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How to Shake (or Stir!) the Perfect Cocktail

May 19, 2016 by

If you think you need to venture to the bar to find a unique, tasty cocktail, think again. You can easily mix up your own creative cocktails and mocktails in the comfort of your own home. The most important part of a great drink is how long the flavor lingers in your mouth. You want to intrigue your taste buds and mind after the sip goes down. These tips are sure to leave a unique, lasting flavor on your tongue.

  • Choose a good quality base liquor or flavor of your cocktail.
  • Use a generous amount of the base spirit.
  • Mix in a tart or sweet ingredient such as lime juice, simple syrup, or liqueur. Remember to keep it simple and balanced, as this will make the flavors last in your mouth.
  • Add a few drops of bitters or a hydrosol, such as rosewater, to add aromatics to your drink.
  • A cocktail that contains delicate flavors or ingredients should be stirred. Be sure to shake any cocktail containing juice or egg whites.
  • To avoid diluting your drink, use larger ice cubes that will melt at a slower pace. In your glass, the ice should be visible about the alcohol line.
  • Take some time to make your cocktail look presentable. A simple lemon twist can add a touch of elegance to your drink.

From A Genius Mixologist: The Only Ratio You Need For Perfect Cocktails [Fast Company]
How to make cocktails: follow these 10 golden rules [The Guardian]
How to Make Perfect Cocktails [Williams-Sonoma Taste]

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Keep These Measurement Conversion Charts Handy in the Kitchen

August 20, 2015 by

You don’t have to be an expert at math to be a good cook, but it certainly helps to commit a few essential measuring equivalents to memory. For those less-used measurements, however, there are some helpful lists you can keep on hand in the kitchen. Bookmark these two websites of cooking measurement conversions for easy reference.

  1. Measure Equivalents [USDA]
    Find any metric to U.S. conversion on this chart along with cups to teaspoons, tablespoons, and ounces. You can use this website to convert gallons to quarts, quarts to pints, and pints to cups.
  2. Cooking Measure Equivalents [Info Please]
    This website provides a quick reference for converting table- or teaspoons to cups. It also has the essential conversions for the metric system to the American system of measurements. So if you're ever wondering how many grams are in an ounce or milliliters are in a tablespoon, check out this page on Info Please.

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Preserve the Tastes of Summer With These Easy Canning Recipes

June 18, 2015 by

When the weather begins to heat up, it can only mean one thing: Berry season is upon us! Preserve the flavors of summer for a bit longer by canning your favorite warm weather fruits. Here are a few easy summer canning recipes.

Peach Preserves [allrecipes.com]
Few fruits taste more like summer than juicy peaches, and this recipe for sweet peach preserves is just as delicious as an actual peach. Spread it on crusty bread, your morning bagel or even hearty biscuits once colder weather strikes.

Pineapple Chili Salsa [freshpreserving.com/]
Most people don’t live in the type of climate where pineapples grow, but these tropical fruits certainly do feel like summer even if they’re store-bought. Make a zesty pineapple salsa to last you all winter long using those whole pineapples from your local grocer.

Strawberry Refrigerator Jam [thekitchn.com]
Strawberries are just as delicate as they are delicious, so elongate their short lifespans by using them in a simple, basic jam. This easy recipe is perfect for even the most novice jam-makers, and it tastes much more special than name brand versions. Best of all, it only takes a surplus of strawberries and a bit of sugar to make.

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Add These Two Fiber-Rich Foods to Your Diet

May 21, 2015 by

One of the most effective ways to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight is by adding more fiber to your diet. Men under the age of 50 should eat 38 grams of fiber each day and women should eat 25 grams, according to current dietary recommendations. If you’re not sure which foods to choose to meet this daily need, here are two surprising sources of fiber to incorporate into your diet.

  1. Apples. This old-school snack is a remarkably good source of fiber, with 4 grams per medium-sized apple. Any food that contains more than 3 grams per serving is considered a good source, so adding one to your day actually might keep the doctor away.
  2. Avocados. This creamy fruit is a super source of fiber. One medium avocado contains 14 grams, along with vitamins B, E and K. While they are high in fat, only 4 grams are saturated so you’re actually boosting your healthy fat intake.

The 16 Most Surprising High-Fiber Foods [Greatist]
High Fiber Foods: 7 Surprising Sources [ Huffington Post]
The Most Surprising High Fiber Foods [Health]

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High Fructose Corn Syrup Hides in These Common Foods

February 19, 2015 by

While you might suspect that packaged foods like sodas and candies contain high fructose corn syrup, this processed ingredient actually lurks in many places that you wouldn’t expect. Here are a few surprising sources of high fructose corn syrup that you should avoid if you’re trying to eat healthfully.

