I Promise You Really CAN Make Dumplings at Home

Dumplings are one of those items that feel like you have to eat them only when you go out. They seem complicated when actually they are a simple staple that everyone makes at home.

I felt so lucky to have Hsiao-Ching Chou stop by the test kitchen because the minute I picked up her new book, Chinese Soul Food, I knew it was a keeper. It somehow finds the middle of the road between being authentic but still easy for people who aren't as familiar with Chinese cooking. So I thought we would start with the basics and learn how to make dumpling dough. With just flour and water and Chou's tips anyone can do it.

Chefs, Cooking, Food, Recipe, Video, BlogAli RosenMay 25, 2018Chinese, dumplings, recipeComment

Your New Addictive Snack is Citrus Marinated Olives

Gaby Dalkin seems to live on of those breezy California lives that makes me question all my life choices for living in New York. Her sunny blog, What's Gaby Cooking, has really delectable recipes and now she is out with a new book based on the style her readers have grown to love.

I loved getting to bring a little bit of that California feel into my new test kitchen. I am going to be doing a lot more videos from the kitchen which will allow for a lot more cookbook authors from out of town to share recipes - and I'm doing in a series I'm calling The Easiest Recipe. The Easiest Recipe will take what I think is the simplest recipe from the book and we make it in real-time right in the kitchen. For Gaby's book we picked the citrus marinated olives. These might be the most addictive snack - be careful if you make them for a party because you might just eat them all on their own.

So watch the video, check out Gaby's new book and you can make the recipe below if you feel inspired!

Cookbook, Recipe, Interview, Video, Blog, Cooking, FoodAli RosenMay 16, 2018olives, recipe, cookbook, California, snack, appetizer, party, entertaining, thyme, red pepper flakes, lemon, The Easiest Recipe, easyComment

You Really Can Make Ceviche at Home, I Promise

There are some things that we seem to have a mental block for home cooking. And despite our constant ordering of sushi and the rise of poke bowls, we are all still so hesitant to make anything with raw fish at home.

But why? If you have a good grocery store in your area (or even a local fishmonger) there is no reason to not bring the popular concoctions home.

One of my favorites is ceviche. I'm a sucker for lime and I'm an especially huge fan of the Peruvian version which adds corn and sweet potatoes to the mix.

So I went over to Mission Ceviche to chat with Chef Jose Luis Chavez about his thoughts on choosing your seafood for ceviche. From raw fish to varieties that are cooked (hello shrimp and octopus) it is totally doable to have a bit of ceviche from your own fridge.

VideoAli RosenMay 11, 2018ceviche, Peru, South America, lime, fish, seafood, lunch, sweet potato, cornComment

Kitchen Organizational Help is Here, and It Couldn't Come Soon Enough

For those of you who follow along with my instagram (hi!), you might know that I am at the tail end of a kitchen renovation. It's super exciting since I will now have a space to film that is totally set up for it - an awesome new stage for this little show.

But of course the larger issue with a new kitchen is figuring out the set up. And even those who have been in a kitchen for a long time can sometimes need to make our life more efficient. There is a little dance we do every time we cook, moving from spot to spot as we go from prep to cooking to cleanup. Anyone who can make that easier is a godsend.

Enter Melissa Coleman, author of the blog The Faux Martha and the new book The Minimalist Kitchen. I love her style and her easy bright personality. The book is full of incredible recipes but also a lot of tips and tricks for paring down the clutter and getting organized. So there was no more fitting first guest in the kitchen. You'll have to excuse the lighting (better lights coming soon) and ignore the fact that there were no cabinets above us (ha! careful framing) but the advice is about as top notch as it gets.

Cookbook, Blog, Interview, VideoAli RosenApril 27, 2018kitchen, cookbook, interview, organize, easyComment

Surprisingly Gluten-Free Empanadas

I have to admit that I am always a skeptic when someone says 'gluten-free'. Often-times substitutions just mean something that tastes a lot worse than the original. But when something is already gluten-free - like a great flourless chocolate cake - I am right on board.

You would not think that empanadas fit into that category but in Ecuador they actually do. That's because they use starchy plantains to make the dough. When I first head about Luis Jaramillo's version at his restaurant Fifty I was intrigued. And then I tasted them and now I am a convert.

Video, Chefs, Food, Cooking, RecipeAli RosenApril 24, 2018recipe, gluten-free, appetizer, Ecuador, South America, pork, dough, foodComment

The Secret to Fluffy Scones

What if there was a perfect scone recipe that didn't make rock hard scones an option? Well you are in luck, because we have found it.

Blog, Chefs, Dessert, Cooking, Food, Recipe, VideoAli RosenApril 18, 2018baking, scones, dessert, afternoon, snack, pastry, Brooklyn, foodComment

Loaded Sweet Potatoes

I'm such a sucker for anything with potatoes and a loaded baked potato is something I can never say no to. But I'm always ready for a twist on a classic and starting from scratch with sweet potatoes is the perfect place to rethink the dish we've come to know and love.

Greg Proechel of Ferris showed us his aspirational take using purple sweet potatoes. Watch his recipe to get inspired for a version of your own.

Blog, VideoAli RosenApril 9, 2018sweet potato, foodComment

The Perfect Ice Cream Sundae

Spring is here and with it I think we can fully declare ice cream season has started (although lets be honest - does it ever really go away?). But I'm truly a sucker for a great ice cream sundae. There is something about the combination of flavors and textures that can hit the spot and feel so nostalgic.

VideoAli RosenMarch 28, 2018ice cream, foodComment

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