The process of pan-searing can be applied to various meats and vegetables; once you learn the method, you can easily adapt it as needed. Ready to get started? Read on below! Equipment You Need for Pan-Searing You will want to use a cast-iron pan or a stainless steel skillet or frying pan (not nonstick) for the best sear. Both of these pans are ideal for high-heat cooking, especially getting a solid, browned crust....

Many chefs prefer a water stone to an oil stone – water is more convenient and facilitates a faster knife sharpening. For this guide, we will be referring to water stones when using the term “whetstone.” How Do I Use a Whetstone? Whetstones come in different types of materials and coarseness. Coarse grit stones can be used on duller knives that need significantly more upkeep. Fine grit stones fine-tune the knives for greater precision and polishing....

HANGRY MONSTER Before I get into my intermittent fasting results and all the detail, I have to give you a little bit of background on myself and my eating habits. For 38 years, or at least for all of my 38 years I can remember, I always ate breakfast. Three square meals a day was a rule I followed and didn’t see any reason to change that. Part of my rationale for eating three times a day was that if I didn’t eat around my normal meal time each day, here’s what my mental state was like: via GIPHY The progression would go something like this:...

Make them in advance on a lazy Sunday so they’re ready to grab for your work lunch, or pack a few in a bag for an easy picnic meal. What Is Barley, and Can I Substitute It With Anything? Barley is a whole grain with a very high fiber and protein content, so it’ll keep you full even if you don’t add any other protein to the jar. It’s chewy, stores well, and complements most add-ins, which makes it a great salad base....

Never Ever Ever Charge Your Potluck Guests You should never charge someone to come to a potluck. Nope, never, absolutely not. After all, the whole point of a potluck is to have your friends, family, and acquaintances bring something edible to enjoy with one another. And those who can’t cook or don’t have the time? They can bring wine. Or flowers. Or something pre-made from the grocery store. Or literally anything but cash....

What is Stracciatella alla Romana? Stracciatella alla Romana is made for days like these. “Stracciatella” means “little shred” in Italian, which well describes the “shreds” of egg in this light, nourishing soup. Ingredients in Stracciatella alla Romana At its essence, the soup is hot chicken broth into which a paste of beaten egg and Parmesan cheese has been stirred and cooked. You can also add greens or mix some breadcrumbs or semolina flour in with the egg mixture for a little more body....

For the rest of us, cornbread is the ultimate comfort food. For you I present a spicy, cheesy jalapeño cornbread, made in a cast iron skillet, with fresh or pickled jalapeños, corn, and jack or cheddar cheese. Perfect to go with chili beans. Stir in the melted butter, the chopped jalapeños, corn, and cheese. Serving tip—drizzle with honey! There’s plenty of butter in the batter, none extra needed. Honey Jalapeño Cornbread from Shared Appetite Jalapeño Cornbread Panzanella Salad from Two Peas and Their Pod Jalapeño Pale Ale Cornbread from The Beeroness

Japanese Slaw – Chargrill Charlie’s copycat This recipe was requested by a reader. I was happy to oblige because although I find the Chargrill Charlie’s chicken so-so, their salads are actually pretty good! In fact I’ve done another before, a copycat of their famous Green Bean Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing. So this recipe is a copycat of the Chargrill Charlie’s Japanese Slaw, named as such because the base salad is made using finely shredded cabbage and carrots like western Coleslaw but with the addition of seaweed salad and edamame all tossed with a sesame soy dressing....

Making Your Instant Pot Carnitas Feel Like You Slow Cooked Them We love the Instant Pot but have to admit that cooking a large roast in it can sometimes turn out a little tough and hard to shred. Our tip for really getting that fork tender, fall apart texture you want in carnitas, is to first cube your roast. Cut it up into more manageable pieces. Then, use the sauté function on your Instant Pot to lock the juices in before you pressure cook your roast....

It’s ready in just 30 minutes, and the combination of sour cream, Dijon, gruyere and parmesan is absolutely marvelous. As versatile as potatoes, cauliflower readily absorbs the richness of cream and cheese. It is thus elevated from merely a tasty veggie into a true delicacy. Of all the many ways to prepare cauliflower, this creamy gratin is definitely one of my favorites. Granted, adding sour cream and gruyere cheese to almost anything would make it taste good!...

