Are there any smoked paprika substitutes that you could use if this spice suddenly went missing from your kitchen rack? To find out the answer to this pressing question, let’s start by examining this spice and joining the discussion. If you have an excellent Spanish background, you are probably familiar with pimenton. This is the Spanish terminology for smoked paprika. They use it in a variety of delicacies, such as stews, soups, and their iconic paella, which contains lots of smoked paprika! Although smoked paprika is not a primary kitchen ingredient, as your daily cooking adventures can generally do without…

Freezing is a strongly recommended option that you can use to extend the lifespan of any ingredient. Although this preservation method does not work with all foodstuffs, it is suitable for a myriad of ingredients. One particular kind of food that has taken people’s interest is sauerkraut. In fact, my email inbox has been full of queries about it, and there is one particular question that many people seem to want to know the answer to: can you freeze sauerkraut? It is a peculiar inquiry, but I have to answer it, nonetheless. The answer is, yes, you can always freeze…

Finding a potato starch substitute can be easy or difficult, depending on how familiar you are with this ingredient, so there are times when the hunt for an alternative can become an ordeal. But don’t get discouraged. All problems in the kitchen have their solutions, and you’ll find that some common foodstuffs can often replace an elusive ingredient in your pantry or refrigerator. Have you remembered the article I wrote about tarragon and garam masala? Many people thought that they couldn’t be substituted, but with a little creativity and intuition, I was able to come up with alternatives to these…

If you go outdoors and smell the delicious aroma of sizzling food cooking on the good ole’ grill wafting through the summer air, then you can be assured that the BBQ season has well and truly arrived. And we all know what that means: a jolly good time with friends and family. It’s great to see the children playing by the pool while the adults chat and soak up the beautiful summer sun. And of course, let’s not forget the fantastic meat being served up in the backyard. Nothing beats this. It does not matter which part of the world…

We have all seen those divine looking wedding cakes that tower over the entire reception and look like they have been sculpted by the renaissance masters. The magnificent beads around the layers, the immaculate white sheet that blankets a juicy moist vanilla cake, and those realistic sugary flowers are typically made with one ingredient: fantastic and versatile fondant icing! Last year, I made my nephew’s birthday cake and made sure it was extra special because it was his eighth birthday. I knew that he really loved to play with his Nintendo games and liked to dress up as Super Mario…

Chicken stock is one of the first things that you learn about when you start culinary school. And rightfully so, as there are a lot of recipes that call for chicken stock. In fact, it is a valued ingredient all around the world. Singapore has chicken rice, America has chicken noodle soup, the Japanese use chicken stock when making ramen, and the Italians use chicken stock in their fabulous risottos. I have noticed that a lot of people make the mistake of using the term chicken base when they are referring to chicken stock. Even many of my foodie friends…

When one thinks of Mexican cuisine, a crunchy taco and beefy or beany burrito come to mind. However, one dish that I believe is even better than those two is the traditional tamale. For those unfortunate enough not to know what this fantastic dish is, sit back and enjoy this culinary lesson. Tamale is a classic dish derived from Mesoamerican cuisine. While there are plenty of variations on this dish, the recipe is made of dough that’s steamed inside a corn husk or banana leaf. This gives the dough a distinct flavor and fantastic corn (or banana leaf) aroma. The…

Crab is an ingredient that I just can’t get enough of. The sweet and juicy white meat sends my tastebuds into a frenzy. So when I create a set menu for a dinner party, I almost certainly include crab in it. The appetizers could be crab risotto or the main course crab ravioli. And don’t get me started on how many crab cakes I have made during my life. I even once tried to make bread pudding with crab (which I have to admit got very mixed reviews from my family). Whatever the occasion or the reason, it is certainly…