Kelsey Nixon's got spunk, she's got sass, but most importantly, she's got what you so desperately need in the kitchen: The Essentials. From "Roasting" to "Sauce-Making" to "Quick Breads," Kelsey shows you — the DIY home cook — the essential techniques, equipment and foolproof tips you need to be the boss of your own kitchen. Kelsey is all about using the basics to create dishes that are anything but ordinary.

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Cooking Fundamentals

Free Culinary School

Master your chopping, baking and everyday dinner-making skills with simple kitchen tips.
Cook Like a Pro

More Cooking Essentials

Videos: Kitchen Basics

Save money on culinary school with our easy tips on everything from chopping veggies to frosting a cake.

Become a Cooking Pro

Video: Essential Knives 14 Videos

Kelsey shows you why a good core set of kitchen knives are a chef's most essential tools.

See the Four Knives You Need

More Kitchen Tips

Our original web series Good to Know has more fun how-to's and DIY tips to simplify and inspire your cooking.
Watch Good to Know.

Most Popular Recipes

All Kelsey's Essentials Recipes

Sweet and Spicy Shredded Pork

Lamb Shank Ragu with Cheesy Gnudi

Cherry Lime Vanilla Glacier

Dessert Sushi

Curried Butternut Squash Ice Cream

Lemon-Basil Orzotto

Sunday Pot Roast

Homemade Breakfast Sandwiches with Homemade Maple Sausage, Egg and Cheese

Buttery Garlic Herb Knots

Pork and Poblano Soup

Smores Granola Bites

Pan Seared Pacific Cod with Cilantro Vinaigrette and Creamed Corn

Butter Lettuce Salad with Pickled Sugar Snap Peas and Homemade Thousand Island Dressing

Potato Latkes with Smoked Turkey Leg and Kumquat Chutney

Broiled Flank Steak with Grilled Champagne Grapes and a Bitter Greens and Blue Cheese Salad

Stone Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips

Cranberry Salad

Garlicky Smoked Shrimp

Curried Butternut Squash Ice Cream

Blackberry, Cucumber, Ginger Spritzer

Queso Fundido with Charred Poblanos and Sides

Pressed Picnic Sandwich with Roasted Red Pepper and Pepperoncini Spread

Every Herb Pesto

Cumin Scented Oven-Baked Ribs with Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce

Carmelitas

Slow Cooker Shredded Pork

Vanilla Almonds

About the Host

Kelsey Nixon

Kelsey Nixon began teaching others to cook in college when she created her own cooking show, Kelsey's Kitchen, emphasizing fast, fun and affordable meals.

More from Kelsey Nixon