Hoisin at Home - This Sauce Can Do it All

Of all the condiments that have never crossed your mind to make at home, hoisin sauce is probably at the top of the list.  After all, barring some sort of catastrophic event, you'll be able to get hoisin at the store, but is that a chance you really want to take in this crazy world?  Even if you only cook a meager amount of Chinese food, hoisin's applications are many, and this homemade version will stay in the fridge for a long time. 

Still, you might be wondering what kind of person makes this at home.  Oh, I don't know, maybe someone with a sense of curiosity and culinary wonder.  Maybe you're gluten free, don't eat refined sugars, or the idea of modified corn starch irks you.  Or maybe, just maybe, you're planning on making char siu (Chinese BBQ'd pork) and you need some hoisin for the marinade (hint, hint). 

Healthier Patatas Bravas

The popularity of patatas bravas has been both a blessing and a curse.

Blessing: As Spain's most iconic tapa, you find versions of this dish in practically every establishment that serves food throughout the country.

Curse:  A lot of places do not do them well.  Most bars don't cook the potatoes twice, or use frozen pre-cut pieces.  However, more often than not, the real culprit behind an abhorrent experience with this famous little plate is bravas sauce from a jar.

Solution:  Make this cheap, simple, and easy dish at home.

Levantine Salad with Meyer Lemon & Tahini Citronette

I promised you a salad dressing recipe using my super simple tahini, and not only have I delivered, I threw in a salad to go right along with it because I'm a nice person who cares.

Make Your Very Own Mustard

Mustard is an ancient and versatile condiment.  Originally meaning hot or burning must from the Latin mustum ardens, the seeds of the Sinapis hirta (white or yellow mustard plant) were likely first used as a condiment by the ancient Romans.  Nowadays, most of us just pick the stuff up in the grocery store, but the process of making mustard is rather simple, and when you make it yourself, you have a lot of options.

Practically any variety of liquids can be used to make an acidic bath for Indian (Brassica juncea), black (B. nigra), or white/yellow seeds to soak in.  Once they're hydrated and soft, all that's left to do is grind the mustard to your desired consistency.  Think you can do this?  You're right.

A Middle Eastern Staple: Tahini

If you're a fan of Middle Eastern food, then you've probably heard of tahini.  Maybe you've even gone out and bought a can of the stuff with Jasmine's dad from Aladdin on the front.  Because halva, baba ghanoush, and hummus all rely on this paste made from sesame seeds, maybe you thought you couldn't make your favorite Middle Eastern dishes without shelling out 9 or 10 bucks for the Sultan's brand, but the truth is, tahini is something that takes very little effort and ability to concoct at home. 

Honey Harissa Brussels Sprouts

"Oh, no!  Not another harissa recipe," said no one ever.

This time I've combined my homemade harissa  with some honey in order to get some sweet and spicy action on roasted Brussels sprouts.

If you've seen my video and read the post on how to roast Brussels sprouts, this is still worth checking out, as the technique here is a little different.

Here the Brussels sprouts only take about 15 minutes to cook and we're going to get some really nice color on them by browning on the stovetop before they take a trip to the oven.

As always, use this technique to branch out and be creative.  The concept here is to make a sauce with a little sweetness, spiciness, and some acidity to make our mini cabbages really pop.  Try sambal, a little fish sauce, brown sugar, and lime for some Southeast Asian flavors.  Want something Mexican?  Honey, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime, anyone?

Spicy Harissa at Home

Originally hailing from North Africa, harissa is a fiery hot sauce as ever-present in the Maghreb as ketchup is on American tables.  That being said, any further comparisons to ketchup (other than noting that they're both condiments) are almost outright offensive.  

Varying not just from country to country, but one ethnic group to another, a sojourner in the region would encounter many different styles of the famed hot sauce.  However, mainstays at the harissa party include hot red chiles, coriander, and olive oil.  Easy enough, right?  So, why don't you give it a try?

Roasted Curried Cauliflower

This short video post isn't just about giving you a delicious recipe for cauliflower, but a foolproof model on how to roast cauliflower, no matter what the seasoning.

Two Techniques in One: Homemade Croutons and Breadcrumbs

There are three major benefits of making your own croutons and breadcrumbs at home:

1. You now have a use for stale or leftover bread.

2. Your croutons and breadcrumbs will be crunchier, healthier, and more flavorful than the store-bought variety.

3. Endless flavor combinations will keep you and your diners interested and satisfied.

Tzatziki Sauce - Save Your Quarters and Make it at Home

No matter how you say it, tzatziki's still your favorite condiment at Greek restaurants, and the proprietors know this.  Around where I live, they never give you enough and charge around 50 cents for a small side of the stuff.  I'm not saying I expect them to give it away for free, but what I am saying is that you can save your change for other important things like gumballs and toll roads by making your own.

Falafel - Try It Sober for Once

A lot of young people's relationships with falafel are akin to that of smoking: they only do it when drunk.  How sad.

Why should one enjoy falafel only when obliterated?  Or worse yet, why should this nutritious delicacy receive the same treatment as a known carcinogenic consuetude?

The answer is: they shouldn't. While everyone has their favorite vendor after they've had a couple too many, homemade falafel can far exceed the quality and freshness of stale precooked patties one encounters all too often.  Additionally, they're easy to make and cheap!

Homemade Ricotta - Formaggio Facile for Sure

What can I say about ricotta cheese that you didn't already know?  Creamy, slightly sweet, and highly adaptable, ricotta (in one form or another) is a familiar and common item in kitchens across the globe.  But did you know you can make it at home no problem?

A Spanish Classic: Tortilla Española

Chances are if you've been to Spain, you've probably had a version of this.  Also known as tortilla de patatas (to distinguish it from the tortilla francesa, which does not contain potatoes), this culinary creation is as versatile as it is ubiquitous in the Iberian peninsula.  That's right, even the Portuguese eat this, and you should too.

Mango Salsa: You Couldn't Eff This Up If You Tried

By far the most simple thing I've posted, this mango salsa recipe is barely even a recipe.  There's no cooking, and there's no real need to measure anything.  In essence, there's no way you could mess this up.  Just make sure your ingredients are fresh and the flavors will be there. 

Fresh Pasta without the Machine

Though not inherently superior to dried pasta, fresh homemade pasta is always a real treat with endless possibilities.  Not just the sauce pairings or applications, but the shape, size, type of noodle, and ingredients can all be manipulated for a unique meal every time.