Chef Over Your Shoulder: Cooking Tips, Recipes & Kitchen Inspiration

Ceviche Before Noon and Mussels After Dark: Seafood Made Simple at Home | Cooking Tips, Recipes & Kitchen Inspiration

Today, we are heading back out to sea because there was no way we could fit all things fish and seafood into one episode. Think of this episode as the sister conversation to our recent fish episode.  For me, seafood has usually been a ‘restaurant meal,’ but as usual, Jody and Kirstie have removed the intimidation factor, and now I’m ready to cook seafood in my own kitchen. Jody and Kirstie share their favourite recipes and tips for scallops, shrimp cocktail, and mussels, and they also share some of their favourite ceviche stories from Mexico and Peru. In this episode, each seafood has a story, and you won’t want to miss a single one. In this episode, you will learn: * Why frozen at sea scallops are often a better choice in Ontario, and how to tell when they are perfectly cooked * How to retire the frozen shrimp ring and make simple, flavourful shrimp cocktail at home * Practical tips for buying, cleaning, and cooking mussels, and how the sauce more or less makes itself * Real world ideas for seafood boils, kitchen parties, and feeding a crowd with one big pot * Travel stories from Peru and Mexico that bring ceviche, leche de tigre, and coastal seafood culture to life * A quick primer on how acid “cooks” seafood in ceviche, and why freshness matters so much * Why oysters, mussels, scallops, and shrimp all feel so communal when you share them around a crowded table Chef Over Your Shoulder is our podcast about the connections we make through cooking. Pairing professional Chefs Jody O'Malley and Kirstie Herbstreitand from the Culinary Studio with me, a burn-to-the-bottom-of-the-pan expert, creates the perfect “recipe” to demystify the kitchen and bring back the joy of cooking…without the pressure.

The Cookbook Diaries: Go Behind the Scenes with Jody and Kirstie on Thier Cookbook Journey | Cooking Tips, Recipes & Kitchen Inspiration

Today is a special episode. It is the first in a new ongoing series that takes you behind the scenes of Jody and Kirstie’s cookbook journey. They are taking hundreds of their original, much loved recipes from The Culinary Studio and turning them into a cookbook. In each episode, you will hear about the funny moments, the big wins, and the ways they work through challenges along the way. From Swiss Chalet meetings, to finding handwritten recipes in old journals, to rigorous recipe testing happening in kitchens everywhere, including mine. This is not a glossy “for display only” cookbook, it is being built for everyday cooks and chefs of every experience level, from Red Seal pros right down to people like me who’ve been known to burn soup to the bottom of the pot. And if you happen to be a publisher looking for a tested, community-powered cookbook from Canadian chefs with fifteen years of teaching experience, we would very much like to hear from you. Chef Over Your Shoulder is our podcast about the connections we make through cooking. Pairing professional Chefs Jody O'Malley and Kirstie Herbstreitand from the Culinary Studio with me, a burn-to-the-bottom-of-the-pan expert, creates the perfect “recipe” to demystify the kitchen and bring back the joy of cooking…without the pressure.  Connect with us! The Culinary Studio Website [https://www.theculinarystudio.ca/] The Culinary Studio Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/culinarystudio] Amy Schlueter Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/amy_schlueter/] The Culinary Studio Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheCulinaryStudio/] The Culinary Studio TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@culinarystudiocanada]

I Quit: Teaching Kids and Teens to Cook by Stepping Back | Cooking Tips, Recipes & Kitchen Inspiration

