If you’ve just begun your sourdough journey, congratulations — you’re keeping a little kitchen “pet” that rewards you with delicious bread, pancakes, pizza, and more! The good news is: keeping a sourdough starter happy doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little consistency and a few simple habits, your starter will thrive for years to...Read More

Homemade almond milk is fresh, creamy, and free of unnecessary additives. It’s surprisingly easy to make with just a handful of ingredients, and the flavor is so much better than most store-bought versions. Once you’ve made a batch, you can customize it with sweeteners, flavorings, or spices to suit your taste. INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 cups...Read More

Think of how often a dish begins with a simple sauté of onions, carrots, and celery. In Italy, this classic trio is called soffritto. In France, the same combination cooked in butter is known as mirepoix. For everyday cooking, I prefer using a light-flavored olive oil or even a neutral oil like grapeseed, so I...Read More

Summer squash are another New World food with deep culinary history. Zucchini—originally known as cocozelle in Italy—were bred there and brought to the United States by immigrants. By the 1920s, the Tuscan name zucchini became the word we use today. How to Purchase and Store Summer Squash Choose wisely: Look for squash that feel dense...Read More

Most people think of olives first when thinking of tapenade, but the word tapenade actually comes from the Provençal word “tapeno,” which means “caper.” I like to keep this in mind when making tapenade to remind myself to keep the balance between the caper and the olive, which can easily dominate this versatile paste. I...Read More

When it comes to preparing tender, flavorful meats, nothing beats the combination of a well-crafted marinade and the precise cooking technique of sous vide. Together, they unlock incredible depth of flavor while ensuring perfect doneness — every single time. What is Sous Vide? Sous vide (French for “under vacuum”) is a cooking method where food...Read More

Discover the satisfaction of creating your very own homemade hot sauce — it may even tempt you to ditch store-bought options! The possibilities are nearly endless for various combinations of hot chilies and seasonings to concoct your perfect blend. You can use all of one kind of pepper or chili or use a combination. The...Read More

With summer around the corner and seafood in abundance at the farmers market, now is the perfect time to brush up on how to choose and cook fish. This season you’ll find both fresh and frozen options from H & H Fresh Fish Company (Aptos Farmers Market), La Marea by the Sea (Monterey Farmers Market),...Read More

Nutty, hearty, and pleasantly chewy, spelt is an ancient grain that makes a versatile base for countless dishes. Toasting the grains before simmering brings out their warm, aromatic character, while cooking them with herbs infuses subtle depth. Spelt is excellent as a side dish, tossed into salads, stirred into soups, or even used as a...Read More

Why buy spice blends when you can make them fresher, cheaper, and better at home? Homemade seasoning mixes cost just a fraction of the price of store-bought versions and contain none of the anti-caking agents or fillers often added to commercial blends. Start with fresh, high-quality spices, and store your mixes in airtight containers to...Read More