Guest Blogger: Gabi Moskowitz

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Gabi Moskowitz is a San Francisco-based food writer, caterer and cooking teacher. A Santa Rosa, CA native, she has been cooking since childhood and can be found taking in the delicious offerings of Northern California’s restaurant scene—from hidden hole-in-the-wall gems to fancier fare.  Since I’m heading to San Fran for a couple of days, I contacted Gabi for some eating advice.  And along the way, I found a great article that she wrote for Primer Magazine, a really fab magazine for guys who “want to be better men” (think Maxim for guys who can think)  that is just PERFECT for a Thrifty Thursday – 3 simple steps to great eating!!

You can visit Gabi at www.brokeassgourmet.com or www.GabiMoskowitz.com.

Now that you’re all grown up it’s time to stop eating out of boxes and microwave trays.  Scared?  Don’t be – here’s how to get started.

By Gabrielle Moskowitz

There are few things sexier than a man who cooks. It demonstrates maturity, competency and the ability to provide — not just financially but literally. It says, “I can take care of you.” As a living, breathing, dating woman, I can tell you that the gesture alone of cooking for a woman is a nearly certain route to her heart. If you can go even further and actually cook something delicious and beautifully presented, you can pretty much consider it a done deal.

But beyond just impressing dates, the ability to cook is high up on the list of grown-up skills that everyone should have, regardless of gender. Having a clean, well-stocked kitchen and essential kitchen tools on hand are the building blocks of producing tasty, healthy meals that don’t drain your checking account.

Read on for a step-by-step guide to readying your kitchen (no matter how tiny) and honing your culinary skills–no frilly apron required.

Step 1: Clean.

Having a clean kitchen makes cooking significantly more enjoyable. Food keeps longer in a kitchen that is free of mold, bugs and mice (gross, I know, but more common than you’d think), and such parasites stay away from clean spaces. It’s also much easier to clean up little messes when your kitchen itself isn’t a big mess. A clean kitchen is easier to acquire and requires less than you might think. You’ll need:

• 2-3 sponges (1 for dishes, 1 for counter, 1 for scrubbing)
• Multi-purpose cleaner
• A broom
• A mop
• Paper towels
• Dish soap

Take everything out of your pantry/cupboards. Go through each item and determine if it’s (a) still good and (b) something you’ll ever eat. If it’s neither, toss it, if it’s both, keep it. If it’s still good but you’ll never eat it (and it’s unopened), donate it to your local food bank. If it’s been opened but you’ll never eat it, attempt to pawn it off on your friends/roommates, but if you’re unsuccessful, toss it.

Before you put all the dry goods you’re keeping back on their shelves, use the abrasive back of a wet sponge to scrub all the grit from the shelves. Once the grit is removed, spray them down with multi-purpose cleaner and wipe away and put back the dry goods you’re keeping.

Do the same thing with your refrigerator and freezer (see here for help cleaning your freezer).

Also, to really succeed in the kitchen, you’ll need some well-made basic kitchen tools. Nothing too fancy, but make sure you have the following: a rubber spatula, a whisk, a wooden spoon, a good cutting board, a large chef’s knife, a set of mixing bowls, a rolling pin (hint: a wine bottle can stand in in a pinch), measuring spoons and cups, a large frying pan, a soup pot, a smaller pot for sauces and a couple of baking sheets. Bonus items include an immersion blender, a food processor, a cast-iron pan and a grill pan.

OK, are you with me? Cool. Now it’s time to go shopping.

Step 2: Shop.

