Episode 2064 - Spring into Easter Flavors with Chef George Duran!

Let's be honest, holiday gatherings (like that big Easter feast we just enjoyed, or any fun spring get-together!) are awesome, but sometimes the cooking part can feel a bit daunting, right? You want amazing flavor, maybe something a little bit healthier, but who has time for hours of complicated prep? Well, ditch the drab and dial up the delicious, because Celebrity Chef George Duran – that culinary wizard you know and love from Food Network, TLC, and countless TV appearances – is swooping in like a kitchen superhero! He's bringing his signature energy and smart cooking secrets to help you whip up impressive, fresh flavors using trusted, time-saving staples: Dorot Gardens® and Mighty Sesame®. Forget fussy chopping and messy jars! George has crafted two incredible, "better-for-you" recipes that are bursting with taste and designed for real life: Cozy Up with a Twist: The Plant-Forward Herbed Shepherd’s Pie! 🌿🥧 Imagine a comforting Shepherd's Pie, but lighter, brighter, and packed with vibrant herbs. George's version uses Dorot Gardens’ genius flash-frozen, pre-portioned herbs – think perfectly measured pops of garden-fresh flavor, straight from your freezer! No washing, no wilting, no dicing dramas. Just pure, convenient deliciousness making this cozy classic feel totally new. The Sweet Treat You Won't Believe: Salted Tahini Caramel Sauce! 🍯✨ Get ready for your new dessert obsession! This Salted Tahini Caramel Sauce is that magical combo of shockingly clean ingredients and outrageously indulgent flavor. The secret weapon? Mighty Sesame’s game-changing squeeze-bottle tahini! It delivers perfectly smooth, creamy tahini instantly (goodbye messy scooping!), making this nutty, sweet-salty caramel sauce unbelievably easy and totally addictive. Perfect for drizzling on fruit, ice cream, cakes... or let's be real, maybe even just a spoon? 😉 ****Herbed Shepherd’s Pie By George Duran, Featuring Dorot Gardens Dorot Gardens, the leader in fresh, flash-frozen, pre-portioned garlic and herbs, makes plant-forward cooking effortless with its signature “Pop. Drop. Done.” system. By flash-freezing herbs at peak freshness, Dorot Gardens preserves both flavor and nutrients, eliminating prep time, reducing waste, and making every dish shine — even classics like this Herbed Shepherd’s Pie. Ingredients:For the Potatoes: 2.5 lbs. russet potatoes peeled and cubed. 4 Dorot Gardens Cilantro cubes 4 Dorot Gardens Basil cubes 6 tbsp melted butter 1 cup milk 2 egg yolks Kosher salt For Meat Filling: 2 tbsp butter 10 oz frozen vegetable medley (onions, carrots, celery) 1 lb. ground beef 3 Dorot Gardens Parsley cubes 3 Dorot Gardens Garlic cubes 2 tbsp tomato paste 2 tbsp flour 1½ cups beef stock 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 cup frozen peas and carrots Directions: Boil potatoes until tender (about 10 minutes). Drain and mash with Dorot Gardens® cubes, butter, milk, egg yolks, and salt. Preheat broiler with the rack 5–6 inches from heat. In an oven-safe pan, melt butter and sauté vegetables until softened. Add ground beef and cook thoroughly. Stir in Dorot Gardens® herbs, tomato paste, flour, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, and salt. Simmer until thickened. Fold in peas and carrots. Spread the mashed potatoes on top, making ridges with a fork. Broil until golden brown, 5–10 minutes. Serve warm. ***Salted Mighty Sesame Tahini Caramel Sauce By George Duran, Featuring Mighty Sesame® Mighty Sesame America’s leading tahini brand, revolutionized tahini with its innovative, easy-to-use squeeze bottle — a first in the category. Made from ethically sourced sesame seeds, Mighty Sesame® is packed with beneficial mono and polyunsaturated fats, protein, and calcium. Its vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and kosher recipe makes it a perfect swap for peanut butter or mayonnaise. Available in Organic, Whole Seed, and Harissa varieties, it’s a versatile secret weapon for everything from sauces to sweets. Ingredients: 2 cups of sugar 8 tbsp butter, cut into pieces. 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup Mighty Sesame Tahini 2 tsp flaky salt Directions: Melt sugar over medium-high heat in a saucepan, stirring until amber brown. Carefully whisk in butter and cream (wear gloves to avoid steam burns). Remove from heat and whisk in Mighty Sesame® tahini and flaky salt. Serve warm over desserts or refrigerate and reheat before serving. For more information on Dorot Gardens go to www.dorotgardens.com and you can find them in the frozen vegetable aisle in your supermarket. For more about Mighty Sesame go to www.mightysesameco.com About Kayco Beyond Kayco, (www.KAYCO.com) headquartered in Bayonne, New Jersey is one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of kosher foods. It has expanded into a Kayco Beyond Division to distribute natural and specialty products to the general market. These brands currently are Absolutely! Gluten Free®, Mighty Sesame Co. ®, Wonder Juice™, and Dorot Gardens®. About George Duran Known for his Food Network show Ham on the Street and TLC’s The Ultimate Cake Off, polylingual chef and comedian George Duran has acted as a host and culinary contributor for Good Morning America. He has also guested on Live with Kelly, NBC’s Today Show, CBS This Morning, The Wendy Williams Show, The Dr. Oz Show, The Tamron Hall Show, and many others. He is the author of the popular cookbook, Take This Dish and Twist It, packed with valuable tips, amusing anecdotes, and, most importantly, mouthwatering recipes for deliciously unexpected takes on comfort foods and snacks. Follow George on Instagram and Twitter (@ChefGeorgeDuran), on Facebook (/GeorgeDuranEats), and at www.georgeduran.com for fun food photos and culinary inspiration. About the show: Ash Brown is a force to be reckoned with in the world of motivation and empowerment. This multi-talented American is a gifted producer, blogger, speaker, media personality, and event emcee. Her infectious energy and passion for helping others shine through in everything she does. Ash Said It, Ash Does It: * AshSaidit.com: This vibrant blog is your one-stop shop for a peek into Ash's world. Dive into exclusive event invites, insightful product reviews, and a whole lot more. It's a platform that keeps you informed and entertained. * The Ash Said It Show: Buckle up for a motivational ride with Ash's signature podcast. With over 2,000 episodesalready under her belt and a staggering half a million streams worldwide, this show is a testament to Ash's impact. Here, she chats with inspiring individuals and tackles topics that resonate deeply. What Makes Ash Special? Ash doesn't just preach motivation; she lives it. Her strength lies in her authenticity. She connects with her audience on a genuine level, offering real-talk advice and encouragement. She doesn't shy away from the challenges life throws our way, but instead, equips you with the tools to overcome them. Here's what sets Ash apart: * Unwavering Positivity: Ash Brown is a glass-half-full kind of person. 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