You can froth milk without an espresso machine by heating it to roughly 150°F and then forcing air into it with something you already own: a sealed jar, a French press, a handheld frother, a whisk, or an immersion blender. Heat and air are two separate jobs, so you can do them in either order. … Read more
Planning a dinner party menu a week ahead means choosing dishes you can prep, cook, or freeze during the six or seven days before the party, so that on the night you only reheat, dress a salad, and open the door. The method fits in one sentence: work backward from your serving time, have roughly … Read more
Why pancakes come out flat and dense is nearly always one of four things: the batter was mixed until it was smooth, which builds gluten and pushes the air out; the baking powder or soda has lost its punch; there is more flour than the liquid can wet; or the griddle never got properly hot. … Read more
To cook a steak in a cast iron skillet, preheat the pan for 5 to 10 minutes on medium-high heat, coat it with a high-smoke-point oil, then lay a dry, well-salted steak away from you and leave it untouched for 2 to 4 minutes per side. Baste with butter and herbs, verify the temperature, then … Read more