cooking with wskg

America’s Test Kitchen Cast Iron Pan Pizza (Ep 2122)

By Stacey Mosteller | August 18, 2021

Cast Iron Pan Pizza

SERVES 4

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:  We  started with a simple stir-together dough of bread flour, salt, yeast, and warm water; the warm water jump-started yeast activity so that the crumb was open and light. Instead of kneading   the dough, we let it rest overnight in the refrigerator. During this rest, the dough’s gluten strengthened enough for the crust to support the toppings but still have a tender crumb. Baking the pie in a generously oiled cast-iron skillet “fried” the outside of the crust. We also moved the skillet to the stove for the last few minutes of cooking to crisp up the underside of the crust.

Arts

America’s Test Kitchen Pan Bagnat (Ep 2114)

By Stacey Mosteller | May 3, 2021

Pan Bagnat

SERVES 4 TO 6

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS: Our version of pan bagnat, a classic Provençal sandwich that shares many of the same ingredients as salade niçoise, features a crusty baguette packed with high-quality jarred tuna, olives, capers, tomatoes, hard-cooked eggs, fresh herbs, and a mustardy vinaigrette. We used a large baguette, which offered enough surface area to accommodate the filling, and removed the inner crumb from the bottom half of the loaf to create a trough that provided more space. Processing the olives, capers, anchovies, and herbs into a coarse “salad” helped those components hold together, and applying the salad in two layers in the sandwich distributed its assertive flavors. To control the bread’s moisture absorption, we brushed the cut surfaces with olive oil, which helped waterproof it. Stirring the vinaigrette into the olive salad thickened the dressing so that it didn’t oversaturate the crumb, and we also thoroughly drained the tuna and tomato slices to remove much of their liquid.

Episodes

Milk Street Greece Every Day (Ep 307)

By Bailey Normann | April 19, 2021

Greek White Bean Soup (Fasolada)
Start to finish: 1 hour 30 minutes | Servings: 6

Dried cannellini beans that are soaked before cooking yield a full-flavored soup and creamy, silky-textured beans. To soak the beans, in a large bowl stir together 2 quarts water and 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Add the beans, let soak at room temperature for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours, then drain well. Canned beans work in a pinch; see instructions below. We do as we were taught in Greece and use extra-virgin olive oil to give the soup a little body and fruity, peppery richness throughout; vigorously whisking in a few tablespoons before serving, rather than just drizzling it on, does the trick. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to two days; reheat in a saucepan over low, adding water as needed to thin the consistency.

Episodes

Milk Street The Secrets of Stir-Fry (Ep 305)

By Bailey Normann | April 5, 2021

Vietnamese Shaking Beef (Bò Lúc Lắc)
Start to finish: 30 minutes | Servings: 4

The name of this Vietnamese dish refers to the way cooks shake the pan while the beef cooks. We, however, prefer to minimize the meat’s movement so the pieces achieve a nice dark, flavor-building sear. Sirloin tips (also called flap meat) or tri-tip are excellent cuts for this recipe—both are meaty, tender and reasonably priced (many recipes for shaking beef call for pricier beef tenderloin). If you can find baby watercress, use a 4-ounce container in place of the regular watercress; baby cress has a particularly peppery bite that pairs well with the beef. Serve with steamed jasmine rice.

Milk Street Cake and Scones (Ep 423)

By Bailey Normann | March 21, 2021

Savory Kale and Two-Cheese Scones
Start to finish: 1¼ hours (40 minutes active), plus cooling
Makes 12 large scones
When standard breakfast pastries are too sugary, bake a batch of these flavorful savory scones. This recipe is our adaptation of the hearty kale and cheese scones created by of Briana Holt, of Tandem Coffee + Bakery in Portland, Maine. Dried currants and a small amount of sugar in the dough complement the minerally, vegetal notes of the kale and counterbalance the saltiness of the cheddar and pecorino, while a good dose of black pepper adds an undercurrent of spiciness. Either lacinato kale (also called dinosaur or Tuscan kale) or curly kale will work; you will need an average-sized bunch to obtain the amount of chopped stemmed leaves for the recipe. Don’t allow the buttermilk and butter to lose their chill before use.

Episodes

Milk Street Italian the Right Way (Ep 303)

By Bailey Normann | March 15, 2021

Risotto with Fresh Herbs
Start to finish: 25 minutes | Servings: 4

Medium-grain Italian rice has the ideal starch content for achieving the rich, creamy consistency that is the hallmark of risotto. Arborio rice is the most common choice for risotto in the U.S., but cooks in Milan—and at Milk Street—preferred carnaroli. We found that the grains better retained their structure and resisted overcooking. With careful cooking, however, Arborio will yield delicious results. A quick six-ingredient homemade vegetable broth is the best cooking liquid for this risotto; its fresh, clean flavor won’t compete with the other ingredients.

Episodes

Milk Street The Joy of Cooking Lebanon (Ep 302)

By Bailey Normann | March 8, 2021

Flatbread (Pizza) Dough
Start to finish: 1 1/2 hours (30 minutes active) | Makes two 12-inch flatbreads

This versatile dough is a breeze to make in a food processor and can used for pizzas with various toppings or Middle Eastern–style flatbreads. The Greek yogurt makes a supple dough that’s easy to work with and that bakes up with a chewy-soft crumb and subtle richness. For convenience, the dough can be made a day in advance. After dividing the dough in half and forming each piece into a round, place each portion in a quart-size zip-close bag that’s been misted with cooking spray, seal well and refrigerate overnight. Allow the dough to come to room temperature before shaping.

Episodes

Milk Street The Oaxacan Kitchen (Ep 301)

By Bailey Normann | March 1, 2021

Carnitas
Start to finish: 4 hours (45 minutes active) | Servings: 4 to 6

Authentic Mexican carnitas involve slowcooking pork in lard until fall-apart tender, then increasing the heat so the meat fries and crisps. The fried pork then is broken into smaller pieces for eating. In the U.S., however, carnitas usually is made by simmering pork in liquid, then shredding the meat. The result is moist and tender, but lacks intense porkiness as well the crisping traditional to carnitas. Our method melds the two techniques.

Episodes

Milk Street Argentina Favorites (Ep 422)

By Bailey Normann | February 22, 2021

Oven-Perfect Strip Steak with Chimichurri
Start to finish: 1 1/4 hours (15 minutes active), plus refrigeration
Servings: 4 to 6
This recipe uses the gentle, controlled heat of the oven to replicate the “reverse sear” technique Argentinians use when grilling beef. Rather than start the steak over high heat to brown, then finish over low heat, the steaks start in a cool oven, then finish with a quick sear in either a blistering-hot cast-iron skillet or on a grill. The result is steak with a deep, flavorful crust that’s evenly cooked throughout, not overdone at the surface and just-right at only the core. We call for strip steaks (also called strip loin or New York strip), but bone-in or boneless ribeyes work well, too, as long they’re 1½ to 2 inches thick. We learned to season cuts of beef with nutmeg at La Carbrera in Buenos Aires; the spice doesn’t leave a distinct flavor of its own but rather enhances the steaks’ meatiness and smoky notes.

Lidia Celebrates America: A Salute to First Responders Breakfast Risotto

By Stacey Mosteller | February 17, 2021

Breakfast Risotto

Risotto di Colazione

Risotto for breakfast (or brunch)? Why not? I also like to make a simple risotto like this during the week as these are all ingredients I have on hand in my pantry and refrigerator. Any leftovers would be a good base for Risotto Cakes.  

