1Rocco DiSpirito
Kate SearsChef and host of A&E's
Rocco Gets RealSecret Shortcut: Frozen peas
"I learned how to use frozen peas from a famous four-star chef. He told me to get the peas, and I looked for them in the walk-in refrigerator forever. Finally he said, 'They're in the freezer, idiot!' I challenge anyone to find better peas except for one month of the year."
Recipe: Easy Pea Risotto 2Nigella Lawson
Jan Infante/IstockHost of Food Network's
Nigella Express and author of
Nigella Express: Good Food FastSecret Shortcut: Naan
"At times when I'm pretending to indulge the children, but am really too exhausted to cook, I order pizza. But actually [making Naan Pizza] is my preferred option. This is not much harder to cook than making a phone call, and I feel much happier for it."
Recipe: Naan Pizza Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3Sweet and Sour Cranberry Chutney
Courtesy Ming Tsai 2004 4Michael Schlow
SHIMON & & TAMMARChef/owner
Radius, Boston
Secret Shortcut: Instant mashed potatoes
"Instant mashed potatoes are a great breading for fish and poultry. When combined with seasoning and used in place of breadcrumbs, they give an awesome flavor and are an easy, fast, and inexpensive ingredient."
Recipe: Potato-Crusted Halibut Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5Lidia Bastianich
Evan Sklar 6David Waltuck
IstockChef/owner
Chanterelle, New York City
Secret Shortcut: Cleaning seafood with salt
"A simple, time-saving tip for cleaning mussels is to soak them for 1 hour in a bowl of salted water. This helps to dislodge the dirt and grit from around the lip of the shells. After soaking, just scrub under cold running water with a stiff brush and the remaining grit should come off easily."
Recipe: Mussel Soup with Saffron Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7Cannellini Bean Salad
Istock 8Amar Santana
Executive chef of
Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza
Secret Shortcut: Ritz crackers
"Ritz crackers are a great shortcut for lobster stuffing. Some chefs typically bake sliced bread, dry it out, and salt, but Ritz crackers offer a great quick and easy alternative. At the restaurant people try to guess what's in the stuffing and no one ever guesses Ritz crackers!"
Recipes: Lobster Stuffing and Boiled Lobster with Pepper Butter
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9The Waverly Inn Chicken Pot Pie
Courtesy of Baltz & CompanyEven diners at gourmet restaurants crave comfort food, so chef John DeLucie whips up this pot pie recipe at his NYC restaurant, the Waverly Inn.
Recipe: The Waverly Inn Chicken Pot Pie
10Joel Dennis
Charles SchillerExecutive chef,
Adour Alain Ducasse at the St. Regis, New York City
Secret Shortcut: Ice cube trays
Chef Dennis fills up an ice cube tray with pesto and freezes it, creating easy portions. "Depending on how much pesto you need, a quick thawing out of an individual cube or two creates a nice sauce for pasta or chicken, fresh mozzarella, and summer tomatoes."
Recipe: Parsley-Walnut Pesto Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
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