History of the Margarita and a Recipe for a Classic Margarita Cocktail
Filed Under Food History, Kitchen Tips, Recipes, Wines & Spirits, Mexico
Happy National Margarita Day! The margarita cocktail is a bit like the Italian dessert tiramisú. There are many different stories for how it got invented and by whom! And there is not even consensus on how the name of the cocktail came about. One thing there is consensus on? That it is one of the world's most beloved and recognizable cocktails. So what is a margarita? It always includes three… Read
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How to Make Gougères, or Savory Choux Pastry
Filed Under Cooking Videos, Food History, Kitchen Tips, Recipes, What's Up at TIK, France
Anyone who bakes has probably at least heard of pâte à choux, or choux pastry, that airy, delicious pastry that is the base for such French treats as eclairs and cream puffs. But you might not have heard of gougères, which is a savory, cheese-infused version of the same type of dough. Learn to make choux pastry on a cooking vacation in France. Choux pastry is one of those baking… Read
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All About Butter & How to Make Hollandaise Sauce
Filed Under Food History, Kitchen Tips, Recipes, France, India, United Kingdom, USA
Butter. Yes, butter. Today we're all about butter, and it's not because it's national butter day (evidently that is October 25th–who knew?), nor because we've accidentally over-whipped the cream and ended up with it by accident (yes, that has happened). So why butter? Butter is one of the most versatile of ingredients. It is part of the magic that goes into such dissimilar things as flaky puff pastry and creamy… Read
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Holiday Appetizers: Antipasti, Tapas, and Hors d'Oeuvres, Plus a Recipe
Filed Under Food History, Recipes, Special Occasions, What's Up at TIK
As we approach the holidays, one thing everyone seems to be looking for are appetizer recipes. Whether for a sit-down meal or as a spread of munchies to sustain you through the day, there is no doubt that appetizers are a big part of holiday meal planning. And certainly at The International Kitchen when we get together for holiday parties, potlucks, or birthday celebrations, appetizers are always a key part… Read
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Béchamel, The Mother Sauce
Filed Under Food History, Kitchen Tips, Recipes, France, Greece, Italy
I first encountered béchamel sauce, or besciamella in Italian, when I lived in Italy during my university days and was taught by my Italian boyfriend's mother to make lasagna, or "pasta al forno" as it is called there. Yes, lasagna! In Italy lasagna (or lasagne, adopting the plural form), is not piled with ricotta and mozzarella, it is, rather, a delightful concoction of thinly rolled, flat egg noodles sandwiched between… Read
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Decadent Brownie Sundaes with Hot Fudge Sauce
Filed Under Kitchen Tips, Recipes, USA
A good brownie sundae has been one of my favorite desserts since childhood. I remember going to Friendly's with my father and ordering it every time. This version uses homemade ice cream, but you could use store bought as well. That being said, it's perhaps the simplest ice cream you can imagine – it doesn't even require any cooking! The fudge sauce recipe makes 3 cups. I usually divide it… Read
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