Cook Table Talk by admin

OFFICE VS HOME

KAT LIGGINS

Kat Liggins is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Lake Zurich, IL. Mom to Jaxon, and our newest member of the family, a goldendoodle puppy, Charlotte! My time outside the office is spent with my son, practicing pilates, cooking great food, traveling! Success to me means having fun, loving what I do, not being a workaholic. It means having meaningful conversations about what’s most important to you. It’s my true passion to help every woman feel totally capable of managing their financial affairs and show you the value of having someone in your corner. 

When in the Office

FASHION STYLE?  Jeans, suit jacket, heels 

COFFEE OR TEA?  Chemex pour over

FAVORITE LUNCH?  I’ll take sushi any day! 

MUST HAVE WORK GADGET? AirPods 

BRING A LUNCH OR EAT OUT?  Intermittent fasting has been life changing for my energy levels and on a perfect day I break my fast around 1 or 2 with a shake

FAVORITE SPACE? Outside on my patio or taking a walk, catching up with family or friends on the phone 

COMMUTE TIME?   5 minute drive to the office 

NEWS SOURCE?  Quick daily updates come from NPR and WSJ podcasts. I get theSkimm delivered to my inbox too. 

DESK ORGANIZED OR CLUTTERED? Organized always  

BRIEFCASE OR HANDBAG? Handbag

Mac or PC? MAC

BREAK TIME? My 2 colleagues and I are always finding a few minutes throughout the day to laugh and catch up. We have way too much fun! Its my daily reminder to not take work TOO seriously

MOST EFFECTIVE HOURS OF THE WORKDAY?  9am-12. 

FAVORITE BUSINESS BOOK? Atomic Habits 

SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR INDUSTRY?  Penny Pennington, she is Edward Jones first female managing partner. She’s also the first ever woman to take the helm of a major U.S. brokerage firm. This represents a huge leap forward for workplace gender equality, everywhere

HOW DO YOU CLOSE OUT YOUR WORK DAY? I pick my son up from school everyday at 3:30 and officially switch into “mom” mode 

BUSINESS ADVICE? It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Success rarely happens overnight. Just keep doing the things you can control and good things will come to you. And always be human, authentic. 

When in the Home

FASHION STYLE?  Jeans, tank and sneakers 

WINE OR COCKTAIL? My go to is tequila, soda, lime and jalapeño

FAVORITE MEAL YOU COOK? Salmon burgers with mexican street corn 

MUST HAVE KITCHEN GADGET?  Vitamix. I use it for everything.. salsas, puréed soups, even pulsing pie crust dough 

COOK OUT OR TAKE OUT? A little bit of both. I’m all for easy and little clean up during the week. 

FAVORITE ROOM IN THE HOUSE? Family room. I’ve always got music playing in the evening and there’s usually a spontaneous dance party with my little guy 🙂 

HOURS SPENT DRIVING AROUND?  Nah. On average less than 30 minutes a day 

MUSIC OR PODCAST?  It changes every week but lately I’ve been loving the Mamma Mia soundtracks – thanks to my 15 year old niece introducing me! 

SELF CLEANER OR CLEANING SERVICE?  I love cleaning. Its therapeutic and an instant sense of accomplishment

PURSE OR WRISTLET?  Purse 

TV OR NETFLIX?  I’m a BRAVO junkie 

HOW LONG CAN YOU GO BEFORE YOU NEED A BREAK?  We look forward to our annual getaway to Sanibel FL every winter.  My son and I are both homebodies tho and find ways to sneak in staycations throughout the year

MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?  Night owl

FAVORITE RECREATIONAL READ?  Love Autobiographies! Especially from people in Hollywood. I can read Audrey Hepburn’s over and over

SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE?   A dear friend I’ve known for about 15 years. They’ve made such a positive impact in my life, personally and professionally. It’s nearly impossible to put it in words

HOW DO YOU UNWIND YOUR DAY?  Dim lighting, peppermint tea, diffuse calming EO, a good book or show. 

HOME FRONT ADVICE? Energy is everything. Home should be our sanctuary and our emotional safe haven. Everyone is expected to contribute to that thru actions and words

And a practical tip- start a habit of doing one small load of laundry every single day when you wake up. You’ll never have the dreaded pile! 

Salmon Burgers and Mexican Street Corn

Makes 4

  • 1 1/2 pounds salmon filet, skin removed
  • 2 T dijon mustard
  • 2 T mayonnaise
  • 1 T lemon juice
  • Diced shallot
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup + 2 T  panko
  • Salt and pepper
  • Olive oil
  • Potato buns

Divide the salmon into two portions. Roughly chop one portion and put aside. Cut the rest into chunks and transfer to a food processor along with the mustard, mayo, lemon juice and cayenne. Pulse to a puree. Add the pureed salmon mixture to the bowl with remaining chopped salmon. Add shallots, 2 T panko, 1/2 salt and pepper. Gently mix until combined.

Spread the remaining 1 cup panko on a plate. Press both sides of the salmon patties in the panko. Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties (in batches if necessary) and cook until browned on the bottom, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn and cook until the other side is browned and the patties feel springy in the center, 3 to 4 more minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain; season with salt.

 

  • 4-5 ears of corn
  • 1 t olive oil
  • Juice of one lime
  • 1/4 t chili powder
  • Micro-planed garlic
  • 1/4 c mayo
  • 1/4 c sour cream
  • Minced cilantro
  • 1/4 cup parmesan
  • Crumbled queso fresco

Preheat oven to a broil. Trim the corn off the husk and transfer to a baking sheet. Toss with the olive oil and chili powder. Broil the corn for 3-4 minutes, until kernels begin to brown and look charred. Watch it closely! Stir it as necessary to help it evenly broil. Remove and toss with the remaining ingredients.