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Spring Produce Guides to Help You Navigate the Grocery Store This Season

March 17, 2016 by

Every spring there’s an abundance of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables that make their way into your local grocery store. It’s tempting to fill your cart with tasty produce, but these things go bad so quickly that it helps to have a plan in mind when you shop. Here are two online guides to spring produce.

Food and Wine
This beautifully curated guide offers creative recipes that all use spring produce. It’s organized by type of fruits and vegetables, with recipe sections for things like asparagus, spinach, mangoes, and pineapple. Each recipe also uses simple, step-by-step instructions and high quality images that help you to visualize each dish. If you want to prepare elegant, healthy meals with seasonal ingredients, Food and Wine is a great resource.

The Food Network
The Food Network is an authority on all-things cooking, and their Spring Produce Guide is one of the most helpful out there. It utilizes photos, videos, and text recipes to deliver everyday recipes that use spring produce, and many of them come straight from your favorite Food Network hosts. There are also tips and tricks for things like choosing the best fruits and vegetables, washing and preparing them for cooking, and cooking with fresh herbs straight from the garden.

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How to Make Hot Cocoa at Home at Avana Grove

December 17, 2015 by

Instead of simply tearing open a pre-packaged version of hot chocolate this winter, make things more fun (and festive!) by making it yourself at home. Here are three great takes on everyone’s favorite sippable dessert.

Naturally Sweetened Homemade Hot Chocolate [diynatural.com]
If you want to make your own hot chocolate in order to avoid the extra additives and unnatural sweeteners found in many store-bought varieties, this recipe will show you how. By using real cocoa powder, pure maple syrup for sweetening, and just a dash of sea salt and cinnamon, you can create a truly decadent treat that’s still really good for you.

Homemade Hot Chocolate [marthastewart.com]
If you’re craving the classic version of hot chocolate at home, this recipe will teach you how to make it using only four common ingredients. Whole milk adds a rich, creamy consistency that is accented by the sugar and cocoa, and you have the option of preparing it in the microwave or on the stovetop for added versatility.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate [bonappetit.com]
For something with a bit more gourmet flavor, try this elegant peppermint version. Adding peppermint extract creates a festive flavor that’s really delicious when combined with bittersweet chocolate, and topping this drink with homemade whipped cream and candy canes makes it perfect for your holiday parties.

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How to Make Memorable Mashed Potatoes This Thanksgiving

November 19, 2015 by

It's easily lost in the shadow of the turkey and stuffing, but that doesn't mean the mashed potato isn't deserving of its place on the Thanksgiving table. This year, help ensure your mashed potatoes receive the recognition they deserve with these essential cooking tips.

1) Start with the right spud.
Yukon gold potatoes will impart a slightly buttery flavor, while your standard Russet will help deliver mashed potatoes with a fluffy texture.

2) Boil the peeled potatoes in salted water with a whole clove or two of garlic.
Some sources advise cutting the potatoes into quarters, while others advise plopping the potatoes into the water whole. Either way, remove the potatoes from the water when they're easily pierced by a fork—after about 15 or 20 minutes. The trick is to remove the potatoes from the water before they begin to fall apart in the pot and absorb too much water.

3) Drain and dry.
Drain the water from the potatoes, pat the spuds dry, then return them to the pot. Depending on whether you prefer smooth or lumpy taters, you can use a potato ricer or a simple whisk to mash your potatoes. Don't use an electric mixer; this will over-develop the starches in the potatoes, making them gluey and sticky.

4) Warm your add-ins.
Warm any add-ins (butter, milk, cream, sour cream, cream cheese) before adding them to your potatoes. This will help retain the texture of your potatoes. Remember: The more fat you add to the potatoes, the creamier they'll be. Salt to taste.

How to Make Perfect Mashed Potatoes [About.com]
10 Tips for Perfectly Creamy and Fluffy Classic Mashed Potatoes [katefromscratch.com]
Our Best Tips & Advice for Great Mashed Potatoes [The Kitchn]

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Bring Fall Indoors With These Festive Wreath Tutorials

October 22, 2015 by

Who says that a wreath has to hang outside? There are a number of fun and creative ways to make DIY wreaths that bring the beauty of fall indoors, and many of them don’t cost a dime to make. Here are three great wreath tutorials for you to try this weekend at Avana Grove.

DIY Apple Wreath [thewoodgraincottage.com]
While an actual apple wreath would likely be too heavy to hang, this one uses faux apples from the craft store to achieve the same effect. All it takes is some hot glue, a Styrofoam wreath mold and some burlap to hang it.

Glitter Wreath [homemadebyjill.blogspot.com]
If you’re looking for a fun wreath project that the kids can do, too, this one is a great choice. They’ll enjoy cutting out the small leaves from heavy cardstock, and they’ll enjoy it even more once it’s time to sprinkle glitter all over.

Fall Wheat Sheave Wreath [bhg.com]
If you prefer something with a more natural look (and a quicker preparation), this tutorial is one of the simplest you’ll find. Simply gather some dried wheat and tie it together with a piece of oversized ribbon in a fall color, then attach the whole thing to your door (or anywhere else that can use a bit of decoration).

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Must-Read Tips for a Perfectly Carved Pumpkin

October 8, 2015 by

Carving a pumpkin may seem like a fun, relaxing autumn activity that you can do together as a family, but if you’ve ever actually attempted to carve a pumpkin, you know that this isn’t always the case. Carving the perfect pumpkin is possible, however, and these simple tips can help you get there safely and without too much stress.

  1. Start by choosing a pumpkin with a flat bottom so that it won’t roll around while you try to carve it.
  2. Cut the top of the pumpkin on an angle, so that once you scoop it out and replace the stem it won’t drop down inside.
  3. Soak the pumpkin in a bleach solution for one or two hours before carving to lengthen its lifespan. After you carve it, dry thoroughly and rub the edges with some petroleum jelly to prevent it from shriveling.
  4. While it may seem like a waste of money, it’s very helpful to purchase a kit of knives designed especially for pumpkin carving. Using a common kitchen knife that is too big or not sharp enough can be dangerous for everyone involved.
  5. If this is your first time carving a pumpkin, choose a pattern with bold features and large details to make it a bit easier.
  6. Cut out your stencil and either trace it directly onto the pumpkin or tape it on with clear tape before carving.

8 Pro Tips for Carving the Perfect Pumpkin [Good Housekeeping]
Pumpkin Carving Tips – How to Carve a Jack-o'-lantern [About Food]
How to Carve a Pumpkin [Martha Stewart]

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