Deviled egg halves made using olive oil

What to Take to Your Next Potluck or Picnic!

Deviled eggs are a popular staple on the Southern dinner table. I have made literally hundreds of dozens over my life. I was taught to make deviled eggs by my mother, who was taught by her mother and so on. Salt the whites, add a bit of vinegar, all these tricks from our past to […]

Picture of grilled Greek inspired chicken breast

What Can I Use Instead of Buttermilk in a Recipe?

Buttermilk is a great ingredient in baked products, marinades, and some desserts. However, not many of us keep it on hand. The most common substitute for buttermilk is to mix a bit of vinegar in regular milk. I have done this and it works ok but does not have quite the same flavor as buttermilk. […]

Is Pink Himalayan Salt Healthier than Other Salt?

A few years ago, pink Himalayan salt started cropping up everywhere: discount stores, grocery stores, gift shops, and gourmet shops. It is a beautiful color and is often branded as a healthier alternative to sea salt or regular table salt. Pink Himalayan salt is from a salt range in the mountains in Pakistan. It is […]

The Only Gazpacho Recipe You Will Ever Need

When you tell someone what gazpacho is- cold tomato soup- you more than likely get a confused face or a “I’ll pass” response. However, the first time you taste gazpacho, a much different response is elicited. “Oh, wow, this is great,” is the most common I have encountered. Some gazpacho recipes are, in my humble […]

A Guaranteed Method for No Stick Fish

Eating more fish (not fried of course) is a great step toward healthy eating. Cooking fish, however, can be daunting. Even an experienced cook has torn, shredded, or mangled fish when trying to flip it. Cooking salmon is relatively easy thanks to its high fat content. Check out this blog to see how to cook […]

What Kitchen Equipment Do I Really Need?

Everyone needs the basics to make a meal – knives, cutting board, pots and pans, spatulas, spoons, mixing bowls, measuring cups, you get the idea. Beyond that, what gadgets or pieces of equipment do you REALLY need? A good knife and some practice can take the place of many gadgets sold today. Here is what […]

What I Learned at Cooking School- Part 3

Cooking is my passion. I am fortunate that this passion often overlaps my career in nutrition as we work to build healthy recipes, test cooking techniques, and write curricula that helps everyday cooks make healthy food for their family. As with any passion, you should sharpen your knives from time to time. The way I […]

What I Learned at Cooking School- Part 1

Cooking is my passion. I am fortunate that this passion often overlaps my career in nutrition as we work to build healthy recipes, test cooking techniques, and write curricula that helps everyday cooks make healthy food for their family. As with any passion, you should sharpen your knives from time to time. The way I […]

cabbage stir fry

Indian-Style Cabbage Stir Fry

I am sharing my favorite recipe for cabbage stir-fry made Indian style – it is super easy to make. The combination of green cabbage with carrots and peas makes this dish so colorful and tempting. The spices bring out a flavor that is hard to resist. You can adjust any of the spices listed in […]

Prepared strawberry salad

Why Do Restaurant Salads Taste Better Than Homemade Salads?

When you go to a restaurant and order a salad, whether it is an entrée salad or a small appetizer size, ever wonder why it tastes so much better than what you make at home? There are lessons to be learned from the pros of salad making. Here are the top 5 ways to make […]