Peggy Aoki
Location
Mountain View, CA
School
University Of Missouri - Columbia, University Of Southern California, California Culinary Academy
Expertise
Classical Western Cuisine, Food History, Nutrition
- Peggy loves butter so much that she spent time learning butter and cheese making at Jonathan White's Peekskill Dairy.
- She staged at the 150-year-old Le Pré aux Clercs restaurant in Dijon, France.
- Peggy can not resist buying books about food – cookbooks, food history, and any writing about food and the people who grow and prepare it.
Experience
Peggy has been a professional cook and cooking teacher for more than 25 years. She began cooking when she still needed a stepstool to reach the stove and after an attempt at a career in sales, gave in to her passion to work in restaurant kitchens. While heading the kitchen at Mountain View CA's Chez TJ, she was invited to teach a class at a local cooking school which launched her passion to share her love and understanding of food. After many years of teaching public cooking classes, catering, opening local restaurants, and working long hours, she accepted a position with a large food service company supporting other chefs. She continues to teach hands-on classes in person and through Zoom, and enjoys learning from other chefs around the world through on-line classes as well.
Education
Peggy has bachelor's degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master of arts in teaching from the University of Southern California, as well as professional cooking and baking certificates from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, CA.
Tasting Table’s editorial coverage hails from a veteran group of writers and editors with expertise in their respective fields in the food and drink, hospitality, and agriculture industries. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information and original recipes.
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Stories By Peggy Aoki
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As the love of easy entertaining spread, so did the variety of foods that appeared on what we now rather loosely refer to as a charcuterie board.
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If you associate beef Stroganoff with canned soup or boxes of Hamburger Helper, then it's time to rethink this creamy dish that reaches all over the world.
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Trader Joe's may have an interesting selection of food on the shelves, but it doesn't offer hundreds of similar items, and there's a good reason for that.
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Moreish mouthfuls of ingredients encased in a perfect dough wrapper: What's not to love? But do you know what separates the common dumpling varieties?
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The Boulevardier is a classic cocktail that was born in the Prohibition era, and it has an origin story that crosses the Atlantic Ocean.
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Adding foods like sauerkraut into your diet has many benefits, but you may have no idea how to incorporate the fermented cabbage into recipes -- until now.
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Beef stew is probably not the first dish that comes to mind when thinking about popular Japanese meals, but it's a delicious one with its own unique flavors.
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Beef stroganoff is a creamy and delicious dinner option and for the best results the next time you make it, be sure to simmer the sauce and not boil it.
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Kirkland brand meatballs come seasoned and pre-cooked to make it easy to get dinner on the table, but you might be getting tired of the same old thing.
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If you've ever baked with berries, you might know the frustration of ending up with a soggy-bottomed cake. Luckily, there's an easy way to prevent this.
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There's a way to make kale into delicious crunchy chips that can even convince the haters to eat their greens, and it's one of the best uses for your air fryer.
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You might reach for your favorite skillet when cooking up your next egg recipe, but instead, why not try another appliance that's in your kitchen?
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If you're struggling to craft that perfect foam for your favorite cocktail, a very simple solution might be right in front of you.
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Nonstick doesn't really mean nothing will stick! Cheese, sugary marinades, and other spills can cook onto the surface and become challenging to clean.
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There's nothing better than fresh baked sourdough bread. The process may seem intimidating, but rehydrating dried sourdough starter is relatively simple.
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No-one wants a sloppy cauliflower au gratin. Make sure you read this before you cook your next one, for a creamy, cheesy dish without any excess moisture.
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Thanks to ravenous fans on TikTok, cottage cheese is once again having a moment of extreme popularity. But its history may not be quite so exciting.
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Is it your salad that's boring or is it the dressing? When your dish needs a boost, there's one often overlooked ingredient with a pungent kick like no other.
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Presentation is important when it comes to deviled eggs. Check out our favorite tips to ensure your eggy appetizers look just as good as they taste.
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The Mint Julep is a classic cocktail that's especially prevalent around the Kentucky Derby. And there are so many ways to elevate the drink for a unique take!
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Whether it's hot-smoked, cold-smoked, or simply cured, versatile smoked salmon adds delicious depth of flavor and a little dash of luxury to many recipes.
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Chocolate-dipped, peanut butter-filled Buckeyes are a beloved confection, but try this alternative filling idea to take them to entirely new flavor territory.
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If you're a fan of Trader Joe's you probably have a few favorite products, and one of favorites is a classic soup that hits the spot every time.
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The glaze on a baked ham can be just as important as the ham itself. For a guaranteed flavor and complexity boost to your glaze, spike it with fortified wine.
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Founded in the 1830's, Delmonico's became known for their Delmonico Steak. Their namesake steak has changed cuts over time, but it's always decadent.
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In certain cases, store-bought hard boiled eggs can save some time when in the kitchen. But, does that really make them worth the extra cost?
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Culinary creativity is a beautiful thing and there are a few dishes that really allow you to play around. Salmon burger patties are among those dishes.