Swap a Semi-Homemade Dessert Bar for a Formal Homemade Creation | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

It’s ok, no one will remember 2 minutes from now that your delicious bite size brownies, peppermint bark, cookies and eclairs weren’t homemade. They won’t even remember that they were served with minimal fan-fair and rigmarole. Your party should be about great company, conversation and delectable bites (and sips!). Bite size creations are easy to serve only requiring a few cake stands or platters and can be plated earlier leaving you more time to mix and mingle. And for those guests that are nagging you to bring something, have them bring a batch of their favorite holiday treats to share with all. And yes, if you must, make a few treats beforehand like my Peppermint Bark, Peanut Butterfinger or Chocolate Pecan Fudge all that can be made a few days in advance.

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

Extra Counter Space in a Jiffy | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

Looking for a little more counter space this holiday season? Consider bringing your cutting boards into the mix. With the oven off and burners cool, place cutting boards over your burners and allow guests to serve themselves buffet style. Pretty nifty tip, wouldn’t you say?

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

Go Potluck-Style for a Fuss-Free Thanksgiving Feast | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

When it comes to hosting Thanksgiving, a successful delicious fuss-free Thanksgiving, the winning combination is part homemade, part store-bought and part potluck! Let’s face it, there is only so much time in a day and we all live busy crazy lives. No one says Thanksgiving should make you a slave to the kitchen but for some reason, it has gotten that rep. Here are a few ways to help lighten your load while making your guests feel as though they have had a working hand in the feast.

Go Potluck Style!  Reach out to your guests and ask them specially what they can bring. Trust me, be specific or you may have 8 varieties of dinner rolls. I like to think, and hopefully this is the case in your home, that your friends and family genuinely want to help but just need some direction. So, they don’t cook, or you wouldn’t want to chance it? Ask them to bring wine, cider, rolls from your favorite bakery, or whatever else you may think of. The more involved your guests are in the evening, the better for the both of you.

Use Local Purveyors to Help Lighten the Load! Do a little research whether at your local farmer’s market, bakery, butcher, or other retailer that can help strike a few items off your list. From pre-made spice mixes, gravy starters or enhancers, mulled wine, homemade pies and Parker House Rolls, and even your pre-seasoned or brined turkey, take advantage of them! 

And if nothing else, by enlisting some help, you lighten your load allowing more time gathered around the table with family and friends. Isn’t that what Thanksgiving is all about anyway? 

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, including dozens perfect for sharing around your Thanksgiving table like my Parker House Rolls, Pumpkin Pie with Gingersnap Crust and Maple Whipping Cream to Foolproof Turkey, Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Toasted Marshmallows, Velvety Smooth Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce and Cranberry Relish, and Green Beans with Shallots, Toasted Almonds and Cranberries, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

Making this your Best Thanksgiving Yet | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

This is the year, the year you host the best Thanksgiving yet! Yes, I am talking to you! Regardless of who you are, your budget, space, number around the table and expertise in the kitchen, you absolutely can do this! Watch this great video I did in collaboration with Sur La Table and you’ll be hosting a memorable Thanksgiving feast with ease and grace!

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, including dozens perfect for sharing around your Thanksgiving table like my Pumpkin Pie with Gingersnap Crust and Maple Whipping Cream to Foolproof Turkey, Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Toasted Marshmallows, Velvety Smooth Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce and Cranberry Relish, and Green Beans with Shallots, Toasted Almonds and Cranberries, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

Juicing Limes: Getting the Most Juice for your Buck | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

Let’s face it, limes aren’t cheap and some of them are so darn dry inside. We try our best to select the juiciest limes at the store, roll them on our cutting boards once home to get even more, slice into them with anticipation and only a few teaspoons of fresh juice suffice. Either limes are naturally yielding less juice than their past ancestors or I’m shopping at the wrong store. Today, I share a great tip a Chef friend, Anthony, taught me. Try this at home and you’ll be thanking me later!

Instead of slicing across the equator, slice off both “cheeks”, the curved area on either side of the lime. As it turns out, most of the juice lives on the outer surface closer to the peel; The area that’s hard to target when using a conventional handheld lime juicer.

Juice the cheeks with your fingers then cut the center core in half juicing to your best ability. At this point, you can also put them in a handheld lime or lemon juicer and squeeze with all your might! 

Now that you have the most juice for your buck, how will you incorporate them you’re your weekly menu rotation? 

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

Using a Mandolin 101 | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

Mandolin’s are a chef’s best friend as they can create razor sharp pristine accurate slices or juliennes with minimal effort. However their ‘amazingness,’ they can be really dangerous as their razor sharp edge can slice your finger without you even knowing it. Yes, it’s that sharp! Follow along for a few tips on safely using a mandolin for those show-stopping knife cuts.

