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Articles from Chef Todd Mohr | Selfgrowth.com
- A Consomme Recipe That You’ll Never Try - by Submitted on Oct 04, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrI’ll admit it. You’ll never try this consommé recipe. Even my students in culinary college will make it once and probably never again. I try to bring you the best aspects of cooking and make it simple. But, there’s no way to make this clear and flavorful broth easily. It’s a professional ...
Views: 1557(1 vote) - All the Butter Facts From Culinary School in Baltimore - by Submitted on Sep 25, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrThere are a lot more butter facts than salted versus unsalted. This a question often asked of me. “Should I use salted or unsalted butter in my cooking”? Of course, it depends on the application, but there is so much more to consider when using this cooking staple than whether it has salt ...
Views: 1159 - What is Demi Glace? - by Submitted on Sep 14, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrWhat is Demi Glace? It’s only the most indispensible ingredient for making brown sauces. Professional chefs know that the secret to making rich and flavorful gravies for beef, veal, lamb or game lies in the few simple steps needed to make their sauces pop. Demi Glace uses one of the mother ...
Views: 1221 - Why Do They Call Them Mother Sauces? - by Submitted on Sep 07, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrThe concept of having Mother Sauces from which to create most other sauces is a relatively new concept. Sauces have been used in cooking just about as long as fire has. Sauces in French cuisine date back to the middle ages. In those days, sauces were used to hide the bad texture and flavor of ...
Views: 2121 - How To Make Homemade Sauces Like The Pros - by Submitted on Aug 29, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrProfessional Chefs know how to make homemade sauces using basic cooking methods, not written instructions. That’s why you won’t see a truly skilled cook run for a recipe when they need a sauce. Empowered with HOW to make a sauce, they don’t need a recipe to say WHAT to put in it. A good ...
Views: 1230 - Stock vs Broth Makes All The Difference - by Submitted on Aug 23, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrThe best soups and sauces are made from intensely flavored liquids. The question of stock vs broth must be considered when making either of these kitchen staples. What is the difference between the two? Why are they different? What effect will either have on my cooking? A stock is a ...
Views: 1367(1 vote) - How To Cut Vegetables Using The Tip Fulcrum Method - by Submitted on Aug 16, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrI know how to cut vegetables. Trust me, I do. Early in my career I was a lowly prep cook. I was part of a very large system, at a very large kitchen, that fed 15,000 people TWICE a day! My job was to cut vegetables, all day every day. I did this for months! From six in the morning to five ...
Views: 2140(2 votes) - Why Poaching Fish is Better Than Boiling - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2012 from Chef Todd Mohr“What has less flavor than water?” I pose the question to my cooking college class. Nothing! Nothing has less flavor than water. If you’re thinking about poaching fish, chicken, or eggs, why not ADD flavor to the final result by cooking them in a flavorful liquid? That’s the first rule of ...
Views: 1433 - The Eight Steps of How To Braise from Culinary College - by Submitted on May 23, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrKnowing how to braise is a cooking skill that’s widely misunderstood. Knowing WHAT to braise is even more confusing to most home cooks. Now, it’s time to end any confusion about this ignored way of cooking because I’m presenting the information to tomorrow’s chefs at culinary college. Our ...
Views: 1823(12 votes) - How We Fry In a Pan at Cooking College - by Submitted on May 17, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrYou can fry in a pan or sauté on the stove top, but knowing the differences between the two methods is an important lesson in cooking college. There are big differences between the basic cooking methods of Pan Frying and Sauté, but most people think they’re the same. Heat is transferred to ...
Views: 1266 - This Chicken Kiev Recipe Was Invented in Culinary Arts School - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrMost home cooks would begin searching cookbooks for a Chicken Kiev recipe that met their tastes, cooking skill, and ingredients on hand. This is most often a time consuming task. Actually, it takes MORE time just to find the recipe that it would to cook this stuffed chicken entrée. In ...
Views: 1175 - How to Steam Food in Culinary College - by Submitted on Apr 06, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrWelcome back to culinary college! Today’s lesson is How To Steam Food. I’m glad you are punctual to class because you’ll want every minute of this four and one half hour lecture and laboratory class. The students at Stratford University in Baltimore aspire to careers as professional ...
Views: 1209(1 vote) - Are You Missing The 5 Benefits of Simple Cooking? - by Submitted on Mar 15, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrSimple cooking is the best cooking. There, I said it for the 1000th time! No matter where I travel, no matter to whom I speak, those people and cultures that know good food say the same thing. In Paris, the spice store shared his incredibly simple secret to eating healthy, “Simple things are ...
