Cast iron is one of the oldest cooking tools available. It’s durable, easy to care for, and known for its longevity and health benefits. If you’ve never cooked with cast iron before and want to reap its tremendous benefits, you’ve come to the right place to learn more!

Durability and Longevity

Built to Last

Cast iron is the only cookware that can withstand almost all temperatures. You can use it on the grill, over a campfire, stovetop, or oven. Cast iron is nearly impossible to damage and will never succumb to warping due to high heat.

Low Maintenance

Although cast iron requires some maintenance, it’s an easy price to pay for the years you’ll get out of it. Cast iron is susceptible to rust, so anytime you cook with it and then wash it, you must properly dry it to prevent rust from forming.

You will need to learn how to season your cast iron pans properly, but again, this is a simple process, and if cared for properly, it won’t have to be done often at all. This creates the non-stick surface—the best part is that it is chemical-free!

Cost-Effectiveness

For what you get, cast iron is exceptionally cost-effective. Many new fancy pots and pans are on the market today, but they can cost upwards of 150 dollars per pan! Cast iron can easily outlast the lifespan of the newer stuff and at a fraction of the cost.

Cooking Versatility

Most pots and pans are marked as either stovetop-safe or stove and oven-safe. Cast iron cookware can be used on all heat surfaces and thrives with zero issues. This prevents you from having multiple sets of cookware for everyday cooking tasks.

Because of its stunning heat distribution, cast iron is ideal for grilling, frying, sauteeing, roasting, and broiling. These pans are your kitchen’s workhorses.

Health Benefits

The best health benefit of cast iron is its chemical-free, non-stick surface. Unlike today’s popular non-stick cookware, cast iron uses no chemicals to ensure your morning eggs won’t stick to the bottom of the pan.

You will need to season and properly care for your cast iron cookware to keep it non-stick, but the minimal effort you put into it will benefit your health greatly!

The longevity of these pans also makes them eco-friendly. There is less waste because they last so long. Unlike other popular items on the market, you won’t be replacing your pots and pans once a year.

Wrapping Up The Benefits Of Cooking With Cast Iron

Longevity, better for your health, cost-effective—the list goes on. Cooking with cast iron will change your cooking workflow in the best way possible. Now go ahead and get some cast iron cookware today. You will not be disappointed!

We all eat with our eyes first. If the plate of food in front of you is balanced and perfectly placed, it makes you even more excited about the meal. When things are thrown about and look uncared for, it tends to make the meal less appealing.

Did you know there is a science behind perfect plating? Keep reading to learn how you can always have your plates looking delicious!

Plating Basics

Balance

One of the first techniques to learn about plating is balance. Balance doesn’t just mean proportion sizes but also colors, textures, and space. Some tips would be to use the correct plate size so the food looks appropriate, such as desserts and appetizers on smaller plates. Also, use contrasting colors—for example, bright orange roasted carrots on a white parsnip puree.

Space

Along with balance, you want to ensure you have the right amount of negative space on a plate. An overfilled plate will almost always look like a jumbled mess, but placing food items on a plate while maintaining some negative space will make them pop, causing a higher appeal.

Focal Point

You’ll want to create a focal point, the first place your eye lands once a plate is set in front of you. Using a chicken entree as an example, you’ll want to build a bit of height and place the chicken on top as the focal point, with some small garnishes or sauces around the sides to bring your eye right to the center.

Tools and Techniques

Tools

If you’re a home chef looking to make your plates a bit more appealing, you won’t necessarily need any specific tools. But in Michelin-star restaurants, you’ll find a ton of specialty tweezers, squeeze bottles of perfectly blended purees, and even ring molds to keep items perfectly symmetrical.

Stacking

Stacking isn’t just about creating height and layering flavors together for a cohesive bite. For example, you have baked a stunning New York-inspired cheesecake. Place a homemade raspberry sauce on the dessert plate, followed by a slice of cheesecake, then top with a bit of the crumbling crust to get the perfect amount of every flavor together.

Garnishing

Everyone’s favorite is garnishing. One of the top-tier rules is always to ensure your garnishes are edible. There is nothing worse than putting an item on a plate that has your guests wondering if they should be eating it.

Microgreens, edible flours, sauces, jams, there are tons of options when it comes to garnishing. Do so artfully with specifically placed garnishes and still paying attention to balance and color.

Wrapping Up The Art Of Plating

Plating your dish is a fun way to add some extra expression to your plate and ensure your guests (or family) will be beyond impressed. Take your time and try new things. Start an Instagram or TikTok, and scroll through Pinterest. You may just find your new cooking niche in plating!

Summertime is in full swing, and it is the perfect time to learn and try your hand at some Caribbean cooking! Caribbean cuisine is all about the freshest meats, fruits, and flavors. Here, we are diving into all things Caribbean and allowing you to learn how to cook a new cuisine.

Key Ingredients in Caribbean Cooking

Fruits and Veggies

Caribbean cuisine is all about freshness, and ripe mangoes, papayas, and coconuts are used in a plethora of sweet and savory dishes.

