Author: Darryl Koster
Mastering the Art of Grinding Meat at Home: Tips for Optimal Results
Grinding meat at home can elevate your culinary creations to new heights, providing you with fresher flavors and the satisfaction of crafting your own meals. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting out, mastering the process of grinding meat can unlock a world of culinary possibilities. While small home grinding equipment like the […]
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Maple Cured Bacon – Part 1
Indulge in the savory delight of home-cured maple bacon, crafted with expertise honed over 15 years of mastering the art of bacon curing. With a background in commercially producing bacon for retail sale, I’ve perfected the process to bring out the finest flavors and textures in every slice. Utilizing the equilibrium curing method (Comminuted Sausage […]
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Chinese Five Spice
In the realm of culinary delights, Chinese Five Spice stands as a testament to the ancient art of flavor blending. This aromatic blend, comprising five distinct spices, encapsulates the essence of Chinese cuisine, adding depth, complexity, and a hint of magic to dishes across the globe. Origins and Ingredients: The origins of Chinese Five Spice […]
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Ensuring Food Safety in Home Meat Grinding: Best Practices for Home Cooks
I have spent the last 15yrs owning and operating a meat packing plant and I wrote this article during that time. We were inspected bi-weekly and audited yearly by OMAFRA (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs) for food safety. We had regular CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) Audits regarding our facilities & products […]
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A Guide to Caring for Herbs and Spices: Keeping Flavors Fresh and Fragrant
In the culinary world, herbs and spices are like magic ingredients, transforming ordinary dishes into extraordinary culinary experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or an enthusiastic home cook, knowing how to care for these aromatic treasures is essential for preserving their flavor and potency. From whole spices to delicate herbs, each requires specific attention to […]
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The Importance of an Accurate and Durable Thermometer
NOTE: We are an affiliate of https://www.thermoworks.com/ and are very happy customers as well. I’ve done business with them for well over a decade buying not only commercial grade thermometers and data collections tools, we also use them at home for our every day use. They took a beating at my restaurants and meat packing […]
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Jerk Chicken Wings
This recipe uses the Jerk Seasoning, Dry recipe found on this site. Quick story short, I fell in love with Jerk Chicken a very long time ago. During a trip to St. Thomas several 18yrs ago I found a jerk seasoning and really wanted it here in Canada. I ended up designing my own version […]
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Jerk Seasoning, Dry
This recipe was designed after a trip to St. Thomas in 2006. I found a Dry Jerk rub and I had to try to replicate it. This is the result. Dry jerk seasoning is a flavorful blend of spices commonly used in Caribbean cuisine, particularly for marinating and seasoning meats such as chicken, pork, or […]
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Kitchen Scales
If you’ve been in the commercial kitchen trade for any amount of time you start to understand how important solid kitchen scales are. They take a beating day in and day out, and it’s how you make a product taste the same each and every time. This is also true of a home based kitchen, […]
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Curry Powder
Curry powder is a versatile spice blend that originates from South Asian cuisine but has gained popularity worldwide. It typically consists of a mixture of ground spices such as turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, and chili peppers, among others. The exact composition can vary depending on regional preferences and personal taste. Curry powder adds a vibrant […]
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