Views: 1279(1 vote) - How To Cut Onions Without Buying A Chopper Device - by Submitted on Mar 09, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrIf you want to know how to cut onions and aren’t easily fooled by late night TV commercials, I’m about to save you a tremendous amount of time and money. I have a neighbor that owns every kitchen gadget and appliance available. She must have the QVC shopping network on speed-dial. These ...
Views: 1070 - Mahi Mahi Recipes You Can Do in 15 Minutes - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrMahi mahi recipes are no different than any other recipe. I’m sure you know by now how I feel about recipes. They have inherent flaws that make them very difficult to duplicate consistently. If you’re going to get varied results from the same recipe, why even follow it in the first ...
Views: 1026 - Mahi Mahi Recipes You Can Do in 15 Minutes - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrMahi mahi recipes are no different than any other recipe. I’m sure you know by now how I feel about recipes. They have inherent flaws that make them very difficult to duplicate consistently. If you’re going to get varied results from the same recipe, why even follow it in the first ...
Views: 1045 - Mahi Mahi Recipes You Can Do in 15 Minutes - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrMahi mahi recipes are no different than any other recipe. I’m sure you know by now how I feel about recipes. They have inherent flaws that make them very difficult to duplicate consistently. If you’re going to get varied results from the same recipe, why even follow it in the first ...
Views: 1033 - Mahi Mahi Recipes You Can Do in 15 Minutes - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrMahi mahi recipes are no different than any other recipe. I’m sure you know by now how I feel about recipes. They have inherent flaws that make them very difficult to duplicate consistently. If you’re going to get varied results from the same recipe, why even follow it in the first ...
Views: 1018 - Mahi Mahi Recipes You Can Do in 15 Minutes - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrMahi mahi recipes are no different than any other recipe. I’m sure you know by now how I feel about recipes. They have inherent flaws that make them very difficult to duplicate consistently. If you’re going to get varied results from the same recipe, why even follow it in the first ...
Views: 997 - Top 10 Eating Healthy Tips for 2012 - by Submitted on Jan 13, 2012 from Chef Todd MohrEating healthy is not just a fad. It’s not just for hippie granola types, it’s not something to practice only under a doctors direction. Carefully choosing the foods you eat has an impact on every aspect of your life, happiness, social interactions, and overall well-being. However, eating ...
Views: 1014 - Baking-How-To Answers Are In The Mixer, NOT The Oven - by Submitted on Oct 28, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrI get more baking-how-to questions about oven temperatures than any other query. Home bakers have been duped into thinking that somehow oven temperature and baking time are the keys to successful baked goods. It’s not true. The greatest amount of baked good worry from home bakers comes from ...
Views: 737(2 votes) - Avoid Destroying the Color Texture and Nutrients in Vegetables! - by Submitted on Sep 14, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrNutrients in vegetables usually wind up in the green colored water you’ve just cooked them in. Have you ever noticed that if you cook carrots in water, you’ve got orange colored liquid and carrots that taste like water? Where do you think the nutrients go? If you want to avoid destroying ...
Views: 849(2 votes) - The Only 4 Cooking Knives You Need - by Submitted on Sep 08, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrThere are plenty of cooking knives for sale on late night TV. You’ve seen the info-mercials. These amazing knives cut aluminum cans and shoes! I’ve been cooking for a long time, and I’ve never had to cut a can or a shoe. What makes this the test of a great knife? I saw a TV commercial ...
Views: 880(1 vote) - Food TV Won’t Teach You To Cook - by Submitted on Sep 06, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrWatching Food TV won’t teach you to cook. Perhaps you shouldn’t believe or attempt everything on your flat screen that’s designed for entertainment value, not educational value. Neither will you learn to cook from a cookbook. Written recipes won’t teach you to cook any more than sheet music ...
Views: 806(1 vote) - The 9 Steps of Basic Saute Are Not Only For Bourbon Chicken - by Submitted on Aug 25, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrThey asked me to make Bourbon Chicken for the Beer Bourbon BBQ Festival this year. The mistake they made was asking me to send the recipe. They should know better than to ask the guy famous for burning recipes to write something down. That’s just the point, I don’t use recipes. Bourbon ...
