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How to Shake (or Stir!) the Perfect Cocktail

August 18, 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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Plan a Warm-Weather Dinner Party With These Delicious Desserts

June 16, 2016 by

Now that the weather is warmer and the days are longer, you're likely planning more social events to add to your calendar. This also means that you're on the hunt for warn-weather recipes for all of those cook-outs and dinner parties. Here are just a few fresh desserts that are perfect for the spring and summer seasons.

Ina's Lemon Yogurt Cake [foodnetwork.com]
With its bright, zesty flavor and moist texture, Ina Garten's recipe for lemon yogurt cake is perfect for your spring and summer brunches and other occasions. It also features a light drizzle of glaze on top to add even more sweetness.

Ducle de Leche Crepe Cake [foodnetwork.com]
With layers upon layers of homemade crepes, this is one of the most unique desserts that you'll try this spring. The recipe also features a creamy icing and a gooey caramel topping that creates that recognizable dulce de leche flavor.

Lemon Sherbet Cupcakes With Buttercream Frosting [myrecipes.com]
While you likely already enjoy sherbet during the warm weather of springtime, you'll love it even more in this innovative cupcake recipe. These cupcakes feature the citrus flavor of sherbet in their base, while the buttercream frosting on top makes them taste rich and creamy.

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Allergic to Eggs? These 3 Webpages Provide Info About Egg Substitutions

May 19, 2016 by

Vegans and those with egg allergies may think that certain foods are off limits, but thanks to egg substitutes, you can still enjoy things like cakes, breads, and other baked goods. These helpful websites are full of tips for using egg substitutes to help you create egg-free dishes that taste just as good as the originals.

PETA
Though this website is tailored toward vegans, its tips are helpful for anyone who wants to remove eggs from their diet. The Egg Replacements page features information about all of the different types of egg substitutes, including silken tofu, potato starch, ground flax seed, and canned pumpkin. There’s also a list full of tips about egg substitutions.

The Kitchn
The Kitchn’s Vegan Egg Substitutes page helps you to choose the perfect egg substitute for any dish. It offers full descriptions of everything from tofu to applesauce, and it also provides information about the best brands of commercial egg replacers.

About.com
The vegetarian section of About.com is a wonderful resource to learn more about egg substitutes. It answers readers’ most pressing questions about cooking without eggs, and it also describes which egg substitutes work best in different types of recipes.

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Love Home Canning? Read These Food Safety Tips!

April 16, 2015 by

Home canning is a delicious food trend that’s seen quite a comeback in recent years, and it makes a great way to use up fresh produce before it has a chance to spoil. Here are a few safety tips that will help you to can your fruits and veggies safely.

  1. Be aware of the safety hazards. Many first-time home canners don’t realize that there are deadly food poisonings associated with incorrect canning methods. Botulism is the most common one, and it comes from a bacteria found in soil that produces a toxin when sealed in a jar. Luckily, there are preventative measures to kill these bacteria before canning.
  2. Throw out your old canning recipes. Those old family canning techniques are likely a botulism risk waiting to happen. Keep up with the latest techniques to keep yourself and your family safe.
  3. Don’t stray from the recipe. Canning recipes aren’t just created to preserve the taste of your foods; they’re also meant to protect you against illness. Resist the urge to add extra herbs or a pinch more sugar, as this can threaten the pH levels in your jar.
  4. Use a pressure canner. In recent years, it’s become apparent that the only way to stay completely safe while canning meats or low-acid vegetables is by using a pressure canner. This heats the food to 240 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature that can only be reached in a pressure canner.

Don’t Botch It: Home Canning Safety Tips [Home Food Safety]
Home Canning: Keep Your Family Safe! [FoodSafety.gov]
Home Canning and Botulism [CDC]
Safety Tips for Home Canning [About.com]

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What Are Your Tips for Cooking the Perfect Omelet?

March 19, 2015 by

Omelets are seemingly simple breakfast foods that are deceptively difficult to make. If you’re all too accustomed to overcooked, broken omelets, these seven expert tips will help show you how to flip one like a pro. And if you have your own omelet cooking tips, be sure to share them!

  1. Use the proper tools. For best results, use a skillet that’s 8 or 9 inches in diameter, plus a heatproof spatula and an egg whisk.
  2. Assemble the ingredients. A standard omelet uses two or three eggs per person, as well as whichever veggies, meats, or cheeses that you prefer. Be sure to chop and prepare your toppings in advance!
  3. Add a splash of water to your eggs. Before adding the other ingredients, whisk a splash of water into the eggs. This will help ensure a light, fluffy omelet.
  4. Heat the skillet. Heat your skillet to medium-high heat and coat the bottom with unsalted butter.
  5. Add the eggs. Add just the eggs to the pan first and let the edges set for about 10 seconds. Pull the now-set edges in toward the center and rotate the pan to disperse the raw egg.
  6. Add toppings. Gently sprinkle the toppings on the surface of the eggs.
  7. Fold. Fold only one side of the omelet in toward the center. Once it’s done cooking, fold the other side by tilting the skillet. Flip the whole thing face down onto your plate to complete the perfect omelet.

How to Make the Perfect Omelet [Food Network]
How to Make the 'Perfect' French Omelet [Instructables]
How to Make an Omelet [Organic Valley]

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4 Uses for Baking Soda That Might Surprise You

January 8, 2015 by

Whether you want to save a bit of money or eliminate the amount of unnatural chemicals in your household, making your own cleaning and beauty products is a great option. Baking soda is one of the most versatile products you can use, and it works just as effectively as most store-bought products. Here are a few ways to create your own household cleansers using baking soda.

