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Kernel Maize by Rachael Afra

Kernel Maize by Rachael Afra

Maize (corn) ground into a fine meal with some added water forms masa (corn dough). Masa is the superstar in tortillas, tamales, pupusas (stuffed tortillas), and many more Latin dishes. Maize was a predominant cereal...

Kernel Maize by Rachael Afra

Maize (corn) ground into a fine meal with some added water forms masa (corn dough). Masa is the superstar in tortillas, tamales, pupusas (stuffed tortillas), and many more Latin dishes. Maize was a predominant cereal...

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month

I love US history! I took four years of history classes: History of Rock and Roll, American History (parts I and II), and Foods of the Americas. I admire America’s...

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month

I love US history! I took four years of history classes: History of Rock and Roll, American History (parts I and II), and Foods of the Americas. I admire America’s...

Let's Stock It Up! by Rachael Afra

Let's Stock It Up! by Rachael Afra

My first culinary school lesson was learning to cut. With carrots, celery, and onions, I learned to julienne (to slice into small matchsticks), batonet (large matchsticks) brunoise (to start with julienne cuts, then turn the...

Let's Stock It Up! by Rachael Afra

My first culinary school lesson was learning to cut. With carrots, celery, and onions, I learned to julienne (to slice into small matchsticks), batonet (large matchsticks) brunoise (to start with julienne cuts, then turn the...

"It's in the fat..." by Rachael Afra

"It's in the fat..." by Rachael Afra

What gives off tremendous flavor? Cook off bacon or steak and watch its shiny, intense flavor ooze to the sides. What is it? It's fat. Yes, fat! Take the drippings...

"It's in the fat..." by Rachael Afra

What gives off tremendous flavor? Cook off bacon or steak and watch its shiny, intense flavor ooze to the sides. What is it? It's fat. Yes, fat! Take the drippings...

Madness of Nutmeg! by Rachael Afra

Madness of Nutmeg! by Rachael Afra

Nutmeg makes your taste buds tingle. Its trees grow in the tropical regions of Indonesia's Spice Islands(the Moluccas) and parts of the East and West Indies. The evergreen trees sprout...

Madness of Nutmeg! by Rachael Afra

Nutmeg makes your taste buds tingle. Its trees grow in the tropical regions of Indonesia's Spice Islands(the Moluccas) and parts of the East and West Indies. The evergreen trees sprout...

Queen Cardamom! by Rachael Afra

Queen Cardamom! by Rachael Afra

The cardamom plant grows in tropical Southeast Asia, native to India and Sri Lanka. Once the seeds are ready, pickers separate the pods from their stems and lay them to...

Queen Cardamom! by Rachael Afra

The cardamom plant grows in tropical Southeast Asia, native to India and Sri Lanka. Once the seeds are ready, pickers separate the pods from their stems and lay them to...