Serves 4 to 6

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

4 ounces slab bacon, cut into lardons

1 small onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 ½ cups arborio or other Italian short grain rice

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

3/4 cup dry white wine

6 to 7 cups hot chicken stock or water

2 large eggs

3 scallions, chopped

1/2 cup freshly grated Grana Padano

You will need:

large skillet

small saucepan

whisk

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Episodes

Milk Street The New American Bakery (Ep 421)

By Bailey Normann | February 15, 2021

Pineapple Upside-Down Cornmeal Cake
Start to finish: 1¼ hours, plus cooling | Servings: 12
Briana Holt, owner of Tandem Coffee + Bakery in Portland, Maine, makes a rich, sturdy buttermilk cake with cornmeal for texture and flavor, as well as ricotta cheese to keep the crumb tender and moist. We adapted her winning formula and paired the cake with fresh fruit to update the classic all- American pineapple upside-down cake. To avoid a soggy layer where cake and fruit meet—a common problem with upside- down cakes—we first cook the pineapple to remove excess moisture, and we make sure the fruit is hot when the batter is poured on top so it begins to bake upon contact. To get the timing right, begin mixing the batter after placing the pan with the pineapple in the oven. This gives you 5 to 10 minutes to finish the batter; if it’s ready sooner, it can wait a few minutes.

Milk Street Quick Pasta (Ep 420)

By Bailey Normann | February 8, 2021

Passatelli in Brodo
Start to finish: 1¼ hours (30 minutes active) | Servings: 4 to 6
In Bologna, Italy, we tasted delicious home- cooked passatelli in brodo. Made with stale bread, cheese, eggs, broth and little else, the dish exemplifies cucina povera, or peasant cooking. Passatelli are cylindrical dumplings— like fat, short spaghetti—made by extruding dough through smallish holes; the dumplings are simply poached and served in chicken broth. We found that in lieu of a traditional passatelli maker, a potato ricer with 3/16-inch perforations works well for extruding the dough. Another alternative is to use a cooling rack with a ⅜-inch wire grid (instructions are included in the recipe).

Milk Street Indian Classics at Home (Ep 419)

By Bailey Normann | February 1, 2021

Butter Chicken
Start to finish: 1 hour 25 minutes (45 minutes active), plus marinating
Servings: 4 to 6
In our take on the butter chicken we had in Mumbai, boneless chicken thighs are briefly marinated in yogurt and spices, then broiled until lightly charred. We make a separate sauce into which the chicken then is stirred. In many recipes for butter chicken, copious amounts of butter and heavy cream supply richness, but we do as we were taught in India and use cashews pureed with a small amount of water until smooth. The nut puree adds creaminess without making the dish heavy. Serve this with steamed basmati rice for soaking up the sauce.

Episodes

Milk Street Meatballs and More (Ep 418)

By Bailey Normann | January 25, 2021

Neapolitan Meatballs with Ragù
Start to finish: 50 minutes | Servings: 6 to 8
In Naples, meatballs are generously sized, and their texture is ultra-tender from a high ratio of bread to meat. For our version, we opted to use Japanese panko breadcrumbs. Panko, which has a neutral flavor and a light and fluffy but coarse texture, greatly streamlines the meatball-making process, eliminating the need to remove the crusts from fresh bread, cut and measure, soak in water, then squeeze out excess moisture. Panko only needs to be moistened with water and it’s ready to use. Neapolitans serve their meatballs with a basic tomato sauce they refer to as “ragù.” We use pecorino liberally in this recipe: a chunk simmered in the sauce, as well as grated both in and over the meatballs.

Episodes

Cook’s Country Slow-Roasted Fresh Ham (Ep 1313)

By Bailey Normann | January 14, 2021

Slow-Roasted Fresh Ham
Serves 12 to 14
Unlike salty, pink cured ham, fresh ham is nothing more than a bone-in, skin-on pork roast from the pig’s hind leg. We chose a shank-end ham over a sirloin-end ham since the latter is tricky to carve. Salting the roast for 12 hours is key for moist, well-seasoned meat, and cutting a pocket in the meaty end helps the rub (bolstered with brown sugar and herbs for flavor) penetrate. Removing the skin allows the fat to render, and roasting the ham in an oven bag creates a moist cooking environment for evenly cooked meat.  
INGREDIENTS

8 – 10 pound ham shank-end, bone-in
⅓ cup packed brown sugar
⅓ cup kosher salt
3 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
1 large oven bag
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Use a turkey-size oven bag for this recipe.

Episodes

Milk Street Secret Italian Recipes (Ep 416)

By Bailey Normann | January 11, 2021

Tomato-Olive Focaccia
Start to finish: 7¼ hours (40 minutes active), plus cooling | Servings: 12
This recipe recreates the light, open-crumbed focaccia we ate in Bari, Italy. To achieve that texture, the dough must be wet—so wet, in fact, it verges on a thick, yet pourable batter. Resist the temptation to add more flour than is called for. Shaping such a sticky, high-hydration dough by hand is impossible. Instead, the dough is gently poured and scraped into the oiled baking pan; gravity settles it into an even layer.

Episodes

Cook’s Country Almond Boneless Chicken (Ep 1311)

By Bailey Normann | December 31, 2020

Almond Boneless Chicken
Serves 4 to 6
Almond Boneless Chicken, which is a Chinese American restaurant staple in the Detroit area, consists of crispy battered chicken served on a bed of crunchy iceberg lettuce, topped with a mild brown sauce, and sprinkled with almonds and scallions. A combination of baking powder, baking soda, and beer keeps the batter light and crisp. Folding chopped toasted almonds into the batter provides more almond flavor as well as crunch. A combination of hoisin, soy sauce, and dry sherry adds complexity to the chicken broth–based sauce. INGREDIENTS
Sauce

1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water
1 cup chicken broth
2 teaspoons dry sherry
2 teaspoons hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons soy sauce
⅛ teaspoon salt

Chicken

4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
Salt and pepper
½ cup sliced almonds, toasted
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 ¼ cups lager or pilsner beer
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 quarts peanut or vegetable oil
½ head iceberg lettuce (4 ½ ounces), cored and sliced thin crosswise
3 scallions, sliced thin on bias

INSTRUCTIONS

Use a Dutch oven that holds 6 quarts or more.

Episodes

Milk Street All-New Italian (Ep 414)

By Bailey Normann | December 28, 2020

Roman Braised Beef with Tomato and Cloves
Start to finish: 4 hours (30 minutes active) | Servings: 6
In Rome, cloves are used to flavor the pot roast-like dish known as garofolato di manzo alla Romana. Cloves, known as chiodi di garofano, give the dish its name. The earthy, subtly smoky and slightly bitter flavor of cloves complements the natural sweetness of the onion, fennel and tomatoes used to flavor this dish. The beef typically is cooked as a large roast, similar to a pot roast. We prefer cutting a chuck roast into chunks and simmering the meat as a stew.

Episodes

Milk Street Vietnamese Every Day (Ep 413)

By Bailey Normann | December 21, 2020

Vietnamese Caramel Chicken
Start to finish: 40 minutes | Servings: 4 to 6
The classic Vietnamese technique of simmering meat or fish in dark, bittersweet caramel mixed with fish sauce and a few aromatics yields rich, wonderfully complex savory-sweet flavors. And the technique could hardly be simpler. Instead of a traditional clay pot, we use a 12-inch skillet to make our version of gà kho, or caramel- simmered chicken, and we cook the chicken until the sauce forms a glaze, as we were taught in Vietnam. Bruising the lemon grass releases its flavor and fragrance but since the stalk is still whole, it is easy to remove and discard before serving; the simplest way to bruise it is with the blunt side of the blade of a chef’s knife or the butt end of the handle. Serve the chicken with steamed jasmine rice.