  1. Toothpaste. To create an all-natural toothpaste, all you have to do is mix baking soda with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Mix it until it forms a paste, and then use it just as you would your regular toothpaste. Though it doesn’t have the minty taste of a commercial toothpaste, this baking soda mixture will clean your teeth just as effectively.
  2. Facial Scrub. If you’ve ever shopped at a beauty supply store, you know how expensive those fancy facial scrubs can be. You can achieve the same skin smoothing results in a much more natural way by using baking soda. Just mix three parts baking soda with one part water and give your face a good scrub.
  3. Coffee Pot Cleaner. Baking soda is also great for cleaning hard-to-reach places like the inside of your coffee pot. Just rinse the pot in a solution made of 1/4 cup of baking soda and one quart of warm water.
  4. Dishwasher Deodorizer. If your dishwasher smells a bit funky after frequent use, freshen it up by using baking soda. Just sprinkle some all over the bottom of the dishwasher and then let it run through one full rinse cycle.

75 Extraordinary Uses for Baking Soda [Life Hackery]
31 Surprising Baking Soda Uses [All You]
51 Fantastic Uses for Baking Soda [Care2]

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6 Healthy Garlic Recipes With Big Flavor

December 4, 2014 by

Garlic is a superfood that’s full of healthful properties. Garlic adds robust flavor and dimension to any dish, and there’s scientific evidence that it helps to prevent many types of cancers. Whether you press your own fresh garlic or use canned, minced versions, it’s an important seasoning to keep on hand. Here are a few great recipes with savory, garlicky tastes.

Asparagus with Anchovies and Garlic
This one is a nutritious side dish with a similar flavor to a Caesar salad, and it perfectly complements grilled chicken or fish.

Brazilian Grilled Flank Steak
Grill up this steak recipe in just 30 minutes for a flavorful entrée with a bold garlic flavor.

Mashed Red Potatoes with Garlic and Parmesan
Garlic is a necessity in mashed potatoes, and this recipe adds even more flavor with the addition of zesty Parmesan cheese.

4 Minute Spicy Garlic Shrimp
Combine Jumbo shrimp with lemon, red pepper and garlic cloves for a fresh and healthy summer dish.

Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta
The creamy garlic and cheese sauce on this hearty pasta makes a perfect comfort food that the whole family will love.

Chicken Garlic Bites
These small chicken hors d’oeuvres have a big garlic flavor and can be accentuated with a variety of dipping sauces.

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6 Out-of-the-Ordinary Carrot Recipes

May 14, 2014 by

Once you leave infancy, plain old cooked carrots likely aren’t one of your favorite dishes. While these veggies alone can be somewhat bland and boring, when they’re spiced up and cooked in interesting ways, carrots are a versatile vegetable that can be turned into some pretty great dishes. Here are six unique carrot recipes to try at home tonight.

Roasted Parsnips and Carrots [Food Network]
This roasted root vegetable side dish is flavored with simple herbs and seasonings.

Glazed Salmon With Spiced Carrots [Food Network]
Pair the light, flavorful fish with spicy coriander, cumin, and cinnamon for an explosive dish that’s exciting for your taste buds.

Carrot Soufflé [AllRecipes]
Sweetened with rich vanilla and two types of sugars, this fluffy carrot soufflé is sweet enough to be dessert.

Curried Carrot Soup [AllRecipes]
A bit of exotic spice goes a long way in this creamy soup with a carrot base.

Moist Carrot Cake [AllRecipes]
It may not be the healthiest recipe, but you can’t think of carrots without thinking of carrot cake. This one is moist, hearty, and topped with a decadently creamy icing.

Carrot Rice [AllRecipes]
Combine grated carrots with basmati rice, roasted peanuts, and fresh ginger for a unique side dish that tastes incredibly fresh.

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Pack a More Stylish Picnic With These Elegant Recipes

March 20, 2014 by

There’s nothing better than spreading a blanket on the grass and unpacking a fresh picnic lunch, whether you’re taking the kids outside for the day or planning a romantic afternoon with that special someone. If you want to make a more unique picnic lunch than your average options, you’ll love these top four picnic recipes from around the web.

Radish Tartines [Country Living]
They’re handheld, which is the main criteria for good picnic food, but aside from that these radish tartines are anything but your usual sandwich. You can prepare them in just minutes, but they still look elegant enough to complement a European-style spread.

Tomato-Cucumber Salad with Feta [Country Living]
This classic salad is crisp and juicy, and the rich feta adds a flavorful kick that your guests will love. Finish it off with a simple homemade dressing made using just a few common ingredients.

Pretzel-Crusted “Fried” Chicken [Country Living]
This one is ideal for anyone who loves the taste of classic picnic food, but doesn’t want the unhealthy side effects. This fried chicken is coated in crumbled pretzels and baked instead of fried to cut calories without sacrificing that satisfying crunch.

Grilled Vegetable Gazpacho [Food and Wine]
This soup is meant to be served cold, so it’s perfect for serving on an outdoor picnic. Raw veggies like tomatoes and onions are blended with red wine and vinegar for a fresh, zesty summer flavor.

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Fridge & Freezer Food: How To Plan Ahead

March 26, 2013 by

Quick meals are all about planning ahead, and there's really no better way to do that than to utilize your freezer and fridge. Check out the guides below to ensure that you always have the basics on hand to create a home cooked meal. 

8 Freezer Staples for Stress-Free Entertaining

Best Ingredients for a Quick, Healthy, Weeknight Meal

5 Make-Ahead Freezer & Pantry Staples

10 Simple Ingredients to Make Your Soups Even Better!

Guides from  theKitchn.

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