1.     Place a damp towel on your cutting board and use that as a point or anchor from which you can rest one edge of the mandolin. This way, it won’t slide around your cutting board as your slice on top.

2.     Make sure you have the blade or julienne attachment, depending on what you are using, correctly attached and the desired thickness locked and loaded. You may need to try a few slices to make sure it’s exactly the right thickness.

3.     Holding the top of the mandolin in one hand, the other end being secured by the wet towel on the cutting board, carefully use the mandolin edge as your rail to slide up and down from. This way, you are pushing the protein forward into the mandolin edge (think of the edge as a “wall”) while going up and down across the blade. If you simply slide the item up and down the middle of the mandolin, it can easily slip forward or backward right from under your fingertips.

4.     Also, consider using the guard, usually included in your mandolin kit, to push the item up and down remove your fingertips from the equation all together. One other option, is looking for knife protective gloves which give you a nice layer of protection between the mandolin and fingertips.

Now that you are ready to put your mandolin to use, and make a swoon-worthy meal for your family and friends, I hope the above eases any anxiety and keeps your fingers in tip top shape!

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

Thickening Stew: The Basics! | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

With cooler weather comes succulent, rich, warming to the core stews and soups simmering gently on the stove top. Today, I share my top tips for adding that delectable texture and richness, the type that coats the back of your wooden spoon and fully responsible for your “happy dance.” Whatever you do, don’t dump a spoonful of flour in your simmering liquid as it will lump and make, well, a lumpy mess!

Here are a few of my favorite thickening agents!

Slurry: Whether with flour or cornstarch, add 1/4 cup of either into a mason jar. Top with equal parts water or stock (preferred), we are eyeballing here so no need to get out your measuring cup, secure the lid and shake until no lumps are present. As you near the end of your cooking time and flavors have reached their full potential, gradually whisk in the slurry in small increments until the desired thickness has been reached. If you want it thicker, add more!

Beurre Manie: Using a fork, mash cold butter with flour creating a thick paste. Gradually whisk into simmering liquid and cook until desired thickness has been reached.

Dredge Proteins in Flour: Before you begin, dredge your protein of choice in flour before searing.

Cold Butter: Add a few pads of cold butter to simmering soup or stew at the end of the cooking process to help (slightly) thicken.

Cream: Add a few tablespoons at a time toward the end of the cooking process for thickness and richness. It’s important to note, cream will change the color of your soup or stew.

Now that your stew game is on point, it’s time to pick up a loaf of crusty bread and get reading for dipping. Dinners served!

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

Using an Apple Slicer for Perfect Wedge Potatoes | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

Looking for a clever way around wedging potatoes by hand? Look no farther than your apple corer and slicer! Genius, right? One tip, make sure you buy a heavy-duty apple corer and slicer as some potatoes are stubborn and may need a little extra “oomph” to cut all the way through.

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

The "Right" Way to Juice a Lemon | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

If you have one of those fancy lemon juicers, pictured above, there is a 50/50 chance you are using it right. Seems pretty straight forward, but there is only one way you will ensure every single drop of juice will surface. Follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to a fresh pitcher of freshly squeezed lemon for your next batch of lemonade.

1.     Cut your lemon in half across the center diameter.

2.     Place one half lemon upside down, yes, it’s counter intuitive, in the hollow of the lemon juicer.

3.     Over a small bowl, pitcher, or whatever you want to juice into, press the handles together and watch as the juicer literally pushes the lemon inside out, while catching the seeds, yielding the freshest lemon juice possible.

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, including several with fresh lemon juice like my Freshly Squeezed mint lemonade, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

Grate vs. Mince Ginger | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

When your recipe calls for minced ginger, grab your microplain! Simply peel the skin by using the back of a paring knife or edge of a spoon and carefully zest on your microplain. Before you know it, your ginger’s ready for business!

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

Grating Cheese, Minus the Sticky Residue | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

If you need grated cheese and opt to grate it yourself, consider this tip…

Spray your box grater with cooking spray, like Pam, before grating to create a nice slick environment from which your cheese can smoothly and gracefully grate from. Pretty snazzy, wouldn’t you say?

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

Rose Me! Selecting the Perfect Rose! | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

If you’re looking for the perfect rose, regardless of what perfect may be, remember this tip! Generally speaking, the darker the hue or color, the sweeter and fruitier the rose. Of course, this is a generality, but by using that tip as a benchmark, you can gauge which will be sweeter or dryer.

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

Tomatillos: Quickly and Effortlessly Peeling & De-Gumming Tomatillos | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

If you’ve ever worked with tomatillos, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Gummy, sticky, tacky, or whatever you want to call it, tomatillos can be frustrating to work with. Follow the steps below, and you’ll have your tomatillo ready to enjoy in lightning speed!

