Our favorite time of the year has finally arrived!
The holiday season is here – the perfect time to celebrate with family and friends. It is also the best time to give – make the most of your holiday season with our list of the BEST GIFTS FOR COOKS AND FOODS LOVERS.
Surprise the “chefs” in your life and add some holiday fun to your bucket list this festive season!
1. TABLEWARE SET:
Every lover of good food and cooking knows that everything enters through the eyes. An original and contemporary tableware set makes a great option to help complement a holiday table.
2. COOKBOOKS:
Gift the perfect cookbook this holiday season. Cookbooks are perfect for any age and help to promote creativity and imagination! “Books offer infinite variety, are easily wrapped, can be personalized for the recipient, and displayed as a signifier of one’s own identity. They are, in many respects, the quintessential Christmas — or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or other December celebration — gift.”
3. INSTANT POT:
One of Chef Eric’s favorites! This is a versatile and must-have product for your kitchen this 2023. Check out the 7 reasons why Chef Eric loves the Instant Pot. https://culinaryclassroom.com/7-reasons-why-chef-eric-loves-the-instant-pot/
4. PASTA SET:
There is nothing better than fresh, homemade pasta. A good chef and lover of good Italian food know it. A pasta set will help you make your pasta in any desired presentation. Hello pasta lovers!!!
5. TORCH:
Most of us use the torch only in pastry recipes. A good cook knows how to use this great tool in other creative ways.
6. PASTRY KIT:
There is no better gift for a pastry lover than this kit. A pastry kit comes with bowls, cups, measuring spoons, and a blender that can help you mix, and measure the exact amounts you need.
7. ELECTRIC FONDUE:
This elegant and timeless gift allows you to prepare cheese, meats, and chocolate fondue. It is practical and the perfect complement to recipes! Hope you’ve enjoyed reading Chef Eric’s latest blog post “BEST GIFTS FOR COOKS AND FOODS LOVERS”.
Remember that giving the gift of cooking is an unforgettable experience. If you have someone that wants to join the world of culinary arts or perfect their techniques – a cooking course is the most unforgettable gift, check out chef Eric’s cooking programs:
Need more gift ideas? Discover Chef Eric’s complete Amazon shopping list at:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/chefericsculinaryclassroom?listId=1UI4GO8Z3H6NK with a variety of recommendations from Chef Eric on equipment, cookware, gadgets, tools, and more needed to cook your next food at home.
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We hope you enjoy Chef Eric’s How to Save Time and Money in the Kitchen. New Blog Post. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated! https://culinaryclassroom.com AND check out our YOUTUBE Channel for great cooking ideas.
What’s new? Check out our Tik Tok for instructional videos.
Little adjustments can make a huge difference in the way we save time and money in the kitchen.
Changing the way we shop, cook, and eat can help us to manage time and money better.
Extra time in our hands often means quality time with family and friends. AND…Who wouldn’t mind some extra cash this holiday season?
Chef Eric shares his top 4 tips to save time and money in the kitchen this season…
1. Planning and Organization:
Why are these two a must when we talk about – How to Save Time and Money in the Kitchen?
“Organizing and planning help us get work done accurately, avoiding costly mistakes.”
Chef Eric’s advice – always make a list when you go to the grocery store, and don’t forget to compare prices!
Focus on buying what you need, and do NOT be fooled by the 2-for-1 deals – you end up buying things you don’t need and spending extra money!
Prepare on the weekends or days off what will be consumed during the week. Meal planning saves you time, and money, and helps to ensure you’re eating a variety of different foods
Need more reasons?
Ways Meal Planning Will Save You Money:
You Use Up What You’ve Already Bought
Less Grocery Shopping Trips
Fewer Take-Out Meals and Drinks to Go
2. Mise-en-Place:
Organize products and ingredients in a way that you can easily find them. This practice will save you tons of time in the kitchen!
Chef Eric’s Power Tips:
Wash and store vegetables and fruits properly, leaving them ready to use!
Portion your meats and vegetables
Are you a smoothie lover? Portion each ingredient and leave it in a bag in the freezer – smoothies will be ready in no time.
Last but not least, have your sauces ready to go – make them beforehand and store them so that they are ready to use!
3. Grow your Garden:
You can easily grow thyme, rosemary, oregano, parsley, mint, and more in your kitchen. This fun and easy garden will help you save time and money. In addition, your products will be chemical and preservative- FREE!
4. Practical and Versatile Kitchen Utensils:
Good kitchen utensils can make life so much easier! The right kitchen tools will make cooking time shorter.
