Chef Lala offers healthy recipes, culinary tips, videos and more to promote a healthy lifestyle.
A Thanksgiving menu generally consists of the traditional turkey, stuffi ng, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and corn. Although this is a fi ne menu to serve to your guests, you may want to add a few additional Latin inspired items or change up your recipes like adding mango salsa to your cranberry sauce to spice up your menu.
Read MoreHerbs can make any dish taste amazing, but you really have to know how to use them. Chef LaLa will show you how to compliment and enhance flavors without all the calories and fat.
Cooking with wine is a great way to concentrate intricate flavors and tenderize meat without adding extra fat. Depending on how you prepare your food, some or all of the alcohol in the wine will evaporate, leaving behind a sophisticated blend of flavors.
Read MoreWhether you are looking forward to a juicy grilled chicken breast, a burger or filet mignon, you should always play it safe by following a few simple rules for purchasing, storing and preparing meat.
Read More| 1 pinch | less than 1/8 teaspoon (dry) |
|---|---|
| 1 dash | 3 drops to ¼ teaspoon (liquid) | ¼ teaspoon or less |
| 3 teaspoons | 1 tablespoon | ½ ounce (liquid and dry) |
| 2 tablespoons | 1 ounce (liquid and dry) |
| 4 tablespoons | 2 ounces (liquid and dry) | ¼ cup |
| 5 1/3 tablespoons | 1/3 cup |
| 8 tablespoons | 4 ounces | ½ cup | 1 stick butter or ¼ pound |
| 1 cup | 8 ounces (liquid) | ½ pint |
| 4 cups | 32 ounces (liquid) | 2 pints | 1 quart |
| 16 cups | 128 ounces (liquid) | 4 quarts | 1 gallon |
| 1 quart | 2 pints (dry) |
| juice of 1 lemon | 2 to 3 tablespoons |
| juice of 1 orange | about ½ cup |
Bring on the heat and make your dishes go from mild to wild by adding fire and flavor to your food with chile peppers. While bell peppers are sweet and mild, Habanero, the hottest, can be fiery. The heat or fire is caused by the natural chemical in peppers called capsaicin, which stimulates nerve endings in the skin.
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Kosher salt is called so primarily because its large crystals are used for making meats kosher. The process is done in part by sprinkling coarse salt on the surface of the meat to absorb the fluids. Kosher salt is typically free from additives commonly found in table salt, making it a favorite for cooking because it has a gentler flavor. Kosher salt is usually sold in large boxes and can be found in the spice and baking section of your market. Don’t let the large box scare you as it has many uses and has an indefinite shelf life if stored properly. A little goes a long way, so when using instead of table salt, use the conversion guide on the back of the box since some brands have larger crystals than others but keep in mind that 1 tsp of table salt = 1½–2 tsp of kosher salt. It is best used in highly liquid recipes or for rimming a beverage glass or lightly topping baked goods such as rolls, pretzels or baked potatoes before baking for a little flavorful crunch.
Fresh, colorful berries at your local supermarket or farmer’s market are a sure sign that summer is here. Some sweet, others tart, berries are a delicious and nutritious treat and can be eaten whole, served fresh, frozen or in baked goods. Berries are available all year from a variety of sources, though most are considered summer fruits.
Read MoreSmoked salmon is typically a fillet that has been cured and then hot or cold smoked. Due to its moderately high price, smoked salmon is considered a delicacy. Since salmon is a large and fatty fish, it’s an excellent fish for smoking, which gives it a very distinct, smoky flavor and light texture.
Read MoreWhether served raw or cooked, vegetables are excellent sources of vital nutrients for our bodies to function properly. Each vegetable provides something different so, as with any food, its a good idea to have variety to gain the maximum nutritional benefits as well as experience the many flavors and textures out there.
Read MoreFresh herbs are an easy, aromatic way to add flavor to your meals without adding fat and calories. The amount of chopping required depends on the dish you are cooking. Some dishes require flavor without diminishing the overall appearance of the dish, such as when cooking fish, chicken or meat, so finely chopped herbs work best.
Read MoreEver wonder why some of your fruits and vegetables don’t seem fresh or taste right so quickly after you purchase them in perfect condition? Though fruits like berries don’t have a long shelf life many last longer just by having proper storage.
Read MoreCheese is a great addition to your diet for flavor, protein and calcium. Not all cheeses are alike so check the nutritional content for the serving size you will use and for the fullest flavor, get out your grater because freshly grated cheese tastes best and makes a great topping to many dishes.
Read MoreAny way you slice it, dice it or shred it, eat well to live well! Having the right tools to help you prepare meals and snacks will make cooking fun, easy, nutritious and delicious. You only need a few basic food preparation items to get started on your path to eating well, feeling great and even saving money by preparing food at home. As you become more comfortable cooking, you can add other items, depending on your needs but here are the 15 basics…
Read MoreWhether she’s teaching nutritious cooking at a Farmer’s Market or on a television show, Chef LaLa is on fire with her desire to share everything she has learned to make people’s lives healthier and happier–one meal at a time.
