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Essential Kitchen Items Any Aspiring Home Chef Should Own

March 22, 2016 by

Stocking your kitchen with cooking utensils may seem daunting, and one look at the price tag on a new set of knives will make it seem even more so. When it comes to creating a functional home kitchen, however, all it takes are a few key items to help you make just about any recipe under the sun. Take this list of essential kitchen tools with you to the store and leave with your budget still in tact.

  1. Chef’s knife. This do-everything knife can replace almost an entire set if you’re trying to save space (or money). Choose one with an 8- or 9-inch blade and a sturdy handle.
  2. Tongs. Metal or rubber tongs can be used for flipping meats and veggies, removing hot garlic bread from a pan, and everything in between.
  3. Ladle. This is one of those items that you just can’t replicate. Instead of making a mess with too-small serving spoons, add an affordable ladle to your utensil collection.
  4. Rubber spatula. There’s nothing better for removing batters, sauces, and the last bit of peanut butter from the bottom of the jar.
  5. Measuring cups and spoons. They don’t have to be expensive, but they are necessary.
  6. Vegetable peeler. If you’re cooking from scratch, this will make your life a whole lot easier.
  7. Cutting board. A sturdy wooden or plastic cutting board will keep your counters safe.

The Kitchn's Guide to Essential Prep Tools & Utensils [The Kitchn]
Essential Kitchen Tools Checklist [Real Simple]
Stock Your Kitchen With These 12 Essential Kitchen Tools [Cooking Light]

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Flavor Meets Nutrition in These Easy Kale Recipes

February 24, 2015 by

Heralded for its nutritional benefits, kale is a having a moment in the culinary world. However, this dark, leafy green requires a little finesse and experience to cook correctly. Here are three recipes to help you get the most out of that fresh bunch of kale:

Whole-Grain Spaghetti With Garlicky Kale and Tomatoes [Real Simple]
Whole grain spaghetti provides a fiber-rich foundation for this weeknight-friendly recipe. Roasted almonds add a little crunch to contrast the tender texture of the kale leaves, which are sauteed in garlic and oil. We suggest adding a handful of white beans to add a little more protein to the dish.

Sauteed Kale [Food Network]
Never cooked kale before? Let this recipe from Food Network star Bobby Flay show you the way. One bunch of kale is sauteed in olive oil and garlic over medium-high heat, then allowed to simmer in a little bit of vegetable stock for optimal flavor.

Chicken and Kale Casserole [Martha Stewart]
A hearty casserole perfect for cooler month, this recipe only takes a little over an hour, start to finish. Shredded chicken is mixed with ricotta cheese and lemon zest, then combined with pasta shells and chopped kale in a casserole dish. Parmesan cheese is sprinkled on top, becoming golden-brown in the oven.

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How to Prepare Asparagus Like a Trained Chef

September 30, 2014 by

Asparagus likely isn’t at the top of your list of favorite food indulgences, but if prepared correctly this nutrient-rich vegetable can be quite tasty. Here are 4 simple tips for cooking asparagus that will make you excited to eat your veggies.

  1. Peel thick asparagus before cooking. Thin asparagus can be prepared as-is, but thick asparagus contains hard, wood-like areas on the exterior that must first be peeled off. Use a standard vegetable peeler and start from about 2 inches from the bottom of the stem.
  2. Cut off the hard base. If you’ve ever bitten into the hard, sour base of the asparagus, you understand why this step is so important. Before cooking, take a sharp knife and chop off an inch or so of the bottom of each piece.
  3. Choose a cooking style. Roasting asparagus with olive oil creates a crunchy exterior and tender interior, while steaming it or simmering it creates a softer texture that’s also a bit lower in fat. No matter which cooking technique you choose, be sure to add simple herbs and spices for added flavor.
  4. Add a topping or sauce. If you prefer even more flavor on your asparagus, there are a number of different sauces or toppings for every type of meal. A sweet chili sauce perfectly complements the earthy taste of the asparagus, while a creamy Hollandaise is ideal with fish, chicken or even your morning eggs.

How to Cook Asparagus [Better Homes and Gardens]
Asparagus [BBC Good Food]
How to Cook Asparagus [Asparagus-Lover.com]

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There’s No Need to Knead With These 4 Bread Recipes

June 24, 2014 by

Baking bread at home seems difficult, but no-knead recipes make it much easier than ever before. You’ll impress your family and your guests with the scent of freshly baked bread coming from the oven, and you’ll be the only one who knows just how easy it was to prepare.

No-Knead Bread [Steamy Kitchen]
This recipe creates a rustic, gourmet-looking loaf of bread, and it’s so simple that a four year old can make it— and one has! The New York Times made this no-knead recipe famous, but its reliability is what makes it so popular.

No-Knead Bread [Smitten Kitchen]
Using instant yeast to create a fluffy, dense center and a crispy outer crust, this incredible bread recipe is the perfect addition to any sandwich or evening meal.

No-Knead Crusty White Bread [King Arthur Flour]
If you want to make a large amount of bread for a gathering or holiday party, this is the recipe to use. It makes use of the same simple no-knead technique, but this recipe yields four full-sized loaves.

How to Make No-Knead Bread [The Kitchn]
This online tutorial will show you the most important steps for making no-knead bread, with detailed pictures along the way. It also includes video tutorials for certain techniques, such as shaping the dough into a perfect ball.

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The Sandwich Goes Sweet in These 5 Dessert Panini Recipes

April 22, 2014 by

Sure, it might sound strange, but the dessert panini is having a moment in the culinary world. Whether you choose to try one for lunch or for dessert, these creative grilled sandwiches will certainly be the sweet spot of your whole day.

Sweet Dessert Paninis [Food Network]
Filled with the sugary, buttery goodness that's signature to celebrity chef Paula Deen, this hazelnut panini is truly decadent.

Nutella S’Mores Panini [Panini Happy]
This sandwich combines chocolate and marshmallow, just like a grown-up s’more.

Strawberry-Nutella Panini [Recipe Boy]
The Nutella is sweet, but strawberries make this recipe a healthier alternative that you can even eat for lunch.

Blueberry, White Chocolate and Marshmallow Panini [Always Order Dessert]
A pinch of salt brings out the sweet, gooey flavors in this unique panini recipe.

Plum and Brie Dessert Panini Recipe [McCormick]
When you’re feeling a bit fancy, this sweet panini offers just the right amount of gourmet taste.

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Great Websites for Unique Sandwich Recipes

March 25, 2014 by

You use a recipe for pastas, soups and cakes, but you probably wouldn’t think of looking up a recipe for a sandwich. These helpful websites feature sandwich recipes that are much more elaborate than your usual grilled cheese, and you’ll certainly notice the difference in taste.

Food Network
The Food Network is home to some wonderful shows about sandwiches, and now you can learn to make them yourself. Their Top Sandwich Recipes page features everything from grown-up turkey sandwiches to hot, gravy-covered sandwiches that are more dinner than lunch. The Mahi Mahi Banh Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich that you might not have heard of, while the French Dip recipe will show you how to make this diner favorite right at home.

101 Cookbooks
Instead of updating the sandwiches you already love, try something completely new with the unique recipes on 101 Cookbooks. This beautifully-designed website is easy to navigate, and it makes for hours of inspiration for your next sandwich. 101 Cookbooks features an Avocado Asparagus Tartine, Vegetarian Lentil Burgers, and even an Egg Salad Sandwich with Greek yogurt instead of the usual mayonnaise.

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