Seaonsings and Sides

Jerk seasonings and curry powders are all over the Caribbean. These spice mixes tend to have nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and even a bit of scotch bonnet for some heat! These make up the delicious Caribbean flavors that are cooled off by the sweet, ripe tropical fruits.

Meats

Because of the surrounding oceanic landscape, freshly prepared fish, shrimp, and lobster are key ingredients. But you’ll also see many goat, chicken, and pork dishes.

Most Popular Caribbean Dishes

Jerk Chicken

Spicy and smokey, this chicken is grilled to perfection with jerk seasonings and served with a side of rice and fresh mango salsa. Jerk seasoning consists of onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, thyme, sugar, all spice, parsley flakes, paprika, pepper flakes, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and cumin.

Of course, these seasonings are already sold pre-made to save you from having to buy each spice every time you want to make jerk chicken. Season your chicken liberally with the spice before grilling for smokey, spicy, and mouthwatering juicy chicken.

Curried Goat

Slow-cooked and deliciously tender, this goat curry is stewed for hours to ensure the meat just falls right from the bone. To make this Caribbean feast, you’ll need three pounds of goat meat, garlic, ginger, potatoes, and scotch bonnet pepper.

Season everything together with curry powder, pepper, salt, and thyme, and bring to a boil in a large pot with chicken stock. Skim the top of any impurities and allow to slow cook until tender.

Roti

Roti is a type of flatbread prepared with unleavened flour. It is similar in shape to a Mexican flour tortilla. A good roti is soft, pliable, and can easily be used as a utensil.

Common Cooking Practices

Marinating and Grilling

The best example is preparing jerk chicken. Many Caribbean foods need to marinate for hours before grilling. That way, the many seasonings have time to blend with the food and impart flavor throughout the meat.

Slow Cooking and Stewing

Like the goat curry, staple Caribbean foods will be infused with spices and allowed to be slow-cooked to enhance the overall flavor with perfectly tender and delicious meats.

Wrapping Up Caribbean Style Cuisine

Fresh and full of flavor, Caribbean cuisine is a one-of-a-kind flavor that combines a multitude of spices along with fresh tropical fruits. It’s a must-know for any aspiring or professional chef and brings a whole new flavor to your weekly meal rotation!

We all love a comforting home-cooked meal but all the butter, cream, and cheese can really put a damper on your health goals. But there are some simple swaps you can make to ensure a lighter and healthier meal. Here, we are diving into those swaps and how to make the more nutritious version of your favorite meals.

Swap Refined Grains with Whole Wheat Grains

Whole Grains vs. Refined Grains

Whole grains are packed with fiber and nutrients, whereas refined grains like white rice have minimal nutrients and much less fiber. The good news is any meal that requires white rice can be easily swapped with a whole grain like brown rice, quinoa, or farro.

This goes for pasta dishes as well. You can swap white four pastas for whole wheat, chickpea, or protein-based pastas! These simple swaps boost nutrition and lower the calorie count.

Use Healthier Fats

Swap Out Saturated Fats

Instead of using lard or full-fat butter, try substituting it with unsaturated fats like olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil. These can help to lower cholesterol levels and maintain a healthy heart!

Incorporate Avocado

If you are a big fan of mayo, try substituting it for a much healthier avocado spread! All you need is one avocado, salt, pepper, and a touch of lemon juice, and you have a delicious alternative to heavy mayonnaise.

Lighten Up The Proteins

Try swapping super marbled cuts of meat with more lean cuts. Instead of your usual ground beef, choose the 90 percent leaner blends, or try ground chicken or turkey. If you’re a fan of steak, pick a leaner strip steak instead of a fatty ribeye.

Incorporate Plant-Based Proteins

Plant-based proteins like quinoa, tofu, lentils, and soy can be used instead of meat. These are less caloric, have a higher fiber content, more nutrients, and lower fat!

Cut Back On Sugar and Sodium

Simple changes to recipes can greatly improve the health of a meal or dish. If you’re making baked goods, you can always cut out a bit of sugar or use a more natural substitute than granulated sugar.

You can also use light sodium when seasoning dishes. You don’t have to cut it out altogether, but being mindful of what you are using can make a big difference.

Increase Your Vegetable Intake

You can never eat too many vegetables. Make simple swaps like using riced cauliflower instead of rice or mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes. You can even spiralize carrots or zucchini for a healthier alternative to pasta dishes.

Adding extra veggies to your meals also increases their nutritional value and fiber content. You can always experiment with different veggies to see what goes with what dish to make the most of mealtime.

Wrapping Up How To Lighten Up Your Favorite Meals

There you have it! Simple swaps to make your favorite dishes healthier and maybe even tastier! Remember, healthy food doesn’t need to be lacking in flavor to be good for you. By making these substitutions, you’ll be well on your way to crushing those health goals!

Artisan cheese has made a massive comeback with the ever-growing popularity of charcuterie boards. Artisan cheeses are unlike big corporation-produced cheeses because they are made with a sense of art. They are small batched, and their taste and quality blow the others out of the water! Let’s dive into the world of delicious artisan cheese.

