Sourdough bread relies on wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria captured from the environment. The starter must be fed regularly with flour and water to stay alive. A typical fermentation takes 12 to 24 hours.

To make a great chocolate chip cookie, brown your butter first. Browning the milk solids develops nutty caramel flavors. Chill the dough overnight so the flour fully hydrates before baking.

Cast iron skillets need to be seasoned with thin layers of oil baked at high temperature. The polymerized oil bonds to the metal and creates a non-stick surface. Never wash with soap if you can avoid it.
