549: From Dinner SOS: What Should I Cook This Winter?
Feb 27, 2025
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Jesse Shevchek and Shilpa Skokovic, hosts of the BA Bake Club podcast, bring their culinary expertise to the table. They discuss winter cooking optimism, tackling listener queries on homemade broth and frozen vegetables. Listeners discover innovative recipes using frozen veggies, tips for maximizing flavor, and essential techniques for herb storage. The duo also shares practical advice for turning pantry staples into comforting meals, along with insights on using cooking oils and the wonders of the Instant Pot.
Winter cooking offers a chance for creativity and enjoyment, encouraging the use of comforting braised dishes and root vegetables.
The podcast emphasizes practical tips for transforming pantry staples into delicious meals, promoting efficiency without sacrificing flavor.
Deep dives
Cozy Cooking Inspirations for Winter
Winter cooking is viewed as an opportunity for creativity and enjoyment rather than a burden. The hosts discuss the joys of preparing comforting meals that embrace the slower cooking styles typical of the season. They highlight ingredients like braised dishes and root vegetables, which thrive in cooler months, and emphasize staying cozy while experimenting with flavors. The conversation also touches on the uplifting experience of enjoying hearty meals shared with others, suggesting that winter is not just to endure but to celebrate through food.
Innovative Recipe Development in Bake Club
The Bake Club has introduced exciting new recipes aimed at making home baking more accessible and enjoyable. One standout recipe is for wood-fired style pizza that delivers a restaurant-quality outcome without needing a pizza oven, making it easier for home cooks to achieve great results. The hosts express enthusiasm for the supportive community that engages with their baking challenges, showcasing the sense of camaraderie it fosters. This unique corner of the culinary world highlights how baking can be both a personal and communal activity.
Utilizing Pantry Staples in Modern Cooking
The podcast shares practical insights on transforming common pantry staples into delicious meals, showcasing the adaptability of modern cooking. Examples include using store-bought ingredients like pre-made chickpea pouches and pizza dough to create unique dishes, allowing cooks to simplify their meal prep without sacrificing taste. The hosts advocate for using available resources creatively, enabling busy home cooks to prepare satisfying meals quickly. This approach demonstrates that gourmet cooking can be achieved without elaborate preparation, appealing to a wide audience eager for efficiency.
Storing and Using Herbs Effectively
Proper storage techniques for fresh herbs are explored, emphasizing the importance of moisture regulation and timely usage. The hosts recommend methods such as rinsing cilantro and wrapping it in paper towels before placing it in a plastic bag, which can preserve its freshness for several days. They also discuss the benefits of using airtight containers to maximize shelf life, suggesting these practices for various herbs. This segment underscores how thoughtful herb storage can enhance cooking experiences by ensuring fresh flavors are always available.
The weather is cold and the produce selection in the grocery store is smaller, but that's no reason to despair! Chris, Jesse, and Shilpa have the recipe for winter cooking optimism—and the answers to listener questions about homemade broth, frozen veggies, and more. Listen to and follow Bon Appétit's Dinner SOShere.