Arlene Coco

Cooking with Coco: Broccoli Pepita Pesto Pasta

Cooking Connection: Broccoli Pepita Pesto Pasta

DULUTH, Minn. – This is a great dish that can be served warm or cold! A 10-ounce box of frozen broccoli pieces works great in this recipe as a substitute for fresh. Grapeseed or vegetable oil can also be substituted for olive oil. If you prefer a more subtle garlic flavor, use 1/2 teaspoon of granulated garlic for fresh. 3…

Over Abundance of Garden Fresh Tomatoes? Try This!

Cooking Connection: Semi Dried Tomatoes

Recipe:  Tomatoes – smaller ones work best Salt and Pepper Extra Virgin Olive Oil Fresh Basil or other herbs Cut tomatoes in half, place on parchment-lined sheet pans. Spray or brush with olive oil before you place it in the oven and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place them on the top rack of the oven at 200F…

Campsite Cooking: Quick, Easy Fiesta Chicken Packet Dinners

Cooking Connection: Fiesta Chicken Packet Dinners 

Fiesta Chicken Packet Dinners Serves 4 Ingredients  1 15 oz can black or pinto beans, drained and rinsed ½ cup Salsa of choice 1 ½ cups frozen corn kernels, thawed ½ cup chopped cilantro 2 teaspoons taco seasoning 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped Salt and pepper to taste 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, (6 oz each) or boneless pork chops 1 cup shredded cheese of…

Chef Coco Tosses Together Cajun Cauliflower Rice with Vegetables

Cooking Connection: Cajun Cauliflower Rice with Veggies

…a note from Chef Coco – Reminiscent of a Cajun Fried Rice I used to eat in New Orleans years ago, this rice is versatile and lasts up to a week in the fridge when cooked. Grapeseed oil can be substituted for olive oil. I used a mix of fresh green peppers and canned roasted red peppers. Frozen Cauliflower rice…

Chef Arlene Coco’s Stuffed Cabbage Roll Recipe

Just in Time for St. Patrick's Day, Chef Arlene Coco Shares Her Tastefully Delicious Stuffed Cabbage Roll Recipe

Coco’s Stuffed Cabbage Leaves Serving size: 8 Calories per serving: 238 Ingredients: 1 head green cabbage frozen and thawed 2 cups cooked brown rice 1 each onions diced small 2 cups soy crumbles 8 ounces mushrooms chopped small 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning (optional) 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 cup fresh parsley minced 4 cups tomato…

Searching For New Dinner Ideas? Try This Light, Easy Pasta Recipe

Chef Arlene Coco Shares a Simple One Pot Pasta Recipe to Make Dinner Delicious Any Night of the Week

DULUTH, Minn. – What’s for dinner? It’s a common question throughout many households, especially during the week when time is already tight for many working Northlanders. In this week’s Cooking Connection, Chef Arlene Coco shares a light, easy one pot pasta recipe that’ll have your taste buds watering. Light and Easy Pasta Recipe Serves 4 Cooked as a one pot…

Fresh Cranberry Relish Recipe to Top Off Your Thanksgiving Meal

Cooking Connection: Coco's Fresh Cranberry Relish

DULUTH, Minn. – In this week’s Cooking Connection, Chef Arlene Coco prepares her fresh relish for a change of pace. Coco says this relish is great with chicken, too. The side is sometimes referred to as “grinder relish” because it can also be made in a hand crank meat grinder. Serving size: 8 Calories per serving: 274 Ingredients: 1 pound…

Summer Harvest Provides Perfect Ingredients for Garden Vegetable Stir Fry

Cooking Connection: Garden Vegetable Stir Fry with Noodles

DULUTH, Minn. – Gardens offer ample amounts of fresh ingredients throughout the summer months, but it can be difficult to come up with the perfect recipes to help use up your entire harvest. This is a classic, “you don’t need a recipe dish.” Vary the vegetables and add a protein on the side. Chef Arlene Coco says you can even…

Fresh Garden Bruschetta with Chef Arlene Coco

Cooking Connection: Garden Bruschetta

DULUTH, Minn. – Nothing represents the tastes of summer more than a fresh picked meal from the garden. In this week’s Cooking Connection, Chef Arlene Coco teaches FOX 21’s Brett Scott how to make a delicious, easily handcrafted garden bruschetta using fresh picked herbs and vegetables from a Duluth community garden. Garden Bruschetta Recipe Serving size: 6 Ingredients: 4 tablespoons…

Savor the Flavors of Spring with Fresh Buddah Bowls

Cooking Connection: Buddah Bowls with Chef Arlene Coco

DULUTH, Minn. – Buddah bowls are one of Chef Coco’s favorite things to make in late spring, early summer because they tend to be real easy to pull together and yield a wonderful combination of flavors. See below the recipe Chef Coco used in this week’s Cooking Connection. Enjoy! Sesame Soy Tofu Note from Chef Coco – I cooked this…

One-Pan Pasta Primavera Recipe Makes for a Delicious Dinner Idea

Cooking Connection: One-Pan Pasta Primavera by Chef Arlene Coco

DULUTH, Minn. – This week’s cooking connection combines the love of pasta dishes with a lighter spring palate. As the weather warms, many of us are looking for lighter dishes to enjoy full of fresh vegetables. Regional cooking instructor Chef Arlene Coco shares her favorite one-pan pasta primavera recipe in this week’s at-home segment. One-Pan Pasta Primavera Ingredients: 16 ounces…

Chef Arlene Coco Shares Quick, Easy Recipe for Pizzetta

Looking for Lunch or Dinner Ideas? Chef Coco Has You Covered!

