Claudia&Julia's Blog

Many times customers call or write to us who want to equip a kitchen or want to renew their utensils gradually, but don't know where to start. There really is such a variety and specialization of theutensils necessary for a kitchen, that sometimes it can be a difficult task to decide what is a priority and also what is essential.

Those of you who follow us regularly already know that we like traditional cooking, the slow-simmering kind, making doughs at home and doing things with care. Maybe that’s why we have always felt very close to Julia Child’s cooking. Today it’s Laura, from the blog Because, who tells us about her best-known work, the book The Art of French Cooking.

We choose every product in the shop with great care. Each one has its reason for being: some for their materials and robustness, others because we consider them a good option for those who don’t want very heavy products, some because we saw them one day in a store window and didn’t stop looking for them until we found them... And when you make a selection with so much care, the project becomes even more intimate.

In my last post I talked about the three types of blades we can find in kitchen knives and the pros and cons of each: ceramic, carbon steel, and stainless steel (the most popular).

Returning to the question we posed at the beginning of the previous post—which knives to buy—and having already talked about ceramic and carbon steel options, I’d like to explain the different types of stainless steel knives you can find on the market and how to choose the one that best suits our needs.

We receive many inquiries about which kitchen knives to buy, since it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between some models or which one suits our type of cooking best. There are many options and I think it's important to choose well: it's a tool we'll use almost daily for many years. Also, the difference between a good knife and an average knife is significant; it's worth having good knives and giving them proper care so you can work comfortably and safely.

I still remember the surprise I felt when a very dear relative showed up with three huge packages. And to my greater surprise, it was a Set that I loved: it was the WMF Maya the Bee cutlery Set. I’m not talking about just anything: a ceramic Set with beautiful prints, the cutlery made of very good-quality steel, and all the pieces an ideal size for children.

Over the past two weeks we've been talking about homemade jams, sharing tips and tricks for their preparation and proper storage (you can see the posts here). What better suggestion for today than a recipe to make your own jam? This one is from Patri, of the blog Sabores&Momentos; it's fig jam and is perfect for pairing with savory dishes or for enjoying its delicious flavor spread on bread. Enjoy!

Last week Virginia, author of Sweet&Sour, gave us an introduction to jams and preserves, explaining the differences between jams, preserves and jellies, and showing us how to make them.

Miriam, author of the blog El Invitado de Invierno, invites us to prepare vegetable and garden-vegetable chips in a light version. Light in fat, but full of flavor! These vegetable chips will become an original appetizer on the table or a great option to enjoy with children between meals.

Making jam is a pleasure, and enjoying it is a real delight. The main process for preparing it is really simple, but there are many points that are important to know. That’s why we asked Virginia, author of Sweet&Sour, to tell us a bit more about them, hoping you find it interesting.

I believe that having a quality Paella Pan, with good heat distribution, is something you especially appreciate once you’ve tried it. I’m very grateful that today Beatriz, author of To Be Gourmet, is telling us about her experience with the Carbone Plus Paella Pan from de Buyer, a better Paella Pan—like the classic ones—and one that will be in our kitchen for a lifetime; and it’s a joy to see the ideas she shares to get the most out of it, beyond making the typical paella in it.

I'd like to tell you about a maker who has me completely smitten: Emile Henry. It is one of the best-known manufacturers of ceramic kitchen products in France and possibly worldwide.