Chef shares tips for cooking at home during coronavirus pandemic

Reporter: Sydney Persing Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
Chef Emma Calcara. Credit: WINK News.

Dining out isn’t an option. Take out is expensive. And a lot of people are stuck in their homes, forced to cook and some for the first time.

A chef we spoke to shared smart and simple ways to cook at home with confidence during self-quarantine for the coronavirus pandemic.

“Right now, the kitchen is probably the safest place to be,” chef Emma Calcara said. “Definitely not a place to be afraid.”

Calcara wants you to feel at home in your kitchen.

“There’s pre-made rice; the pasta is always a food fast dish,” Calcara said. “All you have to do is boil water.”

And, in minutes, your dish can look be ready for you and anyone else at home.

“Buy things that are already pre-cut but still fresh and super easy and simple to use,” Calcara said. “All you have to do is open a bag.”

Meats and fish are great to freeze. Make salmon simply and swiftly by adding herbs that come prepared.

“We have those tubes now already minced and seasoned together,” Calcara said. “So all you have to do is just twist the top off and pour it into your dish.”

Think quick when you’re just learning to cook.

“Completely simple, you can buy the basil in the same packages like this one,” Calcara said. “Each of those meals should take no more than 20 minutes. The Caprese maybe five.”

Don’t freeze your own veggies.

“Just go to the frozen aisle,” Calcara said. “It will be faster and cheaper in the long run.”

Think about what can last.

“If you make soups or stews at home, that’s a really simple thing to do,” Calcara said. “Those are great things to freeze.”

Chef Calcara is sharing more of her recipes complete with step-by-step instructions on her Facebook page for anyone in need of ideas at home.

MORE: Palladio Trattoria Facebook page

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