Head to Trader Joe’s or your local grocery store and fill your cart with the items below. For around $50 you can fill your shelves with dry goods that will make cooking easier and less-expensive because you’ll already have many of the ingredients on hand:

• unbleached all-purpose flour (I prefer King Arthur ) $4 for a 5 lb bag
• extra virgin olive oil $6 for a 12 oz
• vegetable/canola oil $4 for 16 oz
• kosher salt $3 for 24 oz
• pepper (ideally in a grinder) $3
• baking soda $3 for a 6 oz can
• baking powder $3 for a 6 oz can
• white granulated sugar $3 for a 16 oz box/bag
• brown sugar $3 for a 16 oz box/bag
• honey $4 for 8 oz
• balsamic vinegar $4 for 12 oz
• peanut butter $4 for 12 oz
• mayonnaise (store it in the fridge after opening!) $3 for 16 oz
• garlic $0.50 for a head

As for fresh ingredients, resist the urge to buy out the entire grocery store. Pick up a few basic perishables (eggs, milk, butter) that you use regularly, but otherwise, wait until you have decided what to cook before you spend much on meat or produce. If you plan your meals and shop for meal-specific fresh items, you will save money since you’ll actually be buying less and because you won’t do things like buy a beautiful steak you fully intend to cook, but then forget about until it’s gone bad.

Step 3: Cook.

Now that you’ve cleaned and stocked your kitchen, it’s time to decide what to make. First, consider the occasion. Is it a quiet post-work weeknight and you’re cooking only for yourself? Perhaps a hearty chili or pasta dish. Is it the all-important dinner-and-a-DVD-at-your-place third date? Try to remember what she ordered on dates one and two and use that for inspiration.

The key to impressive-yet-effortless cooking is simple ingredients and big, clean flavors. Check out the following websites/blogs for some great recipes that are simple and straightforward will allow you to stay within budget:

• www.brokeassgourmet.com
• http://cheaphealthygood.blogspot.com/
• http://www.culinarycompetitor.com/

Also, whenever I am in doubt, I turn to my favorite man who cooks, Dave Lieberman. He is perhaps among the lesser-known Food Network celebrity chefs, but his recipes are fresh, simple and best of all, inexpensive. You can find his recipes online here or pick up his books Young and Hungry and Dave’s Dinners.

To get you started, try this delicious, easy noodle dish. Switch up the protein sources (try tofu, chicken or beef) for variety.

Peanut Noodles with Salmon and Vegetables

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb spaghetti
• 1/2 cup peanut butter, chunky or creamy
• 4 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp Sriracha or other Asian chili sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• one lime, juiced
• 1/2 red cabbage, cored and sliced
• 2 carrots, grated
• 1 small bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 small bunch fresh mint, chopped
• 2 6-oz fillets of salmon
• 2 tsp vegetable oil

Directions

Cook spaghetti according to package directions. While pasta cooks, whisk together the peanut butter, chili sauce, lime juice, honey, and soy sauce. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a small frying pan over high heat. Cook the salmon fillets for 2-3 minutes on each side until thoroughly cooked. Flake with a fork into 1″ pieces.

Once the noodles are cooked, drain and rinse them. Toss the noodles together with the vegetables, mint, cilantro, and peanut sauce. Top with the salmon.

Serves 4

Guest Blogger: Lynne Gigliotti, assistant professor of Culinary Arts at the Culinary Institute of America

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a fairy godmother?  Or at least someone who was really really good at something (like cooking) and helped you along your journey while you explored the same thing? My friend, Lynne Gigliotti, assistant professor of Culinary Arts at the Culinary Institute of America,  is just that kind of person. I’ve known Lynne for almost 20 years, and during that time she not only fed me some of the most wonderful food I’ve ever eaten, but she also patiently guided me through many cooking questions and journeys. Lynne has agreed to Join us in the Kitchen and share her musings as a professional chef, prior restaurant and catering business owner, and culinary instructor.

They Call Me Chef

Guest Blogger: Tina Su Shares 17 Tips for Improved Posture

Lately, I’ve been experiencing back pain. After prolonged periods working at my desk my lower back feels tight and my shoulders are hunched.  Before running out to purchase a new computer chair or gizmo, I did some research online to learn more about posture and exercise. I found an article that addressed both points; written by Tina Su for her Think Simple Now blog, the post “Don’t Break Your Back! Tips to Healthy Posture” was the “recipe” I was looking for.