Milk Street Middle Eastern Favorites (Ep 412)

By Bailey Normann | December 14, 2020

Pearl Couscous with Chicken and Chickpeas
Start to finish: 1 hour | Servings: 4 to 6
This is our version of the fragrantly spiced, stew-like maftoul with chicken and chickpeas that we tasted in Galilee. Maftoul, sometimes referred to as Palestinian couscous, resembles pearl couscous in shape and size but is made with bulgur. It is difficult to source in the U.S., but pearl couscous is a good substitute. For this dish, we first simmer bone-in chicken parts in water with aromatics, then remove and chop the meat, reserving it to add at the end. The flavorful broth that results from poaching the chicken is used to cook the couscous, so that rich, full flavor permeates the dish.

Milk Street Vegetable Makeovers (Ep 411)

By Bailey Normann | November 23, 2020

Persian Jeweled Rice (Javaher Polow)
Start to finish: 55 minutes (20 minutes active) | Servings: 4
This rice pilaf is named for the colorful dried fruits and nuts that embellish the saffron- tinted basmati rice. The bright color of raw pistachios is best here. Traditionally, jeweled rice is a labor-intensive dish; we’ve created a simplified version that’s visually stunning as well as richly, deeply flavorful. We almost always toast nuts to enhance their flavor and texture, but here raw pistachios are best, as they are more vivid in color and subtler in flavor than toasted or roasted. Don’t forget to rinse and drain the rice.

Episodes

Cook’s Country Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Pie (Ep 1310)

By Bailey Normann | November 19, 2020

Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Pie
Serves 8 to 10
The hallmark of Dutch apple pie is its creamy apple filling, but we didn’t rely on the traditional cream to achieve it. Instead we added melted vanilla ice cream to the apple filling for extra creaminess and a rich vanilla flavor that nicely complements apple pie. We sliced Golden Delicious apples and let them sit in the melted ice cream along with cinnamon, sugar, and lemon juice until they were soft and pliable; this way, they packed easily into the pie plate and created a cohesive interior that baked evenly. Before baking, we sprinkled a mixture of melted butter, flour, brown sugar, and a good dose of salt over the top of the pie for a supremely buttery crumble topping. Letting the pie cool completely before slicing into it allowed it to firm up so that we could produce beautifully clean wedges.

Episodes

Milk Street Weeknight Mexican (Ep 410)

By Bailey Normann | November 16, 2020

Chicken Tinga (Tinga Poblana de Pollo)
Start to finish (40 minutes active)
Servings: 4
Tinga poblana de pollo is a stewy dish of shredded chicken in a light, fresh tomato sauce that’s spicy and smoky with chipotle chilies. It’s an excellent filling for tacos or topping for tostadas. For our version of chicken tinga, based on the recipe we learned in Mexico, we poach chicken breasts, shred the meat into bite-size pieces, then add the chicken to the tomato-chipotle sauce that has been simmered separately. Mexican oregano, which has notes of citrus and earth, is more closely related to verbena than to Mediterranean oregano, which is in the mint family. Many supermarkets sell Mexican oregano; if it’s not shelved with the jarred herbs and spice, check the international aisle or where dried Mexican chilies are sold.

Episodes

Cook’s Country One-Batch Fried Chicken (Ep 1309)

By Bailey Normann | November 12, 2020

One-Batch Fried Chicken
Serves 4
Inspired by the pressure-frying machine in which Colonel Sanders created his famous fried chicken, we set out to find a faster way to fry that would get all the chicken on the table at the same time. To season the meat and keep it moist, we soaked bone-in chicken pieces in a mixture of buttermilk and salt. To season the flour dredge, we used Italian seasoning blend (a mix of dried oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary, and sage) instead of buying a long list of dried herbs. Granulated garlic, ground ginger, and celery salt added savory notes; both black and white peppers added pleasant, mild heat; and a bit of baking powder ensured a crunchy, not tough, exterior. Several tablespoons of buttermilk rubbed into the seasoned flour created a shaggy coating that, after a rest in the refrigerator, adhered nicely to the skin and fried up into a satisfying crunchy crust. For fast frying, we cooked the chicken all in one batch and covered the pot for the first half of cooking.

Episodes

Milk Street French Showstopper Desserts (Ep 409)

By Bailey Normann | November 9, 2020

Bête Noire
Start to finish: 1 hour 40 minutes, plus cooling and chilling | Servings: 12
Bête noire is a flourless chocolate cake that gets its silky, ultra smooth, almost custard-like texture from the sugar syrup in the base, as well as from gentle baking. We bring a uniquely complex flavor to our version by caramelizing sugar with black peppercorns before dissolving the caramel with orange juice and bourbon. A combination of bittersweet and semi-sweet chocolate yields a rounder, richer finish than just one type of chocolate, while Angostura bitters lend a spiciness and depth that balance the sweetness of the dessert. We forgo the classic ganache coating and opt to use quickly candied orange zest for a garnish that adds contrasting color and texture. Though the cake requires at least 4 hours of chilling to fully set, it’s best served at room temperature, so be sure to remove the cake from the refrigerator at least two hours before serving.

Episodes

Milk Street Lasagna Bolognese (Ep 408)

By Bailey Normann | November 2, 2020

Tagliatelle alla Bolognese
Start to finish: 20 minutes | Servings: 4
Tagliatelle resembles fettuccine, but typically is made with eggs, so the noodles have a yellow hue, a richer flavor and a more delicate texture than eggless pasta. It’s not uncommon to find tagliatelle wound into small nests for packaging; other times, the noodles are in straight strands, like fettuccine. Don’t boil the pasta until al dente. Drain it when it’s just shy of al dente. It will finish cooking in the ragù.

Episodes

Cook’s Country Greek Chicken (Ep 1307)

By Bailey Normann | October 29, 2020

Greek Chicken
SERVES 4
We found inspiration for this super flavorful Greek chicken at Johnny’s Restaurant in Homewood, Alabama, where the menu reflects the chef’s Greek heritage and Alabama upbringing. The chicken there is tender and juicy, marinated and roasted to perfection and flavored with tons of herbs and lemon. To re-create this simple yet complex-tasting dish for the home cook, we first tested our way to the perfect marinade: a blend of olive oil, fresh and dried herbs and spices, and lemon. To make sure the marinade penetrated past the surface of the chicken, we cut ½-inch-deep slashes in each piece. To achieve the lovely browning we remembered from the chicken at Johnny’s, we roasted our chicken at a relatively hot 425 degrees and gave it a blast of heat from the broiler at the end of cooking.

Episodes

Milk Street Entertaining Favorites (EP 407)

By Bailey Normann | October 26, 2020

Baked Salted Salmon with Dill
Start to finish: 1¾ hours (15 minutes active) | Servings: 4 to 6
To recreate the salmon we had in Norway, we use a 2-pound skin-on center-cut side of salmon and salt it for about an hour before baking in a moderate oven. When shopping, look for a salmon side about 1 inch thick at its thickest part; pieces that are thicker or thinner will require timing adjustments when baking. The salmon will be slightly underdone when removed from the oven; a tented 5- to 10- minute rest will finish the cooking and bring the internal temperature up to 120°F at the thickest part. At this temperature, the fish should be just opaque, not translucent. Don’t delay tenting the salmon with foil after removing it from the oven.

