At Mowry & Cotton, we believe that great cooking can happen anywhere—even in your own kitchen! We’re excited to share some of our favorite cooking tips and recipes so you can recreate the flavors of Mowry & Cotton at home. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, these tips and recipes will help you elevate your culinary skills and impress your friends and family.
Cooking Tips from Our Chefs
Master the Art of Searing
Searing meat or fish properly can make a world of difference in flavor and texture. Here’s how to do it right:
- Preheat Your Pan: Make sure your pan is hot before adding the meat. This helps to create a nice crust.
- Pat Dry: Pat the meat dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This ensures a good sear.
- Season Generously: Season with salt and pepper just before searing.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even cooking and browning.
Enhance Flavors with Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs can add a burst of flavor to any dish. Here’s how to use them effectively:
- Chop Just Before Use: To retain their vibrant flavor, chop herbs just before adding them to your dish.
- Add at the End: For maximum flavor, add delicate herbs like basil, parsley, and cilantro towards the end of cooking.
- Use Stems Too: Sturdy herbs like thyme and rosemary have flavorful stems that can be added to stocks and sauces.
Perfect Your Knife Skills
Good knife skills can improve your cooking efficiency and presentation. Practice these basics:
- Hold the Knife Properly: Grip the handle with your dominant hand and place your thumb and forefinger on either side of the blade.
- Use a Stable Cutting Board: Ensure your cutting board is stable and won’t slip.
- Chop Uniformly: Aim for uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
Recipes to Try at Home
Wood-Fired Ribeye Steak
Ingredients:
- 1 Ribeye steak (1-1.5 inches thick)
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 sprigs rosemary
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions:
- Preheat: Preheat your grill or a heavy skillet over high heat.
- Season: Pat the steak dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Sear: Add olive oil to the pan or grill. Sear the steak for 2-3 minutes on each side to create a crust.
- Cook: Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic, rosemary, and butter. Baste the steak with the melted butter for 3-5 minutes, or until desired doneness.
- Rest: Remove the steak from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Citrus Avocado Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe avocados, sliced
- 1 orange, segmented
- 1 grapefruit, segmented
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine avocados, orange segments, grapefruit segments, red onion, and cilantro.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately as a refreshing appetizer or side dish.
Chocolate Lava Cake
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 whole eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- Butter and cocoa powder for greasing ramekins
Instructions:
- Preheat: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease four ramekins with butter and dust with cocoa powder.
- Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter and chocolate together until smooth. Stir well.
- Mix Ingredients: Whisk in powdered sugar until well combined. Add eggs and egg yolks, mixing until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract and flour until just combined.
- Bake: Divide batter evenly among prepared ramekins. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until the edges are set but the center is still soft.
- Serve: Let cool for 1 minute, then carefully invert each cake onto a plate. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Leave a Reply