Ahhh… the New Year… Every January I think my life will slow back to a normal pace again because the crazy holidays are over. Every January I am wrong. Why is it that January feels just as busy, if not busier than December? Maybe it’s that feeling of a new beginning and so far to go before you reach your goals? Start the race off with a sprint, so to speak? Or maybe it’s because we all finally slow to a stop when the holidays eventually arrive, and gearing up to go again seems hard?
Regardless, the fresh start of January makes me strive for success, efficiency and new promises. I, along with many other people, make grandiose plans (aka “resolutions”) about how the next year will unfold. When it comes to the kitchen, some people resolve to cook more healthfully. Others just resolve to cook more often. I usually resolve to venture into cooking a different ethnic cuisine. 
This year, I’ve started by working my way through my newest favorite cookbook – “Jerusalem” by Yotam Ottolengi and Sami Tamimi. Yotam Ottolengi is my favorite chef/cookbook author. His food is beautiful, creative and I have yet to come across something that I didn’t love or that didn’t turn out how I wanted it to. If you haven’t seen any of his stuff and have an adventurous kitchen spirit, I highly recommend both his books – “Plenty” and “Jerusalem”.
But, enough about me and more about you… What are YOUR kitchen resolutions? Are you going to entertain more? Promise to try new techniques or dishes? Or maybe you’re hoping to make more homemade meals for your family this year? Maybe you’d like to commit to one vegetarian meal a week? Or promise to eat fish once a week? I think I can subscribe to all those resolutions.
How can I help you with those resolutions? The same way I’ve tried to help cooking students throughout my career – by setting you up for success with good cookware. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again … the two essentials in the kitchen are a good set of pots and pans and a good chef’s knife. If that were all you had in your kitchen, you’d be ok (not necessarily happy, but ok!). Well, your opportunity to upgrade your cookware set to a great set is coming on Wednesday January 16th on QVC! Continue reading »
I know it’s still only January, but I’m already prepared for St. Patrick’s Day in March. You see, while I do enjoy the annual meal of corned beef and cabbage, when I really think about it, it’s not my favorite meal. The beef can often be tough and rubbery, and honestly when was the last time you really enjoyed a dinner that was entirely boiled? That’s not to say that you can’t make a tasty meal out of boiled corned beef, but I’ve found a much easier way to make a delicious corned beef dinner using a terra cotta clay baker.