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The easiest way to make rice well every time is to use a rice cooker. If you don't have one, or don't want one, though, here's a no-fail recipe for rice that one of my grandmothers taught my mother, who taught me. This one, I use mainly for seasoned rice dishes because things can be added to it before boiling, or broth (a plain soup) can be used in place of water.This is for 4 substantial servings (4 rice bowls).You will need:1 large saucepan, or a short pot.2 cups of white rice, preferably persian, glutinous, or converted, depending on how... Read More
Ever been to a barbecue party where the 'chef' placed as much food as he could possibly fit onto the barbecue grill, every so often stabbing the food with a fork and juggling it around so that it cooks evenly? Ever noticed how, within a few minutes, the flames start gently flickering under the food, the chef proudly standing back admiring the char grill effect that he's creating? Ever notice the panic that sets in when the flames suddenly leap up and around the food burning it black on the outside and leaving it raw on the inside?The difference between... Read More
There's nothing better than the juicy, flavorful hard candy from your local gourmet candy shop . . . unless you make it yourself, that is! Making perfect hard candy at home is easier than you think. You just need the right tools, a few simple ingredients, and your imagination.Try these tips the next time you want to make something special in the kitchen. Your family will love it!1. Stock up on basic candymaking tools.You'll need a medium-size saucepan (3 or 4 quarts) with a heavy bottom and straight sides.You'll also need a long-handled wooden spoon, a pastry brush (used to... Read More
As a busy working mother, I'm short on time, especially during the holidays, but baking Christmas cookies is a family tradition I'm unwilling to give up. Over the years, I've come up with many ways to make the process of baking a large variety of cookies go much smoother and take less time out of my busy life. You may want to start by checking out my 6-day program for hassle-free Christmas cookie baking ( http://www.christmascookiesareforgiving.com/hassle-free.php ). In addition to the 6-step method, I've found an efficient way to prepare a large variety of cookie dough with minimum fuss by... Read More
Many bakers ask for tips and instructions on decorating cookies. Well that's a tall order because there are as many ways to decorate cookies as there are cookies! Here are a few guidelines for novices and experienced bakers alike to help you generate your own ideas for cooking decorating.DECORATING COOKIES BEFORE BAKINGCookies can be decorated before baking with materials that withstand the heat of baking. Some things that you can place on your cookies before baking are:-colored sugars or natural sugars such as pearl sugar -jimmies, non-pareils, silver and gold dragées, and other sprinkles -raisins and dried fruits... Read More
Are you wondering if you have the time to bake homemade Christmas cookies this year? Every year at about this time we all start to get a little panicked that the holidays are coming up fast and we're not really ready yet. Here are a few little-known tips and tricks, for almost every type of cookie, to help you get the most out of the time you spend baking.Cutout CookiesDon't struggle with dough sticking to your rolling pin. Instead, roll out your dough between two sheets of waxed paper. This will eliminate the sticking problem.Do your cutout cookies always seem... Read More
As one of the oldest children in a family of nine, I know that cooking for a crowd can almost be a full-time job. Once-a-month-cooking has been a lifesaver for our family. In the beginning though, when we first heard of cooking 30 meals in one day, it sounded rather impossible. It was not until we had tried it, though, that we found it is not only possible, but it can even be quite simple and fun!BlessingsIf you are skeptical about taking on what might seem like an overwhelming task to you, let me first share some of the blessings... Read More
Want a unique party idea for your child's birthday-or even her next weekend sleepover with friends? Try hosting your own taffy pull. It can get pretty messy, but kids absolutely love it. Just follow these steps to minimize the mess . . . and maximize the fun!1. Stock up on supplies.If you don't already own basic candymaking tools, stocking up is pretty easy. You'll need a medium-size saucepan (3 or 4 quarts) with a heavy bottom and straight sides. You'll also need a long-handled wooden spoon, a pastry brush (used to brush off any crystals that might form), and a... Read More
Vegetables add colour, taste, texture and bulk to our daily diet. There are dozens of different vegetables that can be prepared in literally hundreds of ways. So what's best?There is no best. The thing to do is to eat your vegetables, lots of them, everyday in a wide variety of ways and stop worrying about the preparation methods. Variety is the key...RawMany vegetables taste fabulous just the way they are straight out of the garden. Lettuce, tomato, celery, cabbage, onion, radish, carrot are obvious choices here. But they are just as likely to find themselves next to chopped up broccoli,... Read More
Barbecuing has long been a favorite pastime for many and the grills people are buying have only become bigger and better as the years go by. But, with so many grills to choose from, how do consumers know which company produces the best? Well, the Weber Grill company has proven itself to be one of the greatest choices when purchasing gas, smoke and charcoal grills. Not only are their products top of the line, but they're made with quality materials and are complete with the latest and greatest inventions in grilling. So, when you buy a Weber grill, you know... Read More