Most kitchen gadgets are not very expensive and can be a great investment – You’ll be able to make quality dishes in a very short time and also save energy!
The following products are a great addition to your kitchen – Discover Chef Eric’s complete Amazon shopping list.
We hope you have enjoyed reading Chef Eric’s latest blog post, How to save time and money in the kitchen? Stay tuned for blog posts to come!
Chef Eric gives us a sneak peek of his TOP 7 Best Amazon Kitchen Products. Success in the kitchen comes from practicality and good use of kitchen equipment! “You are only as good as your tools.” This popular saying becomes true when we talk about cookware. Kitchen utensils can make your life so much easier and can save you plenty of time. In addition, the right kitchen tools can help you maintain a clean kitchen and can aid you with tasks such as chopping, slicing, and dicing. Here are the TOP 7 of Chef Eric’s favorite, affordable, and really useful utensils to work in your kitchen like a pro!
7 Best Amazon Kitchen Products – Chef Eric’s favorite equipment, cookware, gadgets, tools, and MORE….
1. Hand Blender – Muller Austria Ultra Stick: The perfect blender for Smoothies, Shakes, Soups, and Baby Bood!
The removable blending arm with a fixed blade locks into the motor body for easy operation. The stainless steel S-Shaped fixed blade quickly blends ingredients for smoothies, milkshakes, soups, or baby food. The quality whisk attachment is a perfect addition!
Amazon.com: Mueller Ultra-Stick 500 Watt 9-Speed Immersion Multi-Purpose Hand Blender Heavy Duty Copper Motor Brushed 304 Stainless Steel With Whisk, Milk Frother Attachments: Home & Kitchen
Built-in ceramic sharpeners, automatically sharpen chef knives, and other straight-edge knives with every use. Each time you pull a knife from the block, it is automatically sharpened. The secret: Each storage slot for fine-edged knives (paring, slicing, and chef’s knives) contains ceramic sharpeners that sharpen each blade at the ideal angle. This helps blades retain their optimal cutting properties and quality for a long time. Labeled handles for easy identification in the block. Triple-riveted handles are contoured for a secure grip.
Three precisión speeds, a pulse function, and the extract program offer full control at the press of a button. 1200 watts of power let you make an endless array of smoothies, soups, sauces, nut butter, and beyond.
The best way to check out great products! Everything for Kids and Adults – These subscription boxes have something for everyone – they are a really great way to check out products. No need to reorder – these items will come to you automatically! Enjoy…
Amazon.com: Subscription Boxes – the best way to check out great products! Everything for Kids and Adults!
We all need a little inspiration in the kitchen and we invite you to review Chef Eric’s favorite books to create new memories for your family. You can find a list of 39 books priced from $5. There are books for everyone in the family…From teenagers “Find The Baking Cookbook for Teens”, to Vegetarians “How to Cook Everything Vegetarian”. Chef Eric’s Cookbooks List has it all!
Amazon.com: Cookbooks – Baking Books. We all need a little inspiration in the kitchen – peruse my favorites and create new memories for your family.
6. WATSABRO Kitchen Blow Torch: The Blowtorch is great for caramelizing sugar atop creme brulee, roasting bell peppers, melting cheese, and baking breadcrumbs. This torch makes a great gift!
The torch lighters have been designed with double flame and feature a durable aluminum alloy metal body and a non-slip handle! The compact safety lock effectively prevents improper operation and accidental ignition.
Amazon.com: WATSABRO Kitchen Blow Torch, Culinary Butane Torch Lighters Refillable Double Fire Cooking Torch, Mini Adjustable Flame Butane Lighters for Dabs, Creme Brulee, Food and BBQ
Are you still worried about the lack of oven capacity? This air fryer oven has a spacious 20-Quart unit that allows you to make plenty of food, so you can make enough food for the whole family.
The Iconic plus air fryer oven circulates super-hot air around your food instead of oil to cook, penetrates the inside of the food, cooks evenly, and locks in moisture, 1800 Watts of power makes your food more crispy and delicious!
Amazon.com: 10-in-1 Air Fryer Oven, 20 Quart Airfryer Toaster Oven, 1800W Toaster Oven Air Fryer Combo, Large Air Fryers Accessories, ETL Certification: Home & Kitchen
These 7 BEST Amazon Kitchen Products are a great addition to your kitchen! Discover Chef Eric’s complete Amazon shopping list at: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chefericsculinaryclassroom?listId=1UI4GO8Z3H6NK with a variety of recommendations from Chef Eric on equipment, cookware, gadgets, tools, and more needed to cook your next food at home.
