Chef Blog Recipes Page 2 - IMARKU
Continue shopping
Your Order

You have no items in your cart

Here's how you can make easy drop dumplings for soups, stews, and more.

Easy Drop Dumplings for Soups and Stews Recipe

Most people might never have learned how wonderful homemade dumplings can be. And these days, with so many people on a budget, going back to the kitchen to make home-cooked meals isn't so uncommon now. Here's how you can make easy drop dumplings for soups, stews, and more.
Read more
Top 13 Best Thai Food Dishes - IMARKU

Top 13 Best Thai Food Dishes

Thai food is no secret to anyone that has ever tried it. It's delicious, spicy, and full of flavor. But don't let the word "Thai" fool you. So many Thai dishes can be made into unique dishes that make this cuisine spicy, sweet, or savory! If you're looking for some great Thai food dishes to try or are already in the mood to cook something new, this post has covered the 13 best Thai dishes to try.
Read more
All You Need To Know About Grenadine - IMARKU

All You Need To Know About Grenadine

Have you ever heard of grenadine? Many people have not because it does not have the best reputation with bartenders due to a misunderstanding of what exactly grenadine is. However, it can be a great addition to any bar stash. It can add beautiful color, sweetness, and flavor to tons of different cocktails. It can be difficult to find but don't worry; you can make it yourself. This article will cover everything you need to know to start making and using grenadine.

Read more
Classic Southern Fried Chicken - IMARKU

Classic Southern Fried Chicken

The Classic Southern Fried Chicken recipe is the easiest to follow. You can prepare the delicious, juicy, and crispy fried chicken within one and half an hour. The preparation time will be only 15 minutes. So, you don't need to plan before when you want to serve homemade classic southern fried chicken to your family.
Read more
Delicious Oven Baked Ribs - IMARKU

Delicious Oven Baked Ribs

This recipe for oven-cooked pork barbecue ribs is certain to please the whole family and is sure to become an instant classic. Nothing is more satisfying than sitting back and waiting for the oven to cook for you while indulging in the fragrant scent of barbecue ribs permeating the house.

 

Read more
Cooking The Perfect Potatoes On The Grill - IMARKU

Cooking The Perfect Potatoes On The Grill

Potatoes could be grilled as you prepare other foods, and you don't even need to watch them too constantly because of the low maintenance deal that they are. Here is everthing you need to know about making the perfect potatoes on the grill, and what all you need to get that done in the most delectable ways!
Read more
Everything You Need to Know About Dragon Fruit - IMARKU

Everything You Need to Know About Dragon Fruit

A beautiful tropical delicacy with moderately sweet flesh and a vitamin powerhouse, dragon fruit is also known as a pitaya or a strawberry pear. Seeing this fruit chopped up in a smoothie bowl or on offer at the supermarket will undoubtedly attract your attention. If you've never had one, it could seem frightening due to its appearance, but don't let this stop you from trying it. This fruit is exquisite inside and out, so it is a tasty addition to dishes or is wonderful if eaten straight up.
Learn about the various species of dragon fruit, its health advantages, how to slice and eat it, and the best ways to store it.
Read more
15 Healthy Breakfast Ideas to Start Your Day - IMARKU

15 Healthy Breakfast Ideas to Start Your Day

While you may get attracted to pre-packaged food such as bagels, frozen waffles, or sugary cereals, they won’t keep your energy levels high until lunch. When you start your morning with a healthy meal, it keeps your cravings at bay for less-healthy foods.
Read more
Best Lasagna Recipe You'll Ever Have - IMARKU

Best Lasagna Recipe You'll Ever Have

Lasagna is a popular Italian pasta dish loaded with flavor and texture. However, many don't know that this fantastic pasta meal is actually of Ancient Greek origin. It has a unique structure and taste, which sets it apart from other pasta dishes. This delectable and filling meal looks intricate and complicated, but it's effortless to make. It just takes a lot of time to prepare each vital part. It's also easy to store and save for the next mealtime, as the pasta won't dry out, unlike other pasta dishes. The layers of sauce and pasta keep it fresh and delicious for more meal times to come.

The History of Lasagna

As mentioned earlier, we bet you're surprised that this delicious dish originated in Ancient Greece but was modified and made better in Italy. The name lasagna is a variation of the Greek word "Laganon," which could be considered one of pasta's earliest variations. Laganon is quite similar to the lasagna we know today, although there are some key differences. It is primarily strips of flat dough and sauce without cheese, meat, or vegetables. It was similar to moussaka, which layered zucchini and eggplants instead of dough.

