The Kitchen Counter - Home Cooking Tips and Inspiration

Show update for The Kitchen Counter Podcast, October 2023.

On today's episode I share a recipe for one of my favorite refreshing summer dishes: gazpacho. Coming from the south of Spain, gazpacho features fresh seasonal tomatoes, peppers, and cucumber. Served as a soup or a drink, this recipe will save you from heating up the kitchen and cool you down at the same time. https://kitchencounterpodcast.com/231 Connect with the show at: Facebook: https://www.fa...

Vinegar has been around thousands of years, and it is one of the most important sources of acid to a home cook. Even though it's common, it can be a bit mysterious. In this episode I dive into what vinegar is, how it's made, and some common uses for the sour superstar in the home cook's kitchen. https://kitchencounterpodcast.com/230 Connect with the show at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kitc...

On today's smorgasbord episode we talk about foxes in the backyard (that is not a euphemism), and upcoming travel to New Orleans & Cajun Country. Need a sweet and refreshing drink for your next summertime get-together? Pineapple punch might just fit that order. I also discuss Okinawan Taco Rice and some favorite condiments from around the world. https://kitchencounterpodcast.com/229 Connect with t...

On today's episode we visit with author Matt Moore about his new book " Butcher on the Block: Everyday Recipes, Stories, and Inspirations from Your Local Butcher and Beyond. " Matt likes to say that sometimes to get the best recipes, just talk to your butcher. This book is a reflection of that, with stories from local butchers across the country and a heaping helping of recipes to go along with. W...

On today's episode Ashley L. Jones, author of  Skilletheads: A Guide to Collecting and Restoring Cast-Iron Cookware  joins me to discuss cast iron's role in the home kitchen. We touch a little on the history of cast iron manufacturing in the United States, which pieces a home cook should invest in, where to find pieces for your kitchen, and how to season your cast iron cookware. https://kitchencou...

On today's episode we dive into the kingdom of mushrooms. We look at the common mushrooms you'll find at the grocery store, how to select, store and clean them, and a few uses for each varieties. So get ready to take your umami game up a level with these fabulous fungi! https://kitchencounterpodcast.com/226 Connect with the show at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kitchencounterpodcast Instagra...

On today's episode we welcome Eidref Laxa, host of the " What's Good Dough " podcast. We talk pizza, and how home cooks can increase their chances of success for turning out a great homemade pie. We cover pizza stones and baking steels, pizza ovens, high-hydration dough, and more. So grab a slice and settle in for a great conversation on the art of homemade pizza! https://kitchencounterpodcast.com...

On today's Smorgasbord episode I talk about Momofuku and A-Sha noodles. Are egg prices getting you down? Consider using aquafaba in your baking to stretch your eggs farther. Then I have a review of the new book "Smithsonian American Table" by Lisa Kingsley in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution. Finally we wrap up with Susie Miles stopping by to tell us about her podcast, "Cooking and C...

On today's show we have a very special guest who joins us for a conversation about artificial intelligence chatbots in the kitchen. World-famous chatbot ChatGPT is here (sort of) to share how home cooks can use chatbots to help meal plan, find ingredient substitutions, learn about food history, generate recipes on the fly, and so much more. Oh, it's also pretty good at telling jokes too! https://k...

Fragrant, warm and spicy, luscious and creamy; It's everything you want in a bowl on a cool, damp winter evening. Raid your pantry and you can have this British take on Indian comfort food on your table in under an hour. On today's episode we'll cook Mulligatawny. https://kitchencounterpodcast.com/222 Connect with the show at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kitchencounterpodcast Instagram: htt...

On today's episode we welcome back Rich and Sena Wheeler of Sena Sea to talk about black cod, a.k.a. sablefish. This deep ocean fish is silky, rich, and full of Omega-3 acids. What makes it different from other fish caught in Alaska, and how can a home cook get the best results when preparing it? We cover it all as we go deep on black cod with Sena Sea. https://kitchencounterpodcast.com/221 Connec...

Thanksgiving is just around the corner here in the U.S., so it's time dust off our pie pans and figure out our turkey plans. On today's episode we start with dessert first! We'll talk pies with Genevieve Ko of the New York Times Cooking. Then we check in with bonafide Butterball Turkey Talk-Line Expert Samantha Woulfe for some bird-flavored tips and tricks. What if a turkey is not in your plans th...

