Come join the fun as we delve into beginner and advanced cooking classes for adults and children. Ask us about Girl’s Night Out, Couple’s Cooking, Birthday Parties, Bridal/Baby Showers, Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties, Team Building Events, and more:
Call for more information – 347-524-0355
Chef Cynthia
Kid’s Cooking Classes are in session at our Staten Island location on Thursdays from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.Call to schedule: 347-524-0355
Coming Soon – What you should know about proper diet and healthy food choices, especially during your first year of college. Many new students suffer with weight gain during that first year away from Mom’s healthy cooking.
Making Guacamole is super easy! It’s so easy, I don’t have a recipe! I make it according to taste. Here are the ingredients:
Avocados, ripened, smashed
Red Onion, small diced
Cherry Tomatoes, cut into 4 parts
Squeeze of fresh Lime, Salt, Pepper, and Hot Sauce to taste.
Mix all together. Don’t over do it on the red onion or hot sauce but season to taste. Enjoy!
Note: For ways to keep your leftover Guacamole from turning brown, please visit the Blog Section of this website for great tips.
How do you keep that leftover avocado from turning brown?
Let’s talk about why avocados turn brown. Like apples or potatoes, they oxidize when exposed to air. Once you cut into an avocado, you’ll never be able to completely stop the oxidation process, but you can dramatically slow it with a few quick tips and tricks:
1. Cut the avocado with a ceramic or plastic knife. Metal actually accelerates the oxidation process.
2. Try lemon or lime juice. Citric acid is a powerful antioxidant; rub a little juice around the exposed flesh and you’ll significantly delay the browning effect.
3. No lemon or lime? Use oil. Oil is another great buffer to oxygen. Use in place of lemon or lime juice when you don’t have any handy.
4. Store as air-tight as possible. Again, avocados turn brown due to oxidation and exposure to air, so storing in an air-tight container only makes sense.
5. Water. Huh? That’s right! This one works exceptionally well for guacamole. Place your leftover guacamole in a plastic container and press down to remove any air pockets. Add a half inch of water on top and seal with an air-tight lid. The water creates a barrier between the avocado and the air, keeping your guacamole fresh and 100% green for 24 hours or more! When ready to eat some more, just drain the excess water and enjoy. Works like a charm!
BLUEBERRIES deep blue color is a by-product of flavonoids (plant-based compounds with powerful antioxidant properties). This superfood has been shown to preserve memory function. It has a high water content which is hydrating to your skin and other cells of the body.
SARDINES contain Omega-3 fat, high protein, and calcium. Ounce for ounce sardines contain just as much heart-healthy omega-3 fat as salmon.
SPINACH is filled with antioxidants, including vitamin C and beta-carotene as well as lutein and zeaxanthin, (sunscreen for your eyes). One cup of fresh spinach leaves also provides almost double the daily requirement for vitamin K.
PISTACHIO NUTS are loaded with protein, fiber, and heart-healthy unsaturated fat. Pistachio nuts have been shown to lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels. Thirty pistachios will cost you only 100 calories.
DARK CHOCOLATE is rich in flavonoids and antioxidants and has been shown to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow. Choose chocolate that is at least 70% cocoa to optimize antioxidant power. It also boosts your mood. Portion control please….one ounce of dark chocolate has about 150 calories.
RED BELL PEPPERS – One pepper has twice as much vitamin C as an orange. It prevents arthritis, delivers beta-carotene, lycopene, and has a high water content. Red bell peppers have been shown to decrease eye diseases.
BEANS are a wonderful source of protein and fiber and help you stay full and satisfied. Beans are a good source of magnesium and potassium and have been shown to lower blood pressure and keep vessels healthy….and are inexpensive!!
EGG WHITES are a low-calorie, fat-free, high-protein food. There are 4 grams of protein per egg white. Egg whites can help you maintain strong bones, muscles, nails, and hair.
PUMPKIN is rich in beta-carotene which is an antioxidant that helps rejuvenate skin, protect your vision, and may reduce the risk of arthritis. It also contains the mineral potassium which is involved in lowering blood pressure and maintains healthy bones.
OATS are a great source of fiber and has been shown to lower cholesterol and help control blood sugar levels.
SALT to Taste: Don’t think for a moment that salt is salt. If you are into cooking then you know that salt is an important commodity! Salts have become very trendy, however – red salt from Hawaii, Jurassic salt from Utah, and a multitude of sea salts from Europe. At $30 a pound, you need to use good judgement when selecting salts for your kitchen and recipes. For regular cooking, nothing beats 70 cents per pound kosher salt. It blends well, is clean-tasting, easy to cook with, and additive free. I haven’t used table salt in years. It always seems to taste really salty and harsh. The reality is that it isn’t any saltier than other salts, it’s just that the crystals are small and don’t dissolve well. Because of this, the crystals tend to linger on the surface of the tongue. All of the qualities of expensive salts get lost during cooking. Their value is geared towards finished food, for example sprinkling on top of food just before serving. My favorite finishing salt is Fleur de sel and Maldon sea salts.
As busy as we all are, we seem to find ourselves in the supermarket often. Next time you are at the supermarket, look around in the produce section. Pick a vegetable that you’ve never tried or one that you haven’t had in a while. Try roasting it in the oven with some olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roasting vegetables intensifies their flavors. Try something new or different!
Let Dazzle Me A Dish create a fun and different birthday party for your child on or off premises. Our services are tailored to suit your needs and your budget.
We offer a “cooking/baking lesson” birthday party with all the trimmings. Themes are welcomed!
Your child will love the attention they receive during a planned lesson which is taught in a fun, creative way. Each child will be “hands-on” as they make their own dessert or meal. They will learn the proper way to set a table as well as table manners. Included are photo props so you can take memorable, fun photos and music and dancing with a light show. We also offer at an additional cost keepsake aprons and recipe binders which add that special touch. DJ’s, photographers, favors are also available at an additional charge.
Cost includes lesson, recipe, balloons, lunch and celebratory dessert, 2 snacks and drinks, music and dancing, and use of photo props. Adults are an additional fee. Please call Chef Cynthia for more details (347) 524-0355.