Around the middle ages, it found its way to Italy. In Naples, it was turned into a scrumptious dish filled with sauce, meat, pasta, and cheese. It is a complete meal packed with nutrition and flavor eaten in one sitting. There, they slowly modified it closer to what we know it is today.

Through the years, many versions of lasagna have been invented. All-meat, all-cheese, all-veggie, even a pizza lasagna hybrid! You name it, it exists! You can usually buy frozen ones in the supermarket and pop them in your microwave. However, to be honest, those frozen ones aren't too great.

Its effects on modern life and pop culture have made this delicious pasta dish more famous. Even Garfield, who hates Mondays, loves lasagna. Lasagna is indeed one of the most famous comfort food in terms of taste and portions.

Lasagna or Lasagne?

These two variations of the same word probably puzzle you. Which one is correct? Don't let them confuse you. The answer is quite simple, both are right. The word "lasagna" is the American variation of "lasagne," the British spelling. However, in Italian, lasagna is the singular form, and lasagne is the plural. In all honesty, it doesn't matter what we call it. We can call it pasta cake, and it would still be one of the most amazing dishes ever.

How to Make Lasagna and What You Need to Make it

I know you're craving lasagna, and you're tempted to order one from the closest Italian restaurant right now. Maybe you even want to settle for the gross frozen ones. But before running off and getting one, why not consider learning how to make one from scratch yourself?

The great thing about knowing how to make your lasagna is you can make it specific to your taste. You can always make it with fresh ingredients. You can also have as much as you want for a fraction of the cost!

Here, we've listed the ingredients and special tools you'll need to cook this classic Italian dish. It's important to remember that making lasagna could be time-consuming, so plan it out carefully and set aside time to make it. Get all the ingredients and tools that you need ahead of time. Making it may take a lot of time and is basically a labor of love for this dish, but it is easy. Great things come with great effort, and so should your lasagna.

The Pasta Sheets

Before we list the ingredients you'll need to make this fantastic pasta dish, you must first decide if you want to make fresh pasta or buy one from the shop. Lasagna sheets are rarely used on any other pasta dish except this one. Choosing the wrong one can make or break your creation. The pasta is the most distinct part of this dish, and choosing the best lasagna sheet can do wonders for your recipe. Another great advantage is that once you know how to make lasagna sheets, you already know how to make any pasta.

If you want to put more heart and effort into your lasagna, make your own pasta. Here are the ingredients, things you'll need, and steps you need to follow:

All-purpose flour (2 cups)

Eggs (4 big eggs to be used whole, and 1 for the yolk)

Salt (just enough for taste)

Pasta Roller or Rolling Pin

On a flat, clean surface, form a "volcano" with the flour and add the eggs in the middle and a dash of salt. Using a fork, slowly and carefully mix the flour and the eggs until it becomes rough dough. Once a dough is formed, use your hands to knead the dough and use flour to keep it from sticking to your work surface and hands.

When the dough is firm, set it aside to rest for 30 minutes at room temperature. After letting the dough rest, you can flatten it into sheets using your pasta roller or rolling pin. The ideal thickness of a good lasagna sheet is around 1/16 of an inch. Use flour to keep your pasta sheets from sticking to your work surface or rolling pin. Cut the pasta sheets to your desired size. Once you're done, let it rest before assembling your lasagna.

Additionally, you can add herbs and spices to your pasta dough before forming it into sheets to give it more flavor. This part is optional.

The White Sauce

White sauce, also known as bechamel, is the unique component that sets lasagna apart from other pasta dishes. It makes it creamy even if it has the meat sauce. This thick sauce put in every layer of lasagna gives it the unique flavor only it possesses.

To make this, here's what you'll need:

Butter (unsalted, 5 tbsp)

Flour (5 tbsp)

Milk (4 cups)

Nutmeg (1/2 tbsp)

Parmesan Cheese (1 cup)

Salt and Pepper

In a saucepan, melt the butter until it bubbles. Add the flour and mix it until it turns into a paste-like substance. After letting it sit and cook for a minute, add the milk gradually and stir thoroughly to avoid forming lumps. The sauce has to be as smooth as possible. Incorporate the parmesan cheese, nutmeg, and salt and pepper. As an option, you can add herbs to add more flavor to your white sauce and make it tastier. Make sure to mix it all in thoroughly. Let the smooth, thick sauce cool down before assembling your lasagna.