Tina Su has generously agreed to share her tips and suggestions with us.

Don’t Break Your Back! Tips to Healthy Posture

View at Picasa 13-May-2006 14:17, 5.6, 30.0mm, 0.05 sec, ISO 800

  When you were a child, you may have been told to “Stand up straight!” or “Don’t slouch!” from your parents and teachers Like any habit, breaking bad posture can be a challenge, but definitely doable with some attention and practice.  Many of us may like to improve our posture, but we often don’t know how, or where to start.

Posture 101

Posture is defined as the carriage of the body. Good posture means carrying your body in a way that puts the least strain on muscles and ligaments. Poor posture can cause pain in the back and neck, and eventually causes injury. Improving your posture is a great way to improve your image while at the same time improving your health.

First, let’s go over some of the things that contribute to poor posture. Most of them are fixable, and others (like pregnancy) eventually go away on their own.

• Poor habits – sitting and standing incorrectly (this is me)
• Weakened muscles
• Obesity – The extra weight strains the muscles
• Pregnancy
• Improper shoes – high-heeled shoes are the worst
• Reduced muscle and joint flexibility

Benefits of Good Posture

Good posture is beneficial to your health in several ways. Standing and sitting correctly prevents strain and overuse, and helps prevent back, neck, and muscle pain. Good posture also helps the muscles work more efficiently, which helps prevent fatigue. Most importantly, I have found that I can breathe deeply from my belly (my core). The energy I get from a deep breath is what keeps me going during the day.

The physical benefits are many, but there are other side benefits to good posture. When you stand properly, the body looks aligned, looks slimmer, and generally looks better. Good posture can also help you feel more confident – because you look and feel better, your confidence increases.

Most of us work at a desk or on a computer, and it’s very easy to slip into poor sitting habits. If your body posture is not aligned, eventually you will experience pain.

Proper Techniques for Sitting, Standing, and Lifting

• Sitting – Sit with your shoulders back and back straight. Your legs should be at a 90-degree angle to your body. Keep your neck, back, and heels in alignment. Avoid the urge to slouch at your desk!
• Standing – When standing, hold your head up straight and chin slightly tucked in. Keep your shoulder blades back, chest forward, and stomach tucked in. Keep most of your weight on the balls of the feet and not the heels or toes. Your arms should hang down naturally.
• Lifting - Lifting something off the ground by bending over forces your back to do most of the lifting and puts a strain on the lower back. The proper way to lift is to bend at the knees and not the waist. This forces your leg muscles to do most of the work.
• Keep Your Spine Straight: In general, try to keep your spine as straight as possible at all times. No matter what you’re doing, if you’re conscious of the alignment of your back and neck, you will notice that your posture will improve.

Simple Stretches to Loosen Your Back Muscles

• Lower back cat stretch: This stretch is done on all fours, fingers facing forward. Start by dropping your head and raising your back as you push the shoulder blades upward. Repeat in the opposite direction by pushing your chest downward, arching your lower back.
• Knees to chest: While lying on your back, pull both knees to the chest with your hands behind your knees. Keep your tailbone on the floor and hold this stretch for at least 15 seconds.
• Shoulder blade squeeze: Have arms straight out in front of you at shoulder height. Now swing both arms horizontally towards your back, like you are trying to reconnect your fingers behind your back. Swing your arms back to the front. Do this motion slowly several times.
• Shoulder blade lift: Have arms straight out in front of you at shoulder height. Now swing both arms vertically in opposite directions. Keep arms straight. Do this motion slowly several times.
• The Core Twist: Hold arms out, bent at shoulder height. Feet planted on the ground, toes facing forward. Keeping your hips facing forward, twist your upper body towards the back (try to look behind you). Twist from side to side. Twist baby! Twist!