Chef Eric created a professional-level video cooking course. 12 episodes packed full of tips and tricks from the professional Chef. Contact Chef Eric here for a pre-Black Friday special offer that will impress even the biggest skeptic.
We hope you enjoy our 3 DIFFERENT WAYS TO COOK SALMON – FARMED VS. WILD SALMON Blog post. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated! And check out our YOUTUBE Channel for other cooking ideas Chef Eric’s YouTube Channel.
Salmon is one of the most consumed fish in the United States due to its great nutritional properties, such as Vitamins A, B, and D, Omega 3, Minerals such as Potassium and Phosphorus, Antioxidants such as Vitamin E and Selenium, Calcium, Iron, and Iodine.
Salmon and its various preparations are exquisite and loved by most; making it the perfect dish for any occasion. Chef Eric shares his tips to carry out some great culinary ideas with raw and cooked salmon, and the BEST part – without wasting any part of this wonderful fish:
Pan, Griddle or Oven:
Season with the most basic household spices before cooking in the pan, iron or oven. These are some of the most popular ways to season salmon:
Salt and Pepper
Salt, Pepper, and additional Herbs and Spices such as Rosemary, Thyme, and Paprika
Store-bought Dry Rub
Salmon Marinade
Salmon Glaze
Preheat a frying pan or griddle, add olive oil, and cook for a maximum of 5 minutes on each side.
When using an oven, preheat to 350°F and roast the salmon for a maximum of 20 minutes so that it does not dry out.
It should be tested with a fork. If it flakes easily, it is done. If it has a dense or rubbery consistency, it is overdone.
Use a digital meat thermometer for a more accurate reading as well-done salmon should reach about 145°F. If you want Chef-style salmon, cook to 120-125°F.
If you have doubts about whether or not the properties of Salmon are lost during cooking, the answer is NO. ALL the nutrients remain intact!
Raw:
This style is called CURING / also known as ‘Gravlox’ For any raw salmon dishes, ALWAYS use fresh, wild Salmon King Salmon is best.
Mix a marinade that includes salt, spices, some sugar, and white vinegar.
Cover the salmon with this marinade
Wrap tightly in plastic
Store in the refrigerator with a weight on top for three days
Rinse the salmon after the three days
By following these steps, the salmon will be ready to be cut into thin slices and used for LOX to put on a Bagel, or in any side dish or salad – It is super delicious and very easy to prepare!
Salmon Tail
Using the cooked tail for hamburgers and the raw tail for tartar are exquisite and very practical options. You can send this part of the salmon to the food processor! For hamburgers – only add condiments and spices of your choice and cook it in the pan for a maximum of 3 minutes per each side. For the tartar option, do the curing process and VOILA!
Its color is due to the fact that it is industrially dyed by spraying shellfish shells.
Salmon contains organochlorine compounds that act as endocrine disruptors (substances that modify hormonal behavior) due to the concentrate they eat, and also due to the high levels of contamination in the waters where waste from the cleaning products of the cages, feces, and other components of farming accumulate.
They have almost the same percentage of Omega 3 as wild salmon
WILD
Its color is achieved thanks to the feeding of small crustaceans, due to the color of its shell the meat of the animals is dyed reddish.
Normal and natural feeding environments are found in rivers without contamination or little contamination.
They feed on anchovies which makes them have a high percentage of Omega 3.
The majority of Salmon comes from the rivers of Alaska
We hope you have enjoyed reading our new blog post 3 DIFFERENT WAYS TO COOK SALMON – FARMED VS. WILD SALMON – Chef Eric’s main tip – take advantage of the benefits and nutrients of Salmon and make it part of your weekly menu.
We hope you enjoy our MORE PEOPLE ARE LEARNING TO COOK THAN EVER BEFORE blog post. Check out our culinary programs that teach you how to cook and give you the skills YOU need to become a chef! AND don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated!
More people are learning to cook than ever before – after two years of home cooking, more people want to learn new skills, recipes, and techniques, and more to expand their knowledge and cook better for family and friends at home.
Our routines have changed as a result of the pandemic. Our food practices shifted leading us to home cooking. Since we spent more time at home – cooking became essential, either out of necessity, distraction, or simply because we discovered a new hobby.
More people are learning to cook for different reasons nowadays. Some of the reasons for this shift include: Realizing how much money can be saved, making better choices, eating mindfully, and becoming a better cook.
