First Ever Cooking Class

I was privileged to host three cooking demonstration classes in a beautiful demo kitchen at my workplace for a Self-Care Workshop event on the 21st of July. 

This pasta was one of the dishes featured in the class. The attendees were amazed at how quick and straightforward it was to make. Some of them planned to make it that evening for dinner. 

I appreciate the positive feedback and hope to host more cooking classes through my employer for their Caregiver Wellness Program.

I had a blast holding these classes. They were so much fun. It was wonderful to engage with the audience, provide education about the health benefits of the ingredients used in the dishes, and share my cooking at the end of the class. It was lovely bringing people together through cooking and food.

I filmed the three classes live on Instagram. They can be viewed on my page at https://instagram.com/foodnista.soul.

Garlic & Herbs Boursin Lemon Pasta with Assorted Greens Recipe

Yields: 4-6 servings

• 1 package of Boursin cheese, any flavor of choice (I used garlic and herbs)
• 1 box organic pasta of choice (short pasta preferred) (I used Penne)
• 2 organic lemons, sliced in half and deseeded
• 1 organic garlic bulb, peeled and sliced
• 4 organic shallots, chopped
• 1 package organic spinach, chard, and kale mix, blanched
• 1 teaspoon organic dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon organic dried basil
• Organic garlic pepper, as needed
• Organic extra virgin olive oil, as needed
• Sea salt, as needed
• Pasta water, as needed
• 1-2 drops of certified pure tested grade (CPTG®) dōTERRA® oregano essential oil (optional)
• 1-2 drops of CPTG® dōTERRA® basil essential oil (optional)

Kitchen Equipment

• Mixing bowls/cups/spoons for mise en place ingredients 
• Measuring cups/spoons
• Cutting board
• Chef knife
• Saucepot
• Baking pan
• Pasta scooper
• Wooden spoon
• Ladle
• Colander
• Tongs
• Oven mitts

Cooking Instructions

1. Sanitize the kitchen (sink, faucets, countertops, stovetop/oven, cupboard handles, smart devices, computer, etc.).
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
3. Wash the lemon, cut it in half, and remove the seeds.
4. Mise en place ingredients.
5. In a baking pan, place the cheese in the middle and the lemon halves in each corner.
6. Sprinkle the shallots and garlic slices evenly in the pan.
7. Mix the herbs and seasonings in a separate bowl.
8. Sprinkle the herbs and seasoning mixture evenly in the pan.
9. Pour olive oil evenly over the ingredients in the pan.
10. Place the pan in the oven.
11. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
12. Fill two sauce pots with water (for the arugula and pasta) and bring to a boil.
13. Add sea salt to one of the pots.
14. Add the arugula to the non-salted boiling water.
15. Add the pasta to the salted boiling water.
16. Let the arugula simmer for five minutes.
17. Let the pasta cook for up to ten minutes or until al dente (firm, but not hard or chalky).
18. Save about a cup of pasta water in a measuring cup.
19. Remove the baking pan from the oven.
20. Use the tongs to squeeze juice from the lemons.
21. Discard the lemons.
22. Add the pasta and arugula to the pan. 
23. Gradually add the pasta water to create a creamy sauce texture.
24. Add essential oils (optional)
25. Mix the ingredients together.
26. Serve immediately.

Cooking with Essential Oils & Chronic Pain

I want to introduce a new segment to Foodnista Soul, Cooking with Essential Oils (EOs). I love EOs. They’re part of my daily life. I use them internally, topically, and aromatically. I was introduced to dōTERRA® by my late friend in 2015. These products have been a game-changer in my life. They’ve helped me tremendously, especially in the last several years since I’ve endured chronic pain.

When cooking with EOs, please make sure the oils are pure. Many EOs brands are synthetic, meaning that added chemicals are mixed with the oils. dōTERRA® produces the purest of oils that are CPTG®.

I wanted to incorporate more robust flavors of oregano and basil in the pasta dish. The EOs are very potent; therefore, pouring only a few drops into your dishes is essential. You want the EOs flavors to be balanced with the other ingredients.

Both oils are considered “warm oils,” meaning that when used topically on the skin, they should be diluted with carrier oils, such as coconut, grapeseed, or olive oils. Both oils create a warming sensation when applied to the skin, which has helped ease my chronic body pain.

For anyone wanting to learn more about EOs or try these Godsent products, visit my website: https://www.doterra.com/US/en/site/alohagini.

Happy cooking,

FS x

References

Axe, J. (2022). 15 Carrier oils for essential oils. Retrieved from: https://draxe.com/essential-oils/carrier-oils-for-essential-oils/

Backe, C. (2016). Natural vs. synthetic essential oils. Retrieved from: https://blog.mapleholistics.com/blog/natural-vs-synthetic-essential-oils/

dōTERRA (2023). Basil oil uses and benefits. Retrieved from: https://www.doterra.com/CA/en/blog/spotlight-basil-oil

dōTERRA (2023). Essential oil purity: CPTG^® quality testing. Retrieved from: https://www.doterra.com/US/en/cptg-testing-process

dōTERRA (2023). Oregano oil uses and benefits. Retrieved from: https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/spotlight-oregano-oil