Episodes

Cook’s Country Croque Monsieur (Ep 1306)

By Bailey Normann | October 22, 2020

Croque Monsieur
SERVES 4
We were looking for a truly impressive version of this French bistro favorite—one with crisp, buttered bread; salty-sweet ham; a creamy white sauce; and plenty of nutty Gruyère cheese. We chose to amp up the béchamel sauce called for in traditional recipes by adding some Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses. To ensure that the sandwiches were ready to eat at the same time, we assembled all four of them on a baking sheet, layering in the cheese sauce and Black Forest ham before topping them all with more sauce and cheese. A trip under the oven’s broiler was all that was needed to meld the sandwich ingredients together, creating a bubbly-browned top in the process. For the best results, be sure to use a good-quality Gruyère here.

Episodes

Milk Street Bakes! (Ep 406)

By Bailey Normann | October 19, 2020

Deep-Dish Quiche with Mushrooms, Bacon and Gruyère
Start to finish: 1½ active), plus cooling
Servings: 8 to 10
At Le Pichet, a French brasserie in Seattle, Washington, we rekindled our love for quiche. This recipe is based on the restaurant’s formula for creating a quiche that’s tall and creamy, yet light and richly flavored. The key is crème fraîche in addition to the heavy cream, along with just the right number of eggs. Baking the quiche on a hot baking steel (or baking stone) obviates the need to prebake the crust (a hassle of most quiche recipes), as the heat from the steel helps brown the bottom crust, thereby staving off sogginess. We’re fond of buttery homemade pastry, but if you wish to take a shortcut, stack two refrigerated pie crusts on top of each other, then fold into quarters.

Episodes

Cook’s Country Shrimp Tacos (Ep 1305)

By Bailey Normann | October 15, 2020

Shrimp Tacos
SERVES 4 to 6
We were inspired by a brilliant taco-shop recipe for shrimp tacos that combined the best characteristics of a taco and a quesadilla, boasting crisped corn tortillas, gooey melted cheese, and a fiesta of saucy shrimp, shredded lettuce, diced avocado, and chopped fresh cilantro. To achieve results this good without any risky, time-consuming stovetop batch cooking, we turned to the oven. We placed six tortillas on each of two oiled rimmed baking sheets and topped them with cheese and a quick-cooked shrimp filling before baking them until the tortillas crisped and the cheese melted. Topping our “tacodillas” with shredded lettuce, fresh cilantro, and diced avocado just before serving allowed us to combine the vibrancy of a taco with the warmth and comfort of a quesadilla. We developed this recipe using Mission White Corn Tortillas, Restaurant Style, but any 100 percent corn tortillas will work here.

Episodes

Milk Street Best European Desserts (Ep 405)

By Bailey Normann | October 12, 2020

German Apple Cake (Apfelkuchen)
Start to finish: 2 hours 30 minutes | Makes one 9-inch tart
Apfelkuchen, or apple cake, is a classic German sweet of which there are numerous versions. We were particularly fond of Luisa Weiss’s recipe in “Classic German Baking,” which is her adaptation of a recipe she found on a package of almond paste. Almond paste gives the cake’s crumb a custardy richness, a moist, tender texture and a pleasant—but not overpowering—almond fragrance and flavor. Tangy-sweet sliced apples are fanned on top of the batter and baked into the surface to elegant effect. You will need an apple corer to punch out the cores from the apples before halving them.

Episodes

Cook’s Country Grilled Jerk Chicken (Ep 1304)

By Bailey Normann | October 6, 2020

Grilled Jerk Chicken
SERVES 4
Our bold, spicy-but-nuanced grilled jerk chicken starts with the jerk paste. We blended fiery habaneros (more readily available and less intense than the traditionally used Scotch bonnet peppers), scallions, and garlic with 10 whole thyme sprigs for a big herby punch that didn’t require time-consuming leaf-picking. Soy sauce added depth, cider vinegar contributed brightness, and warm spices (allspice, cinnamon, and ginger) provided the characteristic jerk flavor while brown sugar rounded out the spicy edge. After marinating bone-in chicken pieces in the paste, we first cooked the chicken on the cooler side of the grill, covered, which helped the marinade to stick to the chicken and not slide off over direct heat and burn. Once the chicken was cooked through, we brushed it with a little reserved marinade for a fresh burst of jerk flavor and seared it on the hotter side of the grill.

Episodes

Milk Street Everyday Middle Eastern Cooking (Ep 404)

By Bailey Normann | October 5, 2020

Palestinian Upside-Down Chicken and Rice (Maqlubeh)
Start to finish: 2 hours (30 minutes active), plus resting
Servings: 8
Maqlubeh translates from the Arabic as “upside down,” which describes how this traditional multilayered rice dish is served. Though our streamlined recipe still requires a small investment in ingredients and prep, the work mostly is front-loaded and produces a one-pot dish impressive enough for a special occasion. For proper cooking, it’s important to use a pot 9½ to 11 inches in diameter and 4 to 6 inches deep. After searing and removing the chicken, we line the bottom of the pot with a parchment round to guarantee that the rice, which forms a crisp, browned bottom layer, does not stick when the pot is inverted for serving. If you prefer, you can serve directly from the pot, but we still recommend lining the bottom of the pot with parchment.

Cook’s Country Adjaruli Khachapuri (Ep 1303)

By Bailey Normann | September 29, 2020

Adjaruli Khachapuri
SERVES 6
Adjaruli khachapuri is a boat-shaped bread stuffed with melted cheese hailing from the country of Georgia in the Caucasus region of central Asia. When the bread is still hot from the oven, the molten cheese is topped with an egg and butter and stirred together tableside. Diners then tear off chunks of the crust to dunk into the gooey cheese. For our version, we used a simple pizza dough since it was easy to shape, provided structure to contain the oozy cheese, and had a satisfyingly chewy texture and mild flavor. We found that a mixture of mozzarella and feta approximated the briny, salty tang and stringy texture found in traditional Georgian cheeses such as sulguni and imeruli.

Episodes

Milk Street From Spain with Love (Ep 403)

By Bailey Normann | September 28, 2020

Weeknight Paella (Chicken and Bean Paella)
Start to finish: 1½ hours | Servings: 4
Outside of Spain, paella is considered a luxurious dish, loaded with seafood, scented with pricy saffron and served as an event in and of itself. Its beginnings, however, are more humble. The one-pan dish was prepared by Valencian farm workers as a midday meal. This type of paella, called paella Valenciana, still is made today. For our version—adapted for a nonstick 12-inch skillet with a lid—we opted for chicken thighs, canned white beans, fresh green beans and grape or cherry tomatoes; saffron is a nice addition, but entirely optional.

Episodes

Cook’s Country Grilled Flank Steak with Basil Dressing (Ep 1302)

By Bailey Normann | September 22, 2020

Grilled Flank Steak with Basil Dressing
Serves 6
For a grilled flank steak with a char-kissed exterior and a perfectly cooked interior, we had to revisit the idea of the marinade. A wet marinade is the enemy of good browning. On top of that, the test kitchen has proven that marinades barely penetrate the surface of meat. But since salt and sugar (when applied far enough in advance) do dissolve and penetrate deep into the meat, we skipped the marinade and simply seasoned our steak with salt, sugar, and pepper. To cook this wedge-shaped cut to the same internal temperature from end to end, we set up our grill with a cooler side and a hotter side.