Chef Eric highlights the benefits of learning to cook:
High-Quality Food and Ingredients:
When we are able to choose the foods and ingredients ourselves we get to decide which ingredients we really need, which ones fit our budget, and which ones help us to have a healthy diet. Preparing our own food gives us control of the entire process!
By cooking at home we can ensure that our families eat fresh and wholesome meals. This will help us to feel and look healthier, boost our energy, stabilize our weight, and improve our sleep.
Additionally, there are plenty of benefits for our mental health as well! Preparing food contributes to our mental well-being as it is a method of distraction from our everyday worries, causing stress levels to drop considerably. Many people find cooking a form of therapy after a busy day at the office.
Choosing correctly improves our well-being, and also helps support local producers. Let’s start cooking!
Money-Saving:
As we take on good financial and nutritional practices, we notice the results in our pockets and our bodies. This leads us to financial peace of mind and more organized life. According to Forbes.com “It is almost five times more expensive to order delivery from a restaurant than it is to cook at home. And if you’re using a meal kit service as a shortcut to a home-cooked meal, it’s a bit more affordable, but still almost three times as expensive as cooking from scratch.”
By learning to cook at home, you will be able to save more money! Most restaurants charge about a 300% mark-up on the items they serve. Cooking and eating out are two different worlds when it comes to budget. The average price per serving of home-cooked meals is $4.31 – while the average cost of eating out is $20.37. This should be a great reason to start your culinary journey! Remember, it is better to make a good investment in your physical and mental habits before spending a considerable amount on the consequences of an unbalanced life.
Entertainment Time:
We learned to entertain ourselves alone or with family and friends at home. Cooking helps us to release stress, and develop creativity. Today, the kitchen is one of the spaces where the family shares most memories. Cooking definitely means entertainment for all ages, it is the perfect activity to involve the little ones – take this opportunity to release stress!
Job Opportunities:
The confinement helped many people to think of new ideas, in many cases, to start their own businesses. By learning new recipes and cooking techniques, you can even start a new business from home. Think outside the box, you have nothing to lose!
Good Planning:
Home Cooking teaches us to plan our daily menu; buy the ingredients, and cook them ourselves. Good planning prevents waste! It is recommended to keep a checklist of weekly purchases in a notepad in the kitchen or on your cell phone to track your spending. Weekly purchases assure you of fresh and healthy products for consumption.
Chef Eric encourages you to do everything possible to live a balanced life; it is never too late to take on good practices.
We hope that you have enjoyed reading this blog post – More people are learning to cook than ever before!
If you’ve been thinking about it, this might be a good time to start your culinary journey! Chef Eric offers different classes where you can learn the basics of cooking, and new recipes, and become a master chef!
Don’t miss the opportunity to join us in this amazing experience! Registration is open. Click on the link to see our different classes, and program details. https://culinaryclassroom.com/master-chef-certificate-program/ and Check out our YOUTUBE Channel for great cooking ideas Chef Eric’s YouTube Channel
In recent years, the interest in learning to cook has increased exponentially. Flexibility, convenience, and comfort are some of the reasons why people are choosing to learn to cook online. These online cooking classes work like culinary schools with a bonus point – you can tailor them to your needs and schedule. Anyone taking online cooking classes can access them from anywhere at any time – On-demand cooking classes focus on the students and their needs!
Having the ability to choose the right culinary course depends on your final objective – Why do you want to take this class? What are your expectations? Additionally, there are some important factors to consider before you choose the best online cooking classes. The right course will help you meet and exceed your initial expectations. Here are some important points that you should definitely consider before choosing the best online cooking classes.
1. Requirements:
Analyze what is required from beginning to end to make sure that you will not have surprises along the way – save yourself some headaches!
It is recommended to verify if you require a previous certified course, special documentation, and/or special materials to carry out the course. Make sure you have what it takes before you register for your online cooking classes.
2. Objective:
Have an objective – It is a very important starting point! When in doubt, make sure to be guided, and don’t be afraid to ask! Do you want to be a pastry chef? Focus on international cuisine? or do you just want to learn some new recipes? and cook for fun? Being clear about your objective will take you on the right course.
3. Schedule:
Not all online classes are created equal. If the online class is live, make sure that your schedule meets the class schedule. If your schedule is a bit complicated then choose an on-demand class that you can take at any time.
4. Self-knowledge and Level of Experience:
Each one of us is aware of the skills and aptitudes that are innate and those that we have to work on to develop throughout our lives. By reviewing the requirements of each course you can be prepared for what you would need to face during the class. This information will guide and help you to understand where you stand – what skills and what level of culinary experience you might need to join the course. Remember, “practice makes the master”.
