Whisked away- the history of the humble whisk

Perfection of design never draws attention to itself. In the kitchen, as everywhere else, the simplest tools are often the most effective. Just think about how many uses your wooden spoon has.

The whisk, at its simplest, is merely a series of wire loops connected to a handle, and yet this tool serves many function and can be found in most …

Bring the world into your kitchen

August at The Essential Ingredient Cooking School is an international affair, with classes covering cuisines from every corner of the globe.

There’s a world of food out there – why not let it into your kitchen?

Banyuls Traditional Wine Vinegar

It’s no secret to anybody interested in cooking that the quality of the ingredients you use plays a big part in the quality of the finished product.

It’s also true that the more you know about these ingredients, the more you’ll think of interesting and varied ways of using them.

Vinegar has a permanent place in most cuisines and in most kitchens, and as with the equally ubiquitous olive oil, to get …

Cooking with duck fat

Many chefs, including Jamie Oliver and Delia Smith, argue that if you’ve never tried potatoes fried or roasted in duck fat, then you’ve never experienced potatoes at their best.

The combination is as classic as it is perfect. But duck fat does more than make the world’s best potatoes.

Rendered duck fat, an essential ingredient in French cuisine, can be used in …