In the Kitchen with AARP

Lauren Chandler

AARP is committed to helping people live life to the fullest with a wide range of tips and programs for staying active, eating healthy, and achieving mindfulness. We're excited to be collaborating with Chef and Cooking Instructor Lauren Chandler for a three-part series on creating easy, healthy, and delicious meals.

Join us on our Facebook page for uplifting conversations with Lauren who will tune in from her beautiful home kitchen to share recipes and meal planning tips to inspire you to be creative with your cooking and nourish yourself. She will answer questions and share techniques, template ideas, and tips to help you make the most of what's in season, in your pantry, and on budget.

- July 16: Cooking from your Pantry> Watch the episode here.
- August 27: Summer Vegetables and Herbs
- September 24: Stretch Your Dollar and Ingredients

Recipes and Ingredients
Check back for recipes and ingredients after each session.

Sherry Hazelnut Vinaigrette
Makes around 1/3 cup
1 tablespoon minced shallot
1 tablespoon Sherry vinegar
2 teaspoons maple syrup
1 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons roasted hazelnut oil
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

With a fork or a small whisk, whisk together the shallot, vinegar, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the hazelnut oil then season with salt and pepper. Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least one month.


Hermiston Cantaloupe & Sun Gold Tomato Gazpacho
Serves 6-8
This chilled soup is perfect on a warm summer evening when you don’t feel like cooking. Try out different garnishes – avocado slices, chopped basil or mint, corn, thinly sliced fennel and fennel fronds, a pinch of Urfa pepper, a dollop of sour cream or crème fraiche and/or Dungeness crab meat are all beautiful additions.

• 5 cups chopped Hermiston cantaloupe
• 1 pint Sun Gold tomatoes, including calyxes
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• Sea salt to taste

Add all of the ingredients into a blender and purée until very smooth. Depending upon the size of the blender, you may need to do this in batches. Transfer to a container, cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least one hour. Stir before pouring into bowls to serve.