5. Former Students Reviews:
Just as you do when going to a restaurant or booking a hotel, we encourage you to always check on former students’ reviews. Make sure to get your research done before choosing the right class. Learn about the instructors, methodology, and school!
Obtaining the right training will always help you to move forward. There are thousands of online cooking courses and workshops to choose from – It is just a matter of finding the right course for you! Online courses will open doors to great personal and work opportunities. We hope that these 5 tips from Chef Eric will give you a better understanding when making your final decision and choosing the best online cooking classes.
We would love to invite you to learn about Chef Eric’s Master Chef Cooking Video Series where you’ll learn fundamental skills, and methods of cooking with an emphasis on ingredients, theories, and techniques in your own home. You’ll learn everything from Knife Skills to Plated Meals – you’ll be an expert in no time!
Chef Eric gives us a sneak peek of his TOP 8 Best Amazon Kitchen Products. Success in the kitchen comes from practicality and good use of kitchen equipment! “You are only as good as your tools.” This popular saying becomes true when we talk about cookware. Kitchen utensils can make your life so much easier and can save you plenty of time. In addition, the right kitchen tools can help you maintain a clean kitchen and can aid you with tasks such as chopping, slicing, and dicing. Here are the TOP 8 of Chef Eric’s favorite, affordable, and really useful utensils to work in your kitchen like a pro! He’s even added some of his favorite cookbooks.
8 Best Amazon Kitchen Products – Chef Eric’s favorite equipment, cookware, gadgets, tools, and MORE….
Hand Blender – Muller Austria Ultra Stick: The perfect blender for Smoothies, Shakes, Soups, and Baby Food!
The removable blending arm with fixed blade locks into the motor body for easy operation. The stainless steel S-Shaped fixed blade quickly blends ingredients for smoothies, milkshakes, soups, or baby food. The quality whisk attachment is a perfect addition!
Grill your food on the top and bottom at the same time from the comfort of your kitchen. With the simple press of a button, you can adjust the cooking temperature of each Grill Plate independently, giving you complete cooking control.
It’s easy to clean, non-stick and thin enough to transfer heat and grill marks onto your most delicate, unexpectedly grillable foods – even pancakes. Sometimes it’s too hot to grill outside – so this is a great option!
Built-in ceramic sharpeners, automatically sharpen chef knives, and other straight edge knives with every use. Each time you pull a knife from the block, it is automatically sharpened. The secret: Each storage slot for fine-edged knives (paring, slicing, and chef’s knives) contains ceramic sharpeners that sharpen each blade at the ideal angle. This helps blades retain their optimal cutting properties and quality for a long time. Labeled handles for easy identification in the block. Triple-riveted handles are contoured for a secure grip.
Three precision speeds, a pulse function, and the extractor program offer full control at the press of a button. 1200 watts of power let you make an endless array of smoothies, juices, soups, sauces, nut butters, and beyond. I also like the two drinking cups so I can drink mine on the go! We use this at least 1-2 times a week.
The best way to check out great products!Everything for Kids and Adults – These subscription boxes have something for everyone – they are a really great way to check out products. No need to reorder – these items will come to you automatically! Enjoythe variety!
We all need a little inspiration in the kitchen and we invite you to review Chef Eric’s favorite books to create new memories for your family. You can find a list of 39 books priced from $5. There are books for everyone in the family…From teenagers “Find The Baking Cookbook for Teens”, to Vegetarians “How to Cook Everything Vegetarian”. Chef Eric’s Cookbook List has it all!
The Blowtorch is great for caramelizing sugar to make creme brulee, roasting bell peppers, and even melting cheese. This torch makes a great gift!
The torch lighters have been designed with double flame and feature a durable aluminum alloy metal body and non-slip handle! The compact safety lock effectively prevents improper operation and accidental ignition.
Are you still worried about the lack of oven capacity? This air fryer oven is a spacious 20-Quart unit that allows you to make plenty of food, so you can make enough for the whole family.
The Iconic plus air fryer oven circulates super-hot air around your food instead of using oil to cook, penetrates the inside of the food, cooks evenly and locks in moisture. The 1800 Watts of power makes your food crispy and delicious and it’s healthier, too! I use mine all the time.
These 8 BEST Amazon Kitchen Products are a great addition to your kitchen! Discover Chef Eric’s complete Amazon shopping list at:
We hope you enjoy our Summer Grilling Tips: How to Grill Steak and Chicken like a Pro Blog. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated AND check out our YOUTUBE Channel for other cooking ideas Chef Eric’s YouTube Channel.
