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Value News Articles - Chef Shannon Smith

The Heart of Mexico

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: May 2021

Last month I made my third visit to Mexico this year, in my attempt to learn all I could about the Mexican food culture, and the ingredients that make Mexican cuisine so unique. I never dreamed I would meet so many interesting people who were eager to share their recipes and stories! Last month I traveled to Mexico City where I met my chef friend Alondra, who had lived in Mexico City for 12 years, and was excited to show me her city. Along the way, she introduced me to other chefs and friends who were happy to join us in our quest for the best experience in Mexico City, and we managed to fill six days with more food and adventures than most people can do in two weeks!

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A Toast to Summertime

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: April 2021

A toast to summer - literally! World traveler and professional chef, Shannon Smith, teaches us how to transform a simple slice of toast into a gourmet snack, dessert or even a meal, and find recipes for some of her top favorite toast-toppers including a BLT with Scrambled Eggs, Lemon Chicken Salad with Almonds, Avocado & Crushed Corn Chips and a delicious Patty Melt.

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A Taste of Nayarit, Mexico

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: March 2021

I spent the first two weeks of this new year in the state of Nayarit, Mexico, located on the Pacific coast, just north of Puerto Vallarta. Most people travel to Puerto Vallarta to enjoy the beaches and perfect weather, and I did my share of that. But, the main reason I went was to meet Chef Alondra Maldronado, a cookbook author who has lived her entire life in the state of Nayarit.

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A Winter Italian Holiday

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: February 2021

I’m often asked my favorite country to visit. Of the 51 countries I’ve visited, I can’t help but answer “Italy.” I’ve traveled there 16 times, and there’s just something about it that keeps me coming back. Of all the times I’ve visited, my trip in February 2019 was one of the best. Sure, it’s nice to go in October during the grape and olive harvest, but the crowds of tourists drive me insane. The first time I went to Tuscany, I learned to make this lemon pasta that is one of my favorite dishes of all time. And it’s perfect to make for Valentine’s Day, even if you’re stuck in Oklahoma.

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Soup Season

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: January 2021

I always think of January as the perfect month for making soup since the weather is chilly, and soup warms the body and soul. This January, however, I’ll be spending most of my time in Mexico where the weather is pleasantly warm. I’ll be studying different Mexican cuisines around the country, and I’m sure soup will be on at least one of my cooking agendas.

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Sweet Celebration

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: December 2020

However you are spending the holidays this year, I hope you can make time to relax and appreciate friends and family, even if you can’t gather in person. It’s a good time to think less of ourselves and more about others. And what better way to share cheer than to make someone’s day by baking something sweet and delicious?

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My Comfort Food

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: November 2020

It’s finally autumn, and with all that’s going on in the world, I think we could all use some comforting. For me, I find it easier to get my mind off my own troubles by focusing on gratitude and ways to encourage others. We’re nearing the holidays, and we could probably use some fresh ideas for comforting family, friends, or the dog, if that’s all you feel like comforting. My favorite way to provide comfort is through food, and when I cook for my loved ones, my own troubles seem to become obsolete. So, I’m going to share one of my favorite comfort foods…. White Bolognese.

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Thank a Teacher

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: October 2020

Whether you’re attempting the task of homeschooling your children or trusting the brave teachers in our schools, I can’t help but appreciate every effort made to educate our children in such a strange and stressful time. I was fortunate to have some wonderful teachers when I was growing up, and they had a huge impact on my life.

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A Pocket Full of Curry Leaves

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: September 2020

My travels to India gave me a huge appreciation for the vast and vibrant landscapes, traditions, and, of course, food. The mountains in the north with temperate climate have a wealth of tea, turmeric, and rice. At a guesthouse in Cochin, I was allowed to assist the cook each morning as he prepared the curries for lunch. If I had to choose one of my favorite Indian dishes using fresh curry leaves, it would be my Garlic Shrimp. It takes minutes to prepare, and it brings back many memories of southern India that I loved so much.

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Beat the Heat

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: August 2020

"I’m usually traveling abroad, but this year is different. My friends around the world keep in touch as we all look forward to meeting again. Since most of us like to cook, we often send each other photos of whatever we’re making. In Italy, my friend Diane makes spaghetti with zucchini and garlic. The farmer’s markets are brimming with summer zucchini this month, and I highly recommend trying this recipe."