Episodes

Milk Street Mexican Favorites (Ep 402)

By Bailey Normann | September 21, 2020

Mexican Stewed Beans with Salsa Fresca
Start to finish: 1 3/4 hours, plus overnight soak and resting | Servings: 6 to 8
In Mexico City, we learned to prepare traditional stewed beans, as well as a version enriched with pork. Sofrito—a sauté of aromatics cooked separately from the dish’s central ingredient(s)—is a key flavoring for the beans. Our sofrito consists of onion, garlic, tomatoes and jalapeños cooked down to concentrate their essences and is added only after the beans are fully cooked to preserve its fresh flavors. Instead of the pinto beans so common in Mexican cooking, we opted to use cranberry beans (also called Roman or borlotti beans). We found that the pinto beans available in the U.S. do not cook up with the same plumpness and velvety texture as the ones we tasted in Mexico; cranberry beans were a closer approximation.

Episodes

Cook’s Country Monterey Bay Cioppino (Ep 1301)

By Bailey Normann | September 15, 2020

Monterey Bay Cioppino
Serves 6 to 8
To create a home recipe inspired by the cioppino served up at Phil’s Fish Market & Eatery in Moss Landing, California, we started by making a tomatoey marinara base that relied on pantry staples and came together quickly. Instead of breaking out the food processor to make a traditional pesto to flavor our stew as Phil does, we simply added the pesto’s key ingredients (olive oil, basil, and garlic) to the mix. Phil’s version is brimming with a wide range of seafood, but we wanted to tighten the roster for our version, so we bypassed clams and calamari, opting instead for easy-to-find shrimp, scallops, sea bass, and mussels. Adding our seafood to the pot in stages and finishing the cooking off the heat ensured that each component was perfectly cooked. We recommend buying “dry” scallops, which don’t have chemical additives and taste better than “wet” scallops.

Episodes

Milk Street Weeknight Italian (Ep 401)

By Bailey Normann | September 14, 2020

Pasta with Zucchini, Pancetta and Saffron
Start to finish: 40 minutes | Servings: 4
This is our version of a fantastic pasta offering from Trattoria Bertozzi in Bologna, Italy. In lieu of guanciale (cured pork jowl), we opted for easier-to-find but equally meaty pancetta, and we lightened up the dish’s richness by swapping half-and-half for the cream. The restaurant uses gramigna pasta, a tubular, curled shape from the Emilio-Romagna region. We found that more widely available cavatappi or gemelli works just as well combining with the zucchini and catching the lightly creamy sauce in its crevices. Don’t boil the pasta until al dente.

Episodes

America’s Test Kitchen Smoky Pulled Pork on a Gas Grill (Ep 2026)

By Bailey Normann | August 25, 2020

Smoky Pulled Pork on a Gas Grill
Serves 8-10

Pork butt roast is often labeled Boston butt in the supermarket. We developed this recipe with hickory chips, though other varieties of hardwood can be used. (We do not recommend mesquite chips.) Before beginning, check your propane tank to make sure that you have at least a half-tank of fuel. If you happen to run out of fuel, you can move the pork to a preheated 300-degree oven to finish cooking. Serve the pulled pork on white bread or hamburger buns with pickles and coleslaw.

Episodes

America’s Test Kitchen Sautéed Mushrooms with Red Wine and Rosemary (Ep 2021)

By Bailey Normann | July 21, 2020

Sautéed Mushrooms with Red Wine and Rosemary
Serves 4

Use one variety of mushroom or a combination. Stem and halve portobello mushrooms and cut each half crosswise into ½-inch pieces. Trim white or cremini mushrooms; quarter them if large or medium or halve them if small. Tear trimmed oyster mushrooms into 1- to 1½-inch pieces. Stem shiitake mushrooms; quarter large caps and halve small caps.

Episodes

America’s Test Kitchen Easy Grill-Roasted Whole Chicken (Ep 2020)

By Bailey Normann | July 14, 2020

Easy Grill-Roasted Whole Chicken
Serves 4

We developed this recipe on a three-burner gas grill with burners that run from front to back. In this recipe, we refer to the two outside burners as the primary burners and the center burner as the secondary burner. If you’re using a two-burner grill, use the side with the wood chips as the primary burner and the other side as the secondary burner. Adjust the primary burner to maintain a grill temperature between 375 and 400 degrees. Place the chicken 6 inches from the primary burner and rotate it after 25 minutes of cooking in step 4 so that it cooks evenly.

Episodes

Milk Street Not Your Mother’s Cake (Ep 109)

By Bailey Normann | July 13, 2020

Whipped Cream Biscuits
WE TRIED TO SPEED UP the chilling of the dough by popping it in the freezer, but that didn’t give the starch in the dough enough time to get sufficiently hydrated. An hour in the refrigerator was perfect. If we chilled it for more than a few hours it needed a few minutes on the counter to soften before rolling. INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 cup (5 ounces) plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons sugar
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
10 tablespoons salted butter, cut into ½-inch pieces and chilled
2 tablespoons sour cream

INSTRUCTIONS
In a small bowl, whisk together the water and cornstarch. Microwave until set, 30 to 40 seconds, stirring halfway through.

Episodes

America’s Test Kitchen Turkey and Gravy for a Crowd (Ep 2018)

By Bailey Normann | June 30, 2020

Turkey and Gravy for a Crowd
Serves 18-20

This recipe requires refrigerating the salted turkey breasts for 24 hours. If using self-basting or kosher turkey breasts, do not salt in step 7, but season with salt in step 8. We used Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt; if you use Morton Kosher Salt, reduce the salt in step 7 to 21/2 teaspoons per breast, rubbing 1 teaspoon onto each side and 1/2 teaspoon into the cavity. Covering the turkey with parchment and then foil will prevent the wine in the braising liquid from “pitting” the foil. INGREDIENTS
Turkey Legs and Gravy

3 onions, chopped
4 celery ribs, chopped
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
10 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus extra as needed
3 bay leaves
10 sprigs fresh thyme
10 sprigs fresh parsley
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup water
1 cup dry white wine
4 (1½- to 2-pound) turkey leg quarters, trimmed
3 tablespoons kosher salt
½ cup all-purpose flour

Turkey Breasts

2 (5- to 6-pound) bone-in turkey breasts, trimmed
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, divided

INSTRUCTIONS
1.

Pati’s Mexican Table – How do you say Tucson? (813)

By Bailey Normann | June 26, 2020

Sonoran Hot Dogs
Courtesy Daniel Contreras, El Güero Canelo Restaurant

Makes 4 hot dogs

INGREDIENTS

4 slices bacon
4 turkey hot dogs
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup chopped white onion
4 güero chiles or banana peppers
4 hot dog buns
1 cup cooked pinto beans, warmed up

Toppings:

Chopped raw white onion
Chopped tomato
Jalapeño hot sauce, or salsa of your choice
Mustard
Mayonnaise

TO PREPARE

On a cutting board, roll one slice of bacon around each hot dog. Place the tip of the hot dog over one end of the bacon slice, then roll the hot dog around and around on the diagonal so that the bacon wraps around it and covers it entirely. If you get to the end of the hot dog and there is still some bacon left, roll back in the other direction until the whole strip of bacon is rolled around the hot dog. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon-wrapped hot dogs and cook, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, until crisped and browned on all sides.

