Category Archives: Cooking

Here you’ll find everything about cooking that isn’t actually a recipe. Tips, techniques, gripes, whatever.

Food for Thought: Masa and Masienda

Posted on January 7, 2026 by Burnt My Fingers

I received quite a nice Christmas gift: a four-pack of artisanal masas from Masienda, accompanied by Masa*, a beautiful book by Masienda’s founder Jorge Gaviria. It being the holiday season, I immediately dove into the topic of tamales. My 1972 … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking, Eating, Food for Thought | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Olivye Salad for New Years

Posted on December 31, 2025 by Burnt My Fingers

Kate at the Sunday Stack shared this very traditional Russian recipe for Olivye Salad which she says is always served at New Years Eve. We were charmed by the family quirks (why would you pat gherkins dry after chopping them?) … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking, Eating | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Indoor Grilling with BlueStar

Posted on December 30, 2025 by Burnt My Fingers

The Old Farmer’s Almanac correctly predicted a bitter cold winter for the Northeast, so I can see myself doing a lot of indoor grilling on the BlueStar over the next couple of months.  It helps that Tom Thibeault of Adirondack … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Reverse sear prime rib? Not a fan.

Posted on December 26, 2025 by Burnt My Fingers

Yesterday as planned I used the reverse sear method to cook my 5 pound prime rib roast from Hannaford. The meat had been refrigerator aging under a Kosher salt rub since Monday. At 12:30 pm I took it out to … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking, Eating | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Prime rib prices 2025

Posted on December 22, 2025 by Burnt My Fingers

Prime rib prices are coming down for Christmas dinner in 2025, but that doesn’t mean they are cheap. Of the two major supermarkets in my town, Market 32 has Select grade bone in rib roasts for $8.99/lb (they call it … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking, Eating | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Hacking Bi Rite Market in San Francisco

Posted on December 17, 2025 by Burnt My Fingers

Bi Rite Market is a high end mini-supermarket chain in San Francisco with impeccable goods and prices to match. They recently opened a branch on Polk St, near where I stay when in town, so I went exploring in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking, Eating | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Taste test: cafeteria baked fish

Posted on December 6, 2025 by Burnt My Fingers

Our success with Mediterranean Baked Fish made us nostalgic for the cafeteria baked fish served at the late lamented Highland Park Cafeteria. I recall it as being moist and juicy with a mild butter based sauce and a sprinkle of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking, Eating | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Do you need purified water for sourdough baking?

Posted on December 2, 2025 by Burnt My Fingers

I read somewhere that you should use purified water for sourdough baking because the chlorine in tap water retards the yeast. Have dutifully done this for years without questioning. Then I noticed my purified water actually has chemicals added (baking … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Frankenturkey!

Posted on November 28, 2025 by Burnt My Fingers

Our 2025 bargain frozen turkey turned out a Frankenturkey. It had the following message on the label, which of course was not noted by me when purchasing: “pre-brined with approximately 9.5% solution of turkey broth, salt, sugar and natural flavoring” … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking, Eating | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Copycat Durkee’s leads 2025 Thanksgiving hacks.

Posted on November 23, 2025 by Burnt My Fingers

We are gratified that our copycat Durkee’s recipe is currently the top trending post on Burnt My Fingers. Gratified because this is a near perfect match for the original Durkee’s Famous Sauce which is sold out on Amazon and at … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking, Eating | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment