Lots of us grew up eating meat at every meal. This is so much a part of our culture that I’ve heard many people say they have trouble cooking meatless meals. Today, however, we know that reducing the amount of meat we consume is good for our health, our finances, and our planet.

It seems like in this age of social media, food presentation has become even more important than ever before. Seeing diners taking photos of beautifully presented food is a very common occurrence. The fact is that whether you plan to post a pic of your food or not, visual appeal can be just as important as the taste of the food.

A flavor profile is a set of basic and common spices, seasonings, and aromatics that emulate a specific cuisine. Spices give aroma, color, flavor, and sometimes even texture to food. Each spice, chile, or herb has specific, unique chemical compounds that create the specific qualities you look for in your cooking.

Even though we all like to eat strawberries year round, the best time to eat them is when they can be purchased directly from a local grower shortly after harvest. In other words, when they are in season. Fruits and vegetables are at their cheapest when they're being harvested, thanks to farmers' ample supply. Unfortunately, many home cooks associate fresh produce only with summer, but colder months bring lower prices for seasonal produce too.

If you know me or follow this blog at all, you know about my great passion for cooking and food. Something you might not know about me though is, that I’m also extremely passionate about sharing my cooking knowledge with others; so they can cook nutritious and delicious foods for their loved ones. As a cooking instructor, there is nothing more rewarding than knowing and seeing the evidence that you’ve made an impact on someone’s life or multiple lives. Last week I taught a class that is the perfect set of recipes for you to make for your loved one for Valentine’s Day.