ingredient IQ
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How ToSee articleIngredient IQ: Lettuce
There are many varieties of lettuce out there, but most kinds that you’ll see in the grocery store fall into one of these five buckets. Learn each category’s characteristics—plus which are best for grilling, sandwiches, salads, wraps, and more. Types of Lettuce Crisphead Lettuce Iceberg is the best-known member of this family, which features firm, […] -
How ToSee articleEverything You Need to Know About Shallots, Plus Cooking Tips
Editor’s Note: In January 2019, the Institute of Culinary Education launched the Natural Gourmet Center, a plant-centric and wellness-driven culinary arts program. We’ll be featuring plant-based cooking tips from their instructors here. Shallots come in small, oval-shaped bulbs and are members of the allium family. Their light magenta-hued rings are covered with a tan, papery […] -
How ToSee articleIngredient IQ: Artichokes
Underneath their prickly exterior, artichokes provide plenty of fiber (7 grams per medium artichoke) and more disease-thwarting antioxidant activity than any other vegetable. How do artichokes taste? Like a vegetable delicacy: tender, mildly sweet, and a little nutty. A large steamed artichoke with your favorite dipping sauce makes a wonderful shared appetizer—or a delicious main […] -
How ToSee articleWhat Is Fennel and How Do You Use It?
Here’s everything you need to know about fennel, a bulbous vegetable with a unique flavor profile that is a favorite ingredient in Mediterranean cuisines. What is Fennel: Spice, Herb, or Vegetable? Is fennel a spice, herb, or vegetable? Actually, it’s all three. Fennel plants, which are native to the Mediterranean basin, have a bulbous base […] -
How ToSee articleDate Paste: How to Make, Use, and Store It
As a healthy alternative to sugar in recipes, date paste owes everything to the fruit it’s made from. Date palms grow in desertlike conditions, and the hot sun concentrates the fruit’s natural sugars, creating an intensely sweet, caramelized taste. With their tender texture, all dates need is a soak in hot water and a quick […] -
How ToSee articleKale 101: What Is Kale and How Do You Cook It?
Kale is a versatile plant-based powerhouse. Here’s a practical guide to using the crinkly-leafed green in the kitchen. What’s the difference between kale and spinach? Kale and spinach get lumped together as “dark, leafy greens” in cooking jargon, but they’re actually very different plants. Kale is a member of the cabbage (brassica) family along with […] -
How ToSee articleWhat Is Sorghum and How Is It Used? Plus, Recipes to Try!
Editor’s Note: In January 2019, the Institute of Culinary Education launched the Natural Gourmet Center, a plant-centric and wellness-driven culinary arts program. We’ll be featuring plant-based cooking tips from their instructors here. What Is Sorghum? Sorghum, like barley, rye, and wheat, is a cereal grain. The kernels (or grains) range in color from pale yellow […] -
How ToSee articleTypes of Pears and How to Store and Cook Them
When the weather gets chilly, pears come into their prime. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of the juicy jewels of autumn. When is pear season? Pears may be available year-round, but they are in season from late summer through December (National Pear Month)—just after they’re harvested and when lesser-known, more […] -
How ToSee articleHow to Make Infused Vinegar
Chances are you’ve already got a bottle (or two) of vinegar in your pantry. Here are the best ways to maximize its sour power when you’re cooking. How do you use vinegar as a seasoning? Think of vinegar the way you think of salt—as a flavor enhancer— and there’s no end to the ways you […] -
How ToSee articleIngredient IQ: Cauliflower
Cauliflower is incredibly versatile. Here’s why and how to make it a staple in your kitchen. Cauliflower Is Packed with Nutrients Like its cruciferous cousins broccoli and cabbage, cauliflower contains cancer-fighting compounds called glucosinolates (which also impart its trademark pungent odor). It also packs a good amount of fiber, with 2.1 grams of fiber in […] -
How ToSee articleWhat Is Buckwheat?
Buckwheat is a highly nutritious seed—not a wheat—that comes in multiple forms, including roasted groats (known as kasha), flour, and noodles (soba). Read on for more on soba and how to incorporate this nutritious whole food into your diet! Though frequently used culinarily as a cereal grain, buckwheat is actually a seed—it’s also a great […] -
How ToSee articleIngredient IQ: Apples
Apple season is here: Read on for everything you need to know to select, store, prepare, preserve, and enjoy the crisp, juicy fruit. What’s the Peak Season for Apples? Fall is peak season for apples in North America. The harvest can begin as early as mid-August in warm Southern states and extend as late as […]