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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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Top Pro 2018

Published by: Sarah

  • Jan
  • 17

It is with great honor that I’ve been named a Top Pro for the 3rd year in a row with Thumbtack. Please view my profile at the following link!

 https://www.thumbtack.com/nh/milford/catering/personal-chef-cooking-instructor
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U2: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

  • Jan
  • 15

Insert into post … To pick the perfect cantaloupe, the yellow cast should give a little when pressed on the stem end?

… Fiber rich foods such as Asian pears have been shown to help lower cholesterol levels and prevent colon cancer?

… Asparagus is a member of the Liliaceae family and is considered a herb?

… Pickles help reduce cholesterol?

… Arsenic-based drugs are banned in Europe for use in animal feed; but approved by the FDA in the US? . 

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S2: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

  • Jan
  • 1

insert into post … Peanuts aren’t a nut but a legume?

… Chantilly cream is just a fancy term used for whipped cream with vanilla extract?

… “Bacoun” was all of the pork in the 17th century and that “bacon” is only cured pork?

… Plums, kiwi and banana’s are high in serotonin?

… Freezing soup in Ziploc bags saves space because they will store flat?

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Slow Roasted Orange Glazed Chicken with Rosemary

Published by: Sarah

  • Jan
  • 20

This recipe originally came from Allrecipes.com. I reduced the amount of the honey because it was too sweet for my family. If you wish to try the original use 1 c. honey.

BEGIN 1 DAY AHEAD

One (3-4#) Whole Chicken
1 T Salt
2 Lg. Naval Oranges, zested then juiced*
1 c. TOTAL Orange Juice with Pulp*
1/2 c. Honey
1 stick Unsalted Butter, room temperature
7 sprigs Fresh Rosemary, minced
2-4 cloves Garlic, minced – optional
Fresh Ground Black Pepper, to taste
Cornstarch
Cooked Rice

Remove the giblet bag from the cavity of the chicken.
Remove the backbone of the chicken by cutting down either side of it.
Save the back bone & giblets for stock if desired.
There is a small bone @ the base of the backbone by the neck.
Remove it.
Cut the chicken into 4 pieces: breast with wing (2) & thigh with drum (2)
Dry the chicken pieces with paper towel.
Season the chicken with salt & place in a single layer in a large baking dish.
Whisk together all remaining ingredients except pepper, cornstarch & rice.
Pour over chicken & turn to coat (make sure chicken is skin side down).
Cover & refrigerate overnight.
Remove from fridge 45 minutes prior to cooking.
Preheat oven to 400°.
Turn chicken pieces over so they are skin side up.
Season with fresh cracked pepper to taste.
Roast uncovered for 40 minutes.
Reduce heat to 350°, cover tightly with foil & bake another 80 minutes.
Remove foil & check temperature in the thickest part of the breast with meat thermometer (it should read 165° F).
If a darker skin is desired, broil on HI 4” from heat until golden & crispy.
Strain the pan juices into a sauce pan & turn the heat to medium high.
Make a cornstarch “slurry” with water & whisk into juices to make a sauce for rice.

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Gorgonzola Garlic Bread

Published by: Sarah

  • Jan
  • 20

Cheesy+Garlic+Bread+1+500 (400x266)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New years eve, my husband & I had dinner at La Cucina in Hamden MA. The food was PHENOMINAL!!! Here is my recreation of one of the appetizers we had.

1 c. Whole Peeled Garlic
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper
½ loaf French Bread
Good Gorgonzola Cheese

Preheat oven to 350°.
Place garlic cloves on a piece of tin foil.
Drizzle with oil & season with salt & pepper.
Bake 30-45 minutes or until soft.
Cut the bread in half lengthwise.
Drizzle cut sides of the bread with olive oil.
Place on a baking sheet.
Smoosh the garlic onto the bread using the back of a fork.
Bake 8 minutes.
Remove & crumble the cheese on top of the bread.
Return to the oven & bake another 8 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

 

 

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A Fairly Busy Season

Published by: Sarah

  • Jan
  • 20

2013 was good to me. I acquired several new “personal chef” clients to cook meals for & had a few people take lessons. On my birthday I was hired for a 12 week catering job for a local church group (that was my favorite I think). I also catered a rehearsal dinner “clam bake” a  retirement gathering & 2 birthday  parties. I was hired for three cooking demonstrations, all of them a blast.  Thank you to all for your patronage!

Here are some pictures of the events……

3 Tiramisu (2) (400x300) 5 Alpha Group (2) (400x300)

 

 

Buffet Line 2 (640x480) (400x300) P1030425 (2) (400x300)

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Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Published by: Sarah

  • Jan
  • 19

Five ingredients is all you’ll need for this delicious no fuss meal. Bon Appetite!

12 Chicken Tenders
1 c. Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 c. Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese (like Kraft in a can)
2 T Olive Oil
Basic Marinara (search site for recipe)
Cooked Pasta of Choice, optional

Combine the cheeses on a plate.
Heat oil over medium high heat in a large skillet.
Dredge the chicken in the cheese & cook for about 4-5 minutes per side.
Drain on a wire rack.
Serve over pasta lightly tossed with sauce.
Serve extra sauce on the side for dipping.

Yield: 4 servings

 

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V1: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

  • Jan
  • 15

… The levels of vitamin C and carotenoids (the beneficial red, orange & yellow pigments that include beta-carotene, lycopene, lutien and zeaxanthin) rise as peppers mature – and so does their antioxident capacity?

… In 1994, the worlds largest omelet was created in Yokohama Japan with 16,000 eggs?

… In 100 BC, a brides cake (thought to be a sign of fertility) was either thrown @ her or crumbled over her head?

… 75% of the fat in the versatile avocado is the healthy kind & can add nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients to cookie, cake & muffin recipes? Though the ratio may vary slightly by recipe, one cup of mashed avocado can  be swapped out for one cup of butter.

… Roman emporer, Apictus, (born approx. 2 BC) invented the omelet?

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T2: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

  • Jan
  • 15

insert into post … Pickles can help relieve joint pain from arthritis?

… To pick good blueberries, they should be deep blue in color, plump & firm?

… All Asian pears today are relatives of Pyrus ussuriensis (Ussuri pear) and Pyrus serotina (Japanese sand pear)?

… Pickles can prevent headaches?

… More than one hundred-forty artichoke varieties exist but less than forty are commercially grown?

 

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U1: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

  • Jan
  • 1

… Yellow corn has 7% of your daily requirement of vitamin A, whereas white corn has none?

… Carrots retain 25% more falcarinol, a caner fighting compound, if they are NOT cut before boiling?

… Instant nonfat powdered milk has the same vitamin content as regular milk?

… Raw peppers have 40% more Luteolin (a cancer frighting phytochemical) than peppers that have been cooked for just 7 minutes?

… Cooking russet or red potatoes 24 hours before consuming them (ie potato salad) lowers the bodies glycemic response to the vegetable by 30-37%, which helps keep blood sugar levels more stable?

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