Chef Jeffrey Igel is the chair of the Culinary Arts & Hospitality Department at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton. Here, “Chef Jeff” answers your cooking & cuisine queries and shares his recipes.
Q. “Are you supposed to use sauce before or after you grill chicken breasts? Or do you baste during the process?” —Brendan, Neenah A. Basting can be approached two different ways: to help retain moisture and to enhance the finished product. When basting to help retain moisture, basting can be done at any time after READ MORE
“My family loves Friday Fish Frys at home. We’re looking for a new recipe for breading and seasoning. What’s your favorite? —Charlie, Hortonville A. Friday Fish Frys, whether in our favorite restaurants and taverns or at home, are a Wisconsin staple. The debate usually involves the preference of breaded or battered fish. Both can be READ MORE
Q. I’ve tried to make hollandaise sauce and it was a disaster! What are your tips for making it silky smooth? —Elowen, Greenville A. Hollandaise is one of the five “mother sauces” by which all other sauces are derived. It is an “emulsified” sauce, which means there are two ingredients that are permanently combined that READ MORE
Q. When can you “skimp” on meat and use inexpensive cuts? For what recipes? —Lizzie, Omro A. Meat cuts can be broken down into two basic categories: tender cuts and less tender cuts. These categories are determined by where the cuts come from on the carcass of the animal. Muscles that move more are generally tougher READ MORE
Q. “Poaching an egg is still a mystery to me. Please help with easy steps.” —Andy, Appleton A. To properly poach an egg, start by preparing your poaching liquid. In a medium kettle, fill it about two inches deep with water and add a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to it. The acid will READ MORE
Q. Is buying pre-shredded cheese culinary sacrilege? If so, is there any way to make grating cheese less of an arduous task? —Lance, Kaukauna A. In today’s world of convenience, I’m not sure I would include utilizing pre-shredded cheese in the same conversation as other topics I would consider to be “culinary sacrilege.” That said, READ MORE
Q. “I see so many different kinds of oils on the market like grapeseed, walnut and sesame oils. Do you like one kind of oil over the others, and when is the best time to use each?” —Joey, Grand Chute A. Oils can basically be categorized into two types: oils that are used for cooking READ MORE
Q. “Hummus aside, what can I do with chickpeas? My kids love them, but I want to change up the way I serve them.” —John, Kimberly A. Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine and offer a host of health benefits. They are a member of the legume family READ MORE
Q. What is something you would seldom cook at home and why not? —Mitchell, Little Chute A. There are a number of foods that I very seldom cook at home. At the top of this list is fried foods. I have several reasons for this, including the fact that I do not own a deep READ MORE
Q. I’m trading in my gas grill for charcoal because I love the taste. Any tips for making the most of flame grilling to set myself up for success? —River, Fox Crossing A. I haven’t used my gas grill at home for at least two years for the same reason! Charcoal not only imparts a READ MORE
