When guests are coming over last minute, the key is to prepare something delicious yet straightforward, using ingredients you likely already have on hand. 

At RecipeKick our chef’s get asked lots of Q’s and today we’re answering one of our favs: what are the must-have Asian pantry staples. While this list includes ingredients the most widely used in South Asian, Southeast Asian, West Asian, and East Asian cuisines, the best thing about these ingredients is that they are in no way limited to just cooking Asian cuisines.

Chili peppers—adds heat, depth, and complexity to dishes around the world. From the fiery Bhut Jolokia (ghost pepper) to the mild sweetness of a Bell pepper, the chili pepper family offers a variety of flavors, heat levels, and uses in the kitchen. 

The story of pâte à choux (pat-a-shoe) begins in France during the Renaissance, in the kitchen of Catherine de’ Medici—created to please French nobility. The term translates to “cabbage pastry,” a nod to its ability to puff up into shapes resembling small cabbages when baked. 

Whether you’re making soups, stews, or risotto, you always seem to be needing stock. Alternatives to homemade stock absolutely exist and can come in clutch when in a pinch… but nothing beats homemade. 

At RecipeKick we believe that everyone can cook and you don’t need fancy equipment to get started…but some tips on what to do with what you have and what to maybe splurge on in the future are always helpful!

• Chef’s Knife: all-purpose knife that is great for chopping, slicing, and mincing.

• Paring Knife: small knife ideal for peeling, trimming, and other precise tasks.

• Bread Knife: serrated knife that is perfect for slicing bread (or tomatoes) without crushing it.

Sourdough bread—tangy flavor, chewy texture, and crispy crust, has captivated the hearts of bread lovers worldwide.

Dreams of baking are usually filled with the smell of fresh dough turning golden in the oven, or the warm bread being slathered with butter… but often beginners can only dream. Not anymore, the bakers at RecipeKick have whipped up a quick tip guide and a handful of videos to help make you understand, demystify, and navigate the elusive world of baking! 

What makes a chocolate chip cookie perfect? Is it the golden edges or the gooey center? Maybe it’s the chocolate or the sprinkle of sea salt on top. Well, the beauty is, that perfection is in the taste buds of the eater.

There’s something deeply comforting about biscuits, right? Maybe it’s the smell of butter in the air, or the way it melts on your tongue… yum, yum, yum!

Do you rely on store-bought salad dressings to jazz up your salads?

Welcome to RecipeKick’s sumac celebration, where culinary magic meets flavorful delight!

What do you know about salts in the kitchen? Are you a classic Morton table salt person, or do you love to try out smoked salt, red salt, or maybe Celtic salt?

Alright, circle enthusiasts, let’s jump headfirst into the deliciously nerdy world of Pi Day, celebrated every March 14th (3.14, get it?).

Apéro dinatoire, a concept that beautifully marries the elegance of dining with the casualness of a cocktail hour.

Seasonal eating

Spice blends are available in every store, everywhere, making it very easy to just grab and go… but did you know that making your own spice blends might be easier?

You’ve got the good Dutch oven, knives, and sauce pot now what? You want to up your kitchen game, here’s our list.

When a dish seems lacking, it’s often missing a critical element that could take it from mundane to extraordinary. Let’s talk about how to identify and correct these missing components.