Sunday, 22. November 2009
Crock-pots… almost everyone has one, but do they use them? Many just stay in the cupboard, completely underused. Slow cooking has been used for hundreds of years to get the most out of food, but it used to be a lot more work than it is today.
Ancient History
People have been slow cooking their meals ever since they learned how to smelt iron and make a pot. A large kettle could be simmering over the fire throughout the day, or a small, covered Dutch oven could be set into the coals for cooking. It has long been known that slow cooking has many benefits for our food. The downside to the old methods is the constant tending needed for the fire, as well as frequent stirring of the food.
Slow cooking tenderizes even tough cuts of meat through the gradual softening of the fibers in the meat. The low heat gradually melts the natural collagen within; making a delicious, thick, and gelatin-rich meal that is full of nutrition. Long cooking times over low heat slowly breaks down the fibers in tough root crops like rutabagas, parsnips, and turnips. It also tenderizes stored crops like dried beans and lentils until they are not only tender, but also delicious.
Today’s Crock Pot
In the’50s, Naxon Utilities Corporation of Chicago created the first slow cooker. It was called the Beanery All Purpose Cooker, and it was designed to help people cook baked beans. It was basically a ceramic pot that fit inside a metal pan with heating elements around the inside. This kept the heat even all around the food, but kept it out of direct contact.
In’70, Rival bought Naxon. They took a look at the Beanery and renamed it the Crock Pot. In the early 70s, more women were working outside the home than ever before. The Crock Pot helped them to still provide a hot meal at the end of the day to their hungry families even though they were working all day.
As the years have passed, the Crock Pot has been improved. With features like removable ceramic inserts for easy cleaning and more settings, it has become more useful than ever before. Unlike older models that only had High and Low settings and were in one piece, making cleaning difficult; the newer models often feature a Warm setting as well as being easier to take care of.
Long ago, women cooked many different meals slowly over the fire. Today, our crock-pots offer even more versatility. Stews, roasts and casseroles are very common meals that are made every day in the crock pot, but you can also make dishes like lasagna, sweet and sour chicken, and even your best chicken noodle soup recipes in your slow cooker.
You can also emulate your ancestors and bake breads by slow cooking. The more you use your crock-pot, the more creative you will get. You may even try desserts and dips if you get adventurous.
When you are choosing a chicken noodle soup recipe you can choose from so many different cuisines. Almost every single one has a version of chicken soup. Do you want one like Grandma used to make? How about a Mexican version? An Asian soup?
Posted in Cooking by Ken Kudra -
Sunday, 15. November 2009
There are many different ways to make pumpkin soup. While you may not be able to think of many variations off the top of your head, there are many different recipes for this soup beyond the creamy classic version. One such easy version involves pouring honey over the pumpkin, garlic, and onions before roasting them. The roasted vegetables are then made into a delicious soup.
Another easy pumpkin soup variation to try is pumpkin and cheese. This is a simple soup you can make using canned pumpkin puree. Simply add in your ingredients like spices, cream, broth, brown sugar and some grated cheddar cheese. Serve this soup with some fresh rolls or melt some grated cheese on top until it is bubbly and delicious.
A further variation on pumpkin soup uses Marsala wine and real maple syrup. The rich flavors combine to create a delicious soup. Always use real maple syrup for this variation. Imitation syrups do not create the same flavors in your soup.
You can also change the flavor of your soup by trying a new cuisine. Take your basic pumpkin soup and change the spices. Before you know it, you will have a Mexican, a Thai, a Haitian, or a Jamaican soup instead. While they all started with the same base, the spices will prevail, changing the flavor and making a new soup.
For a more exotic flavor, try pumpkin ginger soup. Ginger will give this creamy soup a bit of heat and Asian flavor. If you like it hotter you can add some chilies as well. Garnish the soup with a little chopped cilantro and pumpkin seeds. If you like a whiter soup, try using white pumpkin. This soup is not your average pumpkin soup! Serve it as an appetizer for an Asian themed meal or serve it alone.
