Common Kitchen Problems (And How to Solve Them!)

Food can satisfy, delight, impress... and, at times, perplex. 

Whether you're dining out or in the kitchen, culinary conundrums can (and do) arise, and don't always have a clear answer. Fortunately, most small issues--like sticky pasta or chewy meat--have easy fixes. See a few of them in today's blog!

For cutting steak...

You pick out the perfect cut of meat--it's grilled to perfection, and everything is in order until you start chewing. If it becomes an uphill battle just to enjoy a quick bite, the chewiness problem may not be a quality issue, but a simple matter of knifework.

You've heard it before, but cutting against the grain really can take your steak to the next level--the mouthwatering, cuts-like-butter treat you've been waiting for. The "grain" of your meat is the direction of the muscle fibers, and will be more noticeable in certain cuts (like flank steak) from harder-working muscles than in others. Once you spot that grain (not to be confused with grill marks), cut against it, or in a perpendicular direction. This lets your knife size down those muscle fibers so that they're that much easier to chew. Otherwise, your teeth have to do all the work, creating a "chewier" experience.

For cooking perfect pasta...

Wondering how to get restaurant-style pasta at home? Before attempting an intricate sauce recipe, master the basics of perfect pasta cooking. Entire books have been written on the subject, but you need only know a few key tips to enjoy a simple, delectable dish at home. They are...

• Use lots of water--more than you think is necessary--to cook your pasta.
• Save some of the water once your pasta is done cooking, then use it to combine the pasta with the sauce. It will help the two mesh together even better!
• Stir constantly to avoid pasta that sticks together. This will do more good for your pasta than olive oil or other tricks.
• Opt for al dente pasta--the true Italian way--and avoid overcooking your dish to the point of mushiness.

For next-day deliciousness...

Do you have a delicious meal you want to enjoy--again--the day after a night out? Instead of simply plopping it into the microwave, try the oven route. 350 degrees and a few minutes is all you will need to tackle a variety of dishes (from pizza to pasta, which you can bake at home for a warm, rich second-day delight).

We hope that these tips help you enjoy your food to the fullest--at home or here at Stonewood!

Make tonight extraordinary! Each of our 12 Stonewood locations has its own unique community flair--but they all commit to the same excellence in fine ingredients and kitchen expertise. Find a Location and be sure to Sign Up for our E-Club for news and special offers!