Self-Taught Cooking Made Simple:The Best Recipes, Tips, and Techniques for Home Cooks to Build Their Kitchen Confidence.
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Welcome to Whisks & Giggles!
A nerdy corner of the internet for food enthusiasts who didn’t go to culinary school but found true passion in the kitchen, anyway…and learned to laugh through that inevitable learning curve.
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What You’ll Find Here
Tiramisu
Learn how to make Sabayon for the best tiramisu this side of Italy.
Featured Recipe: Tiramisu
Best Tonic Water in 2025
Check out some premium tonics and an easy yet great G&T recipe.
Featured Cocktail: Best Tonic Water in 2025
Tricks with Saline
The benefits of salt extend far beyond your kitchen.
Featured Tip: Tricks with SalineMaking Delicious Food Accessible to Anyone
When I first started cooking on my own, I was terrified. Would I make myself sick? Would I catch my apartment on fire? But over time, I learned to swap fear for fun and turn mistakes into lessons.
Now, I’m someone who confidently flambés a red wine & mushroom pan sauce for a medium-rare ribeye, and experiments with techniques I never dreamed I’d try, like preparing & trimming a brisket for a 16-hour smoke!
Ready to see what’s possible in your kitchen? Start with our featured recipe!
Whip Up Some TiramisuMore from Whisks & Giggles
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Recipe, Tip, and Technique FAQs
What is “Mise en place”?
“Mise en place” is a French culinary phrase, meaning putting in place or gather. It refers to the act of assembling & preparing all of your ingredients & equipment before you begin cooking, and is essential for a smooth process.
What are “mother sauces”?
“Mother sauces” are the 5 foundation sauces in french cooking, defined by Escoffier’s 1903 book, Le Guide Culinaire. Roughly outlined, the 5 mother sauces are béchamel (butter, flour, milk), velouté (butter, flour, light stock), espagnole (butter, flour, dark stock), hollandaise (egg, butter, lemon), and tomato (mirepoix, dark stock, and tomatoes). They are still considered critical techniques to master as they serve as the foundation for many other sauces, soups, and even entire dishes.
What are the benefits of meal prepping?
Meal prep saves you money and time by planning ahead and allowing you to take advantage of grocery sales, lessening your food waste by using ingredients in multiple ways/meals, and speeding up your overall cooking process by having everything ready ahead of time.