Showing posts with label easy cooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label easy cooking. Show all posts

Wednesday, 2 September 2009

Easy Cooking Kitchen Accessories and Utensils

Cooking is easy and fast when the ingredients and utensils are complete. Be sure your kitchen is complete with the basic items needed for cooking.

Preparing a meal for you or the whole family can be fun and easy to do if you have the complete materials for your food. All the ingredients needed are laid out already and the utensils are all within reach. It saves a lot of time from looking for what is needed, or heading out to the grocery to buy what is lacking.

Once you set your mind of the dish you want to cook, prepare a list of ingredients and be sure nothing is left out when you go to the grocery. Think about the utensils needed also for the preparations and make sure you have them in the kitchen.

Both kitchen utensils and kitchen accessories are very important items that help make your work a lot easier. There are so many different kinds used for different purposes like slicing, extracting juice, opening a can, and so much more.

The kitchen accessories are subcategorized into carts, kitchen decorations, cheese accessories, wine accessories, fondues and entertainment ware. Cooking will be very difficult and sometimes impossible if you do everything manually without the help of such tools.

Let us take the cheese accessories for example. How do you slice it when it is so soft? How do you even manage to create equal slices? And thus we use a cheese slicer. In just a couple of strokes, our block of cheese is cut into equal proportions exactly how we want it.

Indeed we cannot do everything with our hands alone. Hence, these kitchen items were invented. Here are some of the kitchen utensils commonly used at home.

Pressure cooker is a kitchen utensil used for macrobiotic cooking. This is usually made of stainless steel and mainly used for cooking grains and rice. Others use it also to tenderize meat for soup and other recipes.

A cooking pot is usually made of steel or iron. There are also cooking pots made of Pyrex but these weigh heavier. Most cooking procedures are done with this very functional item. It can be for frying, sautéing, reheating and a lot more.

Cutting board is very important also. It is where the meat and other ingredients are laid out for chopping, slicing, dicing or mincing. It protects your table from being damaged by the knife. The common cutting board is made of wood or durable plastic.

Glass jars come in different sizes. There are small glass jars and there are also big ones. These glass gars are very useful in storing foods like grains, beans, nuts, seeds and other dried foods. These glass jars do not allow air to circulate because they are closed all over. They are also easy to locate. You can find lots of places in your kitchen where you place your glass jars.

Vegetable brush is a natural bristle brush used for cleaning vegetables. This is available in all food stores of natural ingredients. You can be sure that when you use this vegetable brush all your vegetables are clean.

Vegetable knives are one of the most useful and practically used everyday. There are many different types depending on what kind will be sliced. The bigger ones could easily chop frozen meat including the bones. The smaller ones could finely strip tender meats, slice vegetables like tomatoes and potatoes, or dice onions and garlic.

There are many other kitchen utensils that are needed in your cooking. Sometimes, you also need the metal flame deflectors, grinding bowl, flat grater, pickle press, streamer basket, and wire mesh strainer. Buy kitchen items which will be most useful to you in accordance to what dishes you normally prepare for the family.

Dave Text

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Tuesday, 1 September 2009

Easy Cooking Tips for Dutch Oven Recipes!

There are many individuals that are looking for tips to help them get started with some easy dutch oven recipes. Dutch ovens are an old and reliable method for cooking, and are regaining in popularity. Unfortunately, not many know how to use them, so the following are some tips to help you cook with your dutch oven.

Remember that you can always look inside the oven to see how things are looking. Do not be afraid to pop the top. Usually this will not spoil the food. We aren't dealing with a 'pressure cooker' here! Just remember not to do so too frequently as you will be releasing a lot of heat that is necessary for the food to cook properly.

Usually, steam escaping out from under the lid will imply that the heat is too much. Either reduce the heat or remove the pot until the coals have reduced some. Remember that heat regulation is often key with dutch oven recipes.

Try to turn the dutch oven about every 15 minutes. This will usually help reduce the browning of the foot in central areas and/or overcooking certain areas while undercooking other.

When you do rotate the dutch oven, turn it about 90 degrees. Try to stay rotating clockwise so that you do not accidentally rotate clockwise once, for more details visit to www.300-dip-recipes.com then counterclockwise the next. Effectively negating the rotation.

Always use caution when handling the dutch oven. Use mits or a thick towel to touch the pot as it can often hold heat for long periods of time and no one wants to burn themselves now do they?

