Does your pie recipe call for pre-baking or blind baking the crust? Here’s a guide with tips for blind baking success. Many sweet and savory pie recipes require pre-baking or “blind baking” a crust. Elise Bauer Why Blind Bake a Crust? Pre-Baking a Store-Bought Crust Are you using a homemade pie crust? Or a store bought frozen crust? Elise Bauer Homemade crusts especially have a high fat content. Another issue is billowing air pockets in the center....

Here’s how to do it! Why Would You Want to Bloom Spices? As a result, it makes a spice tastemorelike itself. Karishma Pradhan What Spices and Ingredients Can You Use? Think of this more as a technique than a strict set of ingredients or instructions. In addition, many recipes will call forasafetida(hing) andchili powder, popular ground spices to use. Karishma Pradhan At What Point in the Cooking Process Do You Bloom Spices?...

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek We don’t have American lobsters out here in California. Now, there are many ways to cook lobster, and probably just as many ways to eat them. I like my lobster dipped in hot melted butter, so that’s what is presented here. Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek Some people just like a squirt of lemon juice, or dipped in mayonnaise. Some people meticulously extract the meat from every little leg....

This is an easy and versatile way to prepare chicken breasts for quick meals. If I have some leftover chicken in the fridge, I use that for these easy meals. Otherwise, I use this poaching method to quickly cook a few chicken breasts when I need them! The chicken cooks gently, retaining much more moisture than with other cooking methods. Lower the heat until the water is simmering, cover the pot, and let the chicken cook....

Making a batch of chicken wings? Save yourself some money by buying whole chicken wings and breaking them into pieces yourself. Making a batch of chicken wings? Irvin Lin But I often buy whole wings because breaking them down is easy and its cheaper. (Save the wingtips in a freezer bag for makingchicken stock!) Heres how to break down whole wings. Irvin Lin Cut between the Joint Cut right down between these joints to separate the wing parts....

This trick gets your eggs to room temperature quickly for baking. Luckily, there are a few easy tricks for warming them up quickly. So the next time sweet inspiration strikes at a moments notice, youll be ready. Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe What Does Room Temperature Mean? Room temperature isn’t a magic number. Sources give ranges between 68 and 74 degrees F (20 to 23 degrees C). Simply Recipes / Getty Images...

Caramelizing onions slowly is the key to bringing out the deep, sweet flavors of their natural sugars. It’s not necessary, but it will add some additional flavor. you might deglaze with these other liquids, too. Simply Recipes / Cambrea Bakes How to Store Caramelized Onions Refrigeratecaramelized onions in a tightly covered container for up to 1 week. Freezecaramelized onions in a freezer safe zip top bag or a freezer safe container for up to 3 months....

Let’s have people over for potlucks (hello,potato salad! ), birthdays, holidays, and…just because. Let’s celebrate the season, and enjoy the celebrationsofthe season. Simply Recipes / Lori Rice Eat too muchguacamolewhile sipping onfrozen margaritas.Don’t skip dessert. And linger outside a little bit longer before going to bed. Consider this is your official invitation to make the most of the new few monthswe’ll show you how. Simply Recipes / Lori Rice WriterMeghan Splawnis planning ahead to double-check that doesn’t happen with her family....

Its all about using your senses. To get the freshest, tastiest stalks, the best way to choose asparagus is by looking and touching. Look for firm, straight spears with tightly closed tips. Simply Recipes / Getty Images Appearance is also very important. Fresh green asparagus should have a vibrant, rich color, Sheppard says. Some varieties may have a purple tinge at the tips, which is normal. Simply Recipes / Getty Images...

I had been clueless about how to pick ears of corn at the grocery store or farmers market. Bigger is better, right? Both have farmed since they were teenagers and are now in their 60th crop season. Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock People like sweet corn at different stages of maturity. I like it really young and tender, says Buis. People often sort through the corners to find the biggest, fullest ears....

Crooknecks and zucchini and pattypans, oh my! The summer squash family is full of interesting characters. Here are tips for how to pick, store, and cook summer squash! Lori Rice All squashes belong to the family of flowering plants calledCucurbitaceae. When is Summer Squash in Season? As our colloquial naming suggests, youll find summer squash dominating your local farmers markets from June to August. Lori Rice In some warmer places, like California, they show up in May....

So, do you like chopping onions? Most people I know don’t. Because, not only can it be a hassle, cutting onions can also make you cry. Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer So what’s the trick? Everyone will tell you that it helps to use a sharp knife. Well, a sharp knife will make cutting anything easier. Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer When an onion is cut,fumes are released that irritate the eyes....

Breeze through chopping fresh herbs! Heres the fastest way to chop leafy herbs like parsley, basil, cilantro, and sage. But the way I learned early on in my days in professional kitchens is fast and easy. Simply Recipes / Lori Rice They dont work so well for firm, woody herbs that are all needle-y, like rosemary and thyme. Were sharing two techniques. One is for little leaves like parsley and cilantro....