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Our normal lives have been disrupted in so many countless ways by Covid, but one of the most significant might be that we are suddenly faced with having to cook EVERY. SINGLE. MEAL! If you’re already an accomplished home cook, then this is your moment to shine as friends and family will likely be calling you for advice as they tackle the basics. If you’re new at this, you’re desperately asking Siri questions like “how do I feed my kids lunch” or “is it easy to make my own pasta?” Either way, your family might be starting to grumble about meals being served on repeat and you’re desperate for fresh ideas. To help you out, I’ve compiled a collection of my favourite cooking shows and websites, places I visit again and again if I’m looking for inspiration.  Use this time to master a new recipe or cooking skill and the benefits will last for a lifetime!

 

Watch on Netflix: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

Chef Samin Nosrat walks you through the four basic elements of cooking, giving you a basic understanding of how they work so that you can get comfortable with making substitutions and cooking with what you have.  She’s also just launched a four-part podcast that I can’t wait to listen to!  

 

Massimo Bottura’s Kitchen Quarantine on Instagram Live

World-renowned Chef Mossimo Bottura is offering free cooking classes through Instagram Live and also posting the videos. Check out his Instagram account for details.

 

MasterClass

Since you’re not spending money on eating out, you can easily justify the cost of this.  There’s a dizzying array of videos, from directing movies to mastering jazz guitar, but it also has lots of great cooking, wine tasting and cocktail making videos.  Watching Dorie Greenspan calmly whisking homemade mayo in her kitchen is just so comforting. Check out her website for more recipes.

 

Virtual Cooking with Nonna

I can’t wait to dive into this one!  This dynamic combo of Nonna (which means Grandma!) Nerina and Nipote (granddaughter) Chiara will walk you through an amazing Italian cooking experience in the comfort of your own home with recipes from their own family that go back more than 100 years!

 

Mennonite Girls Can Cook

While they’re no longer writing their daily blog, all their recipes still live on their website and if there’s anything Mennonite women know how to do, it’s cook hearty family-friendly meals.  

 

Cooks with Cocktails

One day we’ll start entertaining again, so it’s a great time to practice on your family with recipes from this Fraser Valley blog.  Their cocktails and easy dinners are always a winner.  

 

Dinner with Julie

Calgary resident Julie is a chef, radio host, cookbook author and cooking class instructor.  Her love of cooking and baking goes as far back as she can remember, and in 2000 Julie documented what she cooked every single day for a whole year.  She’s continued adding tons of great recipes to her website.

 

Fraiche Living

Fraiche Living from Kelowna is fairly new, and every time I read her blog I want to cook and invite friends over to share her delicious recipes. 

 

Flourist

This Vancouver company was recently founded by two women committed to bringing Canadian grown grains and flours to the market. If you’re itching to learn how to bake bread and support Canadian farmers by using their flours, grains and beans, then this is the website for you! When life returns to normal and you’re in Vancouver, make sure to visit their fantastic newly-opened bakery on Commercial St.  

 

Additional Resources

More of my favourite recipe websites 

The Modern Proper – two friends who love to share recipes and hospitality ideas.
Kitchn  – their website is an encyclopedia of recipes, general cooking knowledge and lessons.
Half-Baked Harvest – my daughters swear by every one of her recipes and the photos are gorgeous too.
Smitten Kitchen – I’m not sure how someone who lives in a New York City apartment can cook such gorgeous meals.
Platings and Pairings – a self-taught cook, she just loves good food and good wine.
The Daley Plate – a new discovery, this South African born chef always inspires me.
Noble Pig – This Oregon mom makes wine and cooks for teenagers, enough said.  Dill Pickle Dip!
Two Sleevers – A scientist made famous for her Instant Pot butter chicken, visit her site if you love Indian food, or have an Instant Pot, or are eating keto, or all three!
King Arthur Flour – get your mixer out because I guarantee you’ll be baking something after you visit this site.

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