There is a variation of lasagna different from this one that uses only the white sauce and none of the meat sauce. So if you're doing that recipe, you can still add other herbs for more flavor.

The Meat Sauce

How could we forget the meat sauce? Lasagna is not lasagna without the signature ragu sauce. It's the sauce that brings the whole dish together like a perfectly tied bow on top of a beautiful pasta present. This red sauce is made the traditional way you would make bolognese sauce. This recipe involves beef, but you can use any meat to replace it if you prefer something else. It's simple and easy.

The things you'll need are as follows:

olive oil (1 tbsp)

white onion (1 large, chopped)

carrot (1 large, chopped)

celery (1 large, chopped)

tomatoes (2 1/2 cups, crushed)

tomato paste (3 tbsp)

red wine (1 cup)

ground beef (1 lb)

beef stock (6 cups)

bay leaves

salt and pepper

First, choose a saucepan deep enough to make the sauce and provide enough space to stir it properly. In that saucepan, heat the olive oil and saute the onion, carrots, and celery until they're soft. Add in the beef and start stirring to keep the bottom from burning. Let it cook until it turns brown. Throw in the red wine and let it cook. After this, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, four cups of beef stock, and bay leaves. Add a dash of salt and paper for seasoning.

Continuously stir the sauce to avoid burning, and then let it simmer for about two to three hours on low heat. Don't forget to check on the sauce occasionally to avoid drying or burning. After this, you can pour the rest of the beef stock to ensure it doesn't dry out. Let the sauce cool down and prepare to assemble the whole dish.

Putting it together

Now for the moment of truth. You've successfully made all of the elements of the perfect lasagna; it's time to put it all together. People have different methods of putting together their best version of this dish, but here's one fool-proof suggestion from us:

Prepare a broad and deep baking dish to create the number of layers you want. Use the meat sauce as the base of your lasagna. On top of it, the white sauce and then the pasta sheets. Adding the sauce at the bottom of your baking dish helps glue everything together and helps it bake nicely together.

Do this on repeat until you've reached your desired layer. Add mozzarella cheese on top of your lasagna as a special treat. Bake it for 45 minutes in a preheated oven with a temperature of 350F. After it's fully baked, take it out of the oven.

It's very tempting to dig in once it comes out of the oven. However, protect yourself from getting burned; let it cool down for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Alterations to the Recipe and Other Variations

The recipe mentioned above is just one way of creating a perfect lasagne dish. However, you can be creative and add your spin to this classic meal.

You can make substitutions or add other vital ingredients to customize and personalize your version of lasagna.

Here are some suggestions:

Meat

The original recipe uses beef. However, you can add pork or lamb. Other versions of lasagna use chicken without the red meat sauce and mainly white sauce with lots more herbs. Vegetarians and vegans sometimes omit the meat altogether and settle for veggie lasagna. You can use vegetarian-friendly stocks or broths to add more flavor.

Cheese

The original recipe only called for parmesan for the white sauce, but you can go crazy and put in any cheese you want. Make it as cheesy and as creamy as you can. There is no one stopping you from creating the lasagna of your dreams. For the topping, you can do the same, don't just stop at mozzarella. Add cheddar, brie, blue cheese, or anything imaginable! It's your lasagna, do what you want with it. However, if you're lactose-intolerant, this might not be for you.

Vegetables

Add more nutrition and color to your lasagna. You can toss in broccoli, eggplants, zucchini, and more. It may be closer to the Greek moussaka, but it will still be amazing. This will give your lasagna more texture and make it more filling but guilt-free. It will also help extend your meat sauce, and you'll be able to make more.

Herbs

If bay leaves aren't enough for your taste, consider adding more herbs for more flavor. You can incorporate parsley, oregano, rosemary, and thyme to make it more aromatic and tasty.

Layering

Of course, you can layer your lasagna to how you prefer. There is no strict rule on how to layer the parts of your lasagna. You can have the sheet as the base and put it in as many layers as you want, as long as your lasagna still bakes evenly in the oven.

Sides

Lasagna with fantastic on its own; there's no doubt about that. But having side dishes to complement it adds more to the dining experience. You can have garlic bread, salad, and soup.

Now that you know so many ways to make lasagna start experimenting and create the perfect one for you. Don't just settle for mediocre ones that you can order from restaurants. Cook the best lasagna your imagination can conjure up.

