Cooking tips from the pros

A celebrity chef's secret weapon, kitchen tricks, 10-minute recipes, and more.

IN a nutshell Hello, and happy Friday! Another week in the books. Can you believe it? Before we dive into the weekend, we're talking about all things food. Here's everything we're serving up today: • Q&A with celebrity chef Alton Brown • my go-to eco-friendly cutting board • easy dinner recipes to try this week • aphrodisiac foods that boost libido • IBS-friendly snacks to take to work Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota April 14, 2023 • 4 min read

Alton Brown is a celebrity chef, cookbook author, and food show star. Read our Q&A below, where he dishes on healthy snacks, kitchen hacks, and more foodie wisdom. *This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Q: Where did your passion for food and cooking come from? And can you tell us how you got to be where you are now? A: I'll be honest, I started cooking to get dates in college. I'd go to the university library and copy recipes out of Gourmet and Bon Ap, then try to convert them down to my budget. It worked a few times, but, really, I just found out that I loved cooking. As for getting where I got, who knows? At one point in the '90s, I decided to quit my job directing TV commercials to go to culinary school to make a food show. I'm still not sure if it worked out or not. Q: Do you notice that eating different foods affects your health and the way you feel? A: The less processed food I eat, the better I feel physically. There's also an emotional side to health, so occasionally, you have to dip into the cookie jar, cereal box, or whatever it is that makes you get up in the middle of the night. (No one ever gets up in the middle of the night for dark, leafy greens, you know?) Also, I just turned 60 and started paying attention to supporting my brain. I created this Kale and Quinoa Bowl with Salmon recipe to support brain function. Q: What's your go-to healthy snack? A: Hummus. It's always in the fridge in our house, and there's always something good to dip into it, usually celery. We're not purists, so it doesn't have to be chickpeas. I'll go lima beans or navy beans, and my wife often works pumpkin seeds in there. Q: What are your three favorite kitchen tricks? A: I handwrite every recipe I cook, whether it's mine or not. That gives my brain a chance to clearly process every step. I tend to trade out the fats called for in recipes. At home, we do almost all our cooking with light olive oil and homemade ghee. My secret weapon is anchovies. I slip a single anchovy into all sorts of dishes in place of salt. Anchovies are umami bombs.

great finds Editor faves with health perks       Fab Slabs Medium Premium Wood Cutting Board I've always used plastic cutting boards from Marshalls due to cost and convenience. Although they have served me well, I've officially upgraded to this solid wood cutting board from Fab Slabs. It's eco-friendly, naturally antibacterial, and downright beautiful. The brand makes several different cuts, too, so check them out for your unique meal prep needs. Shop Now Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health.

Healthy Hacks Need food fast? Try cooking these healthy 10-minute recipes Hungry and short on time? No need to sacrifice nutrients. We've got you covered with these easy-to-make dinner recipes: • Stuffed sweet potatoes with a pea and avocado smash (1–2 servings) • Basil cashew pesto pasta (2 servings) • Easy spiced lentils (about 4 servings) • English muffin pizzas (video) To learn more, check out our full list of easy, speedy recipes or watch our Fresh Food Fast video series on YouTube.

health stories you need What we're reading next 🥜 ️️️7 aphrodisiac foods that can boost your libido. While medication is available for low sex drive, some may prefer natural options, like this list of science-backed aphrodisiac foods. 🫗 Does dehydration affect blood sugar levels? Being dehydrated can affect many bodily functions, including your blood sugar. Learn more about the connection to protect your health. 💤 The link between sleep issues and stroke risk. New research has found that different sleep issues and the number of hours you rest per night can lead to varying levels of stroke risk. 🍪 ️️️14 IBS-friendly snacks to take to work. Need a quick pick-me-up at work without the stomach issues? Consider bringing these healthy snacks with you.

Thanks for reading! I hope you have a lovely weekend full of delicious meals. We'll be back in your inbox on Monday with a nature-themed newsletter. 🌲

Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!     This edition was powered by a strong appetite.   View in browser Did a friend send you this email? Subscribe here. To see all newsletters, click here. Privacy    |    Unsubscribe Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. © 2023 Healthline Media LLC 275 7th Ave., 24th Floor New York, NY 10001