While I have shelves teeming with cookbooks, I’m often just as likely to find myself turning to the internet for inspiration. Don’t get me wrong - I still love paging through my books whether it’s to look up a recipe I’ve used a million times or to check out something I haven’t yet tried. They are a wealth of information.
But sometimes I get an idea in my head and just want to see what’s out there that might help me fulfill it and it means checking several sources; or I’m searching for a little “how-to” on a technique that’s less than familiar to me and I know a video will help; or I want to take a deeper dive into the origins of a dish to better understand the “whys and wherefores” of it.
I love both baking sweet treats and cooking savory dishes. I enjoy the specificity of baking and then giving myself permission to let go with some creativity to decorate, pushing my limits and learning new techniques. On the flip side, when it comes to cooking, the seemingly endless combinations of flavors, techniques and traditions of cuisines are pure inspiration for me, and I love embracing the freedom that comes with making a dish uniquely mine.
But where to begin when it comes to trying sources I have not used before? I think it’s common to be a bit uncertain. After all, if I want to go beyond America’s Test Kitchen (paid membership) or Food Network (who doesn’t love Ina?) to some of the less-recognized recipe developers and content-creators out there, where do I start for reliable recipes? Well, whether through trial and error or just dumb luck, I think many who love to cook have found some favorites along the way. And I’m here to share a few of mine with you. Keep in mind that the photos came from my own kitchen, using techniques and inspiration from these favorite sources.
I’ll start with the sweets and finish up with cooking sources for two of my favorite regional cuisines: Italian pasta and Chinese cookery.
Cookies
When it comes to decorating cookies, I was always intimidated. But the ideas and “how-to” information from Stephanie at Little Cookie Co is truly what pushed me into cookie decoration. From explaining the process for basic outlining and flooding to her designs, she got me hooked! I’ve learned so much general technique and her designs range from basic to “wowza”! While many of them are likely to remain beyond my capabilities, Little Cookie Co inspires me to continue learning and getting better with every batch!
Little Cookie Co may be found on:
- Instagram: Instagram (@littlecookie_co)
- YouTube: Little Cookie Co - YouTube
Cakes
For cake-baking, Adriana at Sugarologie appeals to me, not only because I have yet to try a recipe of hers that I don’t like, but because of her “baking + science” approach. With her degrees in Microbiology/Immunology plus Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, she’s a gal after my own heart, since I was a biochemistry major many years ago – and that never really leaves you. She digs deep, researching every aspect of a recipe and then summarizing it all in such an easy manner – talk about getting to the “whys and wherefores”!
The home page of the Sugarologie website is the “Cakeulator” Adriana developed: plug in your desired cake flavor, pan size, frosting info, and filling flavor and you’ll get a complete recipe for just the right amounts for all the elements of your cake. Perfect for the beginner and skilled baker, alike!
Sugarologie may be found on:
- Instagram: Instagram (@sugarologie101)
- YouTube: Sugarologie - YouTube
- Website: Welcome to the Sugar Lab! | Sugarologie
Homemade Pasta
Ah, pasta - so many shapes, so little time! My pasta roller is over 30 years old, but for years fettuccine was pretty much all it produced. Following Mateo Zielonka is a delightful journey! Residing and running a restaurant in London, his own journey started in Poland upon falling in love with pasta from watching The Sopranos. He has published two cookbooks (I own a copy of his first, “The Pasta Man”), with another on the way. He has a manner of describing pastas, shapes, and combinations in a way that warms this Italian girl’s heart. Mateo simplifies techniques, making them very approachable. My pasta roller is not just for fettuccine anymore!
Mateo Zeilonka may be found on:
- Instagram: Instagram (@mateo.zielonka)
- Website: Mateo • Kitchen
Chinese Cookery
While I picked up a few skills when we lived in China many years ago, it was generally through experimentation and the one-off recipes I might find that helped me attain some semblance of the flavors I fell in love with during that time. But then along came The Woks of Life! Making recipes from the Leung family brings back to life the flavors as I remember them. They also clarify ingredients to create an understanding as to what to use when, allowing me to update some of my older, practiced recipes. Their newsletter is like a glimpse into their lives, filled with anecdotes and family humor. The Woks of Life is simply fun to use – and a true family affair!
The Woks of Life may be found on:
- Instagram: The Woks of Life (@thewoksoflife) • Instagram photos and videos
- YouTube: The Woks of Life - YouTube
- Website: Home - The Woks of Life
There are many, many more sources out there, but these are my standard go-to spots, at least for these categories. Someone wants cookies for a special occasion? Or a cake? How about a special homemade pasta for company? And what about a quick weeknight Chinese option? These are the first places I look. Check them out. Maybe they’ll become yours, too.
At The Chopping Block, we offer classes across the international spectrum – July is chock-full of them! Classes representing Italian (including pasta-making), French, Indian, Brazilian, Korean and Filipino flavors fill the calendar. Our outdoor grill patio is open for these (finally!) warm summer nights. Take a look at our class calendar for some fun options!