Exercises to Strengthen Your Back Muscles

Any type of exercise will benefit you by improving muscle endurance and increasing strength. Exercises that strengthen your core are the most helpful for improving and building the muscles that lead to good posture. Your core is your torso – shoulders to hips – the source of all your strength to your limbs. Here are three exercises that help improve posture:

• Back extensions: Lying face down on the floor with hands behind head. Slowly lift your upper body a few inches off the ground and hold for 5 seconds. Slowly lower to the ground. Repeat 10 – 12 times.
• Superman: Lying face down on the floor, lift your right arm and left leg off the floor several inches. Hold for two seconds and then lower. Repeat with left arm and right leg. Do 10-12 repetitions.
• Shoulder Squeeze: Lift shoulders toward ears and squeeze together, holding the position for five seconds. Relax and repeat 3-5 times.

Tips for Good Posture

• Pad Your Chair – Consider adding lumbar support pad to your office chair. I have a pretty economical cotton pad for my office chair. In fact, I use two of these. This drives other people crazy, since there isn’t much room on the chair, but it’s great for my posture.
• Push Butt Towards Back of Chair – When sitting, I find it helpful to remind myself to shift my butt towards the back of the chair. This helps to prevent me from slouching, as long as I continue to lean forward.
• Sit on Tip of Chair - When you are sitting on the tip of your chair, you are further from the back of the chair so you are less likely to lean against the back support and slouch.
• Breaks & Use of Timer - if you are sitting down most of the day, make a point to get up for breaks often. I set a timer for 40 minutes, when it goes off, I stop working, get up and stretch. Alternatively, go for a walk.
• Exercise Ball - Try replacing your chair with an exercise ball. Lean, mean and cost-effective. The exercise ball makes a nice tool for stretching out your back as well. Two birds with one stone, that’s how I roll! (haha, get it? Roll with a ball?)

Tina, thank you for Joining Us In The Kitchen (to read Tina’s original post click here). I have a copy of this post hanging in my office as a reminder. With your tips, we’ll reap the benefits of a stronger back and better posture. So stand straight – make your mother proud…now if only we can keep our hair out of our face!

Don’t miss a post. Subscribe to the Mama Says, Join Us In The Kitchen using the RSS feed in the upper right corner of this page.

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Mama Says/Carlo Russo Wine & Food Pairing

Times are tough, but this doesn’t mean we have to stop enjoying ourselves. ”Fun”, more than ever, is important. But today, our ways of having fun are a little different than a year ago. One of our favorite weekend activities is cooking dinner at home with friends. In fact, it’s more fun to me than going out. I enjoy planning the meal and having friends assist with the final prep while enjoying delicious wine!

Last month, we posted a blog featuring thrifty wines from Carlo Russo’s Wine and Spirit World (sign-up for their weekly wine deals email newsletter) and that was beginning of a virtual pairing. This month, we are delighted to introduce  a new feature, Mama Says/Carlo Russo food and wine pairings that can be created at affordable prices.

When Amanda Donnelly, Carlo Russo’s, Online Sales Manager, mentioned that she had a terrific Zinfandel that was loaded with fruit and spice I immediately thought of Mom’s Special Meatloaf. It’s an easy-to-prepare, inexpensive, comfort dish that pairs nicely with a fruity red. (recipe and wine info below) I like to make a meatloaf on a Sunday, then divide it into portions and freeze it. When I want a quick, easy meal during the week, I simply take out that portion size in the morning. By dinnertime, it’s ready to go! Serve it with a green salad, baked potato and steamed broccoli.

This is the perfect match for Sunce Zinfandel. On sale for $14.99, Sunce is a delicious Zin loaded with fruit and spice.

View at Picasa mama says_meatloaf

Mom’s Special Meatloaf

Ingredients

Cooking spray
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium sweet onion (Vidalia, Maui, etc.), diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 egg
½ cup plain breadcrumbs or wheat germ
1 teaspoon dried tarragon or herbs de Provence
Salt and black pepper (or pinch of white pepper)
3 heaping tablespoons mustard
3 heaping tablespoons horseradish
½ cup tomato paste or ketchup
4 tablespoons fresh parsley, chives or green onion, minced (optional)
1 pound lean ground meat (beef, chicken, turkey, veal or a mix)

Preparation

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees – with rack in the middle.  Prep shallow baking pan with either cooking spray or line with parchment paper.