Episodes

Pati’s Mexican Table – Home Cooking Sinaloa Style (812)

By Bailey Normann | June 23, 2020

Cheese and Shrimp Pasta Bake
Makes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

3 fresh Anaheim chiles
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 white onion, diced
3 pounds ripe on the vine tomatoes, washed and quartered
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped or pressed
1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt, or to taste, divided, plus more to season shrimp
1 6- ounce can tomato paste
1 teaspoon crushed dried chiltepín chiles, chile de árbol, or red pepper flakes
1 pound short and small pasta, such as rigatoni or shells
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 cups Mexican crema
1 cup grated asadero or quesadilla cheese, can also substitute with Monterey Jack or Muenster
1 1/2 cup grated Oaxaca cheese
1/2 cup grated añejo cheese or parmesan
3 to 4 scallions, white and light green parts thinly sliced, for garnish

TO PREPARE

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Place the Anaheim chiles on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Put under the broiler for about 10 minutes, flipping a couple times in between, until charred on all sides. Immediately transfer the charred chiles to a plastic bag and seal tightly to sweat them for at least 5 minutes. Take the chiles out of the bag, let cool slightly, then peel off the skin and remove the stems and seeds.

Episodes

Milk Street Suppers (Ep 106)

By Bailey Normann | June 22, 2020

Georgian Chicken Soup (Chikhirtma)
Start to finish: 1 hour 45 minutes (45 minutes active)

Servings: 6

SIMMERING WHOLE SPICES and fresh herbs in the broth imparted more flavor than the usual method of seasoning and thicken- ing soups (sautéing ground spices in a roux). We liked the hint of heat from red pepper flakes, but they can be left out for a milder version. Browning the carrots and onions before making the roux developed a subtle sweetness and depth that paired well with the tangy soup. INGREDIENTS
For the broth and chicken:

1 bunch fresh cilantro
1 bunch fresh dill
1 garlic head
2½ to 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken legs
10 cups water
1 large yellow onion, peeled and quartered
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
½ teaspoon coriander seeds
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
3-inch cinnamon stick
2 bay leaves

For the soup:

1 pound carrots (about 5 medium), peeled, halved lengthwise and cut into ½-inch pieces
1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped (about 1½ cups)
3 tablespoons salted butter
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup dry vermouth
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
6 large egg yolks
¼ cup lemon juice (1 to 2 lemons)
Ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
To make the broth, tie the stems of the cilantro and dill into bundles, then trim off the leaves, reserving ¼ cup of each for garnish. Cut off and discard the top third of the garlic head, leaving the head intact.

Episodes

Pati’s Mexican Table – A Day in Sinaloa’s Countryside (811)

By Bailey Normann | June 16, 2020

Birria
Makes 8 – 10 servings

INGREDIENTS

For the Birria:

4 to 5 pounds goat meat, bone-in, cut into about 3-inch pieces (you may substitute lamb)
1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
6 teaspoons kosher or sea salt, divided
3 quarts water, plus more to soak the meat
4 to 5 large dried avocado leaves
3 ounces (about 10) guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded

For serving:

Warm corn tortillas
2 cups finely chopped white onion
2 cups chopped cilantro leaves
2 to 3 limes, quartered

TO PREPARE

Place the meat in a large bowl and cover with cool water. Add the vinegar and 2 teaspoons salt and let sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse well with cold water. Place the rinsed meat in a large casserole, cover with at least 3 quarts water, add 4 teaspoons salt, and stir. Set over high heat and let it come to a rolling boil, reduce the heat to low, remove whatever foam may have come to the surface, cover, and cook for 2 hours.

Episodes

Pati’s Mexican Table – Mocorito, The Land of Chilorio (809)

By Bailey Normann | May 29, 2020

Sinaloa Style Chilorio
Makes 10-12 servings

INGREDIENTS

4 pounds boneless pork shoulder or butt, fat on, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt, divided
5 cups water
4 ounces (about 14 to 15) guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
2 bay leaves
8 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 teaspoon freshly ground back pepper
Pinch ground cumin
1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
1 cup finely chopped white onion
1/2 pound (about 3) fresh Anaheim chiles, seeded and chopped
4 ripe Roma tomatoes, cored and chopped

TO PREPARE

Preheat a large heavy casserole over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the pork pieces, sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring as it starts to brown. Reduce heat to medium, pour in 5 cups of water, cover and cook for another hour and a half. Meanwhile, place the guajillo chiles, bay leaves, and garlic in a medium pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Simmer over medium heat for 10 to 12 minutes until the chiles are completely rehydrated and plumped up.

Episodes

Milk Street Mexico Every Single Day (Ep 105)

By Bailey Normann | May 27, 2020

Shrimp in Chipotle Sauce (Camarones Enchipotlados)
Start to finish: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

THE FLAVOR AND TEXTURE of fresh tomatoes were better than canned for the sauce. The shrimp spend just seconds in the pan and won’t be fully cooked; they finish later off the heat. The shrimp made wonderful tacos. To warm tortillas, wrap a stack in foil and place it in a 200ºF oven. INGREDIENTS

4 vine-ripened tomatoes (1¼ pounds), quartered
4 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce and the sauce clinging to them
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
¼ cup olive oil
1½ pounds extra-large raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed and patted dry
¼ cup lime juice
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chopped cilantro, plus extra to serve
Eight 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed
Avocado, sour cream and lime wedges, to serve

INSTRUCTIONS
In a food processor, pulse the tomatoes, the chilies and any sauce coating them, and 3/4 teaspoon salt until mostly smooth, 1 minute.

Episodes

America’s Test Kitchen Everyday French Toast (Ep 2016)

By Bailey Normann | May 20, 2020

Everyday French Toast
Serves 4

We developed this recipe to work with presliced supermarket bread that measures 4 by 6 inches and is ¾ inch thick. Be sure to use vegetable oil spray here; it contains lecithin, which ensures that the oil stays well distributed, preventing the toast from sticking. Top with maple syrup or confectioners’ sugar, if desired. INGREDIENTS

3 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon table salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 cup milk
8 slices hearty white sandwich bread

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Adjust 1 oven rack to lowest position and second rack 5 to 6 inches from broiler element.

Episodes

Milk Street Tahini Rules! (Ep 104)

By Bailey Normann | May 19, 2020

Turkish Meatballs with Lime- Yogurt Sauce
Meatballs: Start to finish – 20 minutes, plus cooling; Serves 6

Lime-Yogurt Sauce Start to finish – 10 minutes; Makes 1½ cups

THESE CRISP, PATTY-SHAPED meatballs developed a flavorful crust from pan-frying. This recipe also works with a blend of lamb and beef. We heated the spic- es, shallots and garlic in oil in the microwave to draw out their flavors. We loved the meatballs stuffed into pita pockets with sliced tomato, cucumber, red onion and flat-leaf parsley. Tangy yogurt sauce spiked with lime juice and cayenne made for a bright counterpart.

Episodes

Milk Street From Thailand With Love (Ep 103)

By Bailey Normann | May 11, 2020

Thai Fried Rice

WE LIKED THE AROMATIC sweet flavor of jasmine rice, but long-grain white or basmati works, too. A good Thai fish sauce was essential: at Milk Street we use Red Boat. Andy Ricker uses pork belly, but that can be hard to find in the U.S. Pancetta worked well as a substitute. It has the right amount of salt and fat. Plain bacon will do the job, too, but avoid smoked bacon.