Shop Santoku Knife 7" with Brown handle| Best Seller| imarku

Read more
Best Meatloaf Recipe - IMARKU

Best Meatloaf Recipe

Have you ever wondered how your favorite local diner makes their meatloaf dishes taste extraordinarily heavenly, and so appetizing that you just want to order a second round? Scratch that, we highly doubt that the flavorful juices oozing out of these dishes don't just make us come back for a second round. Maybe even a third. Or another one after that. Meatloaf, just like mashed potatoes, salads, and a variety of pasta is one of the ultimate favorite comfort foods. It's a dish we can have one day and still look for in the next. As Brittany Natale (2021) tells every food enthusiast in her blog, "This dish is easy to prepare and is packed with flavor. Meatloaf has that special something that reminds us of simpler times."

Best Meatloaf Recipe

Enough of the reminiscing, and let's proceed to find out what qualifies as the "best meatloaf recipe", whether it's your grandma's, your favorite chef’s, or your own version of the dish. Because as it goes, everyone seems to love a good and mouthwatering meatloaf.

Overview

Regardless of where you stand on any of these things, anyone can make meatloaf, and you'd definitely be surprised by how amazing your version could be."if a James Beard award finalist can make a seemingly pedestrian dish into something so glorious, you can do it too." Meredith Sims said. If you ask us, we definitely agree with that. If professional and globally-acclaimed chefs can take a classic dish up a notch, I'm certain you add your own creative spins to it too. So let's proceed to the things you need to prepare to start making the magic happen.

Ingredients

There are hundreds of existing meatloaf recipes out there on how to cook meatloaf, and many varying ways on how you'd like them to be served. Whether served fresh with some rich and smoky gravy, with garlic bread or mashed potatoes on the side or reheated the next day for a sandwich, you will need to prepare the following ingredients to cook an amazing, grease-free meatloaf.

For the meatloaf:

  • 2 lbs ground sirloin

  • 2 large eggs

  • 2 tbsp of olive oil

  • 1 large onion (finely chopped)

  • 3 cloves of garlic (finely minced)

  • 1 cup of beef broth

  • cup of chopped flat-leaf parsley

  • 1 tbsp sage (fresh and chopped)

  • 1 tbsp thyme (fresh and chopped)

  • 1 tbsp rosemary (fresh and chopped)

  • 1 cup of breadcrumbs

  • cup of cheese (finely grated, preferably parmesan)

  • 1 tsp of salt (preferably kosher salt)

  • 1/3 cup of milk (whole is best)

Topping your meatloaf with a nice and rich sauce has also been suggested by many. You can use Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, ketchup, tomato paste, or the well-loved BBQ sauce on top of your dish. But don't limit yourself to these options. Read more to find the ingredients that Meredith used in her version of a meatloaf sauce that definitely catered to her liking.

For the meatloaf sauce:

  • 1 cup of ketchup
  • 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp of blackstrap molasses
  • 2 tbsp of dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper
  • tsp of garlic powder
  • tsp of onion powder

 

Notes and Tips

Most recipes are fairly upfront when it comes to diving into the kitchen. But for mouthwateringly bold meatloaf, Kelley and Mincey (2016) share Nicole McLaughlin's best tips on making that flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth meatloaf that can rival any other version out there.

  • The choice of meat matters

"I like using a ground sirloin so you don't get so much shrinkage as it cooks," says McLaughlin. She further adds that if you use fatty meat, it's very likely for your meatloaf to be extra smaller after cooking.

  • Texture tips

When cooking your meatloaf, it should definitely be moist, but you need to balance it well so it doesn't end up being neither soggy nor greasy. No one wants to eat meatloaf where oil sits in your mouth longer than the juices of the meat.

McLaughlin further explains how milk plays a crucial role in maintaining the meat's delicious texture. "Clever cooks add milk to seasoned breadcrumbs, allowing all liquid to be absorbed and distributing moisture evenly throughout the loaf," she adds. But, if anything, use whole milk!

  • Spiced generously

If you want to add a touch of complexity and extravagance to your meatloaf, Be generous with the amount of spices you use in your recipe. But of course, don't just add anything you find interesting in your pantry. Add flavorful spices that blend well with each other and be generous in amount!

In Nicole's version, she recommends adding garlic, parsley, and thyme along with the salt and pepper duo for a deeply savory taste.

  • Proper kitchenware is key

When you cook with the right tools and equipment, you save yourself a lot of time. Don't just equip your kitchen with basic tools to save yourself extra bucks. Regardless if you cook professionally or just to provide food to eat on a daily basis, It's always more practical to invest in excellent-quality kitchenware than waste your time improvising on cheap ones. It saves you time and frustration. Trust me.

