Garlic is often the essential ingredient that is required to make a great recipe. Slice, mince, or crush garlic cloves with this startcooking.com Tips and Techniques video.

Recipe: Omelet with Cheese serves 1 2 eggs 1 pinch of salt 2 tablespoons of water 1 teaspoon of oil 1/3 cup of cheese - shredded1 tablespoon of chives - minced Blend together eggs, water and salt. Add oil to a 6 inch sloped sided non-stick fry pan. Heat oil, on medium for one minute; add egg mixture and cook. As the eggs begin to set, with a spatula, lift the edges and let the raw mixture run to the bottom of the pan.When the top is no longer runny, but still moist, sprinkle the cheese on of the omeletWith a spatula, flip the omelet in half. The cheese will take about 20 seconds to melt.Slide the omelet onto your plate.Garnish with chives and black pepper.

Learn how to cut onions with Tips and Techniques at startcooking.com. Chop, dice, and mince while watching this video and then start working on your favorite recipe. Enjoy!

Recipe: Grilled Cheese Sandwich (video) serves 1 2 slices of bread 2 slices of cheese 1 tablespoon of butter - softened Spread the softened butter on one side of each slice of bread. Lay one slice of bread, butter side down, in a non-stick frying pan. Put two slices of cheese on the bread. Now cover it with the other slice of bread with the buttered side up.Turn the stove on medium heat and place the pan on the stove.After about 2-3 minutes it should be ready to flip.The second side will take a lot less time to turn golden brown because the pan is already heated up.Slice the grilled cheese on a cutting board with one swift downward motion slice through the sandwich.

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Pancakes serves 2 3/4 cup of white flour 1 1/2 tablespoons of white sugar 3/4 teaspoon of baking powder 1/4 teaspoon of salt 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter - Melted 7/8 cup of milk 1 large egg 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil 4 tablespoons of chocolate chips In a medium size bowl whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder and the salt.In another bowl mix together the: melted butter, milk, egg, and vanilla, (wet ingredients).Add these wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk together until just combined.Pre-heat large non-stick frying pan for 3-4 minutes on medium heat and add 1 teaspoon of Vegetable oil. Using a cup measuring cup, scoop out the batter and pour it into the frying pan. Repeat so there are three pancakes in the pan.Sprinkle on about 1 tablespoon of chocolate chips on each pancake. Cook the pancakes until bubbles appear on the surface and start to pop. Flip the pancakes and cook until golden brown on the flip side.Repeat with remaining batter.Makes six 4-inch pancakesEnjoy!

Separating the yolk of an egg from the white can be a messy operation. This Tips and Techniques video will provide you with the essential tips to crack and separate an egg. Enjoy!

Recipe: Chocolate Fudge Brownies serves 8 14 tablespoons of butter 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa 1 1/4 cups of sugar 3 large eggs 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract 1/2 cup of flour 1 pinch of salt 1 cup of walnuts - chopped Place the oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat oven to 350 degreesLine an 8 inch by 8 inch by 2 inch pan with tin foil. Spray foil with cooking spray.Cut butter into pieces. Place the butter into a large microwave safe bowl and melt it in microwave.With a whisk, blend in unsweetened cocoa. Add sugar and mix well.In another bowl lightly beat together eggs and vanilla extract. Add egg mixture to the cocoa mixture and blend together.Mix in flour and salt.Fold in walnuts.Pour into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes. To test for doness insert a wooden toothpick into the center of the brownies; it should have some moist crumbs attached to it. Do not over bake.Remove brownies from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack. Flip the brownies onto a wire rack and peel away the foil. Flip brownies onto cutting board to cut.Wrap in plastic wrap and store in an air tight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.These brownies freeze beautifully!

Knowing how to measure ingredients is an important aspect of cooking. This Tips and Techniques video really goes back to the basics and shows you how to use measuring spoons and cups. This is a skill you will need whether you are baking or cooking a meal.

Recipe: Beef stew serves 8 3 pounds of stew beef - cut into 1 and 1/2 inch cubes1 large onion - diced4 tomatoes - cut into wedges 1/2 pound of baby carrots 1 red pepper - cut into 1/2 inch strips1 pound of small mushrooms - cleaned2 small turnips - cut into chunks2 tablespoons of instant tapioca 1/2 cup of dry bread crumbs 2 cups of red wine 1 teaspoon of salt 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper 1/2 pound of frozen small pearl onions Put all the ingredients except the pearl onions in a Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid. Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 3 1/2 hours. Don’t peek! Add the pearl onions after the stew is removed from the oven.Serve with crusty bread.Adapted from: Fete Accomplie, Washington, DC