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"A passion for cooking is what I have...Sharing that passion is what I love to do." -Sarah Vasques, The Home Chef

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G3: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

  • Oct
  • 19
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… Freezing a wet sponge & putting it in a plastic bag makes a great ice pack?

… You can use a stick of spaghetti to light a candle?

. Filling a water bottle 1/2 was with water and freezing it on it’s side will give you instant ice for your beverages?

… Putting a wooden object in water that is being boiled in the microwave will result in no bubbling.

… On the 29th day of every month, the Argentines gather for a good luck dumpling dinner?

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Grilled Creamery Potatoes

Published by: Sarah

  • Oct
  • 19

2 T Mayonnaise
1 T Dijon Mustard
1 T Whole Grain or Country Style Mustard
2 T Honey
1/2# Baby Yukon Gold Potatoes
Fresh chopped Tarragon, Chives & Parsley for garnish

Combine first 4 ingredients and set aside.
Par cook potatoes whole in salted, boiling water.
Strain and cut in half.
Toss with mayonnaise mixture.
Grill about 5-7 minutes.
Garnish with herbs and serve.

 

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N2: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

  • Oct
  • 15

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… Bananas are the most popular fruit in the US?

… SCROD isn’t actually a fish, but rather it stands for “Special Catch Right Off Dock?”

… The first printed recipe for pastry cream was published in 1690 in France – “Le Patissere Francis.”

… Banana’s first arrived in the US @ Port New Orleans in 1900?”

… Tomatoes are high in Serotonin?

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M2: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

  • Oct
  • 1

insert into post … You can tell if eggs are fresh by immersing them in a bowl of water? Fresh eggs will lie on the bottom, while stale eggs will float to the surface.

… Rubbing walnuts on wood furniture dings will cover them up?

… Placing a wooden spoon over boiling water will prevent it from boiling over?

… Another way to clean a wood cutting board is to cover it with Kosher salt over night? Just wipe it off in the morning.

…Cotton candy was known as “Fairy Floss” @ the first world fair?

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Ronan Reunion

Published by: Sarah

  • Oct
  • 22

On October 19, 2013 I had the pleasure of meeting 10 wonderful people for a family reunion cooking demonstration. As you can see they have a sense of humor & dressed up as witches & vampires.  The cuisine type requested for this job was Italian. So, of course, I had to suggest my Tiramisu Cake for the dessert. When I spoke with John who hired me  (back row 3rd from right), I asked him what everyone had in common. The answer “LAUGHTER.”  I thought to myself, “What a wonderful commonality!”   Here is a picture of their dessert & what is printed on their apron! Thank you everyone!!

3a - Cake 2 (400x297)

Here is the review I was given on Thumbtack:

“Sarah was wonderful, our party of ten was larger than normal for her class but she said to come and she would accommodate us. She sure did, we all took a seat around the kitchen island and talked about how we were going to prepare and cook this meal (Italian). Sarah kept everyone busy preparing the ingredients while describing why and how she uses each piece, we sampled different flavors of olive oil and wine. Then we cooked and tasted each course while Sarah provided cooking tips and wonderful stories of how she got started doing this work. Next, we sat in her formal dining room, which seated 10 people easily, while Sarah served us the main course (Shimp Scampi) with wine and desert (Tiramisu). We all dressed in costume formal wear with the women wearing witches hats, Sarah found that amusing and wore a few hats of her own while serving. We all agreed that this was one of the best “reunions” we have had together. As we were leaving, Sarah presented each of the couples with a personalized apron and a book of recipes that we made that day. Keep up the good work Sarah. Fantastic.”

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P1: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

  • Oct
  • 15

… In order for a “Gumbo” to be considered lucky, it must have 7 different vegetables?

… You can freeze fresh chopped herbs in an ice cube tray with water? Just thaw, drain & pat dry before use.

… You can puree & freeze fresh butternut squash to use in stews & sauces for a richer flavor? Freeze in ice cube trays.

… You can freeze leftover wine in ice cube trays for use in any savory sauce?

… If you freeze yogurt it makes a better smoothie?

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Specialty Shrimp Scampi

Published by: Sarah

  • Oct
  • 13

This past August, I catered a rehearsal dinner for 36. We did an old fashioned New England Clam Bake. The whole group raved about the clams. The secret to them is the broth.  I had a lot of leftover broth from that event, so I came up with this recipe. Keep in mind this is not a cholesterol friendly recipe.

BEGIN 1 DAY AHEAD

Broth for Clams
1# Butter, divided
6 cloves Garlic, minced
2 XL Shallot, minced
4 Lemons, 2 zested & all juiced
1½ (48 oz.) cans Clam Juice
1½ c. Crane Lake Pinot Grigio
1 bunch Flat Leaf Parsley, chopped

Melt 1 stick butter in a large pot.

Add Shallots & cook until softened.
Add the garlic.
Cook & stir 1-2 minutes.
Add the clam juice, lemon zest & juice and wine.
Bring to a boil & add remaining butter.
Simmer 20 minutes.
Finish with parsley.
Allow to cool.
Refrigerate overnight.

For the Scampi
1# Raw Shrimp, peeled & de-veined

Broth for Clams (above)
½# Linguine
½ c. Mascarpone Cheese

 

Separate the hard butter from the broth.
Bring the broth to a boil.
Cook the linguini to just al dente.
Melt the broth butter in a skillet.
Sauté the shrimp to just pink on both sides.
Add the cooked linguini & toss.
Add the mascarpone & stir to melt.
Serve with a Caesar salad & fresh bread.



 

 

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O1: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

  • Oct
  • 1

… Gumbo is traditionally served on Good Friday?

… Wonder Bread manufactures 120, 000, 000 loaves of their classic bread per  year?

… In Ancient Rome, cabbage was used for medicinal purposes?

… Macaroni salad was invented during the depression to stretch meat?

…… Cole slaw comes from the Dutch words “kul-slaw?”

 

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RR: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

  • Oct
  • 15

… It takes 4000 coffee beans to make 1# of coffee?

… That tomatoes were first thought to be poisonous? In 1820, Colonel Robert Johnson of NJ stood on the steps of the Salem courthouse under the watchful eye of over 2000 onlookers and ate a whole basket of tomatoes while the local band played a dirge. He did not keel over much to the disappointment of a few pessimists no doubt and the rest is tomato history.

… “Parta Shu” means shoe paste & is the basic dough for eclairs & cheese puffs?

…  Food Networks”Iron Chef” Morimoto has his knives made to order in Japan?

… You can clean your barbeque grill with crumpled up tin foil?

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Open Those Stubborn Pistachios

Published by: Sarah

  • Oct
  • 3

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