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An FBG Foodie Find

a to zest, cooking dvd, foodie, culinary, cooking, learn to cook like a pro, kierstin buchnerWith the holidays in full force, gift giving is hot topic du jour and since this FBGLOVES that aspect of the season, I’ve decided to give you all a snazzy idea to share with your loved ones. I’ve rocked gear, I’ve sweated to a plethora of workout DVDs, but if I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that feeling fit begins with what goes into the body, not necessarily what we’re doing on the outside.

Lucky for me, Kierstin Buchner’s team was kind enough to send over Cooking from A to Zest: A Step-By-Step Guide to Planning, Preparing and Cooking Like a Pro. This four-volume set of DVDs set is the perfect gift for the foodies in your lives. If you know someone who’s always wanted to go to cooking school, but never had the time or someone whosepassion for preparing and cooking food radiates from their fingertips to the tips of the asparagus, this is the gift to give. Each DVD serves up hearty doses of cooking tips thatwill have even the culinary challenged such as myself yearning for their very own chef’s knife.

Volume 1: Building your Kitchen

This is the DVD that made me crave my own chef’s knife. Kierstin comes on the scene with her Giada-like perfection, discussing how one should choose their chef’s knife. I swear it sounded similar to how Harry Potter learned about wands. It’s like the dang knife chooses you. In a nutshell, Kierstin dedicates this first volume to all the pre-cooking food for thought you’ll need before you begin. She’ll explain what kinds of kitchen tools you’ll need, cutting techniques, as well as the appliances that make her salivate. Beware, she’s a Kitchen-Aid groupie. Being that I want Kitchen-Aid toys when I become a big kid, I didn’t twitch over the product plugs. You’ll also learn what to stock in your pantry, how to cook with fresh and dried herbs and most importantly, how to work with what you have to create quick, healthy and delicious meals.

I’m still trying to figure out how she was able to go through three different dicing techniques without shedding an onion-induced tear. If the gal wasn’t my teacher, I swear I’d probably want to trip her out of jealousy.

Volume 2:  Stocks, Soups & Sauces

The cooking begins! On this disc you learn how to make your own stocks as well as some tasty soups and sauces. The best part? Eachdemonstration she goes through can be found on a handy-dandy cooking companion booklet she includes with the DVD package. I swear, whenever I’m watching a cooking show on TV I’m too overwhelmed to actually make the dish. I need to see all the ingredients beforehand in order to not reach my own personal boiling point once the stove turns on.

I noticed she likes to drop French foodie words around, but I wasn’t overwhelmed with the foodieness. Just remember, this is for someone that’s already picked up a knife before and just wants to add a bit more finesse to their meals. I love her tips for making soups and salads just a bit more special. (Her words, not mine.) She definitely makes cooking more accessible to the meat and potatoes kind of person who wants to cook healthier.

Volume 3: Salads, Vegetables, Potatoes, Grains, Legumes & Pastas

Volume 3 was all about the salads for me! Back when I was in Chicago for the Nike event, I had the pleasure of trying green goddess salad dressing. I had never had that heavenly stuff before and here goes Kierstin, showing me how to make it. I almost teared up. I learned how to blanch vegetables, which is something I’ve been flubbing in the kitchen for quite some time. I’d make sure your gift recipient can discern what a pinch more of salt should taste like, because miss thang loves to add pinches more for perfection.

Volume 4:  Eggs, Meat, Poultry & Fish

You learn how to make a perfect omelette! I’m sorry, but people have tried to show me over the years but it’s never really clicked, but the teacher breaks it down in a clear, simple way. I have family coming in town for the holidays, and I swear their mouths will fall on the floor once they see me in action. I especially dig her special features section on this disc because she shows you how to build a plate. Those who like to use their incisors (AKA the meat eaters) will love her roasting tips just as much as they’ll adore her meat preparation procedures. Listen, I come from Kansas City—the meat capital of the US, if you ask me—so meat preparation is something I hold dear to my heart. She definitely saved the best for last.

All in all, this is the gift that will keep on giving. Kierstin did such a wonderful job of inspiring my inner cooking diva. She makes you appreciate a good home-cooked meal. So, not only will your loved one benefit, so will you if you’re asked over for dinner! With this kind of passion lurking in the kitchen, your meal can never go wrong. —Tish

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