From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 1:18 PM

Most restaurants par boil or blanch vegetables before service so they can cook them to order quickly. This technique is especially useful if your planning a dinner party or cooking for large crowds.

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 1:18 PM

Learn how to make this eggplant salad, a great side dish or as a dip for crackers.

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

Polenta, made from cornmeal, is one of those dishes that can easily be made ahead of time. It can be kept warm for hours over a bain marie before serving.

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

Bechamel is one of the five mother sauces and is also commonly referred to as a white sauce. Learning how to make a good bechamel or white sauce is essential to many recipes as it is the base sauce used in recipes from soufflés to cannelloni, moussaka, and lasagne.

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

Would you like to be able to cook a perfect omelet? Find out how!

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

Mirin, commonly used in Japanese food, is an essential condiment containing 40%-50% sugar. It is a type of rice wine that has a low alcohol content, unlike sake.

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

The stem on large leaf spinach can be tough and stringy. Here we show you how to remove the stems before adding to things such as a salad or your favorite spinach dip.

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

Learn how to make sweet potato pie, a classic southern favorite. It tastes a little like pumpkin pie—because it uses some of the same spices. But a sweet potato pie from scratch is far easier to make than pumpkin pie. Plus, sweet potatoes are plentiful all year round—and are easier to handle tha...

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

Green beans with pearl onions is a classic holiday side dish. Learn how to use a balsamic glaze as a flavor twist with this recipe.

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

An ice bath is a combination of water and ice. It is used to quickly stop the cooking process, especially when blanching or par boiling ingredients. It is also used to cooling foods down quickly to follow food safety guidelines to prevent bacteria from rapidly growing.

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

Turning meats during cooking keeps them juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

The fava bean, also known as the broad bean, is most popular in the spring time. These legumes are easy to prepare and have a buttery texture and mildly sweet flavor. Fava beans are delicious sauteed and also make a great addition to soups, salads, pastas and many other dishes.

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

Eggnog is a rich and delicious treat for any winter party. It dates back to colonial America and our first president, George Washington, was quite a fan! Learn how to make eggnog today!

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

Learn how to make grilled pizza to get that smoky taste that a wood burning oven creates.

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

"All-American as apple pie" is a popular saying that sums up the appeal of this delicious fruit dessert. Learn how to make this classic that’s at home on a picnic table OR the sweet end to an elegant meal, apple pie is also so easy to make—and with such simple ingredients.

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

"All-American as apple pie" is a popular saying that sums up the appeal of this delicious fruit dessert. Learn how to make this classic that’s at home on a picnic table OR the sweet end to an elegant meal, apple pie is also so easy to make—and with such simple ingredients.

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

Carrots, pecans, and wild rice are three holiday classics. Learn how to combine them together to make this delicious side dish for the holidays.

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

Ghee is cooked clarified butter and is popular in many curry dishes and Indian recipes.

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

Whole red potatoes mashed with garlic and cheese...pass the bowl please. Learn how to make this delicious Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe.

From: allrecipes.com on Tue, Mar 01 2011 9:26 AM

Learn the tricks for cooking perfect pasta every time.