By Kelli Swensen, Dietetics Student, Sargent College

“This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook- try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!”
― Julia Child, My Life in France

For many people, the main thing holding them back from cooking at home is the fear of learning how. Here at the Sargent Choice Nutrition Center we want to help you get over this fear by equiping you with some cooking basics. Once you’ve mastered these, you’ll be amazed at how non-threatening most recipes will become — you may even find a passion for cooking!

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One of the wonderful parts about early summer? Pineapple! Many grocery stores are now stocked with them. While it may seem easier to buy pre-cut slices that come in a plastic container, buying a whole pineapple will give you much more for your money. Unsure of how to cut it? That’s what we’re here for! All you need is a sharp knife and this video from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Watch the video then try it out yourself!

Picking out a ripe pineapple is just as important as knowing how to cut it. Look for bright yellow skin at the base of the pineaple. The higher up this yellow tint goes, the sweeter the whole fruit will be. You should also be able to smell a feint, fruity aroma at the base of the pineapple. It is best to cut the pineapple the day you buy it. For in depth information on choosing a pineapple, check out this article from the New York Times.

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A great source of vitamin C and manganese, pinapple is a nutrious way to add a sweet touch to any meal. Espcially in the summer, pinapple is delicious when prepared on the grill! Add grilled pinapple to stir fry, on top of burgers or sandwiches, stirred into greek yogurt, or eat it on its own. Don’t feel like grilling? Frozen pinapple is a wonderful addition to a morning smoothie.