“I make some of my best recipes with a simple homemade stock. Keep shrimp shells stored in a plastic bag in the freezer. When you have almost a gallon-bag full, you can make a stock in 30 minutes that you can use in soups and sauces. You can then freeze the stock in ice-cube trays.”

American chef, restaurateur, television personality, and cookbook author

Emeril Lagasse is an American chef, restaurateur, television personality, and cookbook author. Born in 1959, he is known for his work in Creole and Cajun cooking and for developing his own "New New Orleans" style. He won the National Best Recipe award in 2003 for his "Turkey and Hot Sausage Chili" recipe, and he is also a regional James Beard Award winner. His background includes Portuguese heritage on his mother's side and French heritage through his father. He is the father of chef E. J. Lagasse.