The Halloween special is back! Once again Chris joins me in the dining room and we do a tasting of a wide variety of snacks (we use that term loosely here). Some were surprisingly gross, some better than we expected. It was all a lot of fun! https://kitchencounterpodcast.com/219 Connect with the show at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kitchencounterpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/...

On today's Smorgasbord episode we take a look at the delicious combination of Vietnamese caramel sauce and brussels sprouts. Then we learn how to make your stainless steel cookware less "sticky" by taking advantage of the Leidenfrost Effect. We wrap up with a short review of Sean Sherman and Beth Dooley's excellent book, "The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen." https://kitchencounterpodcast.com/218...

Hot days give way to cool evenings as the season transitions from summer to autumn. It's the perfect time for a light comfort dish. Today we are heading to the kitchen to cook a favorite North Indian dish of red lentils, onions, tomatoes and spices called Masoor Dal. The recipe is simple enough to make on a weeknight and the bright spices will warm you up on a brisk fall day. https://kitchencounte...

Preserving food by canning can be an extremely rewarding pursuit. It can also seem complicated, mysterious, or even a bit scary to anyone who has never done it. In today's episode we take a high-level look at canning, including basic concepts, equipment, and the importance of using trusted, tested safe recipes. https://kitchencounterpodcast.com/216 Connect with the show at: Facebook: https://www.f...

Knives are the workhorses of the home kitchen. No matter what you plan to cook, chances are a knife will be involved in the preparation of your meal. While a knife won't directly impact how your food tastes, a good sharp knife can make your time in the kitchen safer and much more enjoyable. In this episode we'll take a look at different types of knives and materials, caring for knives and even ide...

These buttery sponge cakes masquerading as delightful shell-shaped cookies are one of my favorite sweets. Madeleines are perfect with a cup of tea or coffee, or as a unique treat at your next get-together. They aren't easy to find, but they are relatively easy to make. With a few common pantry ingredients and a madeleine mold, you can bake up a batch of these golden wonders in no time. Join me in...

On today's episode we head into the kitchen with some essential Caribbean ingredients to make one of Puerto Rico's signature dishes. Mofongo is a comforting plate of fried green plantains, pork cracklins, and garlic all mashed together and served with a sauce or soup. It's an easy dish that can be put together for a weeknight meal or incorporated into your next Caribbean-inspired feast. https://ki...

Long-grain, short-grain, brown, white, black and red. Converted or minute? The rice section in your typical grocery store has a wide variety of rice and rice products and can be confusing for home cooks. On today's episode we unpack some of the terms and varieties associated with one of the world's most popular grains. https://kitchencounterpodcast.com/212 Connect with the show at: Facebook: https...

It seems practically every culture in the world has come up with their own version of fried dough, from Akara of West Africa to the Zeppole of Italy. Today we are heading into the kitchen for a live-cooking episode, and my take on Caribbean-style johnny cakes inspired by my recent trip to St. Croix, USVI. https://kitchencounterpodcast.com/211 Connect with the show at: Facebook: https://www.faceboo...

On today's smorgasbord episode we talk about flavored oils, review Elizabeth Williams' great new book "Nana's Creole Italian Table," and take a look at a favorite cut of beef for grilling, the tri-tip roast. https://kitchencounterpodcast.com/210 Connect with the show at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kitchencounterpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kitchencounterpodcast Twitter: @TK...

Olive lovers unite! On today's episode we go deep, and I mean really deep, into the bitter fruit that has been revered for millenia. I'm joined by fellow olive lovers Seth Heasley and Don Landis of Don's Olives in Sebastopol California. Don delivers a master class on the olive, including what to look for in olive oil, how commercial olives are manufactured, and other processes for curing and brini...

On today's episode Christine Pittman from Cook the Story and the Recipe of the Day Podcast stops by the show to talk about one her favorite cooking techniques, the reverse sear. I gush about one of my favorite (and most underrated) kitchen tools, and talk about one of my favorite preparations for cooking a whole chicken: spatchcocking. https://kitchencounterpodcast.com/208 Connect with the show at...