Brett Ferdock/CNN Underlined
Just because Molly Yeh is a celebrity chef, cookbook author, and restaurateur doesn't mean she can instantly charm kids in the kitchen. “They are very helpful with the tastings and don’t hold back on their opinions,” she says of her daughters Bernie and Isla. And, she says with a laugh, “They give negative feedback every day!”
But every time Yeh, who has appeared on Food Network's “Girl Meets Farm” since 2018, eats the Asian-inspired feast she just made for meal delivery service Blue Apron, , said that her daughters, who are picky eaters, are “very happy.'' Limited Menu: Ginger Leek Burger with Fried Egg, Pickled Cucumber and Hoisin Sauce. Peanut noodles with bok choy. Crispy cabbage slaw. Miso apple pie with pistachio and coconut crumble. “This is inspired by flavors near and dear to my heart,” she says. “My mother always made those noodles for me.''
Yeh added that she has been receiving Blue Apron prep kits for about 10 years. “You're still cooking and the food still comes out fresh, but everything is perfectly balanced so you're not stuck with a bunch of parsley,” she says. Otherwise, make dinner at her parents' home in Grand Herfork, East Minnesota, eat out at a new local restaurant, Barney's, or, yes, it's true!—stir up leftovers. Masu. “I just had spaghetti and meatballs last night and it was delicious!”
So how can you make family mealtimes less chaotic? Yeh created a list of kitchen essentials for CNN Underscored.
Forget rummaging through drawers for measuring cups or squinting to read numbers. With the convenience of a compact digital food scale that measures in pounds, ounces, and grams, “you can weigh everything on the fly,” says Yeh. “You'll have fewer dishes to handle, less moving around the kitchen with the kids, and your measurements will be perfect!'' The author of “Molly on the Range'' says, “The flow has changed and the weights have changed. I'm looking forward to being able to write recipes using just that!'' he teases.
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Yeh uses this curved tool to flip everything from burgers to eggs. “It’s the perfect shape for cooking,” she says. (She also uses the nonstick ones, but not the square ones!). Heat-resistant and dishwasher-safe, the metal turner has curved blades and clear angles on the edges to slide under food.
Salads, Blue Apron noodles, and coleslaw are just a few of the foods Yeh puts into these lightweight, unbreakable stainless steel bowls. “I love how convenient it is for everything,” she exclaims. Ms. Yeh places them on the table for serving (“they don't have to look fancy”), sticks the bowls in the refrigerator to keep leftovers fresh, and even has her youngest daughter use them on the floor as a sensory activity. I'm playing with bowls. .
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“I never thought I would like ladle,” jokes Yeh. But she's obsessed with this flexible, durable silicone tool (available in 15 colors). “Mold can grow in the corners of the pan, so you can scoop it up to the last drop at the bottom of the pan,” she says. For reference, Yeh currently makes bean soup, broccoli soup, tomato and parmesan soup, and chicken noodle soup, which she said she is “really addicted to.”
Related: The colorful GIR Flip flexible spatula is a sure-fire kitchen essential.
Yeh likes to cook vegetables, bacon, and baked goods in this durable aluminum pot. (She also likes quarter sheets.) She also uses nonstick spray or removes the paper from the roll and places the food on a cookie sheet instead. “It makes cleaning so much easier,” she explains.
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One good cast iron pot can be used for many purposes. “It's great for casseroles, meatballs, grilled cheese, and more,” she says. “It's a one-pot meal.'' In fact, Yeh loves cookware so much that she owns several. Among her favorites is this sleek, thick, enamel-coated pot from her own line. Perfect for braising and slow cooking.
Related: Best Cast Iron Frying Pans of 2023
When it comes to slicing and dicing, “I'm minimalist,” she says. “I use one gyuto knife and one serrated knife,'' she says, explaining why she chose Misen brand for both tools. The price is also really cheap. ”
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