprika 1 tablespoon turmeric 1 tablespoon...
This is one of the first seasonings I started making from scratch. I was trying to wean myself off of those little green packets, and although it doesn’t taste exactly the same (it’s hard to compete with MSG), it still hits the spot and adds that familiar creamy,...
When I realized that taco-seasoning packets were simply a mix of things I probably already had in my kitchen, it was a revelation. And that discovery ultimately resulted in the best homemade taco seasoning I’ve ever had. Cocoa might seem like an odd addition, but it...
I like making my own Cajun seasoning, because sometimes the prepared kind is too spicy for my kids. Or it isn’t spicy enough for my husband and me. I like this version because it has a bit of heat, but not too much. And I have all of these seasonings in my cupboard,...
I love this “dump and walk away” marinara sauce—it’s versatile enough to use on anything from zoodles to eggs to paleo pizza. If tomatoes are in season, try using 3 to 4 pounds (1.4 to 1.8 kg) of fresh, ripe ones instead. Prep time 15 minutes Makes about 11/2 to 2...
I noticed an autumn-inspired pasta sauce during one of my shopping trips to Trader Joe’s, and snagged a jar to try at home. Wow. I loved that the tomato base takes a back seat to the squash and pumpkin flavors. I was determined to create a version of my own, and love...
Roasting garlic in the oven is easy, but using a slow cooker is good for large batches if you don’t have the time to “babysit” it. Also, it’s much more forgiving and won’t burn as easily as it does in the oven. Roasted garlic is such a versatile, flavor-boosting...
This is a fun little side dish that takes spaghetti squash to a sweeter place with honey, orange, and ginger. It would be the perfect cooling sidekick to a spicy Asian-style meat dish. Prep time 15 minutesServes 6 as a side 1 large spaghetti squash, cut in half and...