Specialty ingredients can also alter the results of your soup. Bacon adds a nice smokiness to the soup, while chocolate will make the most delicious dessert soup. Pumpkin soup can be spicy, too. Peppers of various types as well as curry and other spices can be used to create a complex flavor. Peanut butter can make a distinctive soup when mixed with pumpkin and sausage. This is a fast recipe that can be put together in a short amount of time.
Ingredients you traditionally associate with fall like apples are often added to pumpkin soup. You can use other winter squashes like butternut or acorn in your soup. Even sweet potatoes will add a new twist, adding their own sweetness and texture. Do not be afraid to use herbs to create different flavor blends in your soup. In the hot days of summer, try a chilled pumpkin soup that will help your guests cool down admirably.
No matter what changes you make to your pumpkin soup, you will be eating a delicious, rich soup that will fill you up. The velvety texture feels good in the mouth and the cream gives you a satisfying taste. Even if you do not have a lot of time you can make pumpkin soup. Simply make it in the crockpot and let it cook while you are busy.
A delicious pumpkin soup recipe will make your holiday dinner spectacular! Imagine serving an appetizer of rich, smooth pumpkin soup on Thanksgiving to all your relatives. They will be oohing and ahhing over the soup so much they may forget the turkey!
Posted in Cooking by Ken Kudra -
Friday, 6. November 2009
In North America, pumpkins refer specifically to a certain type of squash that is normally orange in color. In many parts of the world, they call any winter squash a pumpkin. Did you know that there are many uses for traditional pumpkins besides carving them for Halloween or making pumpkin pie?
Both the seeds and flesh of the pumpkin are edible and can be used in many recipes. The seeds are full of zinc, which is a mineral that is necessary for good health. Add the roasted seeds into cereals, snack mixes, breads or just eat them as a snack. If you have tasted pumpkin pie and butternut squash, you have a general idea how the pumpkin flesh will taste. This vegetable can be made into both savory and sweet dishes your family will love.
A whole roasted pumpkin can be quite a sight on the table. Pumpkin can be used to make delicious sweet breads. Drop in a handful of cranberries for a holiday dish. Spread pumpkin butter on your toast in the morning instead of butter. You can also use it in your morning granola with a dollop of yogurt for breakfast. Toss in a few toasted pumpkin seeds too.
Use pumpkin to make rich cakes, muffins, and cupcakes. Their spicy goodness is always welcome. Make a pumpkin roll with cream cheese filling to have for the holidays. It tastes great and looks pretty! Pumpkin cheesecake is a seasonal favorite in many places and it is easy to find in the fall and winter. Use pumpkin in cookies and pudding too. All of these recipes are great ways to get more pumpkin in your diet.
While many people have not tried pumpkin soup, it is a delicious way to include this versatile vegetable into a meal. You can make it spicy, creamy, and roasted or you can make it into chowder. Serve it as a complete meal or as an appetizer. Top the soup with a dollop of sour cream or a few toasted pumpkin seeds for a beautiful presentation.
Pumpkin is great to add to rice or pasta dishes. Try some delicious pumpkin risotto or make a filling for ravioli out of pumpkin. Mix chunks of pumpkin with other vegetables and make a roasted veggie dish. Mix pumpkin with cheese and polenta for something new. Pumpkin is full of vitamins like beta-carotene. Add more to your seasonal dishes and help boost your immune system for winter.
Add pumpkin to your morning by making pumpkin donuts, muffins, scones, and pancakes. Serve your pancakes with whipped topping or syrup. Pumpkin is so versatile it works equally well with sweet or savory. Mix up the flavors by adding crumbled bacon bits to your pancake batter.
Pumpkin ice cream, pie, and tarts can also be a great way to end a meal. They are not as sweet as cakes and cookies. This is a great way to add the flavor of pumpkin to your meal and celebrate the fall season.
Choosing recipes for creamy pumpkin soups will build up your collection of delicious delights for the holiday season. These creamy soups warm you up and taste marvelous. Take some time to explore thick creamy soups. They are truly a gourmet experience.
