Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce

In this episode of Kitchen Essentials, we visit sushi master Nozomu Abe at his celebrated omakase restaurant, Sushi Noz in NYC. Noz has been perfecting his craft for over 20 years, and it shows in his obsessive attention to detail when it comes to his food and the exclusive dinner experiences he offers. At Sushi Noz you will find Edomae sushi, a style that focuses on the treatment of ingredients through preservation of the fish, and a particular preparation of the rice. These processes are all part of the performance Abe puts on for his diners at his counter every night. When it comes to his favorite tools, he shows us both his prep and counter knives; His binchōtan coals and gril,l which he brings out to show customers how he sears and smokes delicate morsels of tuna or eel. After that he talks to us about the most important element of sushi, and the tool that is essential for him to make it: the rice and his traditional hagama. Setting the stage for his performance, is a space carefully curated to look, smell and feel like a traditional omakase in Japan, complete with a traditional hinoki refrigerator that he specifically commissioned for the restaurant, and a beautiful collection of Japanese ceramics both old and new, that lend the final touches to this unique food experience.

In this episode of Kitchen Essentials, we visit the amazing Einat Admony, owner and head chef of Balaboosta, Kish-Kash and the Taïm chain in NYC. Einat is an expert on all things couscous - to the point that the entire menu at her former restaurant, Kish-Kash, to the Moroccan preparation of these delicious semolina pearls. She talks us through her favorite, and ultimately essential tools, that she uses in the kitchen to make delicious couscous-centric creations. Everything from her favorite brand of semolina, to a kish-kash (Moroccan sieve specifically used to make the beads), a double boiler, a spray bottle, and an ancient cooking tool that is making a comeback, called spurtle. Watch to learn how Einat makes couscous by hand, and why these are her essential tools.

In this episode of Kitchen Essentials, we visit Jered Standing, owner and head butcher at Standing's Butchery in Los Angeles. Jered talks us through his favorite tools as he demonstrates how he breaks down a pig to make sausages. Everything from a boning knife, to a bone saw, all the way to the sausage stuffer, with an unexpected incursion from a utility knife. Watch to learn more about why these are Jered's essential tools and how he uses them in his butchery.

In the Armenian neighborhood of Glendale, Los Angeles, Armen and his family have been serving up mini kabobs to hungry to loyal customers for more than thirty years! Every morning they start whipping together fresh ingredients - fresh potatoes, red ripe tomatoes, and grandma’s special hummus recipe. We took a trip to this local attraction to witness their juicy skewers on the flaming grill and hear more about their generational story.

In this episode Guillermo meets the queen of vegan cheese, Miyoko Schinner, and learns how to make a basic cashew cheese at home. They talk about the current state of the dairy industry, and how plant-based production can ultimately be its savior, and ours. Miyoko takes Guillermo on a tour of her animal sanctuary, and her vegan creamery, right in the middle of dairy country in Petaluma, CA.

Welcome to Open Kitchen, a series journeying inside the kitchens of renowned chefs and food personalities. In our inaugural episode, we visit legendary cookbook author Dorie Greenspan. Dorie welcomes us into her Connecticut home for a tour of her kitchen. During our visit, she shows us the process through which she creates bestselling cookbooks like "Everyday Dorie" and "Dorie's Cookies." Dorie also walks us through a selection of her favorite kitchen tools, including her adorable silicone spatulas and baking sheets. And after all that, she still has the time to make her delicious French vanilla sablé cookies.

For this episode of Take 5, we're celebrating Pride! Join host Joey Skladany as he takes us to NYC's historic Stonewall Inn and five nearby hot spots for the ultimate guide to West Village dining.

In this episode of Kitchen Essentials we visit wine expert and author Victoria James at Cote in NYC, where she is the Beverage Director and Sommelier. She showed us her essential Sommelier tools, which include her tastevin, her favorite decanters, and a selection of the perfect glassware to enjoy all types of wines. Watch to learn all about Victoria's essential tools, and why she uses them every day.