Episodes

Pati’s Mexican Table – El Fuerte, Magic Town (806)

By Bailey Normann | May 8, 2020

Lobster Chilaquiles
Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

For the salsa:

2 to 3 dried morita or chipotle chiles
1 1/2 pounds about 6 ripe Roma tomatoes
1 1/2 pounds about 12 tomatillos, husked and rinsed
1/2 white onion, cut into large pieces
2 to 3 fresh jalapeños, stemmed
3 unpeeled garlic cloves
1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt, or to taste
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For the tortilla chips:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
12 corn tortillas, cut into triangles
1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt, or to taste

For the lobsters:

4 1- and-a-quarter to 1-and-a-half pound live lobsters, or you can substitute thawed lobster tails

For the toppings:

1 cup crumbled queso fresco
1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Mexican crema, to taste

TO PREPARE

To make the salsa:

Place the morita chiles in a small bowl, cover with hot water, and let them sit and soften for at least 10 minutes. Place the tomatoes, tomatillos, onion chunks, jalapeños, and unpeeled garlic cloves on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet. Place under the broiler and roast 12 to 15 minutes, flipping a couple times in between, until the skin of tomatoes and tomatillos has completely blistered and charred, they seem very mushy, and their juices have started to come out. The garlic cloves and chiles must also have blackened and charred. Remove from the broiler and let cool.

Episodes

America’s Test Kitchen Classic Sloppy Joes (Ep 2014)

By Bailey Normann | May 5, 2020

Classic Sloppy Joes
Serves 4

Tossing the beef with baking soda in step 1 helps keep it tender and juicy; adding baking soda to the skillet with the onion in step 2 helps the onion break down. You may substitute 90 percent lean ground beef in this recipe, but the cooked mixture will be a bit less tender. Serve the Sloppy Joes with pickle chips, if desired.  

 
INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons water, divided
½ teaspoon plus ⅛ teaspoon baking soda, divided
1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef
½ teaspoon plus ⅛ teaspoon table salt, divided
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
½ onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons packed brown sugar, plus extra for seasoning
2 teaspoons paprika
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
¼ cup tomato paste
⅓ cup ketchup
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, plus extra for seasoning
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon cornstarch
4 hamburger buns

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Combine 1 tablespoon water and ½ teaspoon baking soda in small bowl.

Episodes

Milk Street The New Baking (Ep 102)

By Bailey Normann | May 4, 2020

Chocolate, Prune and Rum Cake
Start to finish: 1 hour and 20 minutes (30 minutes active), plus cooling
Servings: 12

CLAIRE PTAK’S chocolate, prune and whiskey cake is deliciously gooey at the center. A ratio of 3:1 chocolate to butter—as well as 8 ounces of chopped pitted prunes—got us the same results. We preferred bar chocolates with 60 to 70 percent cacao (especially the Ghirardelli and Guittard brands) to chocolate chips, which contain stabilizers that changed the cake’s texture. Ptak uses almond flour—not an uncommon ingredient in flourless chocolate cakes like this, but certainly not a common ingredient in American homes. We reworked the cake a bit to leave it out and found the results just as good.

Episodes

Pati’s Mexican Table – A Taste of Mazatlan (805)

By Bailey Normann | May 1, 2020

Milanesa Torta with Matador Guacamole and Melty Cheese
Makes 4 tortas

INGREDIENTS

Vegetable oil, for frying
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
Kosher or sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 eggs
A splash of milk
2 cups crushed butter crackers
8 to 10 dried chiltepín chiles, crushed (or substitute 3 to 4 chiles de árbol)
1 cup mayonnaise
2 cups grated Oaxaca cheese
1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
4 bolillo or telera rolls, split in half with insides scooped out
2 cups baby arugula
1 batch Matador Guacamole
1/4 cup soy and lime mixture from the Matador Guacamole

TO PREPARE

Preheat the oven to 450°F. In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1/2-inch of vegetable oil and heat until very hot but not smoking, for at least 4 to 5 minutes. Meanwhile, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Make a breading station using three shallow dishes: place the flour in one, whisk the eggs with a splash of milk in another, and mix the cracker crumbs with salt, pepper and the crushed chiles in the third one. One by one, dredge the chicken breasts in the flour, then pass through the egg mixture, and then coat well with the cracker crumbs mixture, pressing it onto the chicken as you do.

Episodes

America’s Test Kitchen Sous Vide Crème Brûlée (Ep 2013)

By Bailey Normann | April 28, 2020

Sous Vide Crème Brûlée
Serves 4

While sous vide is not the answer for most baked desserts, it most definitely is when it comes to custard. Conventional custard recipes require care and attention with temperature-sensitive steps like tempering eggs with the hot dairy to avoid curdling and arranging a water bath in the oven. The precise temperature control of sous vide cooking makes custardy desserts like crème brûlée easier to execute. We whisked the base together, portioned it into Mason jars, and circulated for one hour. It was that easy.

Episodes

Milk Street Home Cooking, Chinese Style (Ep 101)

By Bailey Normann | April 27, 2020

Chinese White Cooked Chicken with Ginger-Soy Dressing
Start to finish: 2 hours (30 minutes active)
Serves: 4

WE TRIED THE traditional Chinese technique of plunging the cooked chicken into an ice bath after poaching — which is said to tighten the skin, but found little advantage. (The skin is fine to eat as is, or you can remove it before serving.) We also tried “flashing” the scallions and ginger with hot oil before making the dressing, but we liked the brightness of the raw aromatics better. We did prefer cutting the saltiness and potency of the dressing with some of the poaching liquid. INGREDIENTS
For the chicken and poaching broth:

3½- to 4-pound chicken, giblets discarded
1 bunch cilantro
6 scallions, trimmed and halved crosswise
4½ quarts water
2 cups dry sherry or mirin
4-inch piece fresh ginger, cut into 4 pieces and smashed 3 tablespoons kosher salt

For the dressing:

4 scallions, thinly sliced on bias
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable or other neutral oil
4 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
½ teaspoon white sugar
½ pound (½ small head) napa or savoy cabbage, thinly sliced (4 cups) Cooked white rice, to serve

INSTRUCTIONS
Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature while making the broth. Reserving a few sprigs for garnish if desired, cut the cilantro bunch in half crosswise, separating the stems and leaves.

Episodes

Pati’s Mexican Table – Lost Mochis, Street Taco Favorites (804)

By Bailey Normann | April 24, 2020

Campechano Tacos with Street Style Salsa
Makes 8 Tacos

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds flank steak, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 garlic cloves
1/2 white onion
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 pound longaniza, casings removed, chopped (or substitute Mexican chorizo)
1/2 pound pork chicharrón, crumbled or chopped into small pieces
8 corn tortillas, store-bought or homemade
1 cup finely chopped white onion, for garnish
1 cup chopped cilantro leaves, for garnish
Salsa Callejera

TO PREPARE

Place the meat, garlic, onion, bay leaves, peppercorns, and a teaspoon of salt in a large casserole or pot. Cover generously with water and place over high heat. Once it comes to a simmer, reduce heat to medium low, remove any foam that may have risen to the top, cover, and cook for an hour and a half until the meat is completely tender and falling apart. Turn off heat and set aside. Once cool enough to handle, remove the meat with a slotted spoon and chop into small pieces.