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Dish It Out

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: July 2020

"I can’t believe we’ve already made it through half of 2020! Summer made its debut quickly, after one of the most beautiful spring seasons we’ve ever seen. Realistically, I probably just noticed it more this year because I’ve been home instead of traveling. Nevertheless, I did my spring cleaning, wrote an e-book cookbook, and created a podcast where I chat about my travels and love for food."

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A Father's Day to Celebrate

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: June 2020

June is one of my favorite months of the year. I was born on June first, which means I get to celebrate the entire month. And, I get to celebrate Father’s Day, which is even more meaningful to me this year. My father is 79 years old, and he was one of the first to contract COVID-19 in Oklahoma. After six days in the hospital, he got to go home, and three weeks later he got on his bicycle and rode 25 miles. One thing I learned from him was how to grill a steak. Click to learn more.

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Rolling Through Spring

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: May 2020

This year will mark the beginning of one of the most extraordinary times in history as we’ve all taken shelter in our homes to stay out of harm’s way. When the news of this mysterious “coronavirus” hit the worldwide news in January, I was traveling in Southeast Asia. When I traveled to Macao, which is the “Las Vegas” of Asia on the southernmost tip of China, there wasn’t a soul in the streets. Ordinarily, this city would be bustling with tourists and revelers, and I remember thinking, “this would never happen in our Las Vegas.” Looking back, I realized I got a glimpse of what was to come. Click to learn more.

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Is Everybody Happy?

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: April 2020

Some of my favorite memories of Mammaw were at her dining room table, a round wooden table with six heavy chairs. She had a shelf in her cabinet full of orange Fire King bowls that we ate from at every meal. Mammaw didn’t cook much, but she was really good at heating up cans of soup or SpaghettiOs. She also made us instant pudding, but if she was really feeling adventurous, she made what she called “Mystery Pie.” Learn more at ValueNews.com.

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Be Kind

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: March 2020

A simple act or word of kindness can make someone's day, but an insult or offense can cut deep and stick with someone forever. It doesn't cost anything to be kind, everyone has flaws and insecurities and makes mistakes and just wants to be accepted for how they are. World traveler and professional chef, Shannon Smith, shares her wisdom and experiences along with her delicious recipe for White Chocolate & Blueberry Bread Pudding with Amaretto Cream Sauce. Read the full article at ValueNews.com.

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A Winter Italian Holiday

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: February 2020

World traveller and professional chef, Shannon Smith, has visited Rome 16 times! This past year she decided to visit the country during its low peak season, February. Smith was surprised how quiet and empty the streets of Italy were as she and her friend were able to enjoy their visit a lot more without tourists. Read about Chef Shannon’s food-filled Italian adventure at ValueNews.com.

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Second Helpings

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: January 2020

Whether you're sharing a meal with friends, family, coworkers or acquaintances, it's easy to get caught up in thinking about the quantity or quality of the food, but what matters most is building and developing relationships and appreciating the people around you. World traveller and professional chef, Shannon Smith, looks back in the experiences she's had in preparing and sharing meals with different people all over the world and the lessons she's learned along the way, and includes her original recipe for Chipotle Potato Salad in this month's Beads and Basil column at ValueNews.com.

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The Christmas Queen

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: December 2019

Christmas time can be used as an opportunity to decorate the whole house, throw a huge party, spread kindness and generosity, spend quality time with people and make delicious food. World traveler and professional chef, Shannon Smith, remembers her mother as the "Christmas Queen" for fully embracing the spirit of Christmas and making a difference in as many lives as she could year after year. Shannon also shares her recipe for Muesli, inspired by her family's tradition of eating oatmeal on Christmas morning. You can find the full story in this month's Beads and Basil column at ValueNews.com.

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A Table With A Story….for Friendsgiving

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: November 2019

While some families have the privilege of sharing a Thanksgiving meal each year, some may not have the opportunity for various reasons, but Friendsgiving is the perfect solution to enjoy a meal with others, share stories and express thankfulness. World traveler and professional chef, Shannon Smith, shares her Friendsgiving memories along with her recipe for Harvest Salad in this month's Beads and Basil column. Find the full story and recipe at ValueNews.com.