Posted in Cooking by Ken Kudra -
Tuesday, 3. November 2009
Dishes made from cod fish are scrumptious, nutritious, and plain to prepare for dinner. A huge advantage is you can create a large variety, like microwave it or roast. You can garnish with vegetables or just present it alone. You will be excited to know you can add what you want to make a meal that is inimitable and luscious. With cod fish recipes nothing can go haywire.
Consider your wishes before choosing among the different ways. If you are dieting, keep away from frying, as it is not good. For something savory, think of a recipe involving a jumble of vegetables or sauces. For simple one, pick a bare-bone recipe with highlight on just fish sans beautification or constituents.
Preparation time plays a major role on deciding which dish to opt. When you want it quickly, there would be no time to marinate the fish with sauces. Before finalizing the suitable dish, look through the duration of preparing all cod fish dishes. Make up your mind if you want refrigerated or fresh pieces.
This recipe is just one of many you can make for all. It tastes like what you may have at a diner or inn being easy to make and low-priced; a simple recipe entailing tomatoes and cheese, and just bare bones.
To Start here are the things that go into this: 1 1/2 pounds of cold cod bone, 1 teaspoon of butter, salt and pepper, four sliced tomatoes, Swiss cheese (as much as you’d want on the fish), and 1/2 cup of half and half.
For making this recipe, peel the fish’s coat and bones. With a paper towel dry the fish. Preheat oven at 375 degrees. Melt the butter. Keep the tomato pieces on the fish and add cheese as much as you want, transfer the cream on it, and add the butter to a baking pan. Your fish is set to get baked and takes 25 minutes or until it appears to peel off.
Replacing the ingredients is your choice. For instant, if you are averse to Swiss cheese, alternate with cheddar cheese. If tomatoes are not your favorite, add green peppers in its place.
You can find more info at our website, which is full of hot homemade recipes for you to enjoy. It’s updated daily and the best part is that they’re all free recipes.
Posted in Wine by James Swelling -
Sunday, 25. October 2009
With Thanksgiving just around the corner everyone is looking for the tastiest roast turkey recipe. If this is the first time to roasted a turkey, do not fret. It is much r than you imagine.
You must first thaw the turkey. Think ahead for this step, because every 5 lbs. Of turkey requires 24 hours of thaw time in the refrigerator. Using the refrigerator to thaw is the best way, and will prevent bacteria from growing or spreading.
OK, now it is time for the fun part. The turkey cavity will be filled with the neck and giblets. Remove those before preparing the bird. After the turkey has been thoroughly washed, coat the skin of the bird and the cavity with unsalted and softened butter. You can use salt and pepper as well, if you choose to.
Now it is time for the turkey to be placed in the cooking pan. Always place the bird with the breast pointing up. A shallow pan should be used, and a dark pan will work best. Shiny pans will increase the time needed to cook the bird. Just before placing the turkey in the oven is the time to add stuffing to the cavity of the bird, if you choose to add stuffing. A few cups of turkey stock should be added to the bottom of the pan to keep the turkey nice and juicy.
Covering, or not covering, the turkey is up to you. If your traditionaling pan has a lid included, that will work best. An aluminum tent is another option, as is a traditional roasteding bag. It is not advisable to use a paper shopping bag. Many shopping bags contain recycled paper and could contain toxins.
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees or higher, and place the traditionaling pan inside the oven. The turkey should be basted every 30 minutes, using the juices that collect in the pan. If you decided to cover the turkey, the cover should be removed after cooking for 2 hours. The amount of time for cooking a turkey will vary. For the most accurate cooking advice, ask the butcher at your local supermarket.
Well, there you have it, a simple and wonderful traditional turkey recipe that will bring joy to your entire family.
With Thanksgiving approaching, it is time to think about the best roast turkey recipe and I prefer a traditional recipe, with traditional presentation, which includes a classic turkey gravy boat to present the traditional gravy made the old fashioned way.
Posted in Cooking by Mark Knowles -
Friday, 23. October 2009
Are you someone who has a lot of trouble telling different kinds of steak apart? It is not an uncommon tendency, particularly among those of us who eat our steak mostly in restaurants. However, if you would like to start making your own steak dinners at home, you can learn how to do it. Let us take a look at the options available and the best ways to prepare them.
