Text Christa!

Hey Food Fans!

We’re back with another exciting episode of Cooking Like a Pro featuring your favorite culinary duo, Chef Cal and Christa DeMercurio. This week, we’ve got a treasure trove of tips and tricks that will take your kitchen game to the next level! 🎉

**Perfect Pasta Every Time 🍝**

Christa shares her detailed process for achieving that perfect al dente pasta, with a special method coined "Pasta 123". Trust us, this one's a game-changer!

**Poaching Proficiency 🐟**

Chef Cal gives us an in-depth guide on poaching seafood to perfection—gentle, flavorful, and oh-so-delicate. He even compares poaching to steaming, shedding light on when to use each method.

**Picture-Perfect Plating 🍽️**

Ever wonder how the pros make their dishes look so good? Cal and Christa discuss food harmony, color, texture, and presentation techniques to make your plates pop!

**Wine Wisdom 🍷**

Whether you're a wine novice or an aficionado, Cal’s breakdown on pairing wines with different dishes will have you sipping with confidence. Learn about varietals, tasting notes, and the influence of oak vs. stainless steel.

Let's Connect!

I'm Christa DeMercurio. I started as a stay-at-home mom who relied on cookbooks, measuring everything and following recipes to the letter. But watching my chef husband move effortlessly in the kitchen, I knew there had to be a better way.

So, I learned—studying his techniques, practicing his methods, and mastering the strategies that keep professional kitchens running smoothly. Over time, I became confident, capable, and free from recipes controlling my cooking.

I’m here to help you do the same. On Cooking Like a Pro, together we share everything you need to cook with confidence, save time and money, and actually enjoy being in the kitchen—without the stress and frustration.
P.S. I still reference cookbooks and internet recipes too!

❤️Culinarily Yours, Christa DeMercurio (Mrs. Chef)

Email: [email protected]

Website

Text Me!

Leave a Voicemail

📸 INSTAGRAM | 📺YOUTUBE

Text Christa!

Join Chef Cal and Christa on this week's episode of Cooking Like a Pro as they delve into culinary tips and techniques to enhance your cooking skills. This podcast is packed with valuable insights and practical advice for both novice and experienced cooks.

FEATURED RECIPE in this episode GAZPACHO

✔️ Learn how to prepare a unique dish of sautéed cucumbers with garlic, shallot, cream, and dill. Get tips on grilling cucumbers and reducing their bitterness.

✔️ Dive into wine pairing insights, focusing on merlot and how to enhance your dining experience.

✔️ Understand the importance of the "dry, wet, dry" breading method for perfect coating.


TIMESTAMP OVERVIEW

00:00 Exploring local farmers market for food.

04:07 Ice cold dish and chilled spoon preference.

07:01 Slice, saute, add cream, dill, enjoy. Delightful surprise!

09:54 Enjoying John Denver while craving homegrown tomatoes.

14:48 Breading is used for fast-cooking, tender items.

17:35 Sautéed and deep frying can be healthy.

21:50 Refrigerator whisperer finds fun in cooking.

25:17 Enhancing wine taste and food pairing tips.

27:47 Testing grape sugar content using refractometer.

30:06 Chardonnay with buttery, nutty flavor pairs with halibut.

35:15 Pairing food and wine, merlot, sweeter wine. Drink what you like, ask for samples.

38:36 Restaurant owner emphasizes importance of customer service.

40:35 Request for ice water, customer engagement essential.

43:38 Eating out, supporting restaurants.

46:27 Service: Getting order right, tipping becoming common.

Let's Connect!

I'm Christa DeMercurio. I started as a stay-at-home mom who relied on cookbooks, measuring everything and following recipes to the letter. But watching my chef husband move effortlessly in the kitchen, I knew there had to be a better way.

So, I learned—studying his techniques, practicing his methods, and mastering the strategies that keep professional kitchens running smoothly. Over time, I became confident, capable, and free from recipes controlling my cooking.

