Sur La Table Blog

 
 

10 Chicken Dishes We’re Making This Month

We believe that chicken never gets boring—there are literally hundreds of ways to make it!

But sometimes, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. If you’ve been searching for a way to shake up your weeknight staple, we’ve got you covered.

We’ve curated a list of 10 chicken dishes we’re making this month, from classic comforts to more adventurous international staples, there’s something for everyone.

 

Spring Produce Guide

Spring is the season of renewal, and there’s no better way to embrace new beginnings than by incorporating fresh, seasonal produce into your cooking. From delicate greens to juicy strawberries, spring produce is all about bright, fresh flavors.

To honor what’s seasonal, we’ve curated a list highlighting our favorite spring fruits and vegetables that details what to shop for, how to pick them out and what to make.

 

How Much Is a Dash?

Whether you’re using a cookbook or one of your Nona’s recipe cards, you might be asked to throw in a dash or two of something. But what exactly is “a dash?” It can feel like a guessing game—a game most bakers and home cooks don’t like to play.

While the exact amount of a dash can vary depending on who you ask and what you’re making, there is a method to the madness.

In this post, we’ll explore the different interpretations of a dash and how this measurement is used today.

 

How to Make Dutch Oven Bread

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as the feeling of accomplishment that comes with making your own bread.

It takes time, practice (read: patience) and a bit of tweaking to get it down. But making bread is wholly impressive, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll get to enjoy warm, crusty, fresh-from-the-oven loaves anytime you want!

One of our favorite ways to get perfectly baked, crunchy bread is to bake it in a Dutch oven—the heavy bottom and tight-fitting lid create a hot, steamy environment that’s ideal for creating a loaf that’s crispy on the outside and light and airy on the inside.

We’ll show you how to make our favorite Dutch oven bread recipe, and after a couple of adventures in proofing, you might just be able to make this in your sleep.

 

Desserts to Treat Your Valentine

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to show that special someone how much you care than with the most swoon-worthy treat of all: chocolate!

Sure, you could buy a box of chocolates from the grocery store, but something tells us they’ll be more impressed by a chocolate soufflé made by yours truly.

Check out this curated list of 7 ooey gooey desserts to treat your Valentine.

 

What’s a Sieve vs. Colander?

Most kitchens have a sieve or a colander tucked behind the pots and pans, but to many people’s surprise, they do more than strain pasta water. While they may look interchangeable, they’re designed for completely different tasks.

A sieve has a fine mesh strainer and is typically used for aerating things like flour or sugar. A colander has a perforated bottom and is used to rinse foods or drain liquids.

We’ll walk you through their differences, link our faves and show you how to get the most out of these unassuming kitchen must-haves.

 

How to Use a French Press

With so many ways to brew a cup of coffee at home, the French press remains one of our favorites. But this beautiful piece of equipment can be intimidating if you’ve never used one before.

Admittedly, it might take a few tries to find your ideal coffee-to-water ratio, but it’s worth taking the plunge (pun intended) to experience the depth of your favorite brew. Here, we’ll walk you through how to use a French press, get the right ratios, achieve the proper grind and more.

 

How to Make Crêpes at Home

Crêpes, while delicious, are notoriously hard to make.

They’re thin, require special equipment and, for some reason, just don’t taste quite the same as they do at your favorite breakfast spot.

The truth is that crêpes, like any other dish, require a bit of practice and a lot of patience. But with a little time, and few of our handy tips, you’ll master this French breakfast treat in no time!

 

Kitchen Staples to Cook Practically Everything

Moving into a new home, registering for your wedding or just trying to update your kitchen? Here is our comprehensive list of kitchen essentials you need to cook or bake almost anything, according to our resident chefs.

Check out the list below.

 

Recipes for Meatless Monday

January is a time when some people try to make healthier, more wholesome decisions about what they put into their bodies. For many, one of those can be to eat less meat.

In fact, data released by Gallup Poll in 2020 reported that 25% of Americans are eating less meat than in previous years. And with more research suggesting a link between meat consumption and increased health risks, as well as environmental factors, that percentage is expected to grow.

 

How to Meal Prep Like a Pro

Whether you’re trying to eat a little healthier or save money by eating out less, you’ve probably thought about meal prepping. Meal prep not only saves you time before and after work, but it also helps you get a nutritious option on the table—no matter how busy your week.

The hardest part is knowing where to start. Before any chopping, cooking and packing can take place, you need to know what you’re making. We’ve created this prep-like-a-pro guide to teach you how to make a meal plan, what to cook, the best way to prep and how to store and reheat your meals.

 

Winter Produce Guide

Frost-laden fields may not evoke thoughts of fresh produce, but several fruits and vegetables are at their most flavorful in the winter months. In fact, many of the fruits and veggies we typically associate with fall continue to grow well into the winter.

To honor what’s seasonal, we’ve curated a list highlighting our favorite winter fruits and vegetables to cook with—read on to learn what to shop for, how to pick them out and what to make.

 

10 Comforting Soups to Warm Your Soul

Winter is in full swing, and as we don our parkas and hunker down for the dark, bone-chilling days ahead, there are a few things we can do to ease the freeze—curl up next to a fire; snuggle under a cozy blanket, sip on hot cocoa and, of course, chow down on some belly-warming soup.

If you didn’t know, January is National Soup Month, and to celebrate, we’ve rounded up a list of 10 of our favorite soul-soothing, hearty and straight up scrumptious soups to keep you warm all month long.

 

Traditional Christmas Foods

Some holiday traditions are rooted in history—the Christmas tree, for example, dates all the way back to the 4th century C.E., when early Europeans would hang evergreen branches around their homes in order to bring in color and light during the winter.

And the same goes for what we eat at Christmas—foods from holiday ham and eggnog to panettone and gingerbread are all rooted in tradition. Where did these come from and why do we eat them?

We’re going to break down the history of some of the most popular and traditional Christmas dishes in the United States and offer up of few of our favorite recipes—with a modern touch, of course.

 

8 Make Ahead Christmas Breakfast Ideas

There’s nothing quite as magical as Christmas morning.

Coming down the stairs, eager to see what Santa brought you—it truly is the most wonderful time of the year. But before we can rip into presents, we have to fill our bellies. And what better way to do so than with a filling, soul-satisfying breakfast!

We rounded up a few of our favorite Christmas morning breakfast ideas to make ahead of time or quickly day of, so you can spend more time out of the kitchen and around the tree with the ones you love.

All it takes is a little prep!

 

Decorating Your Home for the Holidays

Thanksgiving is officially over, which can mean only one thing: Christmas decorating!

This year, rather than going all-in on brand new décor, get creative with what you already have at home!

Think mixing white, everyday dinnerware with festive table runners and chargers. Or hanging ornaments from garlands to add a touch of whimsy.

We have TONS of amazing items in our Christmas shop that can be mixed and matched to create a holiday vibe. But we also wanted to compile a few ideas on how to decorate your home for the holidays using items you may already have.