Tips & Tricks
We want to provide you with all the information you need to be successful in making Special Fork meals. And, since picking the right ingredients is key, we offer selection and storage information for fresh ingredients like produce and meats. We give you the information when it is most needed – when you’ve chosen your recipe and are ready to purchase ingredients. So the selection and storage information is embedded as links in the ingredients list of the recipe and in the shopping list, to help you make smart buying decisions.
From time to time, our blogs, including our Friday VIDEO blogs, will offer useful primers on specific ingredients or a cooking technique. You’ll find them archived here for easy reference.
- Tips on Tools
- Essential Ingredients
- Presentation Techniques
- Cooking Techniques
- Recipes for Classic Foods We Love
- Mastering Beverages
- How to use Special Ingredients
- Party & Entertaining Ideas
- Holiday How-Tos
- Leftovers
- Quick Meal Ideas
Tips on Tools (back to top)
Indispensable tools every cook needs
How to sharpen a knife
Basic knife skills VIDEO
How to care for your wok
Essential Ingredients (back to top)
The art of salt
How to cut up an onion VIDEO
Presentation Techniques (back to top)
How to use food styling tips for eye-appealing plate presentations
How to use a squeeze bottle to plate like a pro
How to use bento boxes for appetite-appealing school lunch
How to make a pastry bag out of a plastic sandwich bag to pipe deviled eggs VIDEO
Cooking Techniques (back to top)
How to cook foolproof bacon
How to make an omelet
How to hard-cook eggs and stuff them
How to turn pan juices into a pan sauce
How to cook dried beans
How to barbecue for one or two people
How to make a one-dish meal in foil packets VIDEO
How to make iceberg lettuce super-crisp VIDEO
How to make perfect tempura
How to make your own sushi VIDEO
How to seed a pomegranate and make a dip VIDEO
How to make meringues
How to make yeast rolls
How to use a microwave to toast nuts and melt chocolate VIDEO
Recipes for Classic Foods We Love (back to top)
How to make guacamole
How to make a chicken liver pate
How to make mac and cheese
How to make chicken soup with a rotisserie chicken
How to make spaghetti and meatballs with prepared sauce
How to make quesadillas
How to make a simple roast chicken
How to make classic sloppy Joes
How to braise a beef brisket
How to roast pork tenderloin
How to turn flatbread into an easy pizza crust
How to make an authentic, New England lobster roll
How to make sushi roll-ups
How to make relishes for your hot dogs
How to make your own granola VIDEO
How to make trail mix
How to make a fruit crisp VIDEO
How to make a smoothie
How to make easy ice cream
Mastering Beverages (back to top)
How to brew coffee
How to make iced tea
How to make hot cocoa and homemade marshmallows
How to use Special Ingredients (back to top)
How to cook rutabaga
What to do with heirloom tomatoes
How to cook kale
Good uses for honey
How to cook with tasso (Cajun ham)
What to do with cranberries
Some good ways to use cooked rice
Party & Entertaining Ideas (back to top)
How to make and grill pizza
How throw a wine tasting party
How to make winter-warming drinks (alcoholic)
Easy appetizers for a summer party
How to dress up goat cheese
How to make appetizers with phyllo shells
How to host a party where guests make their meal
Holiday How-Tos (back to top)
How to make new candy from Halloween candy leftovers
How to roast pumpkin seeds
How to make a classic prime rib roast
How to decorate your Christmas table using fruits VIDEO
How to plan your Thanksgiving meal
Leftovers (back to top)
How to clean out the fridge and use the leftovers
What to do with leftover bread
How to repurpose leftover steak
Quick Meal Ideas (back to top)
How to make a few super-simple meals
Pasta to make when you have nothing to cook VIDEO
How to use roast veggies as a meal starter