Why cookies are soft and how to fix them to be crunchy

Why cookies are soft

Cookies are best enjoyed when warm and crispy. But what do you do when yours turn out flat and soft? Oftentimes, cookies don’t bake evenly, leading to them becoming soft and gooey. Why cookies are soft The cookies have been baked at a very low temperature, leading to the inside not baking … Read more

Quick and Easy Real English Christmas Pudding in Instant Pot

The traditional English Christmas pudding has been a part of Christmas in English and Irish households for years. The recipe unites a number of rich ingredients. When cooking in the English way, the pudding is usually steamed for hours. However, this recipe uses an alternative quick and easy technique to make an … Read more

Sichuan Peppercorn Strawberry Crepes with Star Anise Balsamic Reduction

Sichuan Peppercorn Strawberry Crepes with Star Anise Balsamic Reduction

If you haven’t used your grill yet this Summer, chances are with Independence Day right around the corner you’ll be dusting it off for a backyard barbecue. Rather than spending time slaving away in the kitchen, backyard barbecues are about firing up the grill, enjoying some beverages and relaxing with friends and … Read more

Salted Pumpkin Cream Puffs

Salted Pumpkin Cream Puffs

Last year the only time I had pumpkin was the pie I ate at Thanksgiving. Totally unacceptable! I wasn’t going to let this Fall pass by without making amends for my lack of pumpkin consumption last season. So far I’ve had brown butter pumpkin risotto, pumpkin brownies, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin … Read more

Chocolate Covered Strawberries with Chile Salt

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Last week I made chocolate covered strawberries to bring to work. When making traditional recipes I think about how a personalized touch can be added. It might be as simple as substituting an ingredient or modifying the cooking technique, but can be as elaborate as transforming the dish into something completely unique. My kimchi … Read more

Roasted Peaches With Cardamom Ricotta And Ginger Almond Brittle

Roasted Peaches with Cardamom Ricotta and Ginger Almond Brittle

I moved to Austin a few years ago.  While packing up our previous home, I realized that over the three-year period that we lived there, I had barely used some of the many spices I had purchased when we moved in.  Although spices rarely spoil, they lose their flavor with time. For this … Read more

Brownie Pecan Pie

Not all pecan pies are created equal.  Store bought pies are often soggy and short on pecans which can make them cloyingly sweet.  My preference is a pecan pie made with honey, maple syrup and lots of nuts.  When cooked long enough, the edges of the filling develop a chewy texture and the pecans, a rich toasted … Read more

Sweet Corn Panna Cotta with Blackberry Sauce

In the world of desserts, few are as sophisticated yet simple to make as panna cotta. Translated, panna cotta means cooked cream and is the perfect accent for summer fruit. While the quivering dessert looks daunting to make, the ingredient list is short, and the effort minimal compared with other endeavors like baking … Read more