Episodes

America’s Test Kitchen Meat Ravioli with Quick Tomato Sauce (Ep 2012)

By Bailey Normann | April 21, 2020

Meat Ravioli with Quick Tomato Sauce
Serves 4-6

If using King Arthur All-Purpose Flour, which is higher in protein, increase the number of egg yolks to seven. To ensure the proper dough texture, it’s important to use large eggs and to weigh the flour if possible. The longer the dough rests in step 2, the easier it will be to roll out. When rolling out the dough, don’t add too much flour; it can cause excessive snapback. Though a pasta machine is not necessary, you may use one if you like.

Episodes

Milk Street The New Australia (Ep 323)

By Bailey Normann | April 20, 2020

Miso-Gochujang Pulled Pork
Start to finish: 4 hours (1 hour active) | Servings: 6 to 8

This Asian-inflected take on barbecue pulled pork was inspired by the “Pigalicious” wrap served at Bird & Ewe in Sydney. White miso and gochujang provide deep, savory-sweet notes and lots of complex flavor to oven- braised pork butt. Miso usually is sold in the refrigerator case; gochujang, or Korean red pepper paste, does not require refrigeration until the container is opened. Both are available in well-stocked supermarkets and Asian grocery stores. The pork cooks for about three hours; use this time to prep and cook the miso-seasoned onions that are combined with the meat after shredding.

Episodes

Pati’s Mexican Table – South by South of the Border with Vivian Howard (803)

By Bailey Normann | April 17, 2020

Pierna de Cerdo Adobada
Adobo Pork Butt
8 Servings

INGREDIENTS

For the marinade:

1/2 pound ripe Roma tomatoes
1 white onion, quartered
6 unpeeled garlic cloves
2 guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
2 ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
1 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons grated piloncillo or dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the meat:

1 4- to 5- pound pork butt or shoulder, bone in
3 bay leaves

TO PREPARE

To make the marinade:

Put the tomatoes, onion and garlic on a baking sheet lined with foil. Place under the broiler for about 10 minutes until charred, mushy, and soft, flipping once halfway through. Remove from the oven and once cool enough to handle, peel the garlic cloves. (Alternatively, you can char and toast on a preheated comal or skillet set over medium-low heat.)

Place tomatoes, peeled garlic and onion in the jar of a blender. Toast the guajillo and ancho chiles on a heated comal or skillet for about a minute, flipping a few times, until lightly browned and fragrant.

Episodes

America’s Test Kitchen Roast Boneless Leg of Lamb with Garlic, Herb, and Bread Crumb Crust (Ep 2011)

By Bailey Normann | April 14, 2020

Roast Boneless Leg of Lamb with Garlic, Herb, and Bread Crumb Crust
Serves 4-6

We wanted a crisp crust and perfectly cooked interior for our boneless leg of lamb recipe. We applied a simple rub of aromatics to enhance but not overpower the flavor of the lamb. For crunch and even more flavor, we added a savory crumb crust. We skipped slow-roasting for our leg of lamb recipe, which works for beef but turns lamb to mush. Instead, we roasted the lamb at a high temperature, first searing the meat on the stove and then finishing in the oven at 375 degrees.

Episodes

Milk Street From Morocco to Egypt (Ep 322)

By Bailey Normann | April 13, 2020

Lemon-Saffron Chicken (Tangia)
Start to finish: 1 hour | Servings: 4

Tangia—which originates in Marrakech and often is slow-cooked in the community wood-fired ovens that heat bathhouses— traditionally is made with lamb. For a more approachable version, we used boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which have a similar richness. In Morocco, preserved lemons lend a gentle acidity, lightening the richness. For an easier version, we get similar flavor from lemon zest and juice—as well as chopped green olives for brininess—added at the end of cooking. Serve with warmed, halved pita bread for scooping up the meat and thickened sauce.

Episodes

Pati’s Mexican Table – Altata, Hidden Gem by the Sea of Cortez (802)

By Bailey Normann | April 9, 2020

Chipotle Oyster Soup
Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups chopped white onion
1 1/2 cups finely chopped celery, divided
1 1/2 cups finely chopped carrot, divided
1 1/2 cups finely chopped leeks, divided
5 garlic cloves, finely chopped or pressed
2 tablespoons about 4 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce and their sauce, chopped, or to taste
1 chile de arbol, stemmed and chopped, seeds included
1 1/2 pounds about 6 Roma tomatoes, roasted and charred, chopped
1 pound about 12 to 15 shucked oysters and their juices
1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
5 cups shrimp or seafood broth, or substitute vegetable or chicken broth
Chopped cilantro leaves, for garnish
Quartered limes, to serve

TO PREPARE

In a large casserole or soup pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Once hot add the onion and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until softened. Incorporate 1 cup each of the celery, carrot, and leeks (reserving half a cup of each for later use), cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables have wilted. Make room in the middle of the pot and add the garlic, chipotles in adobo, and chile de arbol, cook for a minute, then mix with the vegetables and cook for another minute. Add the tomatoes, the juices from the oysters, salt, and oregano and cook for about 6 to 7 minutes, until it is all simmering and thickening a bit.

Episodes

Pati’s Mexican Table – A Local’s Tour of Culiacan (801)

By Bailey Normann | April 3, 2020

Enchiladas de Suelo
Makes 12 open enchiladas

Serves 6 as a main dish

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar, divided
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for frying
2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt, divided, plus more for boiling water
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup slivered red onion
5 ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
1 garlic clove
2 ripe tomatoes, divided, 1 whole and 1 cut into thin slices
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped white onion
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pound zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut into half-moons of about 1/2-inch
1 pound Mexican chorizo, casings removed, chopped
12 corn tortillas, store-bought or homemade
6 leaves of romaine lettuce, rinsed and thinly sliced
6 ounces (about 5 to 6) radishes, halved lengthwise and cut into half-moons of about 1/2-inch
1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, cut into thin slices
1 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise and cut into slices
1 cup crumbled queso Cotija, ranchero or fresco

TO PREPARE

In a small bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with the vegetable oil, a teaspoon of salt, and a dash of black pepper. Add the red onion, stir, and let macerate for at least 15 minutes or while you prepare the rest of the dish. Place the ancho chiles, garlic clove, and the whole tomato in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Set over medium-high heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the chiles have rehydrated and the tomato is cooked and mushy. Transfer the chiles, tomato, and garlic clove, along with 1 cup of their cooking liquid, to a blender.

Episodes

America’s Test Kitchen Kung Pao Chicken (Ep 2009)

By Bailey Normann | March 31, 2020

Kung Pao Chicken
Serves 4-6

Kung pao chicken should be quite spicy. To adjust the heat level, use more or fewer chiles, depending on the size (we used 2-inch-long chiles) and your taste. Have your ingredients prepared and your equipment in place before you begin to cook. Use a spice grinder or mortar and pestle to coarsely grind the Sichuan peppercorns. If Chinese black vinegar is unavailable, substitute sherry vinegar.

Episodes

Milk Street New French Classics (Ep 320)

By Bailey Normann | March 30, 2020

Beef, Orange and Olive Stew (Boeuf à la Gardiane)
Start to finish: 41⁄2 hours (1 hour active) | Servings: 6 to 8

This hearty stew from Camargue, in the south of France, is traditionally made with taureau, or bull meat, but beef is a common substitute. We use chuck roast, a fatty cut that becomes tender and succulent with simmering. The stew gets robust flavor from classic Provençal ingredients—red wine, olives, anchovies and garlic. Orange is traditional, too; it lends the braise a brightness that balances its depth and richness. A bold, full-bodied dry red wine such as Côtes du Rhône or syrah is ideal, as it holds its own among the other big flavors.