The Essential Kitchen

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United States
Chicago, IL
The Essential Kitchen

We believe in the nurturing power of a home cooked meal made with care.

Bay Laurel Kitchen provides consulting, customized menus, grocery shopping, and in-home meal preparation, specializing in families during the postpartum period. Our passion for cooking and desire to help others is rooted in our belief that food has the power to connect us with our bodies, our families, our community, and our planet. It is our mission to help our clients build and strengthen health

y relationships with food by making delicious and nutritious home cooked meals more accessible. We understand that meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking at home takes time and energy and can be challenging to manage, especially during essential times of change. Our chefs are trained in mindful caregiving and committed to creating customized menus using the highest quality whole, unprocessed ingredients so that our clients know the path their food traveled to get to their plate, and the clean, confident hands that put it there. Our chefs get to know each client so that we can advocate for their wellness, one meal at a time. We carefully select the highest quality ingredients, sourcing locally and seasonally whenever possible, so that our home cooked meals are truly farm to fridge. We cook all meals in the client’s home, getting to know each individual’s palate and preferences, with an emphasis on plant-based foods that will strengthen, replenish, and nourish the body. We believe that the way to the heart is through the stomach, and that the heart of the home is in the kitchen. With each dish we cook, we hope to bring a sense of comfort and connection—to the body, the heart, and the home.

07/22/2024

Seared scallops with creamy beans, lemony arugula, and toasted breadcrumbs. 🍋

07/01/2024

The ultimate rooftop fiesta bursting with color! 🪅

06/30/2024

Whole branzini grilled to perfection with the last of the asparagus and the first summer sun tomatoes. Everything tastes better when you eat with the seasons! 🍅

06/27/2024

The last of the rhubarb! 🍓
These little minis were almost too cute to eat…but not quite 🤪

Galette:
1/4 cup ice water
2 tsp AC vinegar
1 stick cold unsalted butter
11/4 cups AP flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar

Filling:
1 cup sliced strawberries
1 cup unpeeled sliced rhubarb
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot
1 tsp vanilla extract

Chill the dough, cook down the filling until jammy.
Top off with fresh berries, egg wash crust, and baking at 400 for 20-25 mins.

05/25/2024

A fun little spring dinner party from last month 🍓

03/24/2024

Israeli salad with homemade challah croutons 🤌 Yes there is an entire loaf of bread in this salad and I will be eating it all. summer. long

03/18/2024

🌱 Spring has sprung!! (ignoring the snow in Chi today 🙄). Couldn’t be more excited for the promise of bright, fresh colors and flavors to come 🌱

03/11/2024

Gently poached salmon in a light coconut miso broth with steamed bok choy and brown rice 🥬

02/13/2024

Ready in 30: creamy white beans in garlicky fresh tomato sauce with shaved parm and pine nut pesto. A simple, satisfying dish to savor 🫶

12/29/2023

Lentil stuffed eggplant with warm Moroccan spices, drizzled with the very best tahini 🍆

12/27/2023

Shrimp ceviche, mango habanero, quick pickled onions 🥭

12/22/2023

🌬️Winter comfort food : butternut squash, brussel sprouts, apples, vegan fennel sausage and goat cheese.

Address

Chicago, IL

Website

http://myessentialkitchen.com/

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