The Cook’s Kitchen

Having a well-stocked kitchen is an effective way to cook smarter.  By stocking a handful of staples, you’ll be able to whip up dinners for those hectic weeknights, and the times when unexpected company drops by.
A recent issue of Fine Cooking magazine detailed the 10 Fridge Essentials You Can’t Live Without:
“Most of us are good […]

Woman’s Day magazine recently had some wonderful tips to help you out in the kitchen.
- Even after you use a salad spinner, you may find yourself blotting the greens before serving.  Combine two steps in one by spinning a few paper towels in with the leaves, and they’ll come out ready to dress.
- If you […]

A lot of times, when we entertain, I’ll send guests home with leftovers to enjoy.  Luckily, I have enough plastic containers, that I normally don’t notice it if they don’t return the container.  But when I send food home on a good plate, pan or platter and want to make sure I get it back, […]

Sometimes it’s good to go back to basics.  It’s perfect for those beginning in the kitchen, and serves as a refresher for the rest of us.
How to Buy Shellfish
If you’re buying lobsters, crabs, whole clams, oysters or mussels, they have to be alive.  Lobsters and crabs should be moving around.  If they’re not, you don’t […]

Although I don’t drink coffee, I do sometimes use coffee filters … to clean mirrors and glass.  They’re perfect for that because they don’t leave any lint behind.  What else can you use coffee filters for?
- Slit the middle and slide up a ice cream stick or popsicle to catch the messy drips.
- Put between […]

As the Organic Chef, organic beef farmer, nutritionist and organic consultant, one of the comments that I hear most often is that organics are too expensive. How can anyone afford to feed their family organically? My response is always “You’re not thinking pragmatically”.
There is a solution - the 80% solution.  There are ways to feed […]

An issue of Country Home magazine was packed with great ideas on “going green” recently. Whether it’s decorating your home, filling your kitchen or working in your garden, they have tons of inspiration on how to use recycled products, be mindful of the environment and how to go green.
Included is Country Home’s Green Clean Shopping […]

The folks at Woman’s Day magazine had a few kitchen savvy tips in the most recent issue that I thought were worthy of passing on. The mushroom tip was definitely new to me.

Store mushrooms in a brown paper bag in the refrigerator because it keeps them fresh longer.
Put the back of a wooden spoon […]

Just because a recipe is complex does not make it good. It only makes it complex.
Whenever I am asked to teach a culinary class, I feel honored that someone, anyone, would let me talk to them a great length about what I love to do. I go on about freshness, food miles, organic and, of […]

Washing fruits and vegetables when you get home from the market is definitely a good idea, as it helps get rid of pesticide residue that may linger.  But there’s no need to spend your money on those fruit and veggie washes that are peppering the market these days.
Consumer Reports suggests using your own homemade version instead.  “Mix […]