Category Archives: Cooking

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

ISO Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco Treat

Posted on April 3, 2018 by Burnt My Fingers

I had disdain for Rice-A-Roni when I lived in San Francisco. How dare they put a cable car on their box and pound our ears with a jingle that called it “the San Francisco Treat”? I equated the packaged mix … Continue reading →

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We now have an official paper towel, and it’s Viva!

Posted on January 18, 2018 by Burnt My Fingers

We use a lot of paper towels at Burnt My Fingers. To mop up spills, handle the general mess around a smoker or outdoor grill, blot the excess fat off the top of a soup stock, and also to substitute … Continue reading →

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Take the white sauce challenge!

Posted on January 16, 2018 by Burnt My Fingers

The other night I made shish kabob and wanted some white sauce to drizzle on the accompanying pilaf. You know, like the Halal Guys white sauce dished out from their truck in Manhattan. But not exactly. I also wanted it … Continue reading →

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Hacking the Salt & Char Ribeye Cap Steak

Posted on January 2, 2018 by Burnt My Fingers

I have long been fascinated by the Salt & Char ribeye cap, from  the high end steakhouse in downtown Saratoga Springs, NY. When Bobby Flay proclaimed it the “best thing I ever ate” on a recent Cooking Channel show, I … Continue reading →

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Frozen pizza taste test

Posted on December 12, 2017 by Burnt My Fingers

The other day I planned to get take out pizza from DeFazio’s, an excellent source in Troy NY. I somehow overshot the store and decided I would purchase a frozen pizza instead. I should add I had broken my arm … Continue reading →

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Have some Election Cake, and please be civil

Posted on November 2, 2017 by Burnt My Fingers

While most of America takes a year off from politics (just kidding), my quaint hamlet of Saratoga Springs, NY is winding up a particularly divisive election season. Till next Tuesday I’ll be out canvassing for the side I support, but … Continue reading →

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Teeny Tiny Spice Company brings big flavor… get some now

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Burnt My Fingers

Teeny Tiny Spice Company is a semi-local business, right up the road from me in Shelburne, VT. They have not paid me to write this post or given me any free product. I am just here to tell you that … Continue reading →

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ISO pickled tripe perfection

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Burnt My Fingers

It says a lot about our readership that Pickled Tripe is one of the most popular recipes on Burnt My Fingers. Good on ya, mates, as I think they say down under. However, on my recent trip to Pennsylvania Amish country … Continue reading →

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Toné’s Minced Onions: deyhdrated and delicious

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Burnt My Fingers

There was a time when I made frequent car trips back and forth between the Bay Area and Southern California. The Route 5 interstate was fast but boring, and I always took a break at an Arco gas and snack … Continue reading →

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Side towel vs. pot holder

Posted on July 13, 2017 by Burnt My Fingers

Among the many pleasures of Michael Ruhlman’s Making of a Chef is a generous helping of kitchen technique and best practices, gleaned through his introductory Skills class at the Culinary Institute of America. The use of the side towel is a … Continue reading →

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