Laura Vitale dishes it out as the host of “Laura in the Kitchen” — the YouTube cooking channel boasting more than 3.8 million subscribers. Born and raised in Naples, Italy, this New Jersey chef is all about sharing recipes inspired by her culture for the masses to enjoy.
“People really know me for pasta and I think they know I’ve never shied away from a carb in my life,” Vitale, 34, told The Post. “I’m known for pizza as well because I’ve been spinning pizza with my father since I was 5 years old.”
Vitale says she’s a “fan of eating really good food” and believes in making smart choices to build a daily palette of meals that make you excited to eat them.
“Someone asked me once if I was nervous about the calories when cooking with olive oil and I said, ‘absolutely not,’ ” said the host, who also has more than 340,000 Instagram followers. “I’d rather use the calories from olive oil than I would on sodas, macchiatos or snacks. I choose my food wisely and use calories how I would use a bank account — use your money on things that make you feel good and that bring you joy.”
And that’s exactly why she started her YouTube channel in January 2010 — to share those delectable creations she has adored for years. Originally wanting to create a blog, her husband, Joe, encouraged her to start producing videos so people could have a visual tutorial for sauteing, frying and baking.
“I cook from the time the sun goes up to the time it goes down,” she said. “Ideas just come to me and I’m also a seasonal cook; I focus on what’s available, what’s abundant and growing a lot, and what’s a good price each month.”
What’s more, she compiled her “Favorite Italian-American Recipes Made Easy” into her first cookbook, with another in progress.
“My first book is filled with simple recipes — what to keep on hand and how to use the same ingredients more than once,” she said. “The second book is much more elaborate — more about ‘you know who I am and this is how I live my everyday life through food.’ “
Vitale loves sharing her much-cherished cooking traditions with her 4-year-old daughter, Mia. She said it’s “nostalgic,” having her daughter as a sous-chef, much like how she grew up in Italy at her grandmother’s feet.
“I naturally developed a love for the kitchen and what it represents to our family,” she said. “I think the same thing is happening with Mia. Because I spend so much time in the kitchen, we view food as such a celebration — not only to consume but as a way to express our love and appreciation for others.”
Even if you live by yourself, Vitale wants everyone to value the meaning behind preparing food and enjoying it at the table. On her website, you can search for one-pot meals or quick and easy recipes to make weeknight dinners after your work commute.
“Think of a formula when you’re cooking for a weeknight,” she explains. “You’re either going to make a pasta dish because it’s relatively versatile and easy. Or, think of something you can start in the morning and finish at night, like marinating a steak.” (Related: Laura’s Grilled Steak with Pineapple Salsa).
Ahead, find some of Vitale’s kitchen essentials, from splurge-worthy appliances to underrated tools to make cooking easier. But, before you read on, take a look at the four recipes she recommends trying first:
- Pasta: Homemade Pasta with Pesto
- Pizza: Sicilian Pizza with Vodka Sauce
- Chicken: Slow Cooker BBQ Bourbon Peach Chicken
- Seafood: Laura’s “Favorite” Shrimp & Salmon with Creamy Sauce
Laura’s Top 5 Kitchen Products
“When you’re starting to cook, start small and learn the basics,” Vitale said. “When you’re starting to drive, you’re not going to go to the racetrack tomorrow. When making tomato sauce, go to the grocery store and find out the best tomatoes to buy. Understand the difference between sunny side up and over-easy eggs. It takes some trial and error but most importantly — baby steps.”
Global Classic 10″ Chef’s Knife, $179.95
“A good sharp knife is essential,” Vitale said. “I love my 10” Global Chef’s Knife. It’s my favorite, I’ve had it for nine years and I never needed to sharpen it.”
Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Oval Dutch Oven, $395
“You need a good, shallow dutch oven and I love my Le Cruset,” Vitale said. “I have dutch ovens of all shapes and sizes but a shallow, three and a half-quart is perfect for a family of four. You can braise, fry, saute and bake in it.”
Plus, when you use a dutch oven, “it’s very difficult to want to use anything else,” she adds.
All-Clad Nonstick Hard-Anodized 2-Piece Fry Pan Set, $49.99
“I always tell people to get a nonstick skillet — especially if you’re a new cook — because stainless steel can be a little intimidating,” Vitale said. “Don’t get one with a rubber handle because then you can’t put it in the oven; if you’re searing a chicken, you don’t have to switch pans.”
Specifically, she loves her All-Clad Skillet.
Riveira 6-Piece Wooden Spoon Set, $13.97
“A good set of wooden spoons is a must-have,” she said. “They don’t have to be expensive; a cheap set of wooden spoons does the job just as well.”
