Richard’s Kitchen Know-How
TO KEEP YOURSELF creatively inspired, frequent ethnic
markets. When you go to your regular grocery store, you know
what you’re going to find; not so when you go to ethnic
markets. Use what you buy there to riff on classic dishes; for
example, cook dal like risotto or try it in a cassoulet.
IF YOU’RE UNHAPPY with the color of a finished dish, there’s
no shame in using another ingredient to adjust it. For example,
you can use beet juice to make red dishes even redder.
DINNER GUESTS aren’t guinea pigs: you should never serve
them anything you haven’t tasted and tested yourself several
times. This is especially true when hosting a dinner party; never
cook anything you haven’t made at least once before.