  1. Yogurt. While most people consider yogurt a healthy food, when it’s packed with sticky sweet high fructose corn syrup, it’s a whole different story. Many flavored yogurts in the grocery store contain the sweetener to give them their fruity flavors, and even a large number of low-fat and fat-free yogurts are filled with it.
  2. Salad dressings. No matter how healthy you think your salad dressing may be, its positive traits don’t matter if it’s filled with high fructose corn syrup. If possible, making your own salad dressing is a surefire way to know exactly which ingredients are used.
  3. Breads. Even if you avoid all of the sweet, dessert-style baked goods at the grocery store, high fructose corn syrup may be sneaking into your diet through your plain old bread. Even breads made with wheat and whole grain often contain the syrup, so be sure to check the ingredient list before you make your purchase.

Corn Syrup in Unexpected Foods [HuffPost Healthy Living]
Surprising Products that Contain High Fructose Corn Syrup [Divine Caroline]
(Not So) Sweet: Surprising Foods Containing High Fructose Corn Syrup [Babble]
6 Popular Foods with High Fructose Corn Syrup [FitDay]

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Three Cooking Substitutes for When You’re in a Pinch

November 20, 2014 by

Any seasoned cook knows that sometimes you have to get creative when sticking to a recipe, especially if you're short on some of the ingredients. The good news is that with a few easy swaps, you can make any recipe, even if you don't have the traditional ingredients on-hand. Here are three cooking substitutes for when you’re in a pinch:

  1. If you're missing brown sugar: Your craving for homemade cookies won't wait until you can get to the store for all the ingredients. If you’re short on one cup of brown sugar, you can substitute it one cup of white sugar combined with 1/4 cup of molasses.
  2. If you're missing butter: While no kitchen should ever be without this important ingredient, it tends to happen if you cook a lot. You can replace one cup of butter with one cup of margarine or vegetable shortening. If the recipe calls for melted butter, you can use the same amount of oil.
  3. If you're missing half and half: If your carton is empty, you can easily recreate this essential ingredient with 1/2 a cup of partly skimmed milk and 1/2 a cup of heavy whipping cream.

Top 3 Ingredient Substitutions [All Recipes]
Ingredient Substitutions [University of Nebraska]
Baking Ingredient Substitution Table [Joys of Baking]

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Where to Find Online Pancake Recipes for All Occasions

February 20, 2014 by

Pancakes are a breakfast favorite for weekend mornings and other special occasions. The classic buttermilk pancake with butter and maple syrup is always a delicious treat, but there are a wide variety of other ways to make pancakes as well. Find some inspiration for your next pancake breakfast from these recipe websites.

All Recipes
The popular online recipe resource All Recipes offers a variety of unique, creative pancake recipes. Sunday Morning Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes are a delicious dish for a formal brunch with the family, while Chunky Monkey Pancakes with chocolate and bananas make a special treat for kids’ birthday breakfasts. If you want to improve your regular pancake recipe, All Recipes has a few tips and tricks for that as well.

Food Network
Learn to make fluffy, buttery pancakes from your favorite cooking show hosts! The Food Network’s website teaches you to make classics like potato pancakes, homemade “instant” pancake mix, and blueberry buttermilk pancakes, as well as more unique styles like the Tri-Berry Oven Pancakes or Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes. No matter your tastes, you can even search the Food Network website by ingredient to find the perfect pancakes for your family.

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The FDA’s Guidelines for Safe Cooking Temperatures

October 23, 2013 by

The number one way to prevent foodborne illness is to ensure foods are cooked to the proper temperature. Using a meat thermomentor is the best way to tell. Check out this chart for the correct temperatures at which foods should be served, and read these handy tips:

  • If you are using a food thermometer, make sure you test a couple areas of the meat, just not one spot, to ensure it is cooked all the way through. Don't rely on the color of the meat to tell you that it's cooked!
  • Never eat raw eggs. Eggs are done when the whites and yolk are firm.
  • When using a microwave, make sure you cover the food, stir it occasionally, and rotate it in the microwave. After the microwave has stopped, allow for some standing time so the item can complete cooking.
  • Even if you're just reheating a sauce or soup, it's important to still bring them to a boil before enjoying. 

Safe Food Handling: What You Need to Know [U.S. Food and Drug Administration]

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