Internal Cooking Temperatures

To properly and safely cook meat, it is critical to know internal temperatures for the protein at hand. Here is a quick guide, thanks to foodsafety.gov, to help keep your family and friends safe while keeping your protein nice and moist!

Ground Meat: 160ºF

• Turkey, chicken, beef, lamb, pork, and veal.

Poultry: 165ºF

• This includes whole chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese as well as thigh meat, breasts and stuffing. 

Steaks, Roasts and Chops: 145ºF

• This includes beef, veal and lamb.

Pork and Ham: 145ºF

Seafood:

• Fish: 145ºF or until flesh is opaque and flakes when touched with a fork.
• Shrimp: flesh should be opaque and tails curled.
• Lobster and crabs: flesh should be opaque.
• Clams, oysters, mussels: Once shells open during cooking. If shells are open before cooking, don’t use them!
• Scallops: Flesh color should be opaque and slightly firm to the touch.

Egg Dishes: 160ºF

Reheating Leftovers (including casseroles): 165ºF

Now that you understand the internal cooking temperature, let’s fire up our ovens and start cooking!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

What's Cooking? Sunday Supper Reveal!

The best part of testing, are all the leftovers! This evening I will be enjoying a delicious smorgasborg of the day’s testing.

To whatever you are gathering to this evening, I hope that you find time to gather around the table together with family and friends.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Sunday Supper Recommendation: Steak Asparagus Stir Fry

If you are looking for a quick, seasonally inspired and delicious meal to serve your family tomorrow for Sunday supper, look no farther than stir fry! My favorite combination, right now, is steak with asparagus and red bell peppers but I always suggest opening your fridge and taking advantage of leftovers.

To whatever it is that you are gathering to for Sunday supper tomorrow, I hope that you find time to gather around the table together with family and friends.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Weekend Happenings! Teaching, Testing, Cleaning

This weekend is going to be spent teaching cooking classes, testing fresh new recipes for May and June, and doing a deep clean in my kitchen! Sometimes you just need to get on your hands and knees and polish the floorboards, if you know what I mean.  

Whatever it is that you are doing this weekend, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around the table together.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Throwback Thursday! Europe Bound

A month ago, my brother and I decided with 1 ½ weeks notice that we wanted to plan a trip to Europe. Timing was, it was perfect as my brother was in between projects and I was able to get my cooking classes covered. So, with 1 ½ weeks to plan a) where we wanted to go b) pack c) secure flights, tours, hotels and all other details, we were on our way. I have never traveled internationally with just my brother and we had the absolute best time. Fortunately, my brother also loves food and gladly joined me on the numerous foodie walking tours of markets and local restaurants.

On our flight home, we started brainstorming our next destination with the hopes of a few more weeks (or months) to plan!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Food 52

With three books under their belt and a blog worth following, Food52’s new cookbook
Genius Recipes: 100 Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook, is an absolute winner. From salt baked salmon to chocolate mousse, they have you covered! And the best part, these recipes work, providing the necessary confidence to make each dish with success!

Now what are you waiting for?  Your guests are coming and it’s time to start cooking!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Keeping your Refrigerator Safe!

The conversation around properly (and safely) organizing your refrigerator takes me back to my first class at Le Cordon Bleu. In our Culinary Foundations class, we learned everything from properly holding a knife, to kitchen terminology – “yes chef!” “down the line” and “knife behind” –  and safety and sanitation. The ultimate goal of class was to prepare for our ServSafe exam. Upon completion and passing the ServSafe exam, you receive a certificate that shows excellence in proper procedures and protocols for safely handing and serving food.  This introductory class at LCB set the foundation and standards from which I still use today. In fact, I have introduced my own friends and family to these guidelines to ensure proper food safety in their own homes.  

Today I want to highlight one of the most important items when it comes to protecting your family and friends in your own kitchen….Properly and safely organizing your refrigerator!

Storing Proteins:

1. Proteins should always be stored on the lowest shelf in your refrigerator.
2. Items should be self-contained in a Ziplock bag or Tupperware container ensuring that there is absolutely no risk for cross-contamination.
3. Beyond storing these items on the bottom shelf, this is the order in which they should be stored from top to bottom:
   • Fish – beef & pork – ground meat & fish – whole or ground poultry

Storing Dairy:

1. Dairy should never be stored on the refrigerator door as that is the warmest part of your fridge.
2. The door of the fridge should be used for condiments, sauces and other items that are not highly perishable.
3. Store dairy in the back of the fridge which is the coldest part of the fridge

Storing Herbs:

1. Herbs should be stored in the crisper wrapped in damp paper towels in a opened Ziplock bag. This will help to keep them hydrated and at there prime longer.

Storing Eggs:          

1. Always store eggs in the egg crate and not open in the fridge. Eggs quickly take on other odors so make sure they are far away from anything with an odor. For example, leftover garlic lover’s chicken, sliced onions and curry soup should be placed as far away as possible.
2. If you want to transfer your eggs to a plastic egg crate, go ahead and do so but be extra careful what you store close to it.

By practicing proper food safety and sanitation in your own home, you can protect your friends and family from what we all fear, a foodborne illness.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis,

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Dutch Oven Screw Repair

Did you know there is a quick and easy way to fix the nob on your dutch oven, or any lid for that matter? Simply take a stroll to your local hardware store and find a drawer knob to take its place.

Now how is that for genius (and easy!)?

