Classic Mashed Potatoes

The traditional way to make creamy mashed potatoes is to add loads of butter and cream. But that can hide the flavor of the potatoes, so in this episode of MDRN KTCHN, host Scott Heimendinger explains how a common ingredient called diastatic malt powder can be used to make incredibly smooth and creamy mashed potatoes on the molecular level. You can check out the full recipe here, and buy diastatic malt powder here. Want to learn more? Come back every Sunday for a new episode of MDRN KTCHN, and check out Modernist Cuisine's new cookbook, Modernist Cuisine at Home!

This is a classic cheesecake: smooth, tangy, lightly sweetened cream cheese filling nestled in an easy press-in crust of graham cracker or vanilla wafer cookie crumbs, whichever you prefer. This genius method saves you the trouble of baking the cake in a water bath, too, but still yields a beautiful texture.

This comforting tomato soup is super easy and super delicious. Canned San Marzano tomatoes marry with soft, sautéed onions and garlic, a pinch of red pepper, and chicken broth to create a soothing, savory bowl. Finished with a bit of cream, this is begging for a grilled cheese sandwich on the side. But really, it tastes great with lots of things, as well as on its own (though a basil and Parmesan garnish doesn't hurt).

If you can get impeccable beef tenderloin, why not showcase it by serving it as the Parisian bistro classic, steak tartare? An assertive sauce of mashed anchovies (which are optional), capers, Dijon mustard, egg yolks, red onion, and parsley complements the rich mineral flavor of the meat.