Rib Eye – A good cut for beginners and popular all round choice in restaurants, this fatty steak is flavorful and juicy, and works well in most cooking situations, whether broiled, grilled, or pan-fried.
New York Strip – A tender, versatile cut of meat, New York Strip is also pretty flavorful, and is prepared best by grilling or pan-frying. Skip broiling this one, and trim fat only after you have cooked the steak to retain the most flavor.
Tenderloin – This is one of the most expensive cuts of steak on the market, and is extremely tender and lean. That has why many decide to pan sear it in butter, or cook it in a wrapping of bacon. Due to its price, most people only cook tenderloin as a special treat.
T-Bone – We have all heard of the t-bone, a combination tenderloin and New York Strip. Porterhouse steaks are a kind of large, tender t-bone steak that is cut further up the loin. They can be pretty tricky to cook, since the bone makes it hard to cook evenly throughout. This is not a steak for those who prefer their meat well done, and it does not sear or pan fry well. Try broiling or grilling a t-bone for best results.
Flank Steak – A long, thin cut that is usually used in London Broil; this is also a favorite in grilling season. The large size of this cut makes it great for serving more people. Remember that this is a flavorful steak, but the flavor comes with toughness. Marinate it and broil or grill whole, then slice on the diagonal, across the grain.
Skirt Steak – This cut is a lot like flank steak in flavor and toughness, and is an old cowboy favorite that has a number of different cooking options. This is a great choice, whether you are cooking steak indoors or outside. Use it in fajitas, or stuff and braise it.
Top Sirloin – A popular budget steak, top sirloin is more tender than flank steak but tougher than tenderloin. This lean cut ought to be pounded and marinated, and is great in kebabs. However, it can be cooked in an assortment of other ways.
You can make a great steak marinade out of ingredients you already have in your kitchen. If you would prefer to follow a real recipe, check out the many choices at EasySteakMarinades.net for some delicious marinades. Your steak will thank you for it and so will your hungry family.
Posted in Cooking by K.C. Kudra -
Tuesday, 20. October 2009
I absolutely love Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, don’t you? If you don’t, don’t worry, you can easily make it at home and try this homemade recipe out. Here is the easiest recipe for Hawaiian Macaroni Salad:
Ingredients: 3 Cups Macaroni Pasta, 1/4 Cup (grated) Carrots, 1 Cup Mayonnaise, Black Pepper (to taste), Salt (to taste), 1/4 Cup Milk. Simple, right?
Follow these easy directions for quick Hawaiian Macaroni Salad:
1. Cook macaroni for 8-9 minutes, drain and rinse under running cold water.
2. Add grated carrots, mayo, and milk until well coated. Add Salt & Pepper to taste. Use more mayonnaise if needed (some like a lot of mayo and some like just a little bit of mayo).
3. Chill in refrigerator, when ready to serve you may want to add more mayonnaise (i love mayo, so i add it).
4. If you feel creative, consider adding ham, peas, boiled eggs or tuna!
Add something to Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, but what? Make some delicious Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken for an awesome picnic. Here is a simple recipe for Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken:
Ingredients: 1 12 ounce jar of Apricot Jam, 1 (8 oz.) bottle Kraft Russian Salad Dressing with Honey Russian Dressing, 1 envelop Onion Soup (Dry – Packaged), Whole Chicken.
Cooking Directions: Put the chicken pieces in a pyrex flat pan. Combine preserves, salad dressing and soup mix. Pour over chicken and bake at 300′F for 2 1/2 hours. Baste often during baking.
Here are some picnic tips:
1. Keep extra condiments from fast-food restaurants and drive-throughs in a drawer in your kitchen, just for use on picnics! It’ll save a lot of room in your cooler or insulated food compartment and will be easiest once you are at the picnic site.
2. Help your thermos keep food cold or hot longer: For hot food, place the thermos in boiling water just long enough to heat it up well, then fill it (carefully – be sure to let it cool down enough to the touch so it won’t burn your skin). For cold contents you could place it in the freezer, or in some ice before packing.