On today’s episode, we are talking about quitting. Jody shares the story behind her viral “I Quit” post. She’s not quitting cooking altogether; instead, she’s quitting the role of default family cook and handing some of that responsibility over to her kids.  Jody shares what has actually happened now that her kids are in charge of making dinner. We get into the real side of it all, from burnt croutons to successful Thai curry.  You will hear how this experiment has given Jody the gift of time and how both Kirstie and I are inspired to try something similar in our own kitchens.  Our conversation is funny and honest, and it gives you a realistic look at how kids really learn to cook, how families can share the load, and why teaching children to feed themselves is about so much more than getting dinner on the table. Jody’s stories will give you permission to step back and the inspiration to say “I quit” in your own way, without anyone going hungry. Chef Over Your Shoulder is our podcast about the connections we make through cooking. Pairing professional Chefs Jody O'Malley and Kirstie Herbstreitand from the Culinary Studio with me, a burn-to-the-bottom-of-the-pan expert, creates the perfect “recipe” to demystify the kitchen and bring back the joy of cooking…without the pressure.  Links and Resources Mac and Cheese and Ground Beef [https://blog.theculinarystudio.ca/recipes/taco-mac-cheese/] Thai Curry Eggless Caesar Dressing Recipe [https://blog.theculinarystudio.ca/recipes/eggless-caesar-dressing-recipe/] Creamy Chicken Pesto Gnocchi Beef Broccoli Stir Fry [https://blog.theculinarystudio.ca/your-best-stir-fry-ever/] Connect with us! The Culinary Studio Website [https://www.theculinarystudio.ca/] The Culinary Studio Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/culinarystudio] Amy Schlueter Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/amy_schlueter/] The Culinary Studio Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheCulinaryStudio/] The Culinary Studio TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@culinarystudiocanada]

How to Cook Fish at Home: Salmon, Tuna, Quitting the Kitchen and Maple Syrup | Cooking Tips, Recipes & Kitchen Inspiration

Today, we are tackling the episode that some of our listeners have specifically requested…how to cook fish. Now, before Jody and Kirstie walk me through pan-seared salmon, poached fish, and why a scorching hot pan is my new best friend, I have a brand new fail that I have been waiting to share with Jody and Kirstie. It involves maple syrup and a microwave. And Jody shares with us how she’s quit the kitchen. You won’t want to miss that story. We do get around to fish, and our chefs have great tips and tricks to share. From where and how to buy really good fish when you live nowhere near an ocean, pan vs oven and why tuna might be the easiest fish to cook. Jody and Kirstie share memories of fishing as kids and learning to cook their first fish fry, and introduce us to their “pancake method,” so you stop stressing about when to flip your fish. By the end, I am genuinely excited to pan sear salmon at home and to try their famous Newfoundland cod fish tacos that come together in under 30 minutes. If fish has always felt like a restaurant only order for you, this episode will change that. You will walk away with simple, tested techniques, a little science, and a lot of reassurance that everyone can cook fish in their own kitchen. Chef Over Your Shoulder is our podcast about the connections we make through cooking. Pairing professional Chefs Jody O'Malley and Kirstie Herbstreitand from the Culinary Studio with me, a burn-to-the-bottom-of-the-pan expert, creates the perfect “recipe” to demystify the kitchen and bring back the joy of cooking…without the pressure.  Links and Resources Fish Tacos Podcast Episo [https://link.cohostpodcasting.com/10e7d62d-970c-4217-822d-213ff0f3a6d0?d=s9azycS-5&v=7780]de Homemade Tartar Sauce: A Classic with Endless Possibilities [https://blog.theculinarystudio.ca/recipes/homemade-tartar-sauce/] Fish Tacos That Impress [https://blog.theculinarystudio.ca/recipes/spice-roasted-fish-tacos/]  Grilled Fish 101: Best Chef Tips for BBQ Fish Perfection! [https://blog.theculinarystudio.ca/recipes/grilled-fish-101/] Beer Battered Fish & Chips: A Crispy Classic for Good Friday (or Anytime) [https://blog.theculinarystudio.ca/recipes/beer-battered-fish-chips/] Pan-Seared Salmon Made Perfect | Chef-Approved Method (in 20 Minutes!) [https://blog.theculinarystudio.ca/recipes/how-to-make-pan-seared-salmon/] Miso-Glazed Salmon Bowls! [https://www.theculinarystudio.ca/products/miso-glazed-salmon-bowl-online-cooking-class?_pos=1&_psq=miso&_ss=e&_v=1.0] Connect with us! The Culinary Studio Website [https://www.theculinarystudio.ca/] The Culinary Studio Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/culinarystudio] Amy Schlueter Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/amy_schlueter/] The Culinary Studio Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheCulinaryStudio/] The Culinary Studio TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@culinarystudiocanada]

