Teaching you to cook better by focusing on technique.

Hi, I’m Sandy.
I’m a mom of two who happened to graduate from The Culinary Institute of America and cook professionally for over 12 years. Now my intention is to empower you with knowledge that gives you confidence in the kitchen. I believe it all starts with fundamentals.

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plantainsandchallah

I teach you to cook better by focusing on
technique + #knifeskills 🔪
Trained at the CIA + Cooked Professionally over 10 years

Tonight’s email is about non-stick cookware sets

Tonight’s email is about non-stick cookware sets and why you shouldn’t bother with them. (Hint, I’m not referring to toxicity) 🍳

If you’re even thinking about gifts or getting new stuff for yourself - please read my email first!

I’ll send it around 9:00 pm EST. Subscribe in my bio!

#nonstick #nonstickcookware #nonstickcookwareset #emaillist #subscribe #cookingtechnique #cookingtechniques #drycookingmethod #moistcookingmethod #learningtocook #chefsofinsta #homecooks #homechefs #potsandpans #cooking #cookingtools

Here are some foods you can prep ahead. I mainly f

Here are some foods you can prep ahead. I mainly focused on “snack foods” or things that are ready to eat. The best options for storage are tight fitting plastic containers, glass containers with lids, @stasherbag, ziploc bags, and for some things, I really like plastic quart containers.

Peppers: wash, dry, cut and store in an airtight container. Approx 2-3 days

Citrus fruits: can be supremed or cut in an airtight container. Approx 3-4 days

Carrots- wash, dry, cut and store in an airtight container. You can use a damp paper towel on top 3-4 days

Fennel- wash, cut, dry and store in an airtight container. Approx 2-3 days

Cantaloupe & Honeydew- wash, cut and stored in an airtight container. Approx 3-4 days

Pomegranate seeds- stored in an airtight container. Approx 4-5 days

Grapes- wash, dry and store in an *open* container. Approx 4-5 days (can freeze)

Pineapple- wash, cut and store in an airtight container. Approx 4 days

Apples- wash, cut and you can store in cold water for a few hours*

Watermelon- Wash, cut and stored in an airtight container. Approx 3-4 days

Broccoli & Cauliflower- Wash, dried, cut into florets and stored in an airtight container. Approx 2-3 days

Hard boiled Eggs- if you shock them in ice water after cooking and leave the shell on, they last approx 1 week.

Avocado- Although best to cut when you’re consuming, you can use lemon or lime juice to cover the other half and prevent oxidation, as well as plastic wrap for a tight seal.

Cabbage- wash, cut and store in an airtight container. Approx 1 week

Greens- Hearty greens like kale can be washed, dried well and stored in an airtight container. Approx 1 week

What’s one thing you ALWAYS have prepped ahead in your fridge?

#prep #foodprep #culinaryknowhow #culinaryschool #homecooks #prepahead #kitchenhacks #chefsofinstagram #chefmom #chefmommy #culinary #foodie #produceprep #inthekitchen #foodprep #foodreadytogo #kitchentips

Samosas are an Indian savory pastry that usually c

Samosas are an Indian savory pastry that usually consists of fried dough, potatoes, peas, spices and chilies. There are many varieties, but I wanted to bring the flavor of a samosa into a latke. Since the majority of a samosa is potato based, and a latke is a fried potato pancake, what could be bad about that?!

Mango chutney for good measure 🥭

Yes, Thanksgiving is on our minds first, but Hanukkah is Dec 10th this year!

📷 Search “Samosa Latkes” on my blog (link in bio)

#samosa #latkes #mangochutney #foodmashup #indiancuisine #jewishfood #kidfriendly #potatopancake #homecooks #hanukkah #chanukah #crunchypotatoes #applesauceorsourcream #jewishlatina #breakfastideas #appetizerideas #vegetarian #holidayfood #foodie #chefmom #jewishmom

Cooking Philosophy That’s what the file was cal

Cooking Philosophy

That’s what the file was called. I found it while looking through some of my old papers I had during the time I was cooking professionally. It reminds me of how strict and rigid a lot of professional commercial kitchens are, and how my training really had a big influence on how I am now.

