Silicone bakeware has been around for a few years now, but I’ve been a stubborn resister to the changing times and technology. That shifted recently when, on a whim, I snagged a floppy, red 12-cup version made by Keliwa on amazon.com for $9.99 to give it a try. Naturally, I’ve […]
Pauls
Paul’s Cooking Tips: Five types of mustard you need and why
I have a mustard problem. At any given point there are about a half dozen bottles and jars of the stuff in my fridge. And that’s not counting the ground and whole seeds squirreled away in my cupboards. But this isn’t garden-variety hoarding, folks. Mustard, in its multitude of configurations, […]
Paul’s Cooking Tips: Replenish your spice rack at Ali Baba International Food Market, a Middle Eastern Market in San Antonio
If your kitchen is anything like mine, the coronavirus outbreak has taken a heck of a toll on your spice rack. With social distancing protocols and restaurant shutdowns making nightly home-cooked meals the new norm for this once busy restaurant critic, I’m now out of everything from asafetida to za’atar. […]
Paul’s Cooking Tips: How to use a paella pan for biscuits, stir fry, roasting chicken and more
For many, preparing paella at home means firing up a sturdy cast-iron skillet instead of reaching for a dedicated paella pan. And it makes sense — the broad, shallow dish sounds like a one-trick pony good for little beyond making its namesake dish and may not be able to justify […]
Paul’s Cooking Tips: Why you need a reversible stovetop cast-iron griddle, a do-everything tool in the kitchen
Sometimes, bigger really is better. I was reminded of that the hard way during a recent enchilada blowout. Here I am, with dozens of dried chiles, halved onions, tomatoes and garlic cloves, all in need of a dry roasting on a hot surface. I own a hefty 10-inch round iron […]
Paul’s Cooking Tips: What you can find in Asia Supermarket Asian grocery store in Windcrest
Asia Supermarket opened late last year in the 25,000-square-foot former home of an OfficeMax in Windcrest. And shame on me, I’ve only just now paid the place a visit. The newish grocery store is a sprawling emporium of flavors from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines and many others. I […]
Paul’s Cooking Tips: 3 ways to use up that jar of tahini after making hummus: dressings, dips and Lebanese condiment tarator
Hummus. It’s one of the world’s favorite foods, and why not? That simple puree of chickpeas, tahini and lemon juice is nutritious, delicious and — if a 2019 NPR story titled “Your Hummus Habit Could Be Good For The Earth” is to be believed — an ecological and economic salve […]
Paul’s Cooking Tips: How to use your tortilla press for making pizza, naan bread, schnitzel and more
I’ve owned a tortilla press for years. That often came in handy before moving to Texas, as my previous stomping ground in North Carolina was pretty barren terrain when it came to finding good tortillas for sale. It was either make your own, or suffer whatever stale, preservative-laden specimens you […]
Paul’s Cooking tips: A Chinese-style cleaver the affordable, multitasking knife you should add to your collection
As a person who plays in the kitchen for a living, an uncountable bevy of culinary tools and toys have come and gone from my life. There was the green papaya shredder, the AeroPress coffee maker, the onion goggles (yeah, those were a thing.) But one sharp-beaked bird keeps flying […]