Kitchen Tips & Tricks + Spotify Playlist

“Food brings people together on many different levels. It's nourishment of the soul and body; it's truly love.” - Giada De Laurentiis

I’ve received a lot of questions around how I create my dishes at home. But, the most frequent question I get is, how do I make the time to cook throughout the week?

When it comes to preparing weekly meals, time management and planning is key. Luckily, my day job is closely related to Project Management, and I’m super organized, so translating my professional skills to the kitchen was pretty simple. But, I totally understand that not everyone enjoys cooking, or may find the task daunting - so hopefully I can change your perspective on that today!

I’m sharing how I’m efficient in the kitchen, my meal prep process, and some of my favorite songs to play in the kitchen while I’m cooking.

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analisemia · Playlist · 0 songs · 0 likes

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Tip #1: Pick a day to meal prep

My meal prep day for each week is Sunday. This is the day where I plan out meals for the entire week. Choosing a day is half the battle - but once you set a regular schedule it becomes second nature. On this day, I pre-chop veggies, identify which proteins my husband and I’ll cook, and set aside any ingredients we’ll utilize for our dishes. This is super helpful, because there is no surprise to what we’ll be eating for the week, and it really helps streamline our cooking process.

Tip #2: Schedule and plan meals in advance

Knowing what you eat before you step into the kitchen makes the process so much easier. A common misconception that most people have is that you have to cook every single day - if cooking meals at home 3 times a week is your preference, then that’s okay - do what works for your lifestyle!

When I was working solely in a office 5 days a week, I’d only enjoy my home cooked meals about 4 days a week. Now, that the pandemic has been happening since March, I’ve been working from home, thus I’ve been cooking about roughly 5-6 days a week.

Also, one thing that I do to help me plan our meals in advance, and prevent myself from over or under eating, is to plan dinners ahead of time. I created a Google Doc, in which I’ve shared with my husband to outline what dish we are having each day of the week, with slots to show what evening we’ll splurge on takeout. Not only does this help us know what we’ll be eating ahead of time, but it’s also a really good budgeting tool.

Tip #3: Organize your pantry and fridge

You eat with your eyes, and having your fridge and pantry organized will really help your cooking experience. Knowing what is in your kitchen will ease and calm your mind before curating dishes.

I love utilizing clear containers and labels to help keep my kitchen organized - this makes everything super accessible. Also, the clear containers to store nuts, flour, sugar, or cereal will help you immediately see if you are running low on something.

Keeping an organized kitchen will also prevent you from overspending on the items you keep stocked in your pantry or fridge.

Tip #4: Create a grocery shopping list ahead of time

Whether you prefer grocery delivery, pickup, or like to walk down each aisle - ensure you know exactly what you before stepping into the store. This will absolutely help you save money, time, and you’ll be so glad in the long run.

Tip #5: Select recipes before stepping foot in the kitchen

If you have a recipe you are dying to try, read through it before going into the kitchen. Make sure you have every ingredient, and kitchen tool to successfully create your dish.

Tip #6: Listen to music, a podcast, or watch your favorite TV show while you cook

For me, music sparks creativity. I love playing music while cooking, and it makes the time in your kitchen literally fly by!

Not a music person? Play your favorite TV show that you can cook to! Whether, you're feeling nostalgic and want to watch old episodes of The Golden Girls or Fresh Prince, or you want to watch the newest Netflix show sensation - make your cooking experience fun!

Tip #7: Find a kitchen partner or video chat with a friend while whipping up a meal in your kitchen

Having a kitchen partner will also speed up your cooking time. One of my favorite things to do is cooking side by side with my husband, or watching him cook on the grill in our backyard, and chatting. It makes it fun and we are able to bond while doing something we enjoy doing!

If you live alone, video chat a friend while you cook! Cook the same recipe and talk one another through the cooking process. Share tips and tricks, while casually chatting throughout your experience.

Tip #8: Be patient, have fun, and master one dish at a time

The most important tip I can share when it comes to cooking is to make it fun and be patient! One thing I did was learning to master a dish one at a time. For me it was my mother’s chicken wings - one of my favorite things to make. I mastered my mom’s wing recipe, and then began to make other variations.