I’m here to help you do the same. On Cooking Like a Pro, together we share everything you need to cook with confidence, save time and money, and actually enjoy being in the kitchen—without the stress and frustration.
P.S. I still reference cookbooks and internet recipes too!

❤️Culinarily Yours, Christa DeMercurio (Mrs. Chef)

Email: [email protected]

Website

Text Me!

Leave a Voicemail

📸 INSTAGRAM | 📺YOUTUBE

Text Christa!

Join Chef Cal and Christa on this week's episode of Cooking Like a Pro as they delve into culinary tips and techniques to enhance your cooking skills. This podcast is packed with valuable insights and practical advice for both novice and experienced cooks.

✨DOWNLOAD BBQ SAUCE CHEAT SHEET with 10 RECIPES ✨

✔️ Explore tips for enhancing store-bought barbecue sauces, including a ginger barbecue sauce recipe for seafood.

✔️ Learn about the key to removing the bloodline from salmon and the importance of fresh, non-fishy fish.

✔️ Discover how to pair fruit-based barbecue sauces with proteins like chicken, pork, and sea bass.

✔️ Get tips on handling and preserving fresh produce, including the best way to store blueberries.

✔️ Hear about Cal’s memories of his grandpa's BBQ sauce and the significance of food in bringing people together.

Don't miss out on these cooking hacks and join Cal and Christa next week for more culinary wisdom!

Let's Connect!

I'm Christa DeMercurio. I started as a stay-at-home mom who relied on cookbooks, measuring everything and following recipes to the letter. But watching my chef husband move effortlessly in the kitchen, I knew there had to be a better way.

So, I learned—studying his techniques, practicing his methods, and mastering the strategies that keep professional kitchens running smoothly. Over time, I became confident, capable, and free from recipes controlling my cooking.

I’m here to help you do the same. On Cooking Like a Pro, together we share everything you need to cook with confidence, save time and money, and actually enjoy being in the kitchen—without the stress and frustration.
P.S. I still reference cookbooks and internet recipes too!

❤️Culinarily Yours, Christa DeMercurio (Mrs. Chef)

Email: [email protected]

Website

Text Me!

Leave a Voicemail

📸 INSTAGRAM | 📺YOUTUBE

Text Christa!

✅ Ever wondered how choosing the right spoon could make or break your event

✅ Discover how attention to detail can transform your culinary experiences 

✅ Tune in to this first-ever Cooking Like a Pro podcast featuring Chef Cal and Christa DeMercurio as radio show guests with host Carl Bott on the Free Fire Radio Morning Show!

What strategies do Cal and Christa suggest for ensuring all dishes for multiple guests are ready to serve simultaneously in a restaurant setting? 

Training staff, attention to detail, and stellar service from first contact are emphasized. 

Chef Cal paints the challenge of prepping multiple meals at once, stressing timing and coordination.

Ever wondered why your BBQ isn't hitting the mark? Chef Cal shares pro-tips on tri tip techniques and the art of letting meat rest. 

From ice water for crisp lettuce to the magic behind Santa Maria BBQ, tune in to this episode on Cooking Like a Pro.

Let's Connect!

I'm Christa DeMercurio. I started as a stay-at-home mom who relied on cookbooks, measuring everything and following recipes to the letter. But watching my chef husband move effortlessly in the kitchen, I knew there had to be a better way.

So, I learned—studying his techniques, practicing his methods, and mastering the strategies that keep professional kitchens running smoothly. Over time, I became confident, capable, and free from recipes controlling my cooking.

I’m here to help you do the same. On Cooking Like a Pro, together we share everything you need to cook with confidence, save time and money, and actually enjoy being in the kitchen—without the stress and frustration.
P.S. I still reference cookbooks and internet recipes too!

❤️Culinarily Yours, Christa DeMercurio (Mrs. Chef)

Email: [email protected]

Website

Text Me!

Leave a Voicemail

📸 INSTAGRAM | 📺YOUTUBE