Summer always ends with good memories. It is the perfect time for BBQs, friends, and endless happiness. Our favorite season is almost here – the perfect time to fire up that grill. Thinking about hosting a good barbecue in a fast and easy way for your friends and family? You’ve come to the right place, as Chef Eric gives you his awesome tips on Summer Grilling. Learn How to Grill Steak and Chicken like a Pro! Keep in mind that many times the best dishes come from the simplest condiments and preparations.
Chef Eric hopes to share his experience not only with his great students who have the pleasure of working with him in person but with everyone in the world, who reads his blogs and watches his Youtube videos.
Make the best of your summer with Chef Eric’s amazing tips.
TIPS TO GRILLING THE PERFECT STEAK:
One of Chef Eric´s personal favorites is the New York Strip, which he recommends for its exquisite firm texture. Chef Eric suggests using a charcoal grill with a combination of charcoal and mesquite for delicious flavor, and heating it until the coals are covered in white ash, about 20 minutes.
What to do next?
Salt and pepper on both sides of the steak. You should do this step only when you are ready to cook. Why? If you let the steak sit for 20 minutes or more before cooking it, the salt dries the moisture out of the steak.
Each side of the steak should be on the grill for about 3, maybe even 4 minutes, resist the temptation to move it around or check it .
NEVER use a fork, as you will create holes where the juices will come out, always use a pair of tongs to flip the steak. Start checking for the desired doneness after 6-8 minutes.
Once you remove the steak from the grill, do not slice it right away, you want to let it sit for at least 1-2 minutes.
Watch Chef Eric’s Youtube Video to learn more – here he shows how to grill indoors with a cast iron pan:
Chef Eric recommends boneless and skinless chicken. Chicken breasts that you buy in the grocery store will achieve the task! Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes at room temperature. If you plan ahead, leave it in the refrigerator overnight, cover it with a plastic wrap, and it will be ready for the next day.
You can use different marinades to give flavor and aroma to the chicken. For inspiration, go to my youtube channel!
The next day transfer the chicken to a clean plate and preheat the grill – the same way as with the steak.
Each side of the chicken should be on the grill for about 2, maybe even 3 minutes, resist the urge to move it around, and you’ll let those really lovely grill marks develop.
Touch the chicken to know that it is ready, it must feel firm and elastic when you press it, otherwise, you can opt for a temperature probe around one hundred and fifty-five degrees of internal temperature and it should be ready to plate.
To finish the dish, take it off the grill and let it sit on a plate for a couple of moments before serving.
To finish, you can accompany both the steak and the grilled chicken breasts with Chef Eric’s sizzling oven roasted potatoes.
We hope you have learned important tips to grill steak and chicken like a pro!
“People can drive a great deal from the art of cooking. The ultimate reward for me seeing the sense of confidence and pure joy that my students experience when they master the life skill of cooking through my instruction, and to help other chefs follow in my footsteps and create their businesses and careers” -Chef Eric
For more tips, you can visit Chef Eric’s culinary classroom!
Choosing the foods we eat and taking care of the time we dedicate to each of our meals, without interfering in our daily work and responsibilities is a must. Being as productive and as healthy as possible is the key to having a balanced lifestyle.
Eating three meals a day helps keep energy levels up and hunger at bay, according to (livestrong.com). Chef Eric and his team compiled the main benefits of having a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. We also added quick recipes that will be a good option in our day to day, giving us all the energy, nutrients, and water we need.
As main advice, Chef Eric recommends that we should consume our 3 main meals in a 12-hour range. For instance, if we eat our breakfast at 7:00 am, our dinner should be at 7:00 pm. Let’s take a look at some QUICK AND EASY GOOD EATING HABITS!
1. BREAKFAST:
The importance of a healthy breakfast every day is because it helps to maintain nutritional balance throughout the day. Since it is the first meal we eat after a period of 10 to 12 hours of fasting, it is important that breakfast is away from processed foods. Choose real foods instead! Shakes are a magnificent option since almost immediately they conjugate all the nutrients and vitamins necessary to start the day right. You can combine different fruits and veggies, according to the purpose of your diet. Shakes can detoxify, nourish, and feed the body with the right amounts of healthy foods.
