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I developed a shengjian bao recipe for Cook’s Illustrated. SJB are all your favorite dumplings in one: the dough has some fluffiness, like a steam bun; but it’s crisp on the bottom like a potsticker; juicy like a soup dumpling but with a generous nugget of meat inside. There are illustrations to guide you on the shaping but the video is not yet available so here’s a wee tutorial to tide you over. More proficient dumpling chefs hold the dumpling in their hands to shape, but this technique is helpful if you’re just starting out. If you’re right-handed, reverse everything.

Leaning into cozy autumn vibes with a new shokupan variation: kabocha with cinnamon-hojicha swirl. Delicious, but took fah-evah to rise. Just for fun at this point; no recipe as yet. #shokupan #cinnamonswirlbread #kabocha #baking #autumnmood

Cook’s Illustrated and ATK subscribers: if you’ve been wishing for a video for the new English muffin recipe, it will be coming, but in the meantime I’ve prepared an informal shaping demo. —-> #cooksillustrated #testkitchen #baking #breadbaking #englishmuffin

Cook’s Illustrated and ATK subscribers: if you’ve been wishing for a video for the new English muffin recipe, it will be coming, but in the meantime I’ve prepared an informal shaping demo. —-> #cooksillustrated #testkitchen #baking #breadbaking #englishmuffin

Cook’s Illustrated and ATK subscribers: if you’ve been wishing for a video for the new English muffin recipe, it will be coming, but in the meantime I’ve prepared an informal shaping demo. —-> #cooksillustrated #testkitchen #baking #breadbaking #englishmuffin

Cook’s Illustrated and ATK subscribers: if you’ve been wishing for a video for the new English muffin recipe, it will be coming, but in the meantime I’ve prepared an informal shaping demo. —-> #cooksillustrated #testkitchen #baking #breadbaking #englishmuffin

Cook’s Illustrated and ATK subscribers: if you’ve been wishing for a video for the new English muffin recipe, it will be coming, but in the meantime I’ve prepared an informal shaping demo. —-> #cooksillustrated #testkitchen #baking #breadbaking #englishmuffin

Cook’s Illustrated and ATK subscribers: if you’ve been wishing for a video for the new English muffin recipe, it will be coming, but in the meantime I’ve prepared an informal shaping demo. —-> #cooksillustrated #testkitchen #baking #breadbaking #englishmuffin

I’m proud to formally announce that I’ve won a James Beard Media Award (@beardfoundation) for a Cook’s Illustrated story, “The Art and Science of Kimchi.” I’m deeply honored to have been recognized in this way but, as I said in my hastily composed acceptance speech, there are no solitary heroes at America’s Test Kitchen; I had so much expert help.

CI’s Executive Food Editor @keith.dresser has directed the Cook’s Illustrated test cooks since before I started with the magazine 16 years ago. If I am a strong recipe developer, it is due to his mentorship.

The kimchi story was edited by CI’s Executive Editor, @lizbomze. She sat in on interviews, helped me plan the story, and - with her characteristic care and skill - polished my work until it shone. I was sorry that she could not be with me to receive the award; it’s as much hers as mine.

Our art team, under the guidance of Art Director @jaylay_noreasterpizza, used their prodigious talents to help make the potentially intimidating mechanics of lacto-fermentation approachable. @catrinekelty styled the hero image of the kimchi and @elizabethfullerphotography shot it. I believe @kritsada_____ took the step photos (if not, I’m sure I owe him thanks and recognition for a million other things), and I believe the gloved hands in one of those photos belong to @ouichefsteve. @chef.eric.explains was in the background, ordering all the food for the shoot and ably prepping it when required. No doubt Associate Art Director @samuelkhuber was there, too, casting his kind, calm, capable vibes over the studio to ensure that all went well.

I am so fortunate to work with such talented and dedicated people, and America’s Test Kitchen is so lucky to have them. #JBFA #kimchi #cooksillustrated #testkitchen

Strawberry Rhubarb slab pie is underrated as aromatherapy. #strawberryrhubarb #slabpie #baking #summerbaking #piecrust

I made the kimchi grilled cheese from Umma, a new cookbook by @ahnestkitchen and her mom, Nam Soon. I usually just tuck chopped kimchi into my grilled cheese but the extra seasoning in this recipe- sugar, fish sauce, gochugaru, onion powder and garlic powder- elevates the sandwich to previously unrealized levels of deliciousness. #kimchi #kimchigrilledcheese #shinkimchi #testkitchen

I’ve recently taken up sewing in an effort to “get out of my head and into my hands.” This is my favorite project thus far: a postage stamp curtain for my pantry. It looks like stained glass when the light filters through, with the seams standing in for the came strips. And stained glass is fitting because my pantry is sort of my secular household shrine. Thank you to @kateatthelasthomelyhouse for the inspiration. #beginningsewing #beginningsewist #patchworkcurtains #postagestampcurtains

What’s better: eating pâte de fruit, or looking at them? #patedefruit #pineapple #calamansi #raspberry

When it comes to English muffins, are you a slicer or a fork-splitter? And how do you like to “toast” them? Traditional toaster? Toaster oven on bagel setting? Broiler? Buttered and griddled? (If you tell me that you don’t crisp them in some way before eating I’ll need to report you for violence against bread - your call.) #englishmuffin

Thank you to Karl, a friendly and encouraging #testkitchen fan who I met at this afternoon’s VIP event and who reminded me of this popover recipe. Quickly made, it was the perfect treat after a cold, damp cycle home. Lovely to meet you, Karl! And Phil! And Alannah? Thanks for visiting the office! #popovers #baking

I’m trying to teach myself to sew and this is the most satisfying skill I’ve learned thus far. I might never sew anything - just demolish stuff. #beginningsewing #momentofzen #rarenonfoodpost

The small windmill-shaped #speculaascookies get lots of love, but have you heard of #speculaasbrokken? It’s a huge, crunchy spice cookie, often studded with almonds. Place it on the table, gather ‘round with cups of coffee or tea, and set the world to rights as you break off hunks of spicy goodness and munch away. 📸 by a friend whoprobably wouldn’t thank me for tagging her, but thanks for the photo and your #speculaaskruiden expertise! #dutchfood #dutchbaking #cookies #convivial