How to Smoke Turkey on a Charcoal Grill
Turkey is probably the most difficult meat to cook because you need to cook it to a higher temp than almost any other meat to make it safe, and if you overshoot by as little as 5°F, you go from juicy and giving thanks, to cardboard. Here’s how to set up your charcoal grill for smoking an amazing turkey.
Cooking Fish On A Wooden Plank: Separating Fact From Fiction
Planking is a popular method for cooking fish like salmon on a grill. Fans claim that soaking the wood in water gently steams the fish, which gets nice and smoky from the smoldering wood. Planking makes a nice presentation and helps keep fish from sticking to the grill, but the rest is mostly bunk. Here’s the science.
The Science of Herbs & Spices
Here is everything a cook needs to know about herbs and spices as well as a list of essential herbs and spices to buy, how to store them, substituting dried for fresh, substituting one herb or spice for another, toasting spices, blooming spices, and other preparations that get the most flavor out of them.
The Science of Soup, Stock, Gravy, and Bouillon
Where do you draw the line between soup and sauce? Read all about the basics of and differences between soup, sauce, stock, broth, gravy, pan sauce, and many more.
Resting Meat: Why I Don’t Believe The Hype
Stop worrying about resting meat after it is cooked. Serve it hot. We bust this myth with a review of the scientific research, some tests of our own, some basic meat science, explanations of carryover cooking and what makes meat juicy, a look at doneness temperatures, and how carving comes into play.
The Science Of Pickles
What is the difference between Kosher Dill and Genuine Dill pickles? Here’s your guide to everything you need to know about fermented pickles, refrigerator pickles, quick pickles, pickling liquids, pickling spices, gherkins, bread and butter pickles, half sours, and other pickled foods besides cucumbers.
Myth: Searing Steaks Seals In The Juices
Sorry folks: searing meat to seal in the juices is a myth. Of course, searing meat has other benefits, most notably creating the delicious flavors of browned meat! Here are the facts about meat juices, searing, browning, and a better way to sear your meat called the reverse sear.
How To Make Caramelized Onions
Here’s our simple recipe for the best way to make sweet caramelized onions for pizza and other dishes.
How to Grill and Smoke in Cold Weather
Learn some nifty tricks for insulating and protecting your cooker so you can beat the cold, rain, snow, and wind. These handy tips will keep you grilling and smoking successfully on any cooker, at any time, in any weather.
How to Make Safe Burgers
Undercooked ground meat and sausage can kill. Here’s how to make great tasting burgers that are safe.
The Science of Shrimp
Understanding labeling of shrimp, shrimp sizes, and how to buy, and clean shrimp.
Marinade Myths And How To Add Flavor More Effectively
Marinades work on some foods but not on others. A good marinade contains certain ingredients but not others. Here’s the truth about marinades and brinerades.
The Science Of Balsamic Vinegar: Magnificence And Deception
Confused about balsamic vinegar? Why does one bottle cost $5 and another $500? Read about the three main classifications: Tradizionale, Condimento, and Balsamic Vinegar di Modena. Find out how they are made, trade associations and labeling criteria, how to make balsamic syrup, and all about white balsamic vinegar.
Myth: You Can Tell Doneness By Cutting Meat To Check The Color
Is meat color an accurate indicator of doneness? A lot of cooks cut into meat and judge doneness by the meat color. But the color of meat changes when it is exposed to oxygen. The only reliable way to judge doneness is with a good digital thermometer. Here’s everything you need to know about meat color and doneness.
When To Put A Lid On It
Lid up or lid down? It’s a question that comes up on the patio as often as it does in the bathroom. Answer: it depends. Sometimes you want to cook with the grill lid on, and sometimes you want it wide open. Read on to find out why.