Small Bites from “The Chew”

"The Chew" is a new daytime talk show co-hosted by celebrity chefs Mario Batali, Michael Symon, and Carla Hall, lifestyle expert Clinton Kelly, and the fresh face of healthy living, Daphne Oz. From cooking and home entertaining to food trends and more, "The Chew" serves up everything food-related, all aimed at making life fuller and more fun.

Meet the co-hosts of "The Chew" and get a few of their favorite tips and tricks:

One of the most recognized and respected chefs in America today, Mario Batali has hosted a variety of television shows, including “Ciao America,” “Molto Mario,” and “Spain…On the Road Again” with co-stars Mark Bittman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Spanish actress Claudia Bassols. Batali and his business partner Joe Bastianich own 17 restaurants across the country, including their flagship New York City restaurant Babbo. Batali is also the author of eight cookbooks, including the James Beard Award Winning, "Molto Italiano: 327 Simple Italian Recipes." 

Mario Batali’s Tip:
“Instead of ice cream, try gelato, the Italian version. It’s creamier, more succulent, with a little bit of a taffy pull. Gelato offers a textural variation and is slightly lower in fat because it’s made with milk instead of cream and just the fruit extracts, fruit juices, and fruit zests. What it creates is a lighter experience. A more Italian experience. Effortless.”

Co-host Carla Hall is best known as a competitor on Bravo’s “Top Chef.” A native of Nashville, Hall’s approach to cooking combines a classic French culinary training with her Southern upbringing to create tasteful twists on traditional favorites. One of Hall's best pieces of advice is don't cook in a bad mood. “If you’re not in a good mood,” says Hall, “the only thing you should make is a reservation.”

Carla Hall’s Tip:
“Grill halved lemons, limes, or oranges flesh-side down on a hot grill, under a broiler, or on a grill pan when you’re grilling fish or chicken. Then squeeze the juice over the meat or fish. The warm juice will have a smoky flavor and be easy to squeeze from the fruit.”

Best known as the style host of TLC’s series “What Not to Wear,” Clinton Kelly has also appeared in several specials including “The Miss America Pageant,” “Fashioning a Home with Clinton Kelly,” “Mind Your Manners,” and “Redo My Spouse.” Kelly is the author of "Freakin’ Fabulous: How to Dress, Speak, Behave, Eat, Drink, Entertain, Decorate and Generally Be Better than Everyone Else" and "Oh No She Didn’t: The Top 100 Style Mistakes Women Make and How to Avoid Them."

Clinton Kelly’s Tip:
“If you’re bringing flowers to present to a host or hostess, take the extra step and bring a little vase or container to put them in. Nobody likes searching for a vase while there are drinks to be poured and hors d’oeuvres to be passed.”

Daphne Oz is passionate about health and wellness. She’s The Chew’s fresh face of healthy living and resident practical tipster, sharing her personal insights and interests. Daphne Oz is also the author of the national bestseller, "The Dorm Room Diet," in which she shares the healthy lifestyle plan she developed at school that helped her permanently shed 30 pounds. She is an in-demand speaker on health and wellness issues facing young adults. 

Daphne Oz’s Tip:
“When baking, try substituting your butter with a mixture of half coconut oil and half apple sauce. It’s a great way to cut down on saturated animal fat while adding fiber and vitamin C with the apple sauce. Plus, you’ll love how great the final product tastes!”

Best known as a star of “Iron Chef America,” Michael Symon was also the host of “Food Feuds” and “Cook Like an Iron Chef” and a featured judge on season three of “The Next Iron Chef.” His Cleveland restaurants, Lola and Lolita, are cornerstones of the local dining scene. Symon loves cooking with meats, and his B Spot restaurants showcase his passion for burgers, bratwurst, and beer. His book, "Michael Symon’s Live to Cook: Recipes and Techniques to Rock Your Kitchen," shares home-cook-friendly recipes that draw on the flavors of his Greek and Sicilian heritage.

Michael Symon’s Tip:
“There are different ways to store fresh herbs. You can keep multiple herbs in potters and grow them all year round in your kitchen window. However, I like to store fresh herbs in a glass of water with the roots trimmed off the bottom, and covered with a damp paper towel in the fridge. In this situation they can last for 5-6 days at their maximum freshness.”