For any of the many reasons people choose to eat vegetarian food - religion, politics, finances, or health - one thing in common is that everyone prefers food that tastes delicious and provides good nutrition. There are some basic techniques to vegetarian cooking which will accomplish that.There is a range of vegetarianism. From the vegan to the person who eats meat on rare occasions. Some people consider themselves basically vegetarian if they never eat red meat, but do eat fish and chicken once in a while. Other vegetarians eat animal products like eggs and dairy, but never the animal itself.... Read More
How many of you remember dad trying to get the charcoal started? The mess, time and burgers tasting of lighter fluid are some reasons why outdoor chefs are choosing gas grills for their recipes for BBQs over a charcoal barbecue. A gas grill offers many advantages for BBQ over charcoal. An outdoor chef doesn't want to wait for the coals to heat up when a turn of the knob quickly gets the barbecues started. A gas grill offers the ease of a push button start, temperature control and no mess.Before you buy, consider these points. Is the size of the... Read More
Kitchen canister sets are a great way to accent your kitchen and give you more storage space. Canister sets of today come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Finding the right kitchen canister set depends on your individual tastes and what theme, if any, the kitchen is. Many manufactures including All-Clad, Calphalon and Fleur Rouge have a wide assortment to choose from.When deciding which canisters to add to your kitchen also keep in mind the different kinds. A canister can be found made from stainless steel, glass, acrylic and stoneware. Families with children may want to consider... Read More
You might be planning a home remodeling project and it includes an outdoor kitchen. A big part of that plan will be the type of grill you introduce. There are a lot of things to think about and options to research before investing in equipment. I am not a gourmet chef, but I think it is helpful to know what you enjoy grilling the most for your family. Are you carnivores or do you enjoy fish and poultry?Don't forget about the veggies and fruit. Anything can safely and deliciously be cooked on a grill of your choice so be open... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then here are some ideas to put the "zing" back into mealtime. With a little creativity your home-cooked meal can easily become a delicious meal another night. There are a six articles in this series, today we are going to look at what you can do with pork.DINNER - NIGHT ONE: Braised PorkPut a pork tenderloin in the oven to bake slowly in orange juice, ginger, garlic and brown sugar until it is tender enough to pull apart with a fork. Serve it with easy-to-prepare steamed rice and stir-fried brocoli. Store... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then here are some ideas to put the "zing" back into mealtime. With a little creativity your home-cooked meal can easily become a delicious meal another night. There are a six articles in this series, today we are going to look at what you can do with eggplant.DINNER - NIGHT ONE: Eggplant ParmesanLayer baked eggplant slices with ricotta and mozzarella cheeses and tomato sauce, then top with a mixture of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese for a delicious vegetarian take on comfort food. Best when baked in a glass baking dish. Store... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then here are some ideas to put the "zing" back into mealtime. With a little creativity your home-cooked meal can easily become a delicious meal another night. There are a six articles in this series, today we are going to look at what you can do with turkey.DINNER - NIGHT ONE: Roasted Turkey BreastAny time of the year is a good time to roast a turkey and experiment with different flavors. Try roasting it over carrots, leeks and sweet potatoes and glazing the bird and the vegetables with a mix of... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then here are some ideas to put the "zing" back into mealtime. With a little creativity your home-cooked meal can easily become a delicious meal another night. There are a six articles in this series, today we are going to look at what you can do with beef.DINNER - NIGHT ONE: Pot RoastMake a slow-cooked pot roast with onions, carrots and potatoes. Give it a flavor boost with bottled horseradish. Serve it over mashed garlic potatoes with a green salad. Put the leftovers in a tightly covered container, or ziplock bag... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then here are some ideas to put the "zing" back into mealtime. With a little creativity your home-cooked meal can easily become a delicious meal another night. There are a six articles in this series, today we are going to look at what you can do with ham.DINNER - NIGHT ONE: Baked HamUsing a basic ham (which is also more cost effective), add some zing to the flavor by glazing it with a sauce of whisked-together mango chutney, orange juice and red pepper flakes. Serve with braised artichokes and pureeed cauliflower... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then here are some ideas to put the "zing" back into mealtime. With a little creativity your home-cooked meal can easily become a delicious meal another night. There are a six articles in this series, today we are going to look at what you can do with beans.DINNER - NIGHT ONE: Vegetarian ChiliIt is so easy to make a simple chili from onions, carrots, red bell pepper, chopped mushrooms and frozen corn. Throw in canned black beans and canned chopped tomatoes to complete the dish. You can use the flavored canned... Read More
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