The most important benefits of a healthy breakfast are:
– Improves physical performance, the lack of breakfast causes fatigue and loss of energy – Covers the needs of vitamins and minerals – Controls body weight as it helps to keep our metabolism active, avoiding the accumulation of fat – Increases productivity at work and there is greater mental clarity – Reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes – Reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases – Prevents the risk of obesity and overweight problems – Improves concentration and behavior – Maintains good growth and development – Contributes to maintaining health and well-being – Helps to preserve muscle mass, when we age we tend to lose muscle mass, which leads to bone and joint complications, hence the importance of supplementing with physical activity.
Lastly, the myth that skipping breakfast helps you lose weight faster, it’s FALSE!
Bonus Recipe # 1:
Banana, Mango, and Vegetable Smoothie: 2 Servings
Ingredients:
For the base: • 80 g of kale or baby spinach • 1 mango • 2 bananas • 2 tablespoons of hemp seeds • Mint leaves • Basil leaves • 1 small handful of alfalfa sprouts • Water
For the topping: • 1 tablespoon of hemp seeds • Sliced mango • Banana cut into slices
Method: • Blend the base ingredients • Serve in a bowl • Add the toppings so that it is pleasing to the eye
2. LUNCH:
Lunch provides the energy that the body needs to face any activity. In the afternoon, having lunch reinforces a good dose of nutrients to your body and many more benefits that we will mention below:
– Nutritious and balanced lunch options should have 7% vegetables, 15% protein, and 15% carbohydrate – Each ingredient that we use in our plate must benefit our organism – Drinking water before eating lunch helps to have good digestion – To accompany lunch, drink water or tea! Avoid dairy and sugary drinks – You can eat whole grains or cereals, and avoid refined grains such as white rice and white bread – Try to choose fish, poultry, legumes and nuts. Limit red meat and processed meats! – Variety of colors in vegetables: Reds reduce the risk of cancer (tomatoes, peppers, radishes, watermelon, apple), orange and yellow strengthen the immune system (carrot, pumpkin, pineapple, peach), greens are detoxifying, help the immune and bone system (lettuce, artichoke , broccoli, spinach), and white ones, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and prevent diabetes (onion, garlic, cauliflower, mushrooms) – For preparations and supplements, healthy oils such as canola, and olive oil should be used. Do not use margarines or trans fats – Having ketogenic or “ketos” lunches as an alternative, helps us burn fat
Bonus Recipe # 2:
Grilled Swordfish with Herb Butter Yield: 4 Servings
Ingredients:
• Swordfish or other meaty fish, cut into 2 pounds 1 to 1 ½ inch steaks • Olive oil 1/4 cup • Lemon, zested and juiced 1 each
Herb Butter • Unsalted butter, room temperature 1/2 c / 1 stick • Mixed herbs, chopped 1/2 cup • (Parsley, dill, chives, tarragon, chervil, thyme) • Salt and pepper to taste
Method: • Brush the fish with the olive oil and lemon juice. Let stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. • In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the butter and mix thoroughly. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside. • Prepare a grill pan on medium heat. • Spray the grill pan with oil and grill the fish for 7 to 10 minutes, turning once. • Remove the fish from the grill and place on a heated serving platter. Brush with the softened herb butter and garnish with the lemon zest
3. DINNER:
A healthy dinner is one that is easily digestible and helps to have a good night’s rest. It is important to keep the following in mind and achieve a perfect end of day:
– Going to bed lighter after a healthy dinner can be the solution against insomnia – The digestive process is relieved as it helps to repair any problems caused by heavy and abundant meals – Eating a light dinner is a healthy habit that allows you to wake up earlier the next day and with more energy – Improves general health and mood – Eating lighter is the key to living longer and staying fit – When you have a light dinner during the summer, it helps to keep your body temperature stable – Try to eat dinner at least two hours before going to sleep – Light cooking methods such as boiling, baking, and steaming are the most recommended in the evening hours – Very heavy recipes with high fat content should be avoided. Dinners should contain in very moderate measures foods rich in Omega 3 or healthy fats – You should only have dinner if you feel hungry
Bonus Recipe # 3:
Grilled Vegetable Ratatouille:
Ingredients:
• Olive Oil ¼ cup • Garlic cloves, minced 4 medium cloves • Thyme, chopped fine 1 t & sprigs for garnish • Parsley, chopped fine 1 Tablespoon • Rosemary, chopped fine 1 teaspoon • Red Onion 1 large • Basil, chiffonade 2t & sprig for garnish • Zucchini, large 1 each • Eggplant, large 1 eggplant • Yellow squash, large 1 each • Red Bell Pepper, roasted, peeled & chopped 1 pepper • Tomatoes, roasted, peeled and chopped 2 tomatoes
Method: • Heat a Grill Pan over medium heat. Combine the oil in a small bowl with garlic, thyme and rosemary. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set the bowl aside. • Trim the zucchini and eggplant. Peel the eggplant, and slice the eggplant and zucchini into ½ inch thick rounds. Peel and cut the onions into ½ inch slices. Brush the vegetables with the garlic herb oil. • Place the vegetables on the hot grill pan. You may have to grill in batches. Grill, turning the onions several times but the other vegetables once, until dark grill marks appear. • Continue grilling until the vegetables are cooked through. While grilling, spread the chopped tomatoes on a platter. Place the finished vegetables on the platter on top of the tomatoes. Garnish with fresh herb sprigs and roasted pepper.