Beyond Taco Tuesday: Real Mexican Cooking at Home | Cooking Tips, Recipes & Kitchen Inspiration

Today, we are talking about Mexican food. And if you are anything like me, Mexican food at home pretty much means ground beef, packaged taco spice, and that yellow box of taco shells. Sound familiar? Well, today, Jody and Kirstie are taking us on a full culinary adventure, and we are reinventing Taco Tuesday for good. We talk about an easy, delicious homemade spice blend that replaces that dusty little packet forever. Jody and Kirstie also share their favourite guajillo chili sauce, which Kirstie says makes her feel genuinely rich as a human when she has it stocked in her freezer. And yes, we absolutely talk tacos, but we talk about so much more than that such as the art of taco garnishes, a rice bowl revelation that I honestly cannot wait to try and taco neck. This episode is going to change the way you think about Mexican food at home. And I promise you, it is way easier than it sounds.  In This Episode: * Stir-fry follow-up: Amy reports back on her stir-fry success from the previous episode, including the baking soda trick. * Mexican food in Canada: Why Mexican cuisine deserves so much more credit than fast food and Taco Tuesday. * The baking soda secret: Dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda in one tablespoon of water, mix it into your raw ground beef before browning, and the result is incredibly tender, flavourful meat. * Homemade taco spice: Skip the packet. Chilli powder, cumin, and cinnamon are already in your pantry. * Corn tortillas vs. flour tortillas: Why warming your tortilla matters, and where to buy the good ones. * Guajillo chili sauce: A foundational sauce you can use in chilaquiles, pozole, enchiladas, crema, and braises. It also freezes beautifully. * Hominy: What it is (a large, starchy, white corn kernel), where to buy it (canned, just like beans), and how it transforms a pozole. * Pozole: A rich, meaty stew that is a special occasion staple in Mexican cooking. * Birria tacos: Slow-braised, shredded beef tacos served with a cup of broth for dipping. A morning taco tradition. * Chilaquiles: The dream Mexican breakfast of tortilla chips simmered in salsa, topped with fried eggs and queso fresco. * La Costena beans: A pantry staple worth knowing. Heat with garlic, cumin, and a squeeze of lime. * Building the perfect taco: Less meat than you think, more garnishes than you imagined. Cabbage, crema, salsa, cilantro, queso fresco. * The rice bowl revelation: Your taco garnishes fall onto a bed of rice. That is not a mistake. That is a third course. * Fish tacos: Baked cod with a spice paste and simple garnishes. Fast, fresh, and doable at home. Chef Over Your Shoulder is our podcast about the connections we make through cooking. Pairing professional Chefs Jody O'Malley and Kirstie Herbstreitand from the Culinary Studio with me, a burn-to-the-bottom-of-the-pan expert, creates the perfect “recipe” to demystify the kitchen and bring back the joy of cooking…without the pressure.  Links and Resources Guajillo Chilies: Easy tips to Start Cooking with Dried Chilies! [https://blog.theculinarystudio.ca/spotlight-on-guajillo-peppers/] Chilaquiles Rojos: A Classic Mexican Breakfast Made at Home [Chilaquiles Rojos: A Classic Mexican Breakfast Made at Home] La Costena Beans [https://www.lacostena.com.mx/en/] Fish Tacos That Impress (in 30 Minutes or Less!) [https://blog.theculinarystudio.ca/recipes/spice-roasted-fish-tacos/] Easy Mexican Chicken Pozole [https://blog.theculinarystudio.ca/recipes/easy-mexican-chicken-pozole/] Connect with us! The Culinary Studio Website [https://www.theculinarystudio.ca/] The Culinary Studio Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/culinarystudio] Amy Schlueter Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/amy_schlueter/] The Culinary Studio Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheCulinaryStudio/] The Culinary Studio TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@culinarystudiocanada]