Jonah: A Cooking Connection
I cook because I love cooking. A good, healthy meal connects us all together. – Jonah
Ever since Kitchen Hero Jonah stopped relying on pre-packaged foods and learned to cook from scratch, he’s been cranking out delicious, healthy, homemade meals that he and his family can bond over. Together, they discover new foods, try new recipes, and even take on some challenges, like making homemade seitan! Read more in his Hero in the Kitchen story below.
Name: Jonah Moos
Age: 43
City, State: Essex, Vermont
I cook for: my wife and two daughters, age 9 and 11.
Outside of the kitchen I: teach English (and yoga).
My all-time favorite snack is: Thai Chili Cashews.
I cook because: I love cooking. A good, healthy meal connects us all together.
Favorite Cook Smarts meal so far: My family’s favorite was the Orzo and Spinach Salad; mine was the Coconut Crusted Tofu Salads.
HOW DID YOU LEARN TO COOK?
I was taught to cook by my father, who was a single parent most of my childhood. Then, I lived in Egypt for ten years, where many of the pre-packaged foods we were used to are either not available or prohibitively expensive, so I learned to cook food from scratch.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR BIGGEST COOKING CHALLENGE?
Planning the week’s meals.
Cook Smarts gives me the confidence to try new things.
How has your cooking routine changed since starting Cook Smarts’ meal plans?
I used to try to figure out what I was going to make that same day, and thus had to stock way more food in the house. My costs have gone down, and so has the amount of food that gets wasted. Plus, the types of food we try has expanded. There are recipes I never would have ventured into before, but Cook Smarts gives me the confidence to try new things.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROUDEST KITCHEN MOMENT.
I figured out how to make homemade seitan.
WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR HEALTH AND SUCCESS IN THE KITCHEN?
For every recipe, use four times as much garlic, half as much salt, and none of the sugar.
Thanks so much, Jonah! We’re so happy to hear that our meal plans inspire you guys to try new ingredients and recipes . . . We’ll have to return the favor and try making some homemade seitan!
To join Jonah and cook meals like his favorite Orzo and Spinach Salad and Coconut Crusted Tofu Salads, check out our meal plan service. You can get started for free!
