Tieghan Gerard Loves Avocado So Much She Wears It Around Her Neck

Glamour: Which four staples are always in your fridge or pantry?

Tieghan Gerard:You can find great olive oil, dry pastas, rice, cheese, and avocados. I always have avocados in my fridge. My parents live next to me, so we go through a lot of avocados during holidays. I have 12 avocados on the counter and 12 in my fridge at any one time. If I’m making guacamole, I’m using, like, 10 avocados.

What music do you listen while cooking?

I enjoy listening to business podcasts. Podcasts are my favorite way to learn. They are my favorite way of learning new things. I enjoy listening to people’s stories about how they build their brands and product development. I think I’ve gone through all of How I Built ThisI love you, and I love you. The Skinny Confidential. I’m also a big fan of Armchair Expert.

What’s an edible impulse buy you can never resist?

I love dates. I love dates.

What does comfort food look like to you?

It can be used to mean many things. It means food that brings back great memories, and makes you feel warm, cozy, and cozy. A meal that you can sit down and enjoy with family and friends. Warm foods are what I love, so comfort food should always be warm. It doesn’t necessarily need to be hearty or rich. Even simple roasted vegetables can be comforting. Anything that brings me back is a great thing. My mom used to make simple roasted chicken with rice and roasted broccoli on Sunday nights growing up. To me, that’s a comfort meal because it brings back great memories.

What was the best dish you prepared during the pandemic

I made a lot of cozy meals during the pandemic—I did a lot of pastas with cheese, to be completely honest. I also made a lot of sheet-pan and one-skillet dinners using pantry staples since people weren’t going to the grocery store as often. One of my favorites is a chicken and orzo dish that’s made in one skillet with tons of dried or fresh herbs—whatever you have on hand. It’s really simple and flavorful. 

Which tool is most used in your kitchen?

My cast-iron skillet by Staub is definitely my favorite.

You’re one of eight siblings—what are your brothers’ and sisters’ favorite meals that you make?

Each sibling makes a different version of penne alla vodka, but it is my favorite. I make spicy pesto pasta with vodka, and add some spicy pesto. It’s a real family favorite. The boys are happy when I add some Italian chicken or spicy Italian meat.