What is Artisan Cheese?

Characteristics

Artisan cheese is a small-batch cheese made from local ingredients on a much smaller scale than commercial cheese. It is held to a higher standard and offers better taste and quality.

Difference From Commercial Cheese

The most significant difference from commercial cheeses is the focus on quality and flavor over quantity. Commercial cheese is designed to be made quickly and get a considerable portion to as many grocers as possible around the state or country.

Artisan cheeses are artificial-free and contain no preservatives. These cheeses are as natural as can be, aiding in better health and even better digestion.

Varieties and Uniqueness

There are many varieties of artisan cheese that change the flavors and textures. Some are mild cheeses, great for freshly baked crackers, and some offer a more pungent taste that only true cheese lovers can enjoy!

This all depends on the type of milk used and the aging process. Depending on the maker, they will use different local ingredients to flavor and age appropriately. So, all artisan cheeses will have a unique flavor and texture that commercial cheeses could never copy.

Types of Artisan Cheese

Fresh Cheeses

Fresh cheeses consist of mozzarella and ricotta. These cheeses are soft and just only hold their shape. They consist of a milf flavor and a short aging process.

Soft Ripened Cheeses

Soft-ripened cheeses include brie and camembert. They have a soft center, an edible rind, and a flavorful yet earthy taste. These are the perfect warm-baked cheeses that make cracker dipping incredibly delicious.

Semi Hard and Hard Cheeses

Semi-hard and hard cheeses include parmesan, gouda, and cheddar. These cheeses are characterized by their firm texture and more funky flavor. These have a long aging process in order to develop that yummy, funky flavor.

Blue Cheeses

Clue cheeses consist of the famous blue cheese, Roquefort, gorgonzola, and stilton. These cheeses have thing veins with mold—yes, mold— that helps keep them easily distinguishable to their pungent flavor and aroma. Some love these cheeses, while others tend to steer clear.

Storing and Enjoying Artisan Cheeses at Home

You can easily store these cheeses by folding them into wax paper to allow the cheese to be able to breath in your refrigerator. Artisan cheese is meant to be served at room temperature, so placing them out before a party and allowing them to sit is perfectly safe.

Always serve these cheeses with various breads, crackers, fruits, and jams. Once the party ends, you can serve these cheeses in sandwiches, salads, and even pasta dishes!

Wrapping Up Enjoying the World Of Artisan Cheese

Now that you know the wonder and enjoyment of artisan cheese, you may just want to dive in head first and try some funky fresh cheese! Support local artisans and allow yourself to come up with fun and unique serving creations!

Whether you are a beginner home cook or a trained chef, exploring new recipes and cuisine is one of the best parts of being in the kitchen. It’s a learning experience that is not only delicious but teaches you how to look at food in a fun new way. If you’re looking for some new cuisines or want to expand your cooking knowledge, you’ll have to check out these cookbooks.

For Beginners

How To Cook Everything – Mark Bittman

In this cookbook, you are shown the fundamentals of all cooking. You will learn terms and techniques along with simple yet absolutely delicious recipes.

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat – Samin Nosrat

This is the perfect beginner’s cookbook. It will guide you through the main aspects of cooking. You’ll learn how crucial these significant cooking elements are and how they amplify your foods’ flavors.

The Joy Of Cooking – Irma S. Rombauer

One of the United States’ most published books, The Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer, is a compilation of over 500 recipes, perfect for those new to cooking and wanting to learn more.

For Gourmet Chefs

Mastering The Art Of French Cooking – Julia Child

Julia Child is one of the most famous chefs, and her recipes are some of the best to this day. In this cookbook, you’ll dive into the world of French cooking and cuisine and learn how to conquer the art of French cooking.

Jerusalem: A Cookbook – Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi

A New York Times best seller, this cookbook features the recipes of Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi from their hometown of Jerusalem. Learn a new cuisine and experience the incredibly fresh flavors.

The Flavor Bible – Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg

Readers have called this the best cookbook of all time. It is filled with tantalizing recipes and a guide to using the best seasonings to bring out the most flavor in your cooking.

For The Healthy Chef

The Whole30: The 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom – Melissa Hartwig Urban and Dallas Hartwig

If you’re looking for an extreme diet and lifestyle change that is backed by scientific evidence, you’ll love The Whole30. Here, you’ll learn about the backed science and an abundance of recipes that eliminate processed foods, dairy, sugars, and grains.

For The Busy Chef

30-Minute Meals – Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver, a beloved chef, TV host, and author, has devised the most organized way to prepare complete meals in 30 minutes or less. All of his recipes are delicious and simple. They’re great for beginners and up!

Wrapping Up The Best Cookbooks Every Cook Should Own

With so many amazing cookbooks to choose from, it’s nice to have a compiled list of the top cookbooks that can help you reach your cooking goals. Whether you are an avid home cook, a trained chef, or just picking up a knife, these books are here to help.