Slightly more advance dutch oven cooking tips can involve using the briquettes properly. Adding, removing, for more details visit to www.cat-head-biscuit.com or moving them usually be a way to adjust and/or monitor heat levels in the oven. This was the effective method when dutch ovens were frequently used, and we should learn the same if we want to be excellent campfire chefs!

When you become more comfortable cooking with dutch ovens, you can learn to stack and/or shuffle multiple ovens. This can be a bit advanced so keep it for later if you are new. But this ability will greatly increase food variety and decrease time spent cooking.

If you really want to become proficient at cooking easy dutch oven recipes, then you should take the time to watch how 'old timers' cook with dutch ovens, and take the time to learn from good old fasioned experience. The best way to learn is to do, and this is definitely true when it comes to easy dutch oven recipes.

Rakesh Gupta

Friday, 28 August 2009

14 Easy Cooking Tips For Meat And Poultry Slow Cooker Recipes

The first Christmas we spent with my in-laws in their new country home, my mother-in-law wisely gave me a slow cooker. Her thoughtful gift helped Dan and I enjoy the most convenient of all cooking methods, even with our long work days and commute.

I'll always treasure the memories of delicious aromas wafting through the front door as we stepped into the house after a long day at work and a nerve-jangling commute in heavy traffic.

Most of the slow cooker recipes I used were based on meats and poultry. Here are 14 easy tips to make your slow cooker recipes tasty and safe:

Tip # 1 - According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, bacteria in food are killed at a temperature of 165°F. Meats cooked in the slow cooker reach an internal temperature of 170° in beef and as high as 190°F in poultry. It is important to follow the recommended cooking times and to keep the cover on your slow cooker during the cooking process.

Tip # 2 - It is best not use the slow cooker for large pieces like a roast or whole chicken because the food will cook so slowly it could remain in the bacterial "danger zone" too long.

Tip # 3 - Always defrost meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker.

Tip # 4 - Meats generally cook faster than most vegetables in a slow cooker.

Tip # 5 - Trim all fat from meat and poultry. Fat can increase the temperature of the liquid in the slow cooker and decrease the cooking time. This will cause the food t be overcooked. Fats will also melt with long cooking times, and will add an unpleasant texture to the finished dish.

Tip # 6 - Cooking at higher temperatures will generally give you a tougher piece of meat. for all day cooking or for less-tender cuts of meat, you may want to use the low setting.

Tip # 7 - The slow cooker recipes are best used with the tougher cuts of meats.

Tip # 8 - For the best color and texture, ground beef is best browned before using, except in meatloaf or other similar dishes.

Tip # 9 - It is not necessary to brown meat before slow cooking, but it gives more depth of flavor in the food and removes some of the fat, especially in pork, lamb and sausages. If the meat is lean, well trimmed and not highly marbled, it doesn't need to be browned.

Tip # 10 - For roasts and stews, pour liquid over meat. Use no more liquid than specified in the slow cooker recipes. More juices in meats and vegetables are retained in slow cooking than in conventional cooking.

Tip # 11 - Dark meat takes longer to cook, so if a whole cut up chicken is used, put the thighs and legs on the bottom.

Tip # 12 - The slightly coarser texture of corn-fed, organic or free-range poultry is ideal for slow cooker recipes.

Tip # 13 - Most meats require 8 hours of cooking on LOW. Use cheaper cuts of meat - not only do you save money, but these meats work better for slow cooker recipes. Cheaper cuts of meat have less fat, which makes them more suited to crockpot cooking. Moist, long cooking times result in very tender meats.

Tip # 14 - Farberware FSC600 6-quart Oval Slow Cooker oval design accommodates oversize roasts, whole chickens, hams, and/or ribs. It features a large, 6-quart capacity stoneware liner, which nests inside a chrome slow cooker base and the auto setting switches to a lower 'keep warm' setting after cooking food.

For those who are not concerned about cooking in aluminum the West Bend Versatility 6-quart Oval Slow Cooker will work well to cook meats. It has a removable aluminum insert that can be used on the stovetop to brown meats and caramelize onions before slow cooking. The bottom unit can also be used on its own as a small griddle. Its dishwasher-safe insert has a nonstick interior and an included roasting rack.