Cooking is something you can make fun, and mastering a new dish can be so rewarding. So, get creative, don’t take the process too seriously, pour a glass of wine, and get cooking!

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XO, Analise

Dining Out: Cookology

“Cooking is about passion, so it may look slightly temperamental in a way that it's too assertive to the naked eye.” - Gordon Ramsay

When my bestie Alisha, decided to have her 29th birthday at Cookology in Northern Virginia, I was super thrilled. She wanted to host an intimate cooking class with close friends and family, on her special day. The class was so much fun, and the instructor was amazing! I loved the fact that we were taught specific cooking techniques, but we were free to experiment, and try new things with our dishes. Everything throughout the night was casual, fun, and light - if you are in the Northern Virginia area I totally recommend this for adults, and children.

The Menu:

Appetizer: Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Entrée: Parisian Bistro Style Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Veloute

Dessert: Bourbon Bread Pudding

Truer words have never been written.

When we arrived to the cooking class, we were greeted by the most welcoming staff, wine, and appetizers! We got acquainted with our work stations, the recipes we’d be creating our meals with, and the kitchen.

The welcoming appetizer of caprese skewers, before we began cooking.

We cooked with a variety of vegetables, proteins, and even alcohol! Our instructor had us begin with our individual dessert first. The class needed adequate time to prep the bourbon bread pudding first, prior to making our entree. By doing this process, we were able to allow the dessert to cook thoroughly, and this also eased everyone into making the larger dish ahead.

Bourbon, celery, peppers, and butter - all key components for the meals cooked during class.

The ingredients for the bourbon bread pudding.

Preparing the bourbon bread pudding mixture, and cubing the bread for the dessert.

Once the dessert was assembled, and set for baking, everyone moved on the entree. We made a Parisian style chicken with a house made sauce. For this dish we were assigned a partner, and Alisha was mine! As a team, we prepared all the veggies to go along with the dish - celery, onion, potatoes, garlic, and red pepper. From there she sautéed the mixture into a large pot, which was later blended in a food processor, as a sauce for the grilled chicken.

My best friend, Alisha sautéing the veggies for the roasted red pepper veloute.

The class observing a cooking demo by the head chef.

Parisian style chicken, paired with a house made salad.

Bourbon bread pudding, with a whiskey glaze.

I absolutely loved my experience at Cookology! This experience was really unique to other cooking classes. Not only was the class private, but it was super relaxed, and I enjoyed the fact that everything was easy going. The chef provided really good kitchen tips throughout the process. Also, it was great to learn new recipes as well as how to stretch ingredients for each meal. I definitely recommend doing a cooking class with friends, or your partner. It is a great bonding experience, plus you walk away with so much knowledge!

If you have taken a cooking class, share your experience below!

XO, Analise

Kitchen Confidential

“Cooking is about passion, so it may look slightly temperamental in a way that it's too assertive to the naked eye.” - Gordon Ramsay

Cooking is one of my passions, and I love sharing my recipes and experiences in the kitchen. Learning new recipes and making some of our traditional family meals are so much fun. I enjoy making dishes that my friends and family will love. Today I’m finally answering a question I get quite often, “What are the essential food items you keep in your kitchen?”

I’m sharing a few of my favorite items that I always keep on hand to make a lot of my home cooked meals.

• Olive Oil: I use olive oil almost daily. It’s great to pair as a dressing with lemon for a light arugula salad. Also, I use it in my marinades for cooking meats, like chicken or steak. I always stock up on this item, and keep it near by when I’m cooking.

• Fresh Produce: I prefer eating and using fresh produce in dishes. We stock up on apples, grapefruit, lemons, limes, tomatoes, and avocados each week. It’s great because a lot of the fruit we purchase are great for snacks or when we’re on-the-go in the morning.

• Spices & Herbs: I cook with a lot of spices and having an amazing collection of this item will be a lifesaver. Lemon Pepper, Black Peppercorn, Sea Salt, Cayenne Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes, Cinnamon, Seasoned Salt, and Paprika, are just of the few spices that I use on a daily basis. Also, having fresh herbs like cilantro and basil is super important too!

