The Best Mashed Potato Recipes: 5 Top-Rated (and different!) Versions You Need to Try

There’s one thing I will forever associate with my childhood, and that’s mashed potatoes. Yes, the founder of a cooking school is about to wax poetic about the humble potato, because it is, without question, the most important dish of my youth. It ’s Jenn here, the founder of The Chef & The Dish, and as the holidays roll in, I always get a little more sentimental. This time of year makes me crave all the simple joys—slow mornings in pajamas, unhurried cups of coffee, long talks with family,...

10 Essential Turkish Sauces & How to Use Them: A Beginner’s Guide to Cooking Authentic Turkish Cuisine

Learn how to cook Turkish cuisine with this complete guide to classic Turkish sauces. Explore authentic flavors, regional cooking styles, and 10 essential sauces every beginner should try.

How to Make the Perfect Fancy Hot Chocolate: Homemade Gift for the Holidays

There’s something magical about giving a homemade gift during the holidays. It’s personal, heartfelt, and wrapped in warmth — literally, if that gift happens to be a jar of rich, decadent homemade hot chocolate mix. Skip the store-bought tins and cocoa packets this year. Instead, create a fancy hot chocolate gift set that looks beautiful, tastes luxurious, and feels extra thoughtful. It’s easier than you think — and your friends and family will absolutely love it. Why Homemade Gifts Are So...

Beyond Bologna: 23 Inspired Ways to Cook with Mortadella

Don’t call it bologna. That’s the first rule. As with all regional foods, there are the loud protectors — the ones who claim their food is the best and nothing quite compares. Mortadella is one of those foods that has its clan. But once you learn more about this cool kid in the deli, you’ll understand why. Mortadella is actually one of Italy’s most misunderstood delicacies. Based on appearance (and maybe perception), mortadella is often confused with its distant American cousin, bologna. In...

How to Make the Perfect Cheese Board: Expert Pairings, Fruit Matches & Entertaining Tips

The pop of a cork, the soft crack of a baguette — few sounds signal celebration quite like them. And at the center of every great gathering? A beautifully curated cheese board that brings people together to graze, sip, and savor. In today’s age of home entertaining, knowing how to create the perfect cheese board is a true modern life skill. Whether you’re hosting a cozy girls’ night, a sparkling holiday party, or an intimate wine-and-cheese evening, a thoughtfully arranged board instantly...

The Best Homemade Shrimp Cocktail: An Easy DIY Party Appetizer and Better Than the Grocery Store Ring

If you’ve ever grabbed one of those plastic shrimp rings from the grocery store and thought, “There’s got to be something a bit better ,” you’re absolutely right. Don’t get us wrong, the grocery store shrimp cocktail ring had its moment. Once upon a time, that plastic-wrapped platter of shrimp and cocktail sauce felt fancy. But now? It’s the culinary equivalent of store-brand champagne — convenient and okay, sure, but it just doesn’t sparkle. Making your own shrimp cocktail at home, on the...

Do Bay Leaves Really Add Flavor? What They Do, What They Taste Like, and If They Matter in Cooking

Is it just us, or has there been a lot of hating on bay leaves recently? If you’ve ever fished a dry, leathery leaf out of your soup or stew, you’ve met the bay leaf, an ingredient that rarely takes center stage. To all the skeptics out there, we performed a test - does the bay leaf make a difference in cooking? Does it actually have flavor? The answer is a resounding... well, read on to find out! First, what Is a Bay Leaf? A bay leaf is the aromatic leaf of the laurel tree ( Laurus nobilis...

The Ultimate Guide to Collard Greens: Flavor, Nutrition, and 20 Delicious Ways to Enjoy Them

Collard greens are one of those humble leafy vegetables that quietly deliver big flavor, deep nutrition, and incredible versatility. Whether you’ve grown up eating them simmered with smoked meat or are discovering them for the first time, collard greens deserve a regular place in your kitchen. Far more than a Southern side dish, collard greens stand on their own. Let ’s take a closer look at what they are, what they taste like, and how to make them shine in everyday cooking. What Are Collard...

The Ultimate Guide for Selecting and Caring for a Dutch Oven

The Dutch oven is one of the most versatile and loved pieces of cookware in any kitchen. Equipment is important to any cook, and all of the chefs at The Chef & The Dish agree no kitchen is complete without this piece of cookware. Whether you’re simmering stews, baking crusty bread, or slow-cooking a Sunday roast, this heavy-duty pot can do it all.

How to Navigate Financial Tariffs and Rising Grocery Costs (Without Losing Your Mind)

Does anyone else just put their head in the palms every morning when you read the news? You’re not alone. If you think grocery prices are...

Cooking with Asparagus: Health Benefits, Foraging and 20 Ways to Use Asparagus In Cooking

Asparagus is one of our very favorites at The Chef & The Dish. It's one of those vegetables that, when prepared correctly, can bring...

Mastering the Basics of Essential Culinary Skills - Cooking with Eggs

If you can't work with eggs, it's almost impossible to cook. Whether you're cooking an American breakfast, preparing a delicate soufflé...