Ironwood Gourmet Square Chef’s Board, $40.45 (originally $47.59)
“I recommend a good, thick, and heavy wooden cutting board,” Vitale said. “I cannot cut and function on a thin, wobbly plastic cutting board — I just can’t do it.”
She also uses her cutting board as a charcuterie board when guests are over. “They’re so versatile and since it’s an investment to buy a quality cutting board, I like to use them for more than just chopping.”
Laura’s Favorite Kitchen Products
Emeril Everyday 360, $249.99
“I have the Emeril Everyday 360 and it lives on my counter because it does everything: it cooks like a convection oven, toasts like a toaster would, slow cooks, has a rotisserie chicken adapter, air fries, and it’s just so good,” Vitale said. “For a family of three, I hardly turn on my big oven because it fits perfectly for what we need it for.”
What’s more, she’s forced so many of her friends to buy it. “My counter is precious real estate and if it lives on my counter, trust me — it should live on yours,” she adds.
Jeniulet 12-Piece Popsicle Molds, $19.99
“If you have kids, or not, a silicone popsicle mold is great,” Vitale said. “I know it sounds weird, but I’m able to make my daughter protein smoothies that I turn into popsicles and she doesn’t know.”
She said the silicone molds are smaller than plastic ones, so it’s easier to take popsicles out when they’re ready.
KitchenAid Professional Stand Mixer, $529.99
“If you’re someone who bakes a lot, primarily somebody who makes a lot of bread dough, you may want to invest in a KitchenAid Mixer,” she said. “I’ve had mine for 15 years — my father got it for me when I moved to Jersey — and I probably wouldn’t be making too much dough because I’d have to knead it by hand.”
KitchenAid Pasta Roller & Cutter Attachment Set, $199
“If you like to roll fresh pasta, the KitchenAid attachment is revolutionary,” she said. “Once you get that, you’ll make pasta weekly because it’s so easy to use.”
Zulay Lemon Squeezer, $15.99 (originally $21.99)
“I think everyone should have a lemon squeezer,” she said. “I have one for lemons, limes and oranges, and I don’t think you can get citrus juice out of the citrus better without one.”
All-Clad Brushed Stainless Steel Cookware Set, $799.95 (originally $1,425)
“A good set of pots and pans are great and I’m a big fan of All-Clad,” she said. “It’s great if you don’t want to buy individual products.”
Augosta Pizza Stone for Oven and Grill, $34.99
“If you bake a lot of pizzas, you have to get a pizza stone,” she said. “I’ve had mine for 15 years and it has lived in my oven for 15 years.”
New Star Foodservice Restaurant-Grade Wooden Pizza Peel, $26.97
“A pizza peel is crucial if you have a pizza stone,” she said. “Find one with a short handle or otherwise, the big handle is going to get in the way. I like to use it for antipasti or charcuterie boards, too.”
Apexstone 3-Piece Cookie Scoop Set, $14.99
“It shocks me that people don’t use an ice cream scoop as much as I do,” Vitale said. “I use them for making cookie dough, meatballs, and anything you want to make the same size. I use them for scooping muffins and cupcakes and oddly enough, use them for ice cream the least.”
She recommends having ice cream scoops in all different sizes, like this set from Amazon.
Blendtec Original Blender, $339.88
“I love my Blendtec Blender,” she said. “I’m a big fan of quality over quantity, so I’m fine spending a little more that’s going to last me a long time. I’ve had this blender since 2011 and nothing provides that creamy smoothness like the Blendtec.”
Plus, she uses it a lot for pureeing soups and making frozen drinks. It’s not something she uses every day, but it’s great if she wants to make something super creamy.
Ninja Nutri 1000 Personal Blender, $69.99 (originally $79.99)
“I have a Ninja blender that I use frequently to make smoothies for me and my daughter,” she said.
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Scraper, $7.64
“I love a bench scraper,” she said. “It always sits on my cutting board because I transfer what I chopped with one.”
Wow Kitchen Co. Splatter Screen for Frying Pan Set, $19.99 (originally $20.99)
“A splatter screen is an absolute must-have,” Vitale said. She truly can’t live without it in the kitchen.
OXO Good Grips Little Fish Turner, $13.99
“A fish spatula is something that’s underrated,” she said. “Not only is it perfect for flipping delicate fish but because of its flat edge, you’re able to get underneath vegetables, crust, or a thin piece of steak without bruising it or chopping it up.”
Emile Henry Salt Pig, $41.95
“I love my Salt Pig,” she said. “My dad calls it a PVC pipe, and now I can’t unsee it, but it’s perfect for placing your hand in when you’re cooking with salt. It’s the best salt container I’ve ever owned.”