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Sunday Supper Reveal: Crustless Quiche

Having spent the day with my mom out and about town, tonight we plan on making a deliciously healthy breakfast quiche. I find that by finishing my weekend on a high-note, I am set for a healthy week ahead! 

Whatever it is that you are gathering to for Sunday supper, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around the table together.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Sunday Supper Recommendation: Peanut Butter Mousse

Utterly delicious and silky smooth, peanut butter mousse is a guaranteed way to gather your friends and family around the table together.

Whatever it is that you are making for Sunday supper this weekend, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around the table together.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Weekend Happenings! Balboa Island Garage Sale

This weekend my mom is in town and we are attending the Balboa Island Garage Sale that is held once a year. Starting at 6:00 am loads of people come to the island in hopes of a parking spot and then around 7:30 am, finding priceless items at overly reduced prices. They say, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” and this weekend is a true testament to that! Last year I found loads of kitchen antiques at only a few dollars each. I was beyond thrilled!

If you are in the area on Saturday, stop by but come early as parking is as priceless as those items down each alleyway.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Throwback Thursday! Tap Dancing!

This week’s TBT goes to my days as a tap dancer, taping my way across the stage.  If only I still had those skills….

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Sunday Supper Reveal: Chinese Food!

Tonight is one of those nights where simply put, ordering Chinese food from my local Chinese restaurant sounded absolutely fantastic. Whatever you are cooking – or “ordering” – for Sunday supper this evening, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around the table together!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Sunday Supper Recommendation: Watermelon Salad with Ginger Mint Simple Syrup

Sometimes, Sunday comes along and we barely know how we got there. When time is of the essence and Sunday supper has come upon us, finding ways to get a delicious and wholesome meal on the table can be quite the challenge. One recommendation for a quick and healthy salad, is a simple watermelon salad tossed with ginger mint simple syrup. Or, better yet, make it for dessert as a light yet sweet and utterly refreshing finale to a perfect Sunday supper gathered around the table together with family and friends.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Weekend Happenings: Corona Del Mar Farmer's Market

It has been a while since I have attended Corona Del Mar’s Farmers Market and this weekend I am making time to do so! Farmers Markets are a great way to see what’s in season and what I should be cooking with in my own home.

Whatever you have planned this weekend, I hope that you find time to stroll your local farmers market and gather around the table together with family and friends.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Throwback Thursday! NYC Food and Wine Festival

Several years ago, before I started working for Chef Curtis Stone, my dad and I took a trip to NYC for the NY Food and Wine Festival. From daily celebrity demos to eating our way across town, we had a blast and what a feast!!  A few years later I decided to switch careers by trading in my suit for a Chef coat and enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu. A year later, I found myself on stage with Chef Curtis Stone at several other Food and Wine Festivals, including South Beach Food and Wine Festival, LA Food and Wine Festival and even Sydney Good Food and Wine Festival. It’s amazing to look back at this picture not realizing at the time that I would one day be on that stage!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

What's Cooking? Sunday Supper Reveal - Pan Seared Salmon

This evening I decided to make a quick and healthy dinner by pan-searing fresh salmon with olive oil, salt and pepper. Sometimes less is more!

Whatever you are gathering to for Sunday supper, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around the table together.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Sunday Supper: Salad with Cumin Roasted Chickpeas

If you are like me and try to find ways of incorporating more salads into your diet, serving one with roasted chickpeas is an excellent and healthy way to add protein to your diet while imparting excellent flavor. Roasting chickpeas with cumin is a great way to enhance a normally mild flavor while taking your salad to the next level.

Check the recipe section for my cumin roasted chickpeas recipe and make up a delicious salad tomorrow night for Sunday supper.

Whatever you are gathering to for Sunday supper tomorrow, I hope you find time to gather your friends and family around the table together.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Weekend Happenings: Teaching

This weekend I am teaching a Tuscany themed cooking class and testing a few recipes for my blog. I have found that teaching people how to cook and become more empowered and in control of every dish they aspire to master, has become a lifelong passion of mine.  

Even if we don’t have the pleasure of cooking together in person, I hope that the table together inspires, motivates and helps you take your cooking to the next level. 

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Throwback Thursday! Chase Training Video

Before turning in my suit for a chef coat, I worked in field marketing for JP Morgan Chase in Columbus, Ohio. I absolutely loved working for Chase and all the wonderful people whom I met while there.  One day, I was sitting at my desk and the Chief Marketing Officer’s name flashed on my caller ID. I remember thinking, this must be a mistake or misdial but the second they said “Hi Tiffany” I knew this was no mistake. Of course, my first thoughts were “how does he know who I am? And what did I do?” Naturally that would probably be anyone’s first reaction. Then, he proceeded to tell me about a training video they wanted to produce and he wanted me to be “the face of Chase.” Trying to hold back my excitement, I eagerly accepted wishing I would have taken those elect acting classes during university. Knowing my major in Mass Communications would come in handy, I prepared myself for the big day.

The biggest snowstorm of the season happened to be the night before the filming but I was determined to get to the studio, despite my fear of driving in the snow. I left 2 1/2 hours early for a normal 15 minute commute equipped with a large coffee and dressed head to toe in snow boots, earmuffs, and my warmest winter jacket in case I had to walk. Yes, I was that determined. I made it to the studio in 30 minutes as everyone else was home enjoying a snow day. 

Lights camera action, the rest of the day was spent filming in between hair and makeup. It was a huge opportunity and everyone seemed pleased, which was great! My acting days in Hollywood may never come, but if they do, I am ready!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!