Tips and Tricks for Delicious Dishes without Spending All Your Time in the Kitchen
When it comes to the holidays, it’s not ALL about the food! It’s about spending time with family and enjoying the togetherness this time of year brings. You can’t do that if you spend all your time in the kitchen.
Top Chef’s Mike Isabella shares his favorite holiday recipes and also, some tips on how you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with loved ones.
Tips include:
Timing is everything – Before you start cooking a recipe, read all of the steps from beginning to end and prepare the longest-cooking items first. Also make sure you have all the equipment you need.
Prep what you can – What you can do now will save you time later so it’s handy to get a few things out of the way before you start cooking, like mince a clove of garlic or measure a cup of flour. And of course, anything you can prep beforehand (think: chopped vegetables, cooked rice, etc.) will always help you on day you’re in the kitchen.
Keep go-to ingredients within reach – Placing frequently-used ingredients (olive oil, salt, pepper, favorite spices) near where you cook can also save yourself a few steps in the kitchen.
Clean as you go – Since cleanup is one of the least fun parts about cooking, using easy to clean pots and pans and getting started early by sliding your dishes into the sink with warm, soapy water, will make them easier to clean.
About the talent: Mike Isabella is the Chef/Owner of Graffiato DC, Graffiato Richmond, Kapnos and G in Washington, D.C. Outside the kitchen, Chef Isabella appeared on Season Six of Top Chef and he was the runner-up on Top Chef All-Stars. He is also a member of the American Chef Corps, a network of chefs from across the United States who serve as resources to the Department of State.
This is provided by Calphalon