Anjali Dawson

Visit Anjali's slow cooker recipes site for free recipes and tips. Anjali has 45 years experience cooking, from exotic Indian cuisine with her family in Nepal and India, to home-style American cooking with her mother-in-law in Alaska. She refined her gourmet talents working with her chefs as a Restaurateur.http://www.easy-slow-cooker-recipes.com

Wednesday, 26 August 2009

Mom's Easy Cooking - Fast Meal Ideas For Busy Moms

Every busy mom worries about how to prepare fast, nutritious meals for her family. Working moms often find they have very little time for meal planning and preparation. After a long day at work, the last thing on your mind is spending an hour or more cooking and cleaning up afterwards. A little advance preparation and some creative menus are all you need to make mealtime less stressful. You will save a lot of time and energy if you plan an entire week's meals in advance, and do your shopping all in one trip instead of making several trips to the grocery store each week.

A simple online search will give you some great recipes and meal ideas, most of which you can prepare in less than fifteen minutes. You will be able to find delicious recipes for family favorites such as spaghetti, meatloaf, and stroganoff, all of which can be partially prepared in advance, saving you valuable time in the evenings. Most busy moms worry about nutritious, fast breakfasts. Consider keeping frozen waffles, yogurts, cereal, and microwave items such as Hot Pockets on hand to save precious time in the mornings and still send your kids off to school with a good breakfast.

If your children take their lunch to school, prepare them the night before. You will have more time to make sure your kids are taking nutritious lunches and you will save yourself a lot of time and hassle in the mornings. Lunch items can include vegetable sticks, fruit snacks, cheese, crackers, and convenient juice boxes. Your kids will love the variety and will often be able to prepare their own lunches for the next day.

If you want to save additional time in the evenings, try cooking in a Crockpot. You can cook meat and vegetables in one convenient location, and the best part is your food will be ready when you get home. Your family will love coming home to the smells of delicious Crockpot meals that have been cooking all day. Another helpful idea would be to purchase a bread machine with a timer. You can place the ingredients in the bread machine and set the timer so that the bread will be ready upon your return home from your busy day.

Jennifer Houck

Head on over to the ever growing Online Resource Guide for Mothers at http://www.ilovebeingamom.com today!

Tuesday, 25 August 2009

Easy Cooking For Kids

Do you have a picky eater? Are you looking for a new way to spend quality time with the children? It is proven that kids eat better when they are involved in food preparation. Even the youngest children can be a part of the experience. Have smaller children choose between several ingredients. If you are having guests over, or if you are planning ahead for a special occasion, get the kids involved in planning out the meal courses. It is almost a guarantee that you will get many creative ideas and plenty of giggles. Let the children take care of easy side dishes and dessert details.

Childhood passes by quickly, and as a parent you will soon find yourself hoisting the kids off to college or other life adventures. Take advantage of the time you have now to teach the young ones a love for the kitchen and healthy home cooking. Being proficient cooks can be a great way to boost self confidence. Your encouragement and words of support are incredibly important for your child’s development.

Math Skills

Take those fractions off the page and into the real world. Measuring ingredients can work wonders to hone those math skills. Measure ingredients together with the kids and teach fractions and conversion as you go. Sometimes visualizing what is so abstract on paper can make all the difference. Your children will hardly notice they are doing math!

Setting up the cooking zone. Once the kids are in the kitchen and up to their elbows in dough, you will hardly have time to do anything other than instruct and watch closely. Instead of scrambling for things once you get started, plan ahead of time by setting up all of the needed ingredients, measuring tools, pots, pans and cleaning supplies. This will allow you to concentrate on the kids instead of looking for that tiny bottle of vanilla extract. Make sure the recipes you select are suitable for your child’s age and ability.

The rules are golden. Before undertaking any food recipe. children should be well aware of their boundaries. The kitchen is full of hazards, and no cooking project should be undertaken until the rules are clear and understood. Hidden dangers such as droplets of searing oil from a hot skillet should be taken into account. Knives and other sharp objects should not be handled by small or inexperienced children. Start them off with cutting eggs or tofu with a plastic knife.

Mom’s Bakery. Kids love sweets, and they will love learning how it is all put together. There are many simple cake and pie recipes that are suitable for young ages. Your kids will have plenty of opportunity to get creative with decorating their own treats. From frosting designs on cupcakes to making their own ginger bread house, baking desserts can bring out the artist in any child.

Including children in the cooking process is a wonderful way to bond and spend quality time together. You can instill your little ones with a love for the culinary arts that will last a lifetime!

Talisaar Talisaar

Contributing writer for http://www.fastrecipes.com/