Views: 850(1 vote) - Cook Simply and Easily with Fresh Ingredients Delivered to Your Door - by Submitted on Aug 17, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrDo you want to cook simply and still ensure that your kitchen is only producing healthy meals? Then you are going to love the idea that I'm going to share with you today. I just received my first produce box! This produce box is filled with healthy, fresh ingredients that practically guarantee ...
Views: 1769(1 vote) - Cutting Vegetables Blindfolded is Still Easier - by Submitted on Aug 03, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrCutting vegetables is so much easier when you don’t have to take out your chopper/dicer device. You might think that the electric gadget is quicker and easier than your standard chef’s knife, but you’d be wrong. Let’s have a race. Ready, go! Get your chopper appliance down from the ...
Views: 753 - The 5 Skills You Need To Cook Better - by Submitted on Aug 02, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrI can cook better than I ever have because I don’t follow recipes anymore. They’ve let me down too many times. However, if I don’t have written instructions, how do I create amazing meals at home? There are 5 elements, or necessary skills that I use to be able to cook the way I want, with ...
Views: 1105(1 vote) - The Canning How To on Barbeque Sauce - by Submitted on Jul 07, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrThese canning how-to tips came out of necessity. You see, I’ve been making my own barbeque sauce since I was a kid, but it caused conflict in my household. I loved using the sauce as a grilling marinade so I’d make gallons of my “New York Attitude” Barbeque Sauce and portion it into used ...
Views: 818(2 votes) - Boil Corn On The Cob and You Lose - by Submitted on Jun 24, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrBoil corn on the cob and you’ll notice the corn tastes like water and the water like corn. If you think about it, you can make a flavorful vegetable broth by simmering onions, carrots, and celery in water. So, are you trying to cook your corn or make corn broth? Boiling is a moist ...
Views: 908(2 votes) - Whats the Best Way For Cooking Brown Rice? - by Submitted on Jun 17, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrCooking brown rice can be very confusing if you pay attention to a written recipe or package instructions. There’s more than one way to cook brown rice, just like there’s more than one way to cook chicken, beef, or vegetables. Brown rice is whole-grain rice that is less processed than white ...
Views: 1198(2 votes) - Dig Deep For The Best Clam Chowder and Stuffed Clams - by Submitted on Jun 10, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrClam digging is a tradition in my family. I grew up on the water, and had my own boat shortly after my first bicycle. It’s an activity that not only yields fantastic fresh ingredients for cooking, but a family activity that everyone enjoys. It’s one thing to buy fresh fish; it’s another to ...
Views: 1460(1 vote) - Grilling How To: New Ideas From Cleaning Your Grill to Non-Stick Fish - by Submitted on May 27, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrI’m inspired to create this “Grilling How To” because outdoor cooking season is now upon us! It’s my favorite cooking time of the year, but before I actually get grilling, I’ll have to inspect my barbeque and decide whether it will survive another summer. My poor, poor barbeque grill, it ...
Views: 1143(2 votes) - Why Grass Fed Beef Makes The Best Steaks For Grilling - by Submitted on May 26, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrThe best steaks for grilling are the ones that will return the best flavor and nutrition while retaining moisture and tenderness. To accomplish the best results, I always start with the best ingredients I can find. Because grilling is direct, conductive, intense heat, it will never tenderize ...
Views: 1046(2 votes) - 3 No Recipe Uses For The Season’s Best Strawberries - by Submitted on May 23, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrNo recipe will tell me what to do when it’s strawberry season. It’s one of the great seasonal joys in fresh food, and I take full advantage of the short time. The best strawberries come from your local farm, local farmer, local rain and soil. I celebrate the beginning of strawberry season ...
Views: 1165(3 votes) - How To Create a 6 Course French Dinner Without Recipes - by Submitted on May 13, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrWould you break into a sweat if you had to create a 6 course French dinner for friends? Most people would, it can be intimidating cooking for other people. What makes this cooking stress even greater is trying to follow written recipes. Cooking is fun. Referring back-and-forth to written ...
Views: 1202(1 vote) - Don’t Leave Shirred Eggs Off Your Menu For Brunch - by Submitted on Apr 26, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrIf you’re writing a menu for brunch, don’t forget Shirred Eggs. They’re extremely simple, can be made well in advance, and make a great table presentation. People love foods in individual serving dishes. In my many years of Catering, I’ve seen the trends come and go, but high visual appeal ...
