In the Kitchen With Cook Smarts

Latest Episodes:

#15: Seasoning Habits to Make Every Meal Flavorful Sep 19, 2019

Show notes

We're on a mission to help you never say, "This meal was bland," ever again because there is no reason why any of us needs to cook or eat a bland meal. With some simple seasoning habits and a few tips on how to make those habits stick, you'll be on your way to cooking only the most flavorful and enjoyable meals in no time!

If you've got questions you want us to answer, comments about a previous episode, or just want to say hi and share some love, give us a call at 650-386-0290 and leave us a voicemail (or a text for those who have no idea how to use their phone as a phone).

Want to be a super supporter of the show and home cooking? Please share this episode with all your friends who want to be better cooks, and leave us a review on Apple Podcast. If we share your review in a future episode, we'll send you a Cook Smarts tote bag to bring you more fun and eco-friendly grocery shopping!

#14: Ruth Garrett, Cooking for Grandkids Sep 12, 2019

Show notes

Today I've invited Ruth Garrett one of our most enthusiastic community members to the podcast. Ruth is in her early 60's and instead of enjoying the luxury of an empty nest, Ruth found herself doing the whole parent thing all over again when she became the guardian to 2 of her grandkids a few years ago. Shuttling kids to and from activities after work and cooking for 2 often picky kids have been challenging but Ruth has taken it all in stride.

I have such admiration for this incredibly curious and capable woman, and I know you'll feel the same way after listening to our conversation. She'll share:

How she became the experienced not-afraid-to-improv cook she is today
Going from cooking for 1 to including the needs of 2 picky kids
Her tofu tips for tofu haters

If you're someone who loves inspiring stories, don't miss this episode with Ruth. Head to our show notes for all the links we mention. www.cooksmarts.com/podcast/14

Help us continue to put these info-packed episodes together by subscribing to us in your podcast player and throwing us some stars. If you really love us and want to be a super supporter (and we hope you do!), please do leave us a review on Apple Podcast too. If we share your review in a future episode, we'll send you a Cook Smarts tote bag to bring you more fun and eco-friendly grocery shopping!

#13: Meal Prep Strategies for Saving Time in the Kitchen Part 2 Sep 05, 2019

Show notes

In today's new podcast episode, we share more strategies for saving time in the kitchen. If you haven't checked last week's episode, make sure to start there so you have the full game plan to kick off your most efficient school year yet!

While last week we shared ways to cut down on your prepping and cooking time by being smart about your tools, skills, and ingredient choices, this week we're all about giving you tips for getting ahead so that dinner goes smoothly every weeknight. After listening to this episode, you'll be able to:

Shift your mindset to always help your future self out
Find the time to meal prep
Reduce your meal prep time with simple kitchen hacks

Please share with all your busy friends out there, and head to our show notes for all the helpful links we mention. www.cooksmarts.com/podcast/13

#12: Strategies for Saving Time in the Kitchen Part 1 Aug 29, 2019

Show notes

Today's podcast episode (and next week's) is for anyone looking to save some time in the kitchen -- so basically, it's for everyone because in all the years I've taught cooking and run Cook Smarts, not one person has said, "I wish it took me longer to cook a meal." Nope, not one.

I know many of the parents in our community have kids headed back to school this week, and with the after-school activities, homework help, PTA meetings, your schedule is about to get packed. So, this episode is for all the busy parents out there and anyone who wants to save time cooking!

I have so many tips to share that I'm breaking them down into 2 episodes. In part 1, I'll cover:

The most important kitchen skill one needs to reduce their prep time
The ingredients to have on your weekly menu to ensure quick and easy meal prep
Quick cooking ingredients that will make sure you have dinner on the table in a flash

Please share with all your busy friends out there, and head to our show notes for all the helpful links we mention. www.cooksmarts.com/podcast/12

#11: School Lunches Made Easy with Laura Fuentes Aug 22, 2019

Show notes

For this kick off to Season 2 of the Cook Smarts podcast during back-to-school season, I've invited one of my entrepreneurial heroes Laura Fuentes to give us advice on planning for and packing school lunches. Millions of us are about to face that daily task, and Laura is an official lunch expert. Her company MOMables started out as a lunch meal planning company but has grown to also offer dinner meal plans and 3 transformative health programs tackling processed foods, picky eating, and budget meal planning.

However, because Laura is such a remarkable individual who's totally winning at life, she gives us lots of great tips for beyond the kitchen as well. In today's episode you'll:

Learn how to think more creatively about kid lunches
Gain a new perspective on what food battles to fight (or not fight) at the dinner table
Discover how to help yourself by letting others help you (even if they don't do it exactly the same way you would)

If you're someone who's looking for a lunch and / or life coach, don't miss this episode full of Laura's practical and wise advice for life in and out of the kitchen. Head to our show notes for all the links we mention. www.cooksmarts.com/podcast/11

#10: A Motivational Meal Prep Meditation Jun 20, 2019

Show notes

We're doing something pretty different for today's podcast episode. Instead of covering a specific cooking topic or interviewing someone, I've created a meal prep meditation to provide you with a little bit of kitchen zen and motivation. Plus, while we're at it, I also added in some tips for improving your prep skills.