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Blending Into Fall

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: October 2019

Fall weather pairs great with a bowl of homemade soup, and if you have a blender and some fresh produce, you're all set to mix up some hearty, soul-warming "Blender Soup." World traveler and professional chef, Shannon Smith explains her approach to perfecting the flavor, texture and aroma of her creative custom soup blends, and shares her recipes for Fire Roasted Tomato Soup and Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. Find the recipes in this month's Beads and Basil column of VALUES News Magazine and at ValueNews.com.

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How To Have An Eggcellent Morning

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: September 2019

You've heard it said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and eggs are a versatile, protein-packed, low-cost solution. World traveler and professional chef, Shannon Smith, shares her recipes for "Green Chile Egg and Cheese Casserole" and "Egg Soufflé Muffins" to help you have an egg-cellent morning! Both of these dishes can be prepped ahead of time and reheated for a quick and easy bite on your way out the door. Find the recipes in this month's Beads and Basil column of VALUES News Magazine and at ValueNews.com.

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If You Give Anyone a Cookie...

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: August 2019

If you give anyone a cookie, you might just make their day. World traveler and professional chef, Shannon Smith, believes it's always a good idea to keep cookies on hand to share with teachers, delivery drivers, family members, and anyone else who deserves to feel appreciated. Find her original recipes for Triple Chocolate and Citrus Ricotta cookies in this month's Beads and Basil column in the August 2019 edition of VALUES News Magazine and at ValueNews.com.

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Summer Grilling

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: July 2019

Summer is the best time of year to fire up the grill, and there's so much more you can make than just burgers and hot dogs. World traveler and professional chef, Shannon Smith, teaches us how to make the most of fresh, in-season produce and her personal methods of grilling up gourmet masterpieces. Find her original recipes for Grilled Cod with Salsa Verde and Yellow Pepper Pesto in this month's Beads and Basil column. Read the full article in the July 2019 edition of VALUES News Magazine and at ValueNews.com.

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A Toast to Summertime

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: June 2019

A toast to summer - literally! World traveler and professional chef, Shannon Smith, teaches us how to transform a simple slice of toast into a gourmet snack, dessert or even a meal, and find recipes for some of her top favorite toast-toppers including a BLT with Scrambled Eggs, Lemon Chicken Salad with Almonds, Avocado & Crushed Corn Chips and a delicious Patty Melt. Read the full story in the June 2019 edition of VALUES News Magazine and at ValueNews.com.

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Memories of My Mom

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: May 2019

With Mother's Day coming up Sunday, May 12, world-traveler and professional chef Shannon Smith reminisces about her childhood and baking apple pie with her mom. Now a mother herself, she carries on the tradition with her own daughter and shares the family recipe with us. If you've never tried fresh baked apple pie made from scratch, immersed in a bowl of cold milk, you're missing out! Read Shannon's story and find the recipe in the May 2019 edition of VALUES News Magazine and at ValueNews.com.

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Building a Chef's Garden Without a Green Thumb

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: April 2019

World traveler and professional chef, Shannon Smith, is determined to grow a garden with plants that produce food she can cook, flowers that are edible, and herbs that will make all her dishes look and taste delicious. With spring planting season upon us, she decided to consult gardening expert Lindsey Fladie about the best methods to create a "chef's garden" in Oklahoma. Shannon also shares her original recipe for Grilled Steak Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce, based on a popular dish from Argentina. Check out the recipe and learn about growing your own food in the April 2019 edition of VALUES News Magazine at ValueNews.com.

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The Land of Milk & Honey... and Shakshuka!

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Restaurants | Issue: March 2019

World traveler and professional chef Shannon Smith shares her experience touring the historically rich nation of Israel. There she learned how the locals make pita bread and explored markets full of local spices, nuts and dried fruits. Shannon shares her original recipe for Green Shakshuka, a twist on a traditional Israeli dish but made green herbs and chard instead of tomatoes. Find all of the details about Shannon's adventure in the March 2019 edition of VALUES News Magazine at ValueNews.com.

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Meet Shannon Smith

By: Shannon Smith | Category: Education | Issue: February 2019

Shannon Smith, creator of Beads And Basil, shares travel adventures, cooking experiences, jewelry creations, life stories, world travels, recipes, cooking classes, and jewelry art. She loves teaching people how to cook, especially dishes learned while traveling around the world. Try Shannon's recipes and learn about her travel adventures in her monthly column in VALUES News Magazine!

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