1.     Remove the husk, or as some say, peel.

2.     Under hot running water, use your hands to gentle rub off the waxy / gummy coating.

3.     Dry with a clean towel.

4.     Use to your liking!

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

Oil, Salt, Pepper, Roast…in That Order! | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

Ever wonder in which order you should season your proteins or veggies? Well, you’re not the only one! We all know seasoning your food is one of the most important steps, but in which order to season, can also make quite a difference. By first adding oil, tossing or coating with your hands or a silicon pastry brush, then seasoning, the salt and pepper will better stick to the item. Easy as that, right?

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

Need Ripe Avocados Tonight? Check out your Local Mexican Market! | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

That next time a craving for delectable velvety smooth avocados comes your way and you need ripe avocados, like, now, remember this tip! Most grocery stores will carry a small supply of ripe avocados but come summertime, they tend to go fast. In this case, do a quick google search for local Mexican stores. Given how integral avocados are in Mexican cuisine, they most definitely will have an abundance of perfectly ripe avocados ready to enjoy however you fancy, even with a spoon on the way home!

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

How to Segment an Orange, Including a YouTube Tutorial | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

Ever wonder how your favorite restaurant-style salads create those swoon-worthy orange segments on top? Today I direct you to my YouTube Channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for a step-by-step tutorial on segmenting oranges like a pro! Next time it’s your turn to make the salad, adorn them with a few juicy orange segments and watch the oohs and ahhs to follow. How easy they are to make can be our secret!

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, including some delectable salads perfect for adorning with orange segments, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

How to Make Cauliflower Steaks, Including a YouTube Tutorial! | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

If you’re anything like me, you like to be in the know, current on trends and if possible, even ahead of them. Cauliflower steaks are one of those things that may have been trending for a while, but they are so delicious, and a synch to make with massive show-stopping appeal, I encourage you to give then a try.

1.     Trim away any bulky leaves, limbs and a thin layer of the stem end.

2.     Standing the cauliflower upright on a cutting board, stem end secured on the cutting board, cut all the way across starting from one side working your way to the other. The edges will crumble and you may think you aren’t doing it right, but the center pieces will resemble snowflakes, or as we call them in the culinary world, cauliflower steaks.

3.     Using a pastry brush dipped in olive oil, lightly brush both sides of each steak, finish with salt and pepper and roast in a pre-heated 425ºF oven, flipping halfway through, until golden brown on both sides. 

For my YouTube step-by-step tutorial, visit my YouTube channel The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis or CLICK HERE for a direct link.

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

Caring for Herbs | Tuesday's Tip of the Day!

With the abundance of fresh herbs making an appearance in your summertime mojitos, guacamole, tabbouleh, and salsas, I thought it was appropriate to share a few tips on keeping your herbs fresh, longer!

Right when you get home, remove the herbs from the clamshell–the plastic container you bought them in–and wrap loosely and gently with damp paper towels. Place them in a ziplock bag but don’t zip the top closed.

At the end of the day, think of herbs as a living organism that, like us, thrive best when kept hydrated. Follow the simple step above and you’ll see several more days of your favorite herbs ready to adorn, embellish and enjoy!

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, including guacamole, pineapple salsa, and even some delectable vinaigrettes, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

Fish Spatulas: The Many Uses beyond the Fillet | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

One of my all-time favorite tools in the kitchen, is my fish spatula. Yes, its main purpose or intention–as you probably guessed–is for gently flipping delicate fillets of fish, however, there are so many other uses, why would we stop there?

• Flipping! With a long flat yet sturdy end, it makes a great surface to flip just about anything! From chicken, steaks, shrimp, roasted potatoes and veggies to even corn tortillas, its wide and long enough to handle any flipping task with ease and grace.
• Whisking and de-greasing: The wiry gaps on the spatulas end not only make a great tool for aerating flour, but also a safe way to remove items from hot grease in a shallow pan. Think pancetta, bacon or anything deep-fried in a shallow pan. Simply, lift, tap against the pan’s edge to remove any excess oil, and transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Now, how easy is that!

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!

Easy Meal Prep by Doubling your Next Batch of Grains or Rice | Tuesday’s Tip of the Day!

Making quinoa, rice, bulgur, barley, or farro for supper tonight? Consider doubling your recipe, grabbing a larger pot and saving half for tomorrow’s porridge, lunch or dinner later in the week. A simple step, like doubling a recipe when those dishes need to be done anyway, can save you time and energy throughout the week helping to put dinner on the table that much faster! If you are like me and enjoy maximizing your time and energy with simple hassle-free cooking, give this a go and let me know what you think!

For other terrific tips and hundreds of recipes, including several with grains, visit my website (thetabletogether.com). While there, consider “subscribing” and I will send a new tip or blog post directly to your inbox every Tuesday and Wednesday morning!

P.S. Make sure you check out my YouTube channel, The Table Together with Tiffany Lewis, for dozens of videos solely dedicated to bringing all of these fantastic tips and recipes to life!

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!