The idea for this meditation was actually inspired by my obsession for the digital fitness app Aaptiv. There are a ton of audio classes to choose from, and I've loved having a trainer in my ear for all my workouts. Someone tells me what to do, there's great music in the background, and it's the exact motivation I need to get through that run or actually use the equipment at the gym.

This motivational meal prep meditation is along the same lines. I'll be in your ear providing you with the encouragement, praise, and instruction you need to make the best use of your meal prep time. I hope you'll leave it downloaded in your podcast player to be listened to time and time again.

We're taking a short summer break but will be back with new episodes in time for back-to-school. If you have questions and suggestions for future podcast episodes, let us know in the show notes (http://www.cooksmarts.com/podcast/10) or drop us a DM on Instagram! @jessdangcs or @cooksmarts

#9: 3 Lessons Learned From Competing on the Next Food Network Star Jun 13, 2019

Show notes

In this podcast episode, I wanted to share a personal story with you all -- one that's been really formative in the cook and probably even the person I am today. 14 years ago, I was on season 2 of the Next Food Network Star.

Not to spoil the ending (but the show did air 14 years ago) but I was the first person eliminated while Guy Fieri went onto win and become the huge food and media celebrity that he is today. While Guy was completely at ease in front of the camera, I was so uncomfortable, had no clue what I was doing, and just felt like a total fish out of water. Despite all of that, I'm still so grateful for the experience because I came out of it with 3 really important lessons to pass onto anyone who wants to become a better cook.

In this episode, I'll share:

How I a 24 year old strategy consultant ended up on a reality TV cooking host competition show in the first place
A behind-the-scenes look into filming and competing on the show
How this experience has pushed me to become a better cook

Would you ever consider competing on a reality TV show? If so, which one? Head to our show notes and tell us in the comments and also see some photos from my time on the show. www.cooksmarts.com/podcast/9

#8: Creating a Greener Kitchen by Reducing Plastic Use and Waste Jun 06, 2019

Show notes

In this podcast episode, I'm sharing how I'm trying to create a greener kitchen and reduce the amount of waste, especially plastic waste, that my family produces and tosses.

Ever since having kids 4 years ago, I've become so much more aware of all the waste, we as a modern family of 5 produces. Even though I'm committed to making green improvements in all areas of my life, today's episode is going to focus solely on the food or kitchen side of things. It's the area I spend the most time in and feel like we've made some great progress with small, doable changes that anyone listening to this podcast can also make.

In this episode, I'll cover:

How we've pretty much stopped using single-use plastic, like plastic wrap and produce bags
How you can get takeout without the plastic containers
The reusable containers we use to pack snacks, lunches, and freezer meals
The progress we're still hoping to make by reducing the number of products packaged in plastic that we purchase

Have you made some greener changes you want to share? Head to our show notes and tell us in the comments and also grab all the product links mentioned in the episode. www.cooksmarts.com/podcast/8

#7: Cooking in an RV With Kitchen Hero Brian Powers May 30, 2019

Show notes

We feel so lucky to have a community of such special members at Cook Smarts, and today we're chatting with one of our original members! This is our first member interview on the podcast, and we're so excited to kick it off with Brian Powers. Brian's been cooking with Cook Smarts meal plans since 2014 and has gone through quite the physical transformation during this time.

In today's episode, we're getting to know this awesome husband, dad, physical therapist, and all-star cook. You'll also get to hear:

His cast iron tips! As the resident cast iron expert at Cook Smarts, he gives us tips on how to find a vintage skillet.
His latest adventures. The Powers family has taken their kitchen on the road, traveling all over the US in an RV with his wife Denise and daughter Evelyn.
How despite living in an RV, Brian still manages to create delicious homemade meals in this small space.

If you're someone who's looking for some inspiration in the kitchen, Brian's story will definitely give you some great motivation. Head to our show notes for some photos of our Kitchen Hero and his RV adventures! www.cooksmarts.com/podcast/7

#6: 5 Common Meal Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them May 23, 2019

Show notes

In this podcast episode, I will cover the 5 most common meal planning mistakes I see people make and easy ways to fix them.

If you asked me 10 years ago if I thought I would end up a meal planning expert, my response would have been, "That's a thing?" However, as someone who loves organization and efficiency, it makes total sense that I would fall in love with the puzzle solving aspect of the job. Plus when done well, it means so much time and money saved.

As someone who's been doing this for quite awhile (7 years!) and for thousands of families each week, I've learned quite a lot about what makes a good meal plan. I've also received hundreds of emails over the years from people trying to do it themselves but just not quite getting it right.

I packed this short 20 minute episode with tips that everyone can use, even though who currently use our meal plan service. After listening, you'll have a better understanding of how to:

Select the right recipes every week
Make better use of your time by not cooking every single night
Create a meal plan that eliminates food waste
Make just 1 trip to the grocery store

Have you made any of these mistakes? Or is there another mistake you want to share? Head to our show notes and leave us a comment and also grab all the links mentioned in this episode. www.cooksmarts.com/podcast/6

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