The Classy Geek

Category: Food and Drink

  • Classy Quickie :: Why You Need A Pants Hanger in the Kitchen

    A simple pants hanger can actually be a fantastic kitchen tool, one I never really thought would be useful until the fine folks at Chow.com brought it up. You probably won’t want to just leave this hanging around your kitchen, but if you have a nice pants hanger, it can look just as sharp while […]

  • How to Talk to a Sommelier

    If you’ve never been out to a fancy dinner, one with wine service or table service and the whole white glove treatment, you’re not really missing much aside from the food and wine that’s usually served. I know it’s an ironic statement – “you’re not missing anything…aside from the food,” but it’s true. A lot […]

  • 4 (or 5) New and Different Gins to Try Before the Summer is Over

    I love a good gin – I’ll make no bones about it, and I won’t hide the fact by any means. A good, solid gin and tonic at the end of a long day is perfect for helping your troubles melt away, and a good gin straight is a perfect nightcap: you hardly need anything […]

  • Make Your Own Bacon-Infused Old Fashioned

    I know you love bacon, and I know you love alcohol. This delicious tip will let you put the two together into something that’s absolutely amazing. Seriously, we’re talking about bacon-infused bourbon, which immediately leads to something glorious. The first of which? Bacon-infused bourbon. Not only will it add a touch of salty/savory to your […]

  • How to Make Your Own Homemade Condiments

    In my wanderings around the web for Lifehacker I often stumble on pieces that aren’t quite a great fit there but that I think are still worth reading. Pieces like this slideshow at Saveur about making your own homemade condiments. Everything from Ketchup and mayonnaise to the fancier stuff like making your own Sofrito or […]

  • 5 Simple Knife Safety Tips for the Kitchen

    And we’re back! I won’t say I’m settled in to the new digs yet, there’s a lot of unpacking left to do, but I will say this: I’m much happier where I am. Now then, that’s not what you’re here for though – so let’s get on with it! One of the things you do […]

  • How Not to Screw Up Roast Chicken

    Now I love roast chicken. A lot. It’s easy, it’s flavorful, it’s so simple to make and so delicious when it comes out right…but here’s the catch; it’s also really easy to screw up. A lot of people simply don’t bother with roast chicken and go to their local grocery store or rotisserie to pick […]

  • Cinco de Mayo: How to Make Anything Taste Mexican

    Cinco de Mayo is tomorrow, and if you’re planning to celebrate, why not take it step beyond guzzling a bottle of cheap, nasty tequila, passing out in your foyer, and dragging yourself to work on Friday with a horrible hangover? Do something classy and geeky, and whip up a delicious meal with some Mexican flare. […]

  • How to Perfect Your French Press Technique

    I’ve mentioned before in several of my old Stalking the WIld Bean columns (which I really ought to get back to doing!) that I’m a huge fan of the French Press as a method to prepare coffee. There are lots of ways to use a French Press, but not all of them produce great coffee, […]

  • Want Healthy, Sustainable, Delicious Seafood? Try Mussels!

    I’m very quickly learning that mussels are a delicious treat that more people don’t know about or haven’t tried, so I’m out this week to change that. Not only are they easy and quick to cook, they’re utterly delicious when simmered in a white wine and garlic butter broth (like shown here) or in a […]