Claudia&Julia's Blog

You'll agree with me that one of the things we've always seen in our parents' kitchen drawer is the corkscrew — that small kitchen utensil that seems immortal. Likewise, when you buy one you expect it to last the same time in your drawer, and to meet important criteria such as being easy to use, not requiring strength — and not needing any knack either! — and removing the cork in perfect condition. That's why it's important to know the options and choose well.

"If you think you can leave the water heating here and go see how you kill time, you haven't learned anything from England," a friend teased me. He was absolutely right (about the water... as for England, the truth is it taught me many things): if you're going to make tea you should enjoy every moment, from when you put the water on to heat until you sit down to enjoy it. Do you know anyone who drinks tea in a hurry?

The world of tea is complex and fascinating, both because of the wide variety of teas that exist - each with its peculiarities, virtues and aromas - and because of the respect for the ritual that surrounds the process of its preparation.

Le Creuset cast-iron casseroles are ideal for slow cooking and for preparing traditional recipes. We’ve often talked about them, but we’ve rarely discussed the different casseroles that exist—there are many—and I think it’s interesting to talk about which casserole is most ideal for each recipe. Casseroles are, by definition, versatile tools, but it can be helpful to know what each of the casseroles we have in the store is most appropriate for.

The great success of bundt-style pans comes from the fact that even the recipe you've been making your whole life in a traditional pan is completely transformed the moment it takes on an elegant, attractive shape—the shape of a bundt cake; and all without any added difficulty, simply by changing the pan.

It’s important to take care of a kitchen knife since we use it continuously for any recipe we prepare. Also, if you know how to maintain and restore the edge, a good knife can remain in the kitchen for a lifetime. Therefore it’s worth having good knives, but also knowing how to care for them.

It is important to choose a good cutting board for the kitchen; it’s worth taking good care of your knives and also working on a surface that is comfortable for you. Today I would like to talk to you about some important concepts when choosing a board and how to care for it properly.

Many of you are already familiar with De Buyer iron pans. They are pans that, as we’ve always said, will last you a lifetime, at a more than reasonable price. You can feel the quality of these pans just by holding them, noticing their weight and the thickness of the iron griddle they are formed from; what’s more, their long handle makes them comfortable to work with in the kitchen, and their beeswax finish provides a natural protection that is also appreciated.

I am filled with joy when December arrives. Christmas is approaching, a time of year I love: thinking about family meals, those meals that sometimes end up as dinners, and also seeing the excitement of children when they wake up and run to look beside the tree.