Have you ever noticed that when you try to cook something new, it seems to take a long time? It has been proven, that because we have to concentrate on the task and be present throughout the process, time seems to go by more slowly. But if we make a dish often enough, it becomes second nature. You can cook while thinking about what you have to get done the next day. One dish that clearly falls into this category is Schnitzel. It seems that making them might take a lot of time, but it is really very simple, easy and quick, once you have the process down. Give it a try. My kids, and their friends, love love love Schnitzel. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Everyone, It’s Schnitzel Time!”
Tag: Recipe
Have You Made Some Basil Pesto Yet?
Don’t you think that many dishes can be made tastier by adding a dollop of pesto? We certainly do. And with the summer sun high in the sky and basil doing really well in the garden, the large leaves are literally beckoning to be turned into something tasty. What better project, than making a nice batch of basil pesto. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Have You Made Some Basil Pesto Yet?”
Garlic Butter
When I was in college, my sister met a Australian boy traveling through Europe on her train ride to Milan. In a sign of compassion, she invited him to spend a few nights on our couch. After all, he didn’t have a place to stay. Long story short, he ended up making us dinner – he was an aspiring chef and, apart from teaching him a thing or two on how to cook pasta properly, he left me with the gift of garlic butter. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Garlic Butter”
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Isn’t it great when what you like to do, turns out be good for you, too? That is the case with my dad’s love for fishing. We grew up fishing for wild trout and char in the pristine mountainous streams around my home in the Dolomites. It was a great father-daughter bonding experience, instilled in me a love for eating fresh fish but also thought me the importance of clean water-ways. It didn’t take long for my father to expand his fishing horizons and, when given the opportunity to go to Alaska and fish for real salmon, he jumped on it and is still going on a regular pilgrimage to the untouched rivers, lakes and estuaries of Alaska bringing home his share of fresh, healthy, and super tasty salmon. Maybe that is the fountain of youth for my parents! Come and cook some fish with us! Continue reading “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish”
Coco for Coconuts!
Now that fats are en vogue again, let’s take a closer look at coconut oil which has been trending in recipe books, cooking shows and blog postings. But not all coconut oil is created equal. We like unrefined, non-hydrogenated and organic – all good indications that you will get the maximum health benefit from adding coconut oil to your diet. Even better, we’ll share a coconut-based cookie recipe that has been all the rage in our house. Come and cook with us!
The way the coconut is processed has a lot to do with the benefit of the final product, so search for unrefined (or virgin) oil, which means that it is minimally processed and comes form fresh coconut. Additionally, any indication that the oil has been (partially) hydrogenated is a sign that the oil has been increasingly processed to make it less likely to spoil. Hydrogenation turns the coconut oil into a trans-fat, and we all know to avoid those. With the increasing demand on coconut oil, the use of synthetic chemicals in the production has also increased, which is why I choose the organic version.
Though technically a saturated fat – it remains solid at room temperature – coconut oil in moderation is very good for you. The right kind contains about 50-60% lauric acid, which boosts your immunity and has antiviral, antibacterical and antifungal properties. It’s these medium chain fatty acids that can also be found in breast-milk and are said to be so good for you.
So what to do with all this goodness? I’ve used coconut oil to cook with high heat – it’s said to be the most stable for high-heat cooking – although you have to like the flavor of unrefined coconut oil. My kids’ favorite way to use coconut oil is to bake cookies. They are based on coconut flour, are easy to make and, let’s face it, how often do I tell you to go and bake cookies! Go and bake! Come and cook with us!
Come and Cook with Us 