Ollie George Cigliano
Private Chef & Food Educator
Education
- The University of California, Berkeley, BA, Comparative Literature
Professional Achievements
- Rated Top 3 cooking classes in the Long Beach area
- Rated 5-Stars on Yelp
- Organizes local CSA (community supported agriculture) produce boxes
Certifications & Organizations
- eCornell University, Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate
- Medicinal Plants Certificate [In Progress]
Philosophy
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Co-authored Articles (234)
How Do I Measure ¾ Cup?
Simple measuring solutions & substitutions for all your cooking needsYou’re making some pancakes, banana bread, or another delicious treat when you stumble upon a cup measurement in your recipe. But here’s the thing...
How to
Use a Manual Can Opener
Manual can openers are a kitchen necessity! They are quick and easy to use, but sometimes it can take a bit of practice to use one efficiently. Use a handheld can opener by opening the arms, positioning the cutting edge,...
Hone and Grind a Dull Blade Using These Simple At-Home Techniques
Give your dull blades a razor-sharp edge with a honing rod, a whetstone, and moreWhether you’re a culinary whiz or especially outdoorsy, your knives probably endure a fair amount of wear. Not only is a dull blade a cha...
What Do Bad Mushrooms Look and Smell Like?
A complete guide on recognizing bad mushrooms, plus tips on making them last You’re getting ready to prepare some mushrooms, but they don’t look as fresh as when you first bought them. Are they still safe to eat? Ju...
How to Measure a Tablespoon with and without Measuring Spoons
Confidently tackle your recipes with handy replacementsTablespoons are an essential unit of measurement used in many recipes, but they aren’t synonymous with a typical spoon that you use during your meals. We’ll walk...
How to
Thaw a Turkey Fast
When you plan on cooking a frozen turkey for the holidays or any other occasion, the general rule of thumb is to thaw your turkey in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours for every four pounds. Usually this means about ...
10 Ways to Keep Sliced Bananas from Turning Brown
Keep your banana slices yellow, fresh, and tasty with these easy kitchen tricksYou’re about to serve a delicious fruit salad when you look down to find your sliced bananas have turned brown. You’ve only just cut them...
¾ Teaspoon: How to Measure Baking Soda, Salt & More
Simple suggestions and solutions for foolproof measurementsTwo cups of flour? Check. One egg? Check. A teaspoon of baking soda… wait. How the heck are you supposed to measure that? This cooking conundrum has perplexed...
How to Tell if Your Carrots Are Bad
Wondering how to know if carrots are bad? No worries—we’ve got you covered with plenty of handy advice on whether your carrots are still safe to eat. We’ve even included some tips and tricks on how to safely refrig...
How to Eat Hot Pot Properly: Beginner Tips & Must-Know Etiquette
The dos and don’ts of eating hot pot with other peopleHot pot is a popular communal dining experience from East Asia. It involves cooking thinly sliced meat and vegetables in boiling broth, and it's often shared with f...
Tasty, Heart-Healthy Beetroot Juice Recipes for a Blender or a Juicer
Boost your beets with these juice-making tipsFresh beetroots (known simply as "beets" in North America) are loaded with nitrates that lower your blood pressure, along with antioxidants and other important nutrients. Don'...
How to
Eat Apricot Seeds
Apricot seeds, also known as apricot kernels, are found inside the hard pit at the center of apricots. Apricot seeds contain a compound called amygdalin, which releases cyanide after it's consumed. If you're going to eat...
How to
Reheat Ham in a Slow Cooker
If you want to heat up a ham without drying it out, a slow cooker can give you delicious results. To reheat a precooked ham, place it in the cooker with a liquid. If you want to glaze your ham, mix a few ingredients toge...
How to
Open a Pomegranate
Pomegranates are a delicious, nutritious fruit, but getting them open can seem tricky. Fortunately, there are a few simple techniques for opening this yummy fruit. If you just want to eat it, it's easiest to make shallo...
How to Use a Knife Sharpener
There is nothing more frustrating than trying to chop vegetables for your dinner, only to find that your knife is too dull and is smashing rather than slicing. You can easily remedy this problem by using a manual or elec...
Is Your Fish Good to Eat? Signs of Spoilage & Storage Tips
How to use the sell-by date and other signs of spoilage to stay safeYou pull a filet of fresh fish out of the fridge, ready to make a delicious supper, when you notice the fish looks off. Has it gone bad? If the sell-by ...
How to
Tell if an Egg is Bad
Have you ever been in the middle of baking or cooking, only to notice your eggs are past the "sell-by" date? Before you throw your eggs away, try a few tricks to see if the eggs are actually bad.
How to
Remove Giblets from a Chicken
Chicken is a healthy and delicious dish that is easy to make at home. If you purchased a whole chicken, it may have come with giblets inside of it that have to be removed before you can start cooking. This may seem like ...
How to Measure a Serving Size of Spaghetti
Quick + easy steps to measure the perfect amount of pasta per personWhen cooking pasta, it can be tempting to just eyeball a spaghetti portion size rather than measuring the noodles out carefully. But you sometimes need ...
How to
Blanch Green Beans
Blanching green beans involves two main steps: boiling the green beans for about two minutes, then putting them in ice water immediately after and until completely cooled. When done correctly, you can achieve a crunchier...
