Blog
Surviving the Holidays Gluten Free
The holiday season can be tough for those facing dietary restrictions due to medical conditions and food allergies. It's tough enough to enjoy favorite holiday dishes without feeling the need to compromise your health by 'cheating'. Cooking for someone with these...
Brainfood for Breakfast: Getting the right start in the morning
We’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day but what you eat in those early hours of the day is just as important; some meals are definitely better than others for getting kids (and adults) started in the morning. A doughnut or a poptart may...
How to Keep a Busy Family Gathered at the Dinner Table
Summertime usually means a break from the hectic school year pace, giving families more time to gather around the dinner table or the backyard grill. As most Dallas/Fort Worth area kids head back to school next week, Chef Deb Cantrell (also a mom of 2 school-aged...
Dairy-Free Cinnamon Toast Ice Cream
Allergic to dairy? Lactose-intolerant? Simply don't eat dairy? There's no reason to miss out on ice cream! Try this recipe adapted by Chef Deb Cantrell. It serves 6, and it's also gluten-free. Ingredients: • 2 13.5 ounce cans full fat coconut milk (roughly 3 1/2 cups)...
Summer Peaches
Peaches are Chef Deb Cantrell's favorite summer fruit. Her grandfather used to pick them from her grandparents’ trees, and then her grandmother would use them to make peach pies and kolaches. Love peaches too? Here are several creative ways to use fresh peaches: Brush...
Butter Lettuce Salad with Goat Cheese and Peach Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients: 2 heads butter lettuce 1 container crumbled goat cheese ½ cup any glazed walnuts, crushed 4 Tablespoons of peach balsamic vinegar 2 Tablespoon of mild extra virgin olive oil Fresh peaches (optional) Instructions: Wash lettuce and pat dry or use a salad...
Grilled Chicken with Tomato Jam
Grilled Chicken/Steak with Tomato Jam Chef Deb Cantrell, CPC, shares one of her favorite recipes. It's perfect for any season, but even better in the summer, using fresh tomatoes from the garden or farmer's market! Ingredients: 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil 1...
Black-Eyed Peas and Cornmeal Dumplings
Because sometimes you need some good, old fashioned southern comfort food.... This dish can be made dairy-free using the substitutions below for the butter and the buttermilk. Servings: 4 Ingredients • 2 slices bacon • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 cup chopped onion • 1 tbsp...
Heart-Healthy Cooking Oils 101
Not all oils are created equal, and no single oil should be used for all your cooking needs. Instead, fill your pantry with a variety and learn how to cook with each. Know the smoke point Because of their chemical makeup, some oils are better suited for lower-heat...
Heart-Healthy Tips from Chef Deb Cantrell
February is Heart Healthy month, and to help you cook and eat heart-healthy, Chef Deb Cantrell offers a few simple tips: 1. Remember that eating heart-healthy does not have to be difficult. Or bland! 2. Try low sodium substitutes for cooking. Use fresh (not dried)...