Prepare healthy and balanced recipes for your everyday menu. You will begin to see improvements in your body in no time! If you eat a healthy dinner, and prepare light, and rich dishes for the whole family – your children will get used to eating healthy from a young age. Take advantage of these QUICK AND EASY GOOD EATING HABITS! Make sure to include the little ones in the cooking process so they learn how easy and fun it is to eat healthy.
Chef Eric recommends healthy snacks if you feel a bit hungry between meals. You can incorporate walnuts, almonds, or peanuts in moderate portions. Fruits are also a good alternative for a healthy snack!
For additional fun, quick, and delicious recipes – don’t forget to subscribe to Chef Eric’s YouTube channel! Chef Eric’s YouTube Channel.
For children, living fun and entertaining experiences are the basis of their physical and emotional development. Let’s discover the surprising benefits of cooking with Kids!
Activities related to cooking are the perfect resource for kids to learn to develop different skills in a didactic way. It is time to take advantage of the time spent at home and start to teach your children something new and exciting! Cooking will help them in the future and bring amazing benefits in the present. Chef Eric shares the benefits of cooking with kids. This blog is based on his vast experience teaching cooking courses to the little ones:
1. Creative Mind:
Whenever the human being learns something new, the brain creates new ways to put what has been learned into practice. This shows the importance of constantly stimulating the mind – It is time for your children to practice different activities! Cooking awakens their senses; making them explore fields they have never seen before, or have previously ignored. Children learn and experiment to understand the connections and harmonies in the kitchen. Cooking will help them to become more creative – Take advantage of this activity to let your children’s imagination fly!
2. Motor Skills Development:
Fine motor skill is the coordination of movements of small muscles in coordination with the eyes. For this reason, we carry out activities to strengthen our motor skills since kindergarten. These are very important for the development of cognitive areas and language. Cooking is an ideal activity to develop these kinds of skills. Cutting-washing vegetables, peeling foods, eating fruits, learning to use kitchen implements such as knives, and learning different culinary techniques are some of the processes that contribute to motor skills development. Experimenting with various textures, flavors, and shapes is also great for human development!
3. Mathematical Ability:
Children involved in the culinary arts are exposed to mathematical and chemical concepts in a didactic way, even without realizing it! Weight, quantities, and fractions are essential when preparing food. Chemical concepts are also part of the cooking experiment; everything that can happen with the different ingredients when mixed in their different states!
4. Autonomy:
As children learn and practice cooking, they adopt independence in each of the processes that cooking involves. It is important that they are supervised by a responsible adult or a professional to guide them, and prevent any accidents in the kitchen. Afterward, with experience, and practice, the child will have the autonomy of cooking, thus giving him security and self-confidence!
5. Learning about Healthy Food:
By involving or inspiring children to learn about each of the ingredients and foods, they will surely want to know where these come from and what they are made of. This knowledge will allow them to identify which foods are healthy and which are not! This concept also encourages them to cook the food. As we know, cooking at home can be much healthier than eating at most restaurants.
6. Teamwork:
Cooperating from an early age will help kids to socialize and work with others! Cooking classes generate great interaction between kids, achieving successful teamwork. For children, cooking becomes a great team activity!
7. Reinforcement of Emotional Intelligence:
Emotional intelligence is the ability to express, understand, manage, and perceive emotions. This type of intelligence achieves behaving in an appropriate way socially.
As mentioned above, culinary arts awaken the senses that reinforce, and activate emotional intelligence. During the preparation of a recipe, conversations must be held – kids learn to listen and reason! Additionally, the cuisine world is wonderful and diverse. The little ones enjoy learning about other cultures, flavors, and textures!
We hope that you have enjoyed reading this blog – Benefits of cooking with kids!
