Practical Two: The Inside Story

Mastering the Heat: A Deep Dive into My Second Culinary School Practical Exam As I’ve shared in previous posts, the journey through culinary school is a whirlwind of learning, skill development, and intense evaluations. The culmination of this last week was our second comprehensive practical and theory exam. While my previous write-up on our first … Read more

The Transformation

Budget-Friendly Bliss: A Stunning Before & After Tour of Our First Apartment Transformation As promised, the wait is over! We’re thrilled to finally share the incredible before and after pictures of our first apartment. This journey has been a true labor of love, filled with countless hours of planning, a few spirited debates over tricky … Read more

The Sunday Chronicle

Weekly Culinary Inspiration: Discover Delicious Recipes, Baking Ideas & Savory Suppers Our featured indulgence: A delightful Apple Fritter Doughnut from Glazed and Infused. A perfect start to any culinary journey, hinting at the sweet discoveries within! Welcome to our weekly journey into the delicious world of food, where we uncover tantalizing recipes, inspiring kitchen adventures, … Read more

Crafting Artisan Sourdough: The Ultimate Recipe

The Ultimate Guide to Baking Perfect Artisan Sourdough Bread at Home

Welcome to my go-to recipe for artisan sourdough bread, a staple in my kitchen and a true labor of love. For a more immersive experience and visual guidance, I highly recommend watching my step-by-step YouTube video. You’ll also find a wealth of knowledge in my other sourdough resources, designed to support you on your baking journey.

While the process demands both patience and dedication, sourdough bread baking has blossomed into a profound passion for me. I cultivated my own sourdough starter almost two years ago and have since enjoyed baking fresh bread (along with delicious sourdough pizza) at least once a week. The satisfaction of creating a naturally leavened loaf from scratch is truly unparalleled.

After countless experiments and nearly two years dedicated to mastering sourdough, I am thrilled to share my absolute favorite everyday Artisan Sourdough Bread Recipe with you. This particular method has consistently delivered exceptional results, yielding bread with the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and an irresistible open crumb.

This recipe features a high hydration dough, crafted with a precise blend of 80% high-protein bread flour and 20% whole wheat flour. This combination is key to achieving an airy, delightfully chewy, and beautifully open interior.

Before you embark on this rewarding journey, I highly recommend watching my new step-by-step YouTube video, which visually demonstrates each stage of the process. Additionally, you might find my video on baking sourdough in a Dutch oven incredibly helpful.

Once you’ve confidently mastered this foundational recipe, feel free to experiment! Try altering the flour ratios or incorporating exciting inclusions. My personal favorite variation is this aromatic olive sourdough bread.

Unlock the Secret: Peel a Whole Head of Garlic in Seconds – A Game-Changing Kitchen Tip For many home cooks and professional chefs alike, the joy of cooking can sometimes be overshadowed by the more mundane, repetitive tasks of food preparation. Among these, peeling garlic often ranks high on the list of least favorite chores. … Read more

Orange Glazed Rhubarb Scones

The Ultimate Guide to Baking Delicious Rhubarb Scones with Zesty Orange Glaze Embrace the vibrant flavors of spring and early summer with these exceptional Rhubarb Scones with Orange Glaze. There’s a special joy in baking with seasonal ingredients, and fresh rhubarb offers a unique tartness that transforms ordinary baked goods into something truly remarkable. For … Read more

Brown Butter Banana Bliss

Irresistible Brown Butter Banana Bread: Your New Favorite Moist & Nutty Loaf Recipe We’ve all been there: a fruit bowl overflowing with overly ripe bananas, a delightful problem that often leads to a delightful solution – banana bread. Lately, my kitchen has been a testament to this sweet dilemma, as my partner Connor and I … Read more

Harissa-Spiced Lamb Kofta with Feta

Spicy Harissa Lamb Meatballs with Feta: A Flavorful Greek-Inspired Comfort Dish

Experience a culinary journey with these Spicy Harissa Lamb Meatballs, expertly simmered in a rich, rustic Greek-inspired tomato sauce, and generously topped with tangy feta cheese. This dish perfectly blends robust flavors and comforting textures, promising an unforgettable meal.

There’s nothing quite like a hearty, flavorful dish to bring comfort and joy to your table, and today’s recipe for Spicy Harissa Lamb Meatballs does exactly that. Imagine a generous pan filled with succulent lamb meatballs, each one bursting with a unique blend of spices, all nestled in a vibrant, slow-cooked tomato sauce, and crowned with a delightful scattering of crumbled feta cheese. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience – a simple, uncomplicated dish that delivers an extraordinary depth of flavor. If given the choice, I’d happily enjoy a meal like this every single day.

Every truly memorable recipe possesses that one “clincher” ingredient, the element that elevates the dish from good to absolutely outstanding, compelling you to reach for second and even third helpings. In the case of these exquisite lamb meatballs, that star ingredient is undoubtedly spicy harissa. Have you had the pleasure of incorporating this incredible condiment into your cooking before? It stands as one of my all-time favorite flavor boosters, capable of transforming ordinary ingredients into something truly special.

Indulge in the Ultimate Delight: Easy Dark Chocolate Chunk Raspberry Muffins Recipe

Birthdays are special occasions, and what better way to celebrate than with a treat that truly speaks to the heart? Today marks Connor’s birthday, and we’re honoring him with a batch of muffins that are far from ordinary. These aren’t just any muffins; they are intensely flavorful Dark Chocolate Chunk Raspberry Muffins. This recipe creates a delightful fusion of tart raspberries and rich, bittersweet chocolate – a combination widely revered for its exquisite balance and depth of flavor. If you’re searching for a bake that feels both celebratory and comforting, you’ve found your match.

I certainly hope he agrees with this sentiment! While I didn’t formally survey him on his preferred birthday pastry, his immediate consumption of three of these delectable muffins in less than an hour was a resounding “yes” to my flavor choice. It’s a clear indication that this pairing of juicy, tart raspberries and bold, dark chocolate is a winning combination.

However, in true chocolate lover fashion, even amidst mouthfuls of pure bliss, he did manage to convey that I perhaps should have added even *more* dark chocolate chunks. And honestly, who can argue with that? Is there ever truly enough chocolate? Such a thing seems to be a delightful impossibility in our household, and I suspect, in many others too! It’s the kind of generous inclusion that makes these homemade muffins truly special.

Delightful Honey Yogurt Parfait with Cranberry Apple Compote: Your Perfect Fall & Winter Breakfast Embrace the flavors of the season with this exquisite Honey Yogurt Parfait with Cranberry Apple Compote. This elegant breakfast treat is not only incredibly simple to prepare but also delivers a burst of vibrant taste and comforting warmth, making it an … Read more