1.Pursue excellence everyday, all day
2.Never compromise on quality
3.Aim high, think big and do whatever it takes to succeed and exceed
4.Surpass what I accomplished yesterday
5.Leave no room for mediocrity.
6.Push myself beyond perceived limitations
7.Review daily what was done right and wrong. Correct mistakes.
8.Don’t lose sight of my dreams
9.Surround myself with positive people
10.Some people live to eat, others eat to live. I live to cook.
11.Pay attention to detail, be diligent in my work.
12.Every task has equal importance, from cooking to cleaning.
13.Staying organized is crucial.
14.Sharp knives are vital to my career. Don’t neglect them.
15.Remember the 3 P’s: Patience, persistence and perseverance.
16.Be consistent in your work
17.Always stay focused, no matter what happens or who tries to get in my way.

Becoming a mom changed a few of these to say the least. If I had to choose only 2 from the list, it would be 9 and 16.

What about you?

#chefstories #culinary #culinaryartist #homechef #foodie #cookingphilosophy #inthekitchen #lifequotes #momchef #momlife #culinaryschool #professionalcook #culinaryprofessional #discipline #excellence #gogetter #hardworker #positivepeople #nothingsgonnastopme #determined #knifeskills

Turkey Fabrication Video incoming! I recommend br

Turkey Fabrication Video incoming!

I recommend breaking down your turkey ahead of time. It cooks way faster and looks just as beautiful, flavor is pretty bomb too.

It’s very similar to chicken fabrication. (I have an IGTV video on that by the way)

Notice how I pull up on the pieces to let gravity help me out. This allows me to see where the joint separates and make a cut. Utilizing the tip of the knife really helps to pull everything back.

You can thank my daughter’s tantrum in the background for the music overlay 😆

You can do this!!!! I am here for questions 👌🏼

#turkey #turkeyfabrication #thanksgiving #turkeyfab #breakingdownaturkey #deliciousturkey #covidthanksgiving #smallgroupthanksgiving #youcancook #knifeskills #meatfabrication #culinaryskills #chefsofinsta #homecooks #busyparents #boningknife #chefknife

Blood Orange Cranberry & Cabernet Sauce Here’s

Blood Orange Cranberry & Cabernet Sauce

Here’s a great variation on a classic that tastes more like a sauce and you can make ahead!

Save or share this for Thanksgiving 🦃

Ingredients

12 ounces whole fresh cranberries (frozen would also work)
12 ounces water
2/3 cup sugar
4 ounces Cabernet Sauvignon ( I used Zmora which has fruity and floral notes)
1 cinnamon stick
1 blood orange, zest, “supremed” – which means I removed just the flesh from the membranes & juiced (I did not use a micro plane, instead just slightly peeled, making sure not to peel the “pith” – white part as well)
1 or 2 slices blood orange for garnish

Instructions

Combine cranberries and water and cook over moderate heat until the berries pop open. Add the sugar and mix well.

Once thickened a bit, add the wine and allow it to cook out for approximately 5 minutes or so.

Add the zest, juice and cinnamon stick and cook until you have reached your desired consistency. You can always add water to thin it out.

#cranberrysauce #cranberries #cranberrysaucerecipe #thanksgiving #classicthanksgiving #foodblogger #homechef #covidthanksgiving #turkeyday #allaboutthesides #cookingwithwine #homecooks #holidayrecipe #foodie #recipe #easythanksgiving #makeaheadrecipes #inthekitchen #busyholidayrecipe #sauce

When cutting cauliflower or broccoli, it’s easie

When cutting cauliflower or broccoli, it’s easier to cut slits from the stem then it is to go from the florets. It makes less of a mess around your cutting board (and you waste less!)

Give it a try and see how it works for you! 👌🏼

#purplecauliflower #culinaryhowto #knifeskills #broccoli #cauli #culinaryschool #knifeninja #howtocutproduce #culinarian #homecooks #foodie #thefeedfeed #buzzfeedfood #veggies #vegetarian #busymom #workingmom #foodvideo #chefmom #culinary101 #howtochop #cookinghacks #cuttinghacks #culinaryarts #inthekitchen #cauliflower #homechef #kitchenhacks #foodblogger #inthekitchen #momlife #foodie

The process is always the same PLANK STRIP DICE

The process is always the same

PLANK
STRIP
DICE

Think of plank like a flat board or plank of wood- some fruits or veggies will already be like that, others you have to create it.

This is the first step in making sure that you will get the next steps correct.

Can you think of other things that you need to plank first?

#knifeskills #plank #pepper #cuttingtechniques #knifeskillz #knifeninja #chefmom #strips #julienne #learnknifeskills #homecooks #chefsofinstagram #chefsofinsta #chefdad #howtocutpeppers #chefskills #chefknives #knifelife

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