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Dorothy Calimeris

Expert Guru
Food is my life. As a kid I pretended our kitchen was my own restaurant. I'd wake up early, create my menu, set my table and anxiously await the waking of my customers. I have never wanted to work in any other industry. I have baked and cooked in kitchens including Campton Place, Martha Stewart, Curds and Whey, Wente Winery. In 1986 I opened my own restaurant which I closed in 1991 and have been catering ever since. I have worked as a personal chef and have been a restaurant judge for Diablo Magazine for the past 7 years. I'm a freelance food writer, a frequent contributor to Diablo Magazine where I contribute both breakouts and feature articles (my most recent feature is the cover story for the May issue and can be viewed at www.diablomagazine.com). My website is www.amusingfood.com.




10 Tips from Dorothy Calimeris

When to buy produce

Never shop for produce on Sunday or Monday. Most stores get there big weekend delivery on Fridays and what comes in on Monday won't be on the shelves until Tuesday AM, so when possible avoid those days.

Baking Soda and Baking Powder

If you are trying to create a crisp cookie instead of a cake-like cookie omit the baking powder and decrease the baking soda to no more thatn 1/2 tsp. for every 2 1/2 C flour.

Crispy and Buttery

If you like super crispy cookies, melt the butter in the recipe first and let it cool to room temperature, then add the remaining ingredients in the order suggested in the recipe, this creates a very crisp cookie.

Fish Sticks

It's super easy to make your own. Buy filet of a firmed flesh white fish, dip them in cornstarch, then in beaten egg, then in panko which you've seasoned with salt, pepper, and any other herbs you may like and lay the fish flat on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet. Place in the freezer until frozen solid and pack into ziplocks. Whenever you want a quick dinner, heat an inch of oil (canola, corn, or peanut are good) in a skillet and use long handled tongs to place the frozen fish sticks in the oil and fry until golden on each side (stand back-it can splatter). Remove to paper towels to blot off the excess oil and serve hot with tartar sauce.

BBQ Sauce

Coffee adds a deep richness and smokiness to BBQ sauce. Try adding 1/2 C strong brewed coffee to your BBQ sauce recipe and simmer along with the rest of the ingredients.

Before You Shell ou the Bucks

If you've always wanted to be a chef first volunteer yourself at a few of your favorite local bakeries or restaurants to see if you can cut it. Before you spend the big bucks you might want to find out if you can cut it. If you can't stand the heat.....

Experiment with your Supplements

Sometimes chronic heartburn can be because of your vitamines or supplements. Experiment by dropping some of them off your regime and see if the heartburn improves.

Easy Entertaining

What's the use of having people over if you're in the kitchen pissed off and angry because the food isn't coming out right? Choose three or four of your favorite salad recipes and make them the day before the party. The day of the party fill your bowls with salads, add some fresh baked bread and wine and you're all set. You still did all the work, just the day before.

Cane vs. Beet Sugar

If you're chronically getting a funny gummy texture on your cakes it may be because you're using beet sugar instead of cane sugar. Beet manufacturers insist there is no difference but every professional baker knows that pure cane sugar provides better consistant texture and color to baked goods.

Not Just For Men

Women-kick the men off the BBQ! Demand your place over the primal hearth, it's not that hard and fire is exciting! Use a chiminy starter for a chemical free fire and mesquite or other wood for good hot coals. Sear you meat first over the hotest point of the fire and then move it to the perimeter of the BBQ to cook the meat through. If it makes you nervous you can always mark the meat on the grill and finish it in your oven. However, if this is your one time to not have to cook dinner, then by all means, allow the men to handle it and enjoy some chips and cocktails while watching Oprah.