Author My First Apartment
Sam

Sam is originally from Boston, MA. He studied ecology and Spanish language during his undergraduate degree at Hampshire College (Amherst, MA). He then went on to train as a chef at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park, NY) and earn an introductory certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers in San Francisco in 2013. He currently lives in Barcelona, Spain and works as a culinary tour operator, wine educator, and food/travel writer for several outlets including My First Apartment. You can check out his blog at Zucker and Spice Travel.
Sam’s Halloween Party 101
Sam’s Halloween Party 101

Sam’s Halloween Party 101

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
So, it’s almost Halloween; the holiday that once meant cruising your neighborhood with a pillowcase full of candy and that now, at least for me and my friends, means a party; dressing up, having drinks, and letting loose! In my opinion, a successful party doesn’t have to have extensive decorations, elaborate menus, expensive drinks, or an…
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Signature Vegetarian Dish: Stir-fried Eggplant and Tofu with Glass Noodles
Signature Vegetarian Dish: Stir-fried Eggplant and Tofu with Glass Noodles

Signature Vegetarian Dish: Stir-fried Eggplant and Tofu with Glass Noodles

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
A few weeks ago I blogged about having a first apartment signature dish and included a recipe for a simple steak dinner.  Now it’s vegeterians’ turn to learn an Asian-flavored stir-fry. One of the most challenging things when cooking a vegetarian meal is creating something that has substance–something satisfying and at least somewhat protein-rich. There are several ingredients…
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Sam’s Tips for Finding a Roommate Share Long Distance
Sam’s Tips for Finding a Roommate Share Long Distance

Sam’s Tips for Finding a Roommate Share Long Distance

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
One of the hardest things to deal with when moving across the country (or even to another state) is procuring housing before you arrive. Typically, the prospective renters that my housemates and I have interviewed (mainly from Craigslist) were already conveniently located in our area. We set a time, they came over, we asked them…
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Perfect Your First Apartment Signature Dish
Perfect Your First Apartment Signature Dish

Perfect Your First Apartment Signature Dish

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
Last month while visiting my mom in the beautiful city of Pittsburgh I was asked to cook for an 11 person dinner party to celebrate the 83rd birthday of my godmother’s mother. While preparing hors d’oeuvres and our main courses, my godmother’s son, a college student studying business who had recently turned 21 told me…
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Sam’s Grilling 101 – The Perfect Hamburger
Sam’s Grilling 101 – The Perfect Hamburger

Sam’s Grilling 101 – The Perfect Hamburger

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
Get ready for the 4th of July BBQ. Here are a few simple tips and tactics that take your burgers, and whatever else you throw on the grill, to the next level!  No more bland, burned or over-cooked foods when you follow these basic rules. 1)  Have the right tools.  You don’t need very many…
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Sam’s Weekend Brunch 101 – Perfect Eggs and Home Fries
Sam’s Weekend Brunch 101 – Perfect Eggs and Home Fries

Sam’s Weekend Brunch 101 – Perfect Eggs and Home Fries

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
I love eggs in all their diverse, delicious glory. There is an old story about the origin of the pleated folds in our chef hats, or Toques, that claims the 100 pleats represent the 100 ways to cook an egg.  Be that true or not, I still think that all ways of utilizing eggs are worth studying…
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Sam’s Weekend Brunch 101 – Perfect Pancakes and Bacon
Sam’s Weekend Brunch 101 – Perfect Pancakes and Bacon

Sam’s Weekend Brunch 101 – Perfect Pancakes and Bacon

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
When people find out that I cook professionally and am attending culinary school they almost all inevitably ask me, “what’s your favorite thing to cook?” Well, that’s a hard question to answer, but I pretty much always come back to the same answer: Breakfast! For many people, especially city dwellers, it is tempting to enjoy…
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Sam’s Favorite Cookbooks and Websites for a Novice Cook
Sam’s Favorite Cookbooks and Websites for a Novice Cook

Sam’s Favorite Cookbooks and Websites for a Novice Cook

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
         For an aspiring cook there are hundred of resources, both in print and on the internet, to learn  new cooking techniques, experiment with new recipes, and experience new ingredients. When I look for inspiration, I prefer books and websites that focus more on techniques, ingredients, flavor combinations, and cuisines of different cultures;…
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Surprise Your Sweetie with a Valentine’s Day Dinner to Remember.
Surprise Your Sweetie with a Valentine’s Day Dinner to Remember.

Surprise Your Sweetie with a Valentine’s Day Dinner to Remember.

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
Surprise your sweetie on Valentine’s Day with a delicious home-cooked dinner. The menu: Red Wine-braised Osso Bucco with Citrus Gremolata, Parmesan Polenta and Arugula Salad.  And for the dessert, the delicious chocolates your honey brings you, with another glass of wine or a good cup of coffee. (Note: the Osso Bucco is not difficult to…
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The Politics of Food Sharing Among Housemates
The Politics of Food Sharing Among Housemates

The Politics of Food Sharing Among Housemates

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
Many a friendship has soured from the overstepping of bounds when one assumes the generosity of a housemate and “borrows” a snack from the fridge. Living with other people has many advantages; cheaper rent, cheaper utilities, and a potentially lower food expense. That said, if the housemates don’t clearly lay out from the start what…
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