And also, the right cooking utensils cook your meals on time and produce delicious taste!

  • The Finale

And of course, there is nothing more important than topping off your cooked meatloaf with a sauce of your choosing. Nicole's secret to a perfectly tangy ketchup topping is balsamic vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. She also shares how "cutting the ketchup taste just a little bit makes me love this topping."

But again, do not limit yourself to choosing a sauce that is used by many in their recipes. Feel free to explore and experiment on your own to find a flavor your taste buds will remember for a lifetime.

How Different Chefs Make Meatloaf

Don't you also wonder sometimes how different chefs add their own creative touch on their meatloaf recipe? Let's take a quick look at how Martha Stewart and Rachel Ray typically make theirs.

Martha uses the same ingredients as mentioned above. She only adds a few more vegetables, such as celery and carrot, and prefers using 3 whole white bread instead of packed bread crumbs, which we think is a great idea as well if you ask us. She also uses Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard in making her sauce. Martha bakes her meatloaf for about 1 hour and 20 minutes at 160 degrees before serving.

The same goes for Rachel. She makes use of the same ingredients above and also uses whole white bread instead of packed bread crumbs. The only difference is the sauce. Unlike Martha, Rachel prefers glazing her meatloaf with ketchup. It takes her about 20 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to bake the meatloaf. A total of 1-hour preparation before serving.

Best Meatloaf Variations

There are so many creative and interesting ways for one to take this classic dish and take it up a notch! You can experiment on your own or even explore the recipes of different chefs to learn what caters to you best. Try any of these!

  • Buffalo Chicken Meatloaf Recipe
  • Mozzarella Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
  • Philly Cheese Steak Meatloaf Recipe
  • Turkey Meatloaf Recipe
  • Honey Barbecue Sauce Meatloaf Recipe

Best Sides to Serve With Meatloaf

Aside from the classic, all-time favorite garlic bread and mashed potatoes meatloaf sidekick, try serving your meatloaf with these other sides that make your dish more delicious!

  • Roasted root vegetables
  • Caramelized Brussel sprouts
  • Roasted Cauliflower and Quinoa
  • Mushroom and Parmesan Risotto

How to Store Meatloaf

According to Meredith's version, you can store your leftover meatloaf in an airtight container or wrapped in a plastic wrap in the fridge for a day or two. For anything longer than two days, it is highly suggested to put the meatloaf in the freezer instead until it is ready to use. Raw meatloaf should last up to six months stored in the freezer.

History of Meatloaf

As it turns out, meatloaf has been around for over centuries now. Yes, centuries. Since the 5th century to be more precise on the number. It has been mentioned in the Roman cookery collection Apicius as early as the 5th century. It is a traditional German and Scandinavian dish which is almost considered a cousin to the Dutch meatball.

"The history of meatloaf dates back to medieval Europe, where it is believed the idea for meatloaf came about as a way to use up leftover food scraps and to keep excess meat and vegetables from going to waste," Meredith says.

Conclusion

If you go to your favorite restaurants, there is a very big chance that they have at least one dish on their menu that reads: meatloaf. It's a lot easier now because you can just simply order for yourself right away. But don't you think it's a lot more fun to explore a variety of recipes and opinions and ways to cook this classic dish? If you ask us, we would make this for ourselves, so we can add our own creative spin to the recipe. We bet that's more fun!

And if you have not tried this mouthwatering dish yet, let us tell you, you are definitely missing out on a game-changer.

Read more
BBQ Party Planning Checklist - IMARKU

BBQ Party Planning Checklist

Summer is here, and the weather has started to get better, so spend more time outdoors. How about planning a BBQ party? The summer season is the best time for some BBQ parties with your friends and family. While many people think hosting a barbecue party at home can be stressful and overwhelming, it is not. It can be fun and one of the best ways to spend quality time with your friends and family. Though planning a barbecue party can be stressful at the time, with the help of the party planning checklist, you can seamlessly organize a perfect barbecue party.
Read more
Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe - IMARKU

Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Loaded with soothing flavors and packed with health at the same time, chicken soup in itself is a complete delight. While adding some noodles to that chicken soup makes it much more fulfilling. The typical chicken noodle soup has a rich transparent chicken broth with bits of chicken or veggies, having noodles turn the bowl into a single-meal diet to get you through the day.
Read more
58 results