DULUTH, Minn. – This week’s Cooking Connection features a quick, easy lunch or dinner item that anyone could make while stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Pizzetta or ‘little pizza,’ would be a great way to pass some time while stuck inside. Regional cooking instructor Arlene Coco invites us into her kitchen to see how the delicious pizzetta is…

Arlene Coco’s Healthy Cooking Features Easy Classic Hummus Recipe

Looking for Snack Ideas? Chef Coco Has You Covered!

DULUTH, Minn. – This week’s Cooking Connection features a quick, easy appetizer that anyone could make while stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Chef Arlene Coco is a regional cooking instructor who spends much of her time in the Northland. She invited us into her kitchen for a virtual cooking experience, showcasing her famous Classic Hummus recipe. Hummus is…

Asian Inspired Wild Rice Salad

COOKING CONNECTION: Vegan Holiday Options With Coco's Latest Bites

DULUTH, Minn – Asian Inspired Wild Rice Salad: Made with locally grown wild rice and can be tailored to any ethnic style flavor profile of your choice. RECIPE: 2 cups cooked wild rice (You can sub fresh 3 shredded or chopped cabbage or sauerkraut for the wild rice.) 1 clove Chinese pea pods 1 cup matchstick raw carrots 1 cup…

Holiday Cranberry Chutney, Quick & Easy Appetizer

Cooking Connection: Regional Cooking Instructor Teaches Us How To Make A Holiday Appetizer Friends & Family Will Devour!

DULUTH, Minn. — In this week’s Cooking Connection we are joined by Regional Cooking Instructor Arlene Coco and we are baking a holiday appetizer, Cranberry Chutney! It’s a perfect dish to bring for the holidays and bursting with flavor. RECIPE: Holiday Cranberry Chutney (Makes 12 Servings) Canned cranberries; can be substituted for fresh when they are not in season, just…

Cooking Connection: Baked Brie with Spicy Pecans

For This Week's Cooking Connection, FOX 21 Meteorologist Brittney Merlot Steps into the Kitchen with Professional Cooking Instructor Arlene Coco

DULUTH, Minn. – With the holidays right around the corner, it’s important to pick out the best recipes that won’t have you stuck in the kitchen for hours before your party begins. Professional Cooking Instructor Arlene Cocoa stepped into the kitchen with FOX 21 Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for this week’s Cooking Connection. The duo prepared a Baked Brie Cheese with…

Cranberry Brie Pinwheel, Easy Fun Fall Appetizer

Easy To Cook & Serve Fall Pinwheels Tought From A Private Cooking Instructor You'll Want Lessons From!

DULUTH, Min. — Cooking Connection with Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot and Private Instructor Arlene Coco! This week we are cooking up a Cranberry Brie Pinwheel that is perfect for appetizers, parties and the holidays! RECIPE: Cranberry Brie Pinwheels Makes 12 Servings Yield: 2 dozen This recipe is a starting point for countless variations. Think cheddar cheese, pesto, and other delicious…

Ratatouille: Flavorful & Low Calorie Fall Dish

Cooking Lessons With Merlot & Coco

COOKING CONNECTION: This week we have Arlene Coco, a professional cooking instructor, teaching Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot how to make Ratatouille! RECIPE: This technique can be used for winter vegetables and tubers as well. Equipment: 9×13 pan or 14 inch black iron skillet 2 red onions can be substituted for yellow onions to add more color. 3 medium zucchini 3…

Torching Bananas with Local Cooking Instructor

Cooking Connection: Bananas Foster

DULUTH, Minn. – Ending dinner with a sweet treat is a must for many, but have you ever made a dessert that’s perfect for brunch, too? For this week’s Cooking Connection, local chef Arlene Coco was in the kitchen with FOX 21’s William Seay to make bananas foster, or what Coco calls, Torched Bananas with Salted Caramel Sauce. Coco has…

Mixing up the Perfect St. Patrick’s Day Appetizer

Cooking Connection: Leprechaun Dip

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, so for this week’s Cooking Connection we made an appropriate dish for the holiday. Local chef Arlene Coco was in the kitchen with FOX 21’s William Seay to make Leprechaun Dip Coco has three decades of experience, is a professional cooking instructor and gives cooking classes to groups of…