Heat skillet over medium high heat; add oil and onion, sauté until tender about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, allowing the flavors to meld about 2 minutes.  Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.

In a large bowl, beat egg. Stir in breadcrumbs, seasonings, mustard and 2 generous tablespoons of horseradish and tomato paste along with optional herbs and the onion mixture. Crumble ground meat over mixture and mix well with your hands.

Shape into an oval loaf in the prepared baking pan. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ketchup and horseradish; spread mixture over loaf.  Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 40 – 50 minutes, or until meat thermometer inserted in center registers 155 degrees.  Remove from oven, let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy the pairing.  Join us in the kitchen next month for another wine and dinner suggestion. You can also subscribe to the Mama Says blog by clicking on the RSS feed at the top of this page.

Guest Blog: Rebecca Hansen joins us in the kitchen

Rebecca Hansen - Guest Blogger - www.recipekey.com/becca View at Picasa Rebecca Hansen - Guest Blogger - www.recipekey.com/becca

   Today we welcome Rebecca Hansen to Join Us In The Mama Says Kitchen: Becca is a blogger and editor for RecipeKey.com. Her blog, “Key Notes with Becca,” is a feature of the site.  She currently lives in Boston, MA with her 3 roommates and ever-expanding cookbook library.

St. Patrick’s Day, like virtually every holiday in my Italian-American household, was celebrated with some deviation from the traditional corned-beef-and-cabbage.  Sometimes, my mother would present us with lasagna layered with corned beef and a side of potato gnocchi.  Other years, the cabbage would be dressed with marinara, or served steamed in a helping of pasta fagiole.  In essence, everything laid out on the table was done with an Italian flair.  My grade school friends would often balk at this, claiming our culinary habits to be “weird” or “funny.”  Little did they know that, beyond a stringent fervor for the Catholic Church, Ireland and Italy share a culinary tradition relying heavily on the almighty potato and cabbage.  While their respective culinary histories may seem strikingly different, these two nations share many of the same staples in their cuisine.  So, it is with that in mind that I continue my mother’s tradition against tradition and cook in solidarity with my Irish brethren by making her favorite stuffed Italian cabbage. Complete with Parmesan cheese and topped with homemade marinara sauce (okay, sauce from a jar if you’re pressed for time), this recipe fully utilizes one of the most beloved vegetables of both Italy and Ireland, and unites them in culinary matrimony.  And, really, if you think about it: that’s what St. Patrick’s Day is all about.  Ok.  It’s about some snake charming saint.  But I’m Italian, and we prefer the romantic.

Stuffed Cabbage

This dish is perfect both for avid cooks and amateurs because of its’ simplicity and easy preparation.

Ingredients:

1 Cabbage green

1 cup Spinach cooked

1 tablespoon Fresh Parsley chopped

5 tablespoons Vegetable Oil

1/2 lb Ground Beef cooked

1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese

2 Eggs beaten

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Rinse cabbage.

2. Boil whole in salted water for 5 minutes. Drain well.

3. Mix together remaining ingredients except oil.

4. Spread leaves gently; insert some stuffing and wrap until all is used.

5. Place in baking dish and cover with oil.

6. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 deg or until cabbage is tender. Add hot water to pan if dry while baking.

Serves 4 – 6.             Bon Appetit!

Recipe found here:  http://www.recipekey.com/therecipes/Stuffed-Cabbage
Becca’s Blog: http://www.recipekey.com/becca

Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day.  Don’t forget to wear a bit of green tomorrow.

To share a recipe, cooking tip, or thrifty idea…leave a comment below…so we can invite you to join us in the kitchen.