Adding fermented vegetables to the first course of a meal is common in Ukrainian cuisine, and one of the most popular pickled-vegetable dishes is sauerkraut soup. It might sound a little odd, but trust me it's breathtaking. This recipe is from my cookbook The Authentic Ukrainian Kitchen, and is so easy to make that you can prepare it every week throughout the cold season.
You probably know apple juice as a fixture of childhood lunches, or a seasonal siren that announces fall's arrival. You spot glimpses of it in cocktails and perhaps you sip on warm renditions at bonfires. Still, you might not really expect to find this familiar drink at barbecues, sitting in a spray bottle next to the flaming grill. Don't worry, it's not there by mistake. With all that it can do, apple juice absolutely belongs on your list of grilling essentials.
When the weather starts to cool down, nothing warms the soul quite like a steaming bowl of Easy Red Pork Pozole. This traditional Mexican-inspired soup is known for its rich, savory broth, tender pork, and hearty hominy. Best of all, this version is gluten-free, egg-free, nut-free, and soy-free-with an option to keep it dairy-free-making it a comforting dish you can share with everyone around the table.
This simple step, recommended by Marissa Stevens of Pinch and Swirl and shared in a recent interview with our sister site The Takeout, does more than just pre-cook the surface. It begins tightening the skin, draws out surface moisture, and primes the pork for the kind of high-heat blast that leads to the crunch you crave. What makes this trick especially useful for home cooks is that it mimics the results of restaurant techniques without needing special tools.