Today's Chef

Traditional recipes, clearly explained for home kitchens.

Category: Techniques

Japanese

Ichiju Sansai: How to Build a Japanese Meal Any Weeknight

A bowl of rice, a bowl of miso soup, and a piece of grilled salmon can be cooked correctly and…

By Hiroshi Tanaka · 5 min read

Italian

How to Roll Fresh Tagliatelle by Hand: The Bolognese Way

In Bologna, sfoglia traditionally goes on the board on Sunday mornings, often in kitchens above the bakeries along streets like…

By Marco Bellini · 6 min read

Korean

The Five Fermented Foundations of Korean Cooking: A Pantry Map

Traditional Korean home fermentation lives on rooftops and in courtyards, where onggi (porous clay jars) stand in rows through the…

By Min-jun Kim · 4 min read

Southeast Asian

How to Make Indonesian Beef Rendang the Right Way (Padang Method)

Proper rendang, cooked the Padang way in West Sumatra, comes out of a pot that has been on the stove…

By Mali Pakdee · 7 min read

American Southern

BBQ Regions Compared: Memphis, Carolina, Texas, Kansas City, Alabama

Ask a seasoned pitmaster what kind of BBQ they make, and the honest answer is often “the kind that takes…

By Sarah Mitchell · 7 min read

Korean

Bibimbap with Five Banchan: Assembly and Cooking Guide

Prepare separate vegetables, rice and toppings for bibimbap, with egg options and practical guidance for assembling the bowl.

By Min-jun Kim · 6 min read

French

The Five French Mother Sauces and Where They Lead: A Home Cook’s Map

For a quick steak supper for two, picture the butcher’s counter near the Halles Paul Bocuse in Lyon: entrecôte in…

By Camille Laurent · 8 min read

Middle Eastern & Mediterranean

Ras el Hanout, Baharat, Za’atar: Three Middle Eastern Spice Blends, Decoded

In the spice arcade of Souk el Attarine in Tunis, a teaspoon of ras el hanout invites a slow inhale,…

By Layla Karim · 8 min read

Chinese

Cantonese Steamed Fish: Preparation, Timing and Doneness

Prepare whole fish with ginger, scallion and soy dressing, and use an internal temperature check alongside steaming times.

By Wei Chen · 6 min read

Italian

Why Pasta Shapes Are Not Interchangeable: A Sauce-Matching Guide

In Bologna, ragù meets hand-rolled tagliatelle almost by reflex. Ask for spaghetti instead and the sauce slides down the strands,…

By Marco Bellini · 5 min read