Shallot Prep A shallot is kind of like a cross between garlic and a red onion. They’re sweet and strong and used in lots of French recipes. To mince a shallot: Use a chef’s knife to cut off the top and the bottom of the shallot. Cut the shallot in half, and then peel it. If they have multiple s

Mango Prep When selecting fresh mangoes, select mangoes that are firm but not hard like rocks, supple but not mushy… To trim a mango: Start by using a small utility knife. Cut off the top and the bottom of the mango so it has a flat surface to sit on. It’s generally best to use the side of the m

Indirect Grilling Start two chimneys of charcoal. When the coals start to turn white, they are ready to go. Usually one chimney will turn white faster than the other. Pour the fast one out first and pour the slower one on top Placing coals on one side of the grill only…. Because I’m going to gr

Ginger Prep To prepare the ginger break off a piece and peel it with a spoon. A spoon is the perfect tool for the job because it can get around the little knobs and into the nooks and crannies of the ginger. To mince ginger: Slice it and stack it on to off itself, slice the ginger into strips. Tu

Celery Prep The first thing I learned in culinary school was how to prepare celery… First we cut the bottom off the celery stock, wash the individual celery ribs and dry them with paper towels so they don’t slide around on the cutting board. Cut off the leaves and put them with the bottom to use

Avocado Insights The best way to prepare an avocado is: Use a sharp paring knife. Cut the avocado in half, (top to bottom, lengthwise, pole to pole, not around the equator). Twist both halves in opposite directions and pull apart. Tap the pit with the sharp side of the knife so it sticks part way

Roasted Red Pepper To Grill or Roast red bell peppers: Wash them and rub them with olive oil. Place the on the HOT part of the grill and char the outside This allows the pepper to pick up some grill flavor and blisters the skin. Turn the peppers several times during the process, to char it on al

Lighting The Grill Here’s the best way I’ve found to light a charcoal grill. If you follow these instructions, you’ll be ready to go in 12 minutes We start with two of these chimney starters. There are two compartments. The large one on top for the charcoal and a small one on the bottom for pape

Green Pepper Prep Washing the peppers and dry them with a paper towel so they do not slide around on the cutting board Most people cut off the top of the pepper. I don’t do that because it wastes the top of the pepper. Instead, I cut the pepper in half lengthwise like this. Remove the seeds like

Garlic Prep When preparing garlic, I highly recommend using fresh garlic, not the processed stuff in a jar. Lay the garlic bulb on the cutting board and crush it with a clever, like this. Break the bulb into cloves discard the extra garlic skin. This is a bulb of garlic and this is a clove… Peel

Basil Chiffonade To chiffonade basil… remove the leaves from the stems and stack on top of each other. Roll them into a tube like this. Then slice the basil razor thin. This is basil chiffonade. It is perfect for salads and finishing sauces. Like all fresh herbs, basil should always be added at t

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms Start by cutting off most of the stem. Remove the black fins, using a spoon, scrape the fins into a paper towel, discard. Leave the mushroom caps intact Mushrooms grow in dirt and fertilizer, wash them inside and out, dry with a paper towel. To Grill: Rub mushrooms

Jasmine Rice Preparing the rice:Pour two cups of rice in a measuring cup. Pour that into the bowl of your rice cooker. Wash the rice by swirling it with your fingers to remove some of the starch. Drain off the water, notice how it is very cloudy Fill the container about half way with cool water

How To Dice Onion To Dice an Onion: Start by cutting off the top and the bottom of the onion. Cut the onion in half - this makes it easier to peel. Place it flat side down on the counter. Now slice the onion in the other direction until about halfway through. Lay the onion down and continue to sl

Cucumber Prep These cucumbers just came from the Iowa City framers market, check out how fresh they are. To make Half Moons: Peel the cucumber. Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise… Use the back side of the peeler to remove the seeds this way you only have one tool to wash or you can use a spoon

Carrot Prep These carrots just came from the local farmers market… Start by cutting off the tops and peeling the carrots, use the peelings for stock. Slicing Carrots: Use a chef’s knife to slice the carrots. Notice how the knife is curved; Use the curve to rock the blade like this. Then feed the