Risotto is one of those dishes that frightens a lot of people, myself included. Or at least it did. You see I wasn't scared about the process, just the taste. In my previous risotto experiences I've often found the stuff to be way too salty or crunchy, but I have to tell you, it doesn't have to be that way!!! Please join me on my risotto adventure literally, to win a great book. Enjoy! The Everything: Grow Your Own Vegetables Book by Catherine Abbott is full of information for you gardeners and chefs. Information in the front with recipes in the back, this book has it all. I have two to give away. All you have to do to win is cook up this dish and post a picture in the photo gallery . Please specify that it's the risotto dish from Scratch . I don't mind if you change it up, but you need to create some risotto! This contest ends on May 19, 2010. For more information check out the rules . Here's Michael Cummings Risotto recipe . I promise you, it tastes superb! Don't forget to check out the Pitchin' In episode that I mentioned, where Lynn Crawford goes to a mushroom farm . It was both tasty and informative. (Click on the Mushrooms episode.) Related: Chat with me in the forums . Not a member sign up ! Post your cooking masterpieces in our photo gallery . Learn food techniques through our video bites . View previous Starting From Scratch episodes on our video page .

I hope you've all checked out the forum which provides all of the info needed as to what and why this vlog is happening. If you haven't seen it yet check it out . But as a quick overview, this is me, l earning how to coo k . The recipes are posted below and I encourage you to make these dishes, take pictures, post them in our gallery , and learn along with me. For those experienced chefs, I'd love your input and experience. FYI, Michael Smith rocks! Enjoy! Also, I'd follow these recipes a little more closely than me (the non-expert) as I happened to announce the wrong oven temperature! (It's 350 not 365.) Here are the recipes Michael Smith's Roasted Chicken Garlic Steamed Broccoli Don't forget to share your comments below and join the Food Community . I'll be there! See you in a few weeks. Any suggestions for next time?

Here is our third and final installment of our exclusive cooking demos courtesy of Sahara Restaurant’s Chef Pani . In this one we make Chapli Kababs which, I was told, is a popular north Indian/Pakistani street food that's like a hotdog but looks more like a hamburger in my opinion. Watch and learn and don’t forget to watch tips on how to make restaurant-style butter chicken and palak paneer. Happy Diwali! Chapli Kababs INGREDIENTS 1 lb. minced beef (about 20% fat) 3 cups onions, finely chopped 2 cups tomatoes, finely chopped 2 tbsp ginger, crushed 2 tbsp garlic, crushed 1 x egg 2 tbsp green chillies, finely chopped 2 tbsp coriander, finely chopped 1 tbsp crushed chilli flakes 1 tbsp salt 1 tsp garam masala 1 tsp cumin powder 1 tbsp coriander seeds 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds, crushed 2 tbsp whole wheat flour 1 x tomato, sliced 1 cup oil, in a bowl DIRECTIONS Mix all ingredients except sliced tomatoes and oil in a large bowl. Refrigerate 1 hour to marinate. Dipping fingers in oil, pull out about 1 cup portions of meat mixture and form into a ball. Spread a light layer of oil in circle on working space, about the width of your hand. Put meat mixture ball on oiled surface and pat down into a ½ thick, wide, round patty. Gently press 1 slice of tomato in middle of patty. Heat oil in pan. Gently lift meat patty off work space and place tomato side up in pan. Cook until golden from bottom and gently flip over. Cook for a few more minutes until golden and cooked through. Take out onto paper towels in a plate. Let drain for a few moments before serving. Note: Ideally served with naan bread and raita (yogurt condiment). Related: Cooking Video: Restaurant-Style Palak Paneer Cooking Video: Restaurant-Style Butter Chicken