Views: 1154(3 votes) - Crepes Are an Easy and Elegant Brunch Menu Idea - by Submitted on Apr 22, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrCray-pe or Creh-pe, no matter how you say it, the simple French pancake makes an easy and elegant brunch menu idea. They’re incredibly simple to make, and flexible enough that they can be breakfast, lunch, dinner, or late night snack. However, their delicate nature makes them perfectly ...
Views: 889(1 vote) - Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution IS The War On Drugs - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrI’m not sure why Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution has returned to television. Does the former Naked Chef want to cure obesity? Does he want to reduce diabetes? Does he want to remove additives from our food? Is it fat? Is it sugar? Is it children? Is it adults? Is it a war on drugs? Why ...
Views: 1194(2 votes) - 9 Steps to Great Low Carb Cooking From Home - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrYou don’t need a written recipe to achieve great low carb cooking from home. One basic cooking method and the ingredients YOU desire are all it takes. Earlier this week, I showed you a low carb chicken recipe using sauté method. Today’s inspiration will follow the same procedure with ...
Views: 1365(7 votes) - Do it Yourself -4 Steps to Copycat Restaurant Recipes. - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrI have a friend that plays guitar. He can hear a song and figure out how to play it. This has always impressed me. I watch him intently listening to the song, nodding his head, humming a bit, and then his fingers go to work. The left hand forms chords, the right strums or picks at the ...
Views: 1208(1 vote) - Poaching is the Path to More Quick Dishes - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrI’m so happy to share more quick dishes for everyday cooking with you. Earlier this week, I caught a Taco Fish and helped you discover the simplicity of a basic breading procedure you can use on any ingredient in your pantry. In the time it takes most people to just FIND the right recipe, I ...
Views: 1164(5 votes) - Catch a Taco Fish, One of the Quick Dishes for Everyday Cooking - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrIf you could cook like me and create quick dishes every night of the week, you’d never need a recipe book. Without a recipe book, you’d never need to stress about dinner. It’s the written recipe that causes so much anxiety about preparing family dinners. Are you always trying to figure out ...
Views: 1190(1 vote) - Easy Family Dinners Are Closer Than Thailand - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrEasy family dinners can come from your own kitchen but have the flavors of far away. I mean that you don’t need to cook like the greatest Italian Chef to make an Italian inspired meal. You don’t need to study in Thailand to use the characteristic flavors in a simple cooking ...
Views: 1134(5 votes) - Fast Dinner Ideas From Your Kitchen Cabinet - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrFast dinner ideas come from the combination of quick cooking methods and the ingredients you have on hand. Planning and cooking meals for your family can be frustrating when you depend on written recipes that command specific ingredients. Sometimes you have the items, sometimes you don’t. ...
Views: 1256(5 votes) - A Quick Dinner Recipe Frees You From the Kitchen Faster - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrStir Fry is the best way to create your own quick dinner recipe using ingredients you have on hand. It’s also a great way to create healthy meals using fresh ingredients and free yourself from the kitchen faster than following a written recipe would ever allow. In the video that accompanies ...
Views: 1241(17 votes) - 10 Romantic Dinner Ideas From a Chef Who Loves His Wife - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrIt’s easy for me to share 10 romantic dinner ideas with you, because I cook this way almost every night. I only cook what I’m inspired to create, and my wife, Heather has always been the muse behind my creativity, from culinary college until today. The most romantic meals have three ...
Views: 1441(13 votes) - Ethnic Profiling Is The Key to Cooking With Spices - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrCooking with spices is an aspect of cooking that frustrates many people. The questions I receive all highlight a confusion over which spices to buy, how to use them, and how much of them to use. All of those questions can be answered with a simple change in thinking. Use ethnic ...
Views: 1265(7 votes) - What Are Some Tips for Healthy Living? Chef Todd Asks the Experts. - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrI really need some tips for healthy living. The New Year is in full swing, and like I said earlier this week during my 7 Tips for Healthy Cooking, I feel like crap. Perhaps it’s not JUST the food I eat. Maybe there are items in my environment that could be affecting my mood, health and ...
Views: 1121(1 vote) - 7 Tips for Healthy Eating at Home - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2011 from Chef Todd MohrI’ve devised my 7 Tips for Healthy Eating at Home because I feel like crap. What the heck is going on? I’m a healthy guy, I’m not overweight. I exercise more than most people. I was the Executive Chef at a large hospital, so I know about nutrition and I can cook. Why do I feel lousy? Why ...
Views: 1382(11 votes)