Whether you've always wanted to learn how to peel fava beans, cut through an unwieldy butternut squash, braid challah bread, or carve a turkey, keep reading to learn 35 new skills in the kitchen that will help you cook your way to the best year ever in 2018 (and beyond!).
— Additional reporting by Anna Monette Roberts
The toughest part of cutting butternut squash is that initial cut down the middle. But with a sharp knife and a few tricks, this veggie is a breeze to prep.
If you've ever felt confounded about how to tackle pineapple, you aren't alone. Luckily, there's no need to resort to buying it already cubed.
The humble beet gets a major flavor upgrade when you roast it in the oven.
Once you've broken down a head of cauliflower into florets, precut cauliflower from the grocery store will become a thing of the past.
Brown butter makes pretty much everything taste better.
Skip the soggy salads and spills in your work bag by mastering the art of packing it in a mason jar.
It will take a few hours, but for snappy, bloom-free chocolate-covered sweets tempering chocolate is a must.
Caramelizing onions to a deep golden hue couldn't be simpler.
Armed with the knowledge of how to cook ground beef, you'll never have a stovetop meat mishap again.
There's nothing quite as delicious as fresh homemade pasta, and preparing a batch yourself is easier than you think.
Don't bother buying a pricey tub of clarified butter at the store; with a little patience it can be made at home, saving you money.
The most buttery, flaky pie crusts are homemade! If you don't have a food processor, simply use a pastry cutter to help chop the butter into the flour.
No food processor? No problem! Here's how to shred cabbage with naught but a knife and a cutting board.
It looks kind of complicated, and there are a lot of bad videos on the web, but braiding challah is completely within your reach as a home baker.
Keep ruby-red pomegranate juice off your favorite outfit with this neat trick.
Thorny artichokes might look intimidating, but they're a breeze to prep once you know the steps.
Few things are more frustrating than mangling your baking project because it stuck to the pan; here's how to make a cake pan virtually nonstick.
Put down the vegetable peeler; it'll mar a tomato's delicate flesh. Use these steps instead.
The crust is the best part (right?), so you might as well make it beautiful by crimping it.
Dirty, gritty leeks are just plain gross; don't forget to take these steps to clean them.
If rolling up sweet and sticky cinnamon rolls seems like a challenge, get step-by-step instructions for doing it at home.
These aren't your grandmother's overcooked brussels sprouts of yesteryear. Shredded and then added to a zingy salad or cooked quickly on the stove, this veggie makes for a real treat.
If you've never attempted to break down a turkey, have no fear! These step-by-step photos demystify the process.
Like its sibling, dark chocolate, white chocolate can be a tricky treat to temper. However, by using the right technique, you can create beautiful, smooth chocolate that will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Skip the store-bought jar of pepper; roasting them at home is an easy task to take on and offers major flavor rewards.
Transform sad, stale bread into this classic salad topper.
For an unexpected take on a green salad, make its base ribboned asparagus.
Baking a cake and forgot to pick up parchment rounds at the store? Try this easy DIY.
Unless you like leathery skins, peeling peaches is a necessary step for pies, crisps, and the like.
No idea how spaghetti squash transforms from imposing gourd to ribbony strands? We'll show you how.
If you've ever tried to eat a sandwich while driving, then you know it can be a messy business. This travel-ready sandwich is designed to be eaten with one hand, and its contents are guaranteed to stay tucked in the bread as you eat it.
Shelling fava beans isn't too complicated, but what people often overlook are the actual beans, which have a milky shell that needs to be removed, too.
Never heard of a cauliflower steak? This satisfying vegetarian dish can make a great appetizer.
Whether your filling of choice is artichokes, mushrooms, or just plain cheese, making your own raviolis will wow guests but is surprisingly simple to prepare.
Skip the coffee shop and make a matcha latte at home.