As I have been cooking more, I’ve realized that different doesn’t mean worse. For most foods there is a range of things you can do that will alter the flavor, but not necessarily change how good it tastes.
For example, one of my favorite foods is pasta with fresh tomato sauce. I’ve made it many [...]

Posted in Other 7 Comments »

Sometimes I just don’t feel like cooking, whether I am getting home late, contemplating what I should pack for lunch, or just feeling lazy. It can be a hassle. I also like restaurants - greasy pizza, the perfect burger, a well crafted omelet. Convenience can be a strong temptation, so I came [...]

Posted in Other 7 Comments »

This is a story about a recipe gone wrong and an attempt to save it.
It all began on an innocent Friday afternoon. My girlfriend and I discussed our dinner options, finally settling on enchiladas and Mexican rice. I suggested we search Ben’s site, What’s Cooking? for our recipes, as the pictures of his [...]

Posted in Failures 6 Comments »

I mentioned in my first couple posts on The New Cook that cookbooks in general have a major flaw: they don’t teach you how to cook. I was inspired to write this by the Top Chef episode that I watched on Wednesday, not because of any particular dish, but rather due to my continued fascination [...]

Posted in Equipment 21 Comments »

I can’t remember where I read this, but it struck me as quite accurate: perfection and cooking do not mix. I’m a bit of a perfectionist in my life, and this definitely translates to my cooking. When I am just making food for myself, I’m usually not too worried. If I burn [...]

Posted in Other 3 Comments »