• Flour: I love to bake, and during the holiday season, I’m making a lot of desserts for our families. Also, whenever we are in the mood for some amazing comfort food, like my Mom’s delicious Fried Chicken recipe, flour is an absolute must.

• Rice: This is always great to have! You can pair it was a protein like steak, chicken, or shrimp. A favorite of mine is adding a variety of veggies to it as well. Also, if you have soy sauce on hand, you can make a yummy fried rice dish too!

• Eggs: They are perfect when baking or even preparing for brunch on the weekends! Also, I love hard boiling them for a quick snack, especially during the weekdays. This item is packed with a lot of protein, and always great to keep in the fridge.

• Fresh Vegetables: Cucumbers, carrots, arugula, onion, cabbage, mushrooms, jalapenos, and baby broccoli are among the many items we like to keep in the kitchen. They are perfect to add in salads, or a garnish to any dish. I always feel like veggies add a great balance to any meal.

• Bread: We love a great loaf of fresh ciabatta bread! This is something I don’t always have in the kitchen, but when we do, it doesn’t last long. It’s perfect for BLT sandwiches or dipping in balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

• Cheese: Good cheese is hard to come by, and this is definitely a treat we keep on hand. It is great to add into many dishes, or just by itself, with some amazing bread and wine …

• Wine: Speaking of wine! Well, of course I would add this item to the list! I love pairing a glass of wine with a delicious meal, and we are always stocked with some great bottles from our fave wineries or local wine shop!

What are some of the items you keep stocked in your kitchen? Share below!

XO, Analise

What's Cookin'?

“Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.” - Alan D. Wolfelt

Cooking can be hard, but it doesn't have to be! I got my love for cooking from my Mom. My Mama is an amazing cook, and everything I learned in the kitchen she taught me. She has made our family the most amazing meals for years, and still continues today.

When I lived on my own for over three years, I rarely cooked, there was simply no need. Yet, once G proposed my Mom started teaching me some of our secret family recipes, and made sure I knew the fundamentals of cooking. Now, I really enjoy cooking and making simple, and delicious meals at home.

Today, I am sharing some of the wisdom my Mom taught me, a few lessons I personally learned along the way, as well as some of my favorite kitchen items.

• Prepare ahead of time. This is a huge one! I go to the grocery store at least once a week. When I head to the store, I make a list ahead of time to make sure I stay on track and on budget. This helps me with meal prepping and ensuring we are covered for the week. I find that when I'm prepared ahead of time, we eat out less and our meals are much more healthy. Also, G and I have Meal Prep Sundays, we outline what meals will be made for the week. G loves helping me out, and we learn new dishes together!
• Keep your kitchen clean and organized. Knowing what is in your kitchen is essential to the meal prep process. Keeping your utensils, pots, and pans clean as well as in good condition will help in the preparation of a dish.
• Read recipes in advance. Practice makes perfect, and I got quite a few recipe books to learn how to create amazing meals at home. I review recipes ahead of time to ensure I have the proper ingredients as well as right utensils. I'm a big advocate of not wasting time, and this preparation tip helps me the most when making dishes for the first time.
• Use quality and fresh ingredients. Now that I'm approaching 30, it is super important that I use quality ingredients. Fresh fruits and veggies really elevate the dish! Also, a lot of the proteins I purchase are organic and farm raised. G and I no longer purchase items that have a lot of hormones in them. We see a significant improvement in our health, and feel so much better!
• Have the proper kitchen tools. It is important to have the right knives, pans, and several other kitchen utensils to make your meal. This will ensure your meals will turn out absolutely amazing. Kitchen items can get super pricey, so we are always on the hunt for good deals.
• Be flexible and have fun. Cooking is something I really enjoy, and even though it can be a daunting task, it's so much fun. Practice makes perfect, and it certainly takes time to learn how to make a great dish! We have gone to several cooking classes, and learned new techniques. Also, it's great to test out our new recipes on our families, it brings us so much joy to share our food with others.

Happy cooking y'all!

XO, Analise