We caught up with Aaron Franklin, author of ‘Franklin Smoke’ and the man behind the restaurant, Franklin Barbecue in Texas. Learn about his ultimate comfort food cooking hacks and more.
What ingredient/s do you enjoy cooking with the most?
I lean toward foods that carry a certain kind of nostalgia for me. It's fun for me to work out a Sunday pork roast like my grandparents made or gumbo and etouffee that my grandfather made.
What is your ultimate comfort food?
Pot roast (chuck roast) cooked for 6-8 hours with brown gravy made from the braising liquid and mashed potatoes.
What utensils do you use the most?
Knives, a fish spatula, tongs and a have a good wooden cutting board on my kitchen counter at all times.
If you could choose your last meal, what would it be?
I'd start with a rye whiskey cocktail, Caesar salad, and shrimp cocktail with a seafood tower, followed by a dry-aged T-bone steak and a fully loaded baked potato (and more whiskey).
What are five essential ingredients you always have on hand?
Grapeseed oil or high temp oil, kosher salt, crunchy finishing salt, rice wine vinegar or champagne vinegar, lemons.
What is your most commonly used ingredient?
Salt. I don't really use many spices in my cooking, but I do use a good bit of salt.
What is your favourite food memory?
Eating ice cream in Paris outside the Notre Dame cathedral.
What is the best way to elevate an ordinary meal?
More acid and more salt to balance the flavours.
What is the one life-changing cooking hack you were taught?
Pour a small amount of water on top of guacamole in an airtight container. This helps form a barrier to the air and keeps it from browning.
Are you a fan? Check out all of Aaron's cookbooks here!
Every time that I serve a smoked chicken to guests, they all say, ‘Wow, I never thought of smoking chicken.’
I could eat brussels sprouts just about every day of the week, and I love doing them on the fire.
Peter Cattaneo, director of The Penguin Lessons film adaptation, talks about the film, directing and his second-favourite Penguin book.
We caught up with Erika Cramer, author of Becoming Magnetic, to learn more about her upcoming book, what it means to be magnetic and her top tip for readers.
Learn what inspired Liam Runnalls to get into puzzle-making and what it was like sticking to one theme while creating Birdle. Plus, find out which bird is his favourite!
We asked Michelle See-Tho 25 questions to learn more about her and her new book, Jade and Emerald.
We caught up with Sandie Docker, author and founder of the Northern Beaches Readers Festival, to learn about the event and what readers can expect.
We caught up with bestselling New Zealand authors Gareth and Louise Ward about their new book, The Bookshop Detectives.
Plus, find out which fictional world she’d like to live in and why you should befriend fellow writers.
Learn what a day in the life of a publicist at Penguin Random House looks like.
We caught up with Stephanie Wood to learn what it was like to watch her memoir become a series, plus her advice for creating healthy relationships.