3. Recycle your plastic bags from the grocery store for use as garbage bags on picnics.
Delicious and awesome hawaiian macaroni salad recipe and unbelievable barbecued chicken recipe.
Posted in Cooking by Mike Jackson -
Monday, 14. September 2009
Autumn is a great time to try out new seasonal recipes, and pumpkin soup is a wonderful choice. After all, there is more to these big orange squash than just pie! There are so many options available – from velvety pumpkin bisque with sweet spices to rich, garlicky soup with strong Swiss style cheeses, to stew with potatoes, tomatoes and chunks of pumpkin. You will love all of them.
Pumpkin works great in cuisines from all over the world – a curried pumpkin soup might be a great choice for you. Alternatively, you could stick with homey traditional tastes. There are all kinds of options out there, even though many people do not realize that pumpkin is good for more than just desserts.
However, there is one big problem with making pumpkin soup – the recipes! Since not too many people even know that you can make soup from a pumpkin, it can be hard to find a good recipe. Most cookbooks do not have much information about cooking pumpkin this way, for instance. However, you do not have to go without – the Internet is the answer.
There are plenty of excellent recipes for pumpkin soup online. From personal sites to recipe hubs, there are all kinds of cooking repositories that have options for pumpkin soup. Just head to your favorite cooking site, or punch a few keywords into your preferred search engine. Lots of options will turn up, and all you have to do is sift through.
Of course, not all pumpkin soup recipes are going to be alike. You could run into some that are poorly written, or which assume that you understand what to do. They could leave some steps out, resulting in a recipe that does not come out like you planned. Take the time to examine any recipe you decide to use.
You can also take a trip to a site that you know will be trustworthy. There are several specialty sites out there covering fall recipes and how to cook a pumpkin. They will have information that has already been checked out in advance. It is no guarantee that you will love the recipe when it has finished, but it can help you make sure the recipes are put together properly.
Make sure you check out any recipe to ensure that the ingredients are ones you like and have on hand, and that you understand the instructions you are given. There are plenty of excellent ways to cook soups with pumpkin in them, from making them a crock-pot to cooking inside a pumpkin. Add in all the excellent options for presentation, and you will have a wonderful seasonal dish.
If you have been looking for something new this autumn, it might be time to start looking for more than your usual recipes. Pumpkin is for more than just desserts, and soup is one of the best choices you can make. Do not just stick with the same old thing you have been making for years when you could be having something new and different.
Every pumpkin soup recipe tells a story. This one with the curry talks about the role pumpkins play in India… how they use this wonderful vegetable to its full advantage. The one with the apples reminds one of traditional dishes of squash and apples made in the fall.
Posted in Cooking by Kc Kudra -
Thursday, 10. September 2009
Cobblers are an American deep-dish fruit dessert or pie with a thick doughy and golden brown crust (usually a biscuit crust) and a fruit filling (such as peaches, apples, berries). Some versions are enclosed in the crust, while others have a drop-biscuit or crumb topping. Knowing how most things are invented, it wouldn’t surprise me if some person had leftover peaches and biscuit dough and decided to just combine them with a little sugar. Nice, warm and golden brown out of the oven.
When peaches are in season there is one thing I think of making…Peach Cobbler. It’s so delicious when fresh and warm right out of the oven. Many don’t know about peach cobbler…sure, they’ve heard of peach pie, but I will take peach cobbler over peach pie every time. Peach cobbler is big in the South where the peaches are the sweetest. I have yet to try peach cobbler in the South and I will one day soon. In the meantime, I’m going to have to settle for my homemade version of peach cobbler.
Ingredients: 3-4 Cups (fresh, sliced) Peaches, 1 Cup White Sugar, 1 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour, 1/2 Teaspoon Salt, 1 1/2 Teaspoons Baking Powder, 2/3 Cup Butter, 1 (slightly beaten) Eggs.
Baking Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
2. Place peaches in the bottom of a baking dish and sweeten with a little sugar depending on ripeness.
3. In medium bowl, sift all dry ingredients. Cut in butter and add