Short essays and notes on food, history, and the kitchen.
Where ideas live before they cool into a book.
- Recipe NoteAugust 28, 2025 · Recipes · 5 min
Poached Egg
Vinegar, gentle water movement, 63–65°C, three minutes. A poached egg is a lesson in controlled protein coagulation in an aqueous medium.
- Recipe NoteAugust 27, 2025 · Recipes · 4 min
Mango Sticky Rice
This dessert balances sweet, creamy, and slightly salty elements to create a harmonious flavor profile.
- Recipe NoteAugust 26, 2025 · Recipes · 3 min
Soondubu Jjigae
Soondubu Jjigae is a spicy Korean stew that emphasizes the contrasting textures of silken tofu and hearty ingredients.
- Recipe NoteAugust 25, 2025 · Recipes · 5 min
Gratin Dauphinois
Cream, potato starch, garlic-rubbed dish, no cheese. The traditional version of the Dauphiné gratin is a study in how potato starch thickens cream into a set custard during a long, slow bake.
- Recipe NoteAugust 24, 2025 · Recipes · 4 min
Larb Moo
Larb Moo is a Thai minced pork salad, combining ground meat, herbs, lime juice, and fish sauce for a balance of flavors and textures.
- Recipe NoteAugust 23, 2025 · Recipes · 3 min
Yangnyeom Chicken
A balance of spicy and sweet flavors enhances the crispy texture of the fried chicken.
- Recipe NoteAugust 22, 2025 · Recipes · 5 min
Sauce Espagnole
The brown mother sauce: a long-reduced veal stock thickened with a dark roux and fortified with tomato paste. The foundation of demi-glace and every major brown sauce derivative.
- Recipe NoteAugust 21, 2025 · Recipes · 4 min
Tom Kha Gai
This dish balances the richness of coconut milk with the tang of lime and the heat of galangal.
- Recipe NoteAugust 20, 2025 · Recipes · 3 min
Dakgalbi
Dakgalbi is a Korean dish of marinated chicken and vegetables stir-fried in a spicy sauce, served communally.
- Recipe NoteAugust 19, 2025 · Recipes · 5 min
Roasted Carrots
Maillard reaction on the cut surface, caramelization on the exposed edges, glaze formation in the final minutes. A vegetable that rewards understanding all three stages.
- Recipe NoteAugust 18, 2025 · Recipes · 3 min
Massaman Curry
This dish combines rich flavors and textures through a balance of spices and slow-cooked ingredients.
- Recipe NoteAugust 17, 2025 · Recipes · 2 min
Kimbap
Kimbap combines seasoned rice and various fillings, rolled in seaweed to create a portable meal.
- Recipe NoteAugust 16, 2025 · Recipes · 6 min
Awase Dashi — Ratios and Variations
Kombu and katsuobushi together: the ratios that shift dashi from a miso soup base to a nimono liquid to a chawanmushi custard, and when to use ichiban vs niban dashi.
- Recipe NoteAugust 15, 2025 · Recipes · 4 min
Pad Krapao
This dish balances the intense flavors of Thai basil with savory proteins in a quick stir-fry.
- Recipe NoteAugust 14, 2025 · Recipes · 3 min
Tteokbokki
This dish combines chewy rice cakes with a spicy-sweet sauce for a satisfying texture and flavor contrast.
- Recipe NoteAugust 13, 2025 · Recipes · 6 min
Onigiri
Salted hands, seasoned rice, correct pressure. Japan's most portable food is a study in how salt ratio, moisture, and shaping technique together determine whether rice holds or falls apart.
- Recipe NoteAugust 12, 2025 · Recipes · 4 min
Khao Soi
A rich and creamy curry noodle soup that balances texture and flavor.
- Recipe NoteAugust 11, 2025 · Recipes · 3 min
Japchae
Japchae combines stir-fried glass noodles with vegetables and protein, showcasing the balance of flavors and textures.
- Recipe NoteAugust 10, 2025 · Recipes · 6 min
Soft Scrambled Eggs
Low heat, constant movement, remove from heat before they look done. The recipe is about understanding protein coagulation — and when to stop it.
- Recipe NoteAugust 9, 2025 · Recipes · 4 min
Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)
This salad combines fresh ingredients with a balance of flavors for a refreshing dish.