20 Mar Inside the Fridge welcomes Chef Jess!

Jessica Swift is a Registered Dietitian in the Washington DC metro area. Chef Jess is a classically trained chef with a Master’s Degree in Nutritional Sciences. She has been providing her expertise to many individuals, groups and corporate settings in the Washington DC area since 2009.  Chef Jess’ love for nutrition was sparked by instances of Type 2 diabetes and hypertension among family members.  To date, she is happy to report those family members lives have been changed through diet and exercise and they are no longer taking medication. Follow Chef Jess for healthy recipes and motivational tips on Facebook and Twitter!

ITF: What is the most coveted food in the fridge right now for each member of the household? Why?

CJ: My sofrito, made from one of my friends of Puerto Rican descent. It helps add a lot of flavoring without the fat. For that reason, sofrito is the perfect ingredient for a dietician/chef!

ITF: What is the oldest item in the fridge right now?

CJ: Is this a trick question =) ? I would have to say, my baking soda. I’ve got to keep the fridge fresh and clean!

ITF: Do you believe in leftovers?

CJ: Absolutely! Without leftovers, my life would be in shambles! I tend to cook in bulk, and store meals for the week. This is an especially useful practice for individuals that are on the go!

ITF: What cooking utensil/piece of equipment/appliance do you live for?

CJ: My KitchenAid Stand Mixer! I have multiple attachments to accompany the gadget. The mixer is super useful, quiet, and convenient. I use it almost daily!

ITF: When you hear the word “homemade,” what is the first thing that comes to mind?

CJ: Ice cream! In fact, I have an attachment for the KitchenAid that allows me to make the most delicious, creamy ice creams and frozen yogurts.

ITF: What food/s are important when recalling food memories?

CJ: I would have to say anything that involves the combination of family and holidays. My grandmother makes the most beautiful glazed Cornish hens, but only on the holidays! When the family sees those we know what time it is; it’s time for good food and fun!

ITF: What are your go-to food/nutrition/culinary/cooking website/s, book or cookbooks?

CJ: I tend to follow the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines on nutrition. I also keep an eye on PubMed and the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for current nutrition studies/publications. Eatright.org has the latest nutrition information that can easily be shared with clients. It is also a great forum for food and nutrition professionals to share advice and work through common issues.

ITF: If one person could cook for you tonight, who would it be?  

CJ: My Grandpa Pete! He passed a while back but he had the best vegetable garden in town and cooked everything fresh! 

ITF: What words of wisdom or advice do you have for other folks who are doing their best every day to fill the fridge?

CJ: What I find most helpful is stocking the fridge/freezer with many sources of protein. I try to have some on-hand, convenience protein sources (i.e. greek yogurt, tuna packets), as well as protein sources that I can cook up for dinner (i.e. tofu, chicken, fish).

ITF: What are you working on these days that you’d like to tell us about?

CJ: On February 20th I was featured on NBC4; my first TV appearance. I had a blast demonstrating how to cook a delicious, yet healthy, balsamic berry sauce with the assistance of Barbara Harrison. Check it out here.

Until March 22^nd, I have an open deal with LivingSocial. For a limited time, I am offering in-home meal preparation classes with a mini nutrition assessment for 2 or 4 persons. Click here for the deal.

And be sure to take a look at my blog. I frequently offer healthy tips and recipes, product reviews, recipe rescue advice, and more.