Chef Lala
Hey Young Chefs!
Today, I interviewed Chef Lala, a celebrity chef, cookbook author, food entrepreneur, and lifestyle coach. Chef Lala helps people learn how to cook and eat healthier foods without sacrificing any flavor. With over 16,000 followers on Twitter and over 21,000 fans on Facebook, her influence is worldwide. Chef Lala uses her celebrity to create good change by working with important organizations such as The American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association. She has a delicious line of sauces and marinades, as well as numerous cookbooks. She is talented, fun, and inspirational. You can visit Chef Lala’s website at http://www.cheflala.com. Follow her on Twitter @ChefLala and like her on Facebook.
“A Tisket A Tasket What’s Inside My Basket?”
Today’s secret ingredients are… Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus! First, here’s a recipe for Garlic Brussels Sprouts.
Ingredients:
15 brussel sprouts, halved
2 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper
Parmesan cheese, grated
Directions:
Melt butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until butter is foamy. Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and cook until lightly browned. Put brussels sprouts cut side down in the skillet. Cover and cook without stirring on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes or until fork-tender. Salt and pepper to taste. Top with grated Parmesan. Serves 4.
Now, let’s explore Asparagus. Here is a recipe for my Grilled Teriyaki Asparagus.
Ingredients:
1 lb. asparagus
1c. soy sauce
1/2 c. dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
Directions:
Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, and ground ginger in a large bowl. Marinate asparagus for at 30 minutes. Grill in a grilling pan for 10 minutes, turning constantly. Serves 4-6.
“Spice Detective!”
Today we’re investigating… ginger!
Here is a recipe for Ginger Bread. My mom and I made this bread the other night, tweaking a recipe we found on AllRecipes.com. The result is a very light, moist, and soft ginger bread, unlike the gingerbread cookies you are probably used to seeing. I really love the freshly grated nutmeg and the grated fresh ginger in this recipe.
Ginger Bread
Ingredients:
1 1/2 c. flour
3/4 tsp. ground ginger
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg, freshly grated
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. packed dark brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 egg
1/2 c. honey, heated
1/2 c. boiling water
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour a small loaf pan. In a bowl, sift together flour, ground ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and fresh ginger. Beat in the egg and honey. Slowly add flour mixture and water. Mix until smooth. Pour batter into pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Serve warm.
“Snacktivity Time”
Here, I give you fun easy breezy snack ideas.
Today’s Snacktivity is… Pralines! These are awesome when you have a craving for sweets! I demonstrated this praline recipe on the Wendy Williams Show and the recipe is in my upcoming book, Cool Kids Cook: Louisiana. Because you came here, you are one of the first to get the recipe!
Pralines
Ingredients:
2 c. pecans, chopped
2 c. light brown sugar
1 14-oz. can condensed milk
1/4 tsp. salt
Directions:
Lightly grease several sheets of wax paper. Place saucepan over medium heat and combine pecans, sugar, condensed milk, and salt. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil. Once boiling, stir for 7 minutes. Remove from heat and use a wooden spoon to beat the mixture for about 3-5 minutes until it begins thickening and no longer looks shiny. Working quickly, use a metal tablespoon to drop the mixture onto wax paper, creating 2-inch wide pralines. Let sit until firm. If there are any leftovers, store in an airtight container between layers of wax paper.
“Creative Cuisine!”
Here is a recipe for Tequila Lime Cilantro Beef Tacos.
Tequila Lime Cilantro Beef
Ingredients:
1 lb. beef steaks
1 c. Chef Lala Tequila Lime Cilantro marinade
Directions:
Marinate meat overnight in sauce. Use a grill pan and grill meat until you see char marks on both sides. Take the meat off heat let it rest for a few minutes. Cut the beef into thin slices. Place inside a tortilla with Latin Slaw, guacamole, and salsa.
Tequila Lime Cilantro Beef Taco
Here is the recipe for Latin Slaw.
Latin Slaw
Ingredients:
2 c. ready-made slaw mix
1/2 medium lemon, juiced
1 tbsp. Greek yogurt
1 tsp. white vinegar
1 tbsp. cilantro, chopped
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
Dash hot sauce
Directions:
In a large bowl, add all ingredients and mix well. Cover and chill for 1 hour. Serve inside a tortilla with your favorite Latin style meat.
“Cookin’ Craft”
Here is a fun kitchen-related craft. Today’s cookin’ craft is Cereal Bracelets.
Cereal Bracelet
Supplies:
String (We used dental floss.)
Favorite cereal with a hole in the middle
Scissors
Tape
Directions:
Step 1: Wrap the string around your wrist loosely, adding about an inch of extra string.
Step 2: Cut the string.
Step 3:? Tape about an inch of string to your table.
Step 4:? String the cereal and pinch the end.
Step 5: Take the tape off and tie a knot. Now, enjoy your yummy cereal bracelets!
Thank you for joining me on another episode of “Cool Kids Cook!”
Cool Kids Cook and Get Creative in the Kitchen!
Bon Appetit, Kid Chef Eliana
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