Made with just five ingredients, they are easy and fun to make, and they last for several days in the fridge. If I had to pick my favorite keto dessert, it would probably be cheesecake. I love chocolate as much as anyone, but there’s something so creamy and delicate about cheesecake! I find it irresistible. The good news: it’s very easy to adjust cheesecake and make it keto-friendly. There’s no need to convert white flour to low-carb flour, because cheesecake (at least the filling) does not typically contain any four!...

A couple of these chocolates with espresso are my favorite way of finishing a good low-carb meal. This extra-dark chocolate is so good! I usually reach for Lindt 90% which is excellent. But this version is even darker and has a wonderful subtle coconut flavor. And the chopped nuts enhance it even more. Two of these chocolates with an espresso after a meal are a wonderful treat and just what I need to remind myself there really is no reason to feel deprived on a low-carb diet....

They contain just five simple ingredients and are ready in about an hour, and this includes the time it takes for them to cool. I love coconut. I love it fresh! One of the highlights of a recent trip to Hawaii was enjoying slices of sweet, fresh coconut served at the hotel’s breakfast buffet. I also like recipes made with coconut, and this is one of my favorites. I make these keto coconut macaroons every year for Passover....

Some tricks for getting your salmon patties to stay together well We use canned salmon to make these Keto salmon patties, and while you’re mixing them up it can feel like they’re going to be hard to get to stick together, so we’ve got some tips. Mix everything up in a bowl with your hands, but don’t over mix. Just combine the ingredients evenly and then set aside until you’re ready to cook them on the stove....

Try it fresh out of the oven with a little sweet butter… it’s amazing. And leftovers are great too! You can either refrigerate them for a few days or freeze them for several months. When I can’t stop after one slice of something, I know I’ve made something good. And when I made this bread for the first time, I had three slices. 😳 That was last year, and I have made it many times since....

These Kofta-Style Stuffed Bell Peppers are made with ground chicken, bulgur, heaps of herbs and spices. They have just a hint of heat, and come with a tangy yogurt sauce to spoon on the side. The fact that they happen to be healthy (and easy to make) is the icing on the cake. What Is Kofta? The inspiration for these peppers is kofta, spiced ground meat that shows up in the cuisines of the Middle East, Central Asia, and pockets of the Mediterranean....

This post was created in partnership with PGI Welsh lamb. All opinions are my own. Last year Chris and I spent a fantastic couple of days down in south Wales, learning all about lamb. We visited the Salt Marshes at Gower Salt Marsh Lamb and made this delicious slow roast shoulder of lamb with it when we got back home. Now we’re working with Welsh lamb again!You may not notice, but we do very little brand work....

You’ll be surprised how many of the spices you already have for this Lamb Koftas recipe – they’re pantry standards. Stuff these in warm pita breads with a fresh Cabbage, Carrot & Mint Salad and a side of Pilaf with Dried Nuts and Fruit or Mejadra (Spice Lentil Rice) to create your own Middle Eastern banquet. Lamb Kofta recipe Middle Eastern food is one of my favourite cuisines because I’m all about big flavours, and the heavy spice flavouring of Middle Eastern dishes like these Koftas, Chicken Shawarma, Lamb Shawarma and Doner Kerbabs really hits my sweet spot!...

While I’m sure Tipper’s gingersnaps were admirable, Laura’s big Texas cowboy cookies ran away with the prize. And for a good reason, these cookies are good! What Are Cowboy Cookies? Packed with oatmeal, pecans, coconut, and chocolate chips, these cookies aren’t shy. They’re big, hearty, now-that’s-a-cookie kind of cookie. Mrs. Bush’s original recipe is huge, it can easily make 6 dozen cookies. So I’ve made some slight adjustments to cut the recipe in half, which still makes plenty....

We’re having Christmas dinner at my sister’s house this year, and I’m looking forward to spending time with the family and eating lots of lovely food (best hide those Quality Street sis!). But… I’m still cooking a Christmas turkey at home. It just wouldn’t feel festive enough if I can’t spend the days after Christmas day traipsing back and forth to the kitchen to make turkey sandwiches with stuffing and cranberry sauce, or to nibble on those leftover bacon-wrapped chipolatas....