Shopping

Braised beef short ribs are very popular because it is a delicious section of beef.  Interestingly, all though these are the first five-rib bones of the cow, short ribs are technically from the chuck section of meat, not the beef rib.  Because of that, they are rich in flavor, full of marbling, and absolutely perfect for braising or slow cooking. What is braising? Braising is a cooking technique that combines searing (or browning) the meat and then baking it in a liquid.  The tough tissues (collagen) are broken down by braising the meat without drying out the beef.  This is...

Cooking grilled lamb cutlets might seem intimidating because it is one of the less common meats used in American cooking, but it is actually quite simple.  Using a few tips, you can create a lamb-based meal that is tender and mouth-watering. What is lamb meat? Lamb meat is sourced from younger sheep–typically those under a year of age.  The younger age of the meat means it is tender and moist.  Also, domestic sheep are usually grass-fed, resulting in higher fat content and a delicate flavor.  A 100-gram serving of lamb contains approximately 26 grams of protein, 16 grams of fat,...

With the Superbowl coming up soon, many American households are already planning their gameday party menus.  Top on the list for most sports fans is chicken wings.  In a fan survey conducted by the Seattle Seahawks last year, over a third of respondents said chicken wings were their favorite Superbowl party food.  It’s likely not a scientific analysis, but it goes to show that people love their wings.   Did you ever wonder why chicken wings are so popular for gameday buffets? The craze started somewhere around 2010.  People are always looking for something good to serve at a party, and...

Carne asada is a popular meat used in many Mexican dishes.  “Carne asada” translates to “grilled meat” but is always beef.  Chefs use a variety of beef cuts for carne asada, but two of the most delicious are skirt steak and flank steak.  One of the most essential criteria Mexican, Central American, and South American chefs look for in choosing beef for carne asada is quality.  They believe simple cooking combined with the highest quality ingredients makes the best meals. Empanadas are pocket meals, similar to Yooper pasties but smaller and contain more ingredients.  These are fun to make because...

Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy is as interesting as it is tasty.  This simple-to-make meal that makes you look like a serious chef had its beginnings back in the Civil War.  It turns out that soldiers in the war were suffering from extreme malnutrition primarily because they weren’t getting the proteins they needed in their meals.  Dr. James Henry Salisbury, an early dietician who studied gastrointestinal health, came up with a simple way to serve an affordable “meat biscuit” to soldiers on the front lines.  Later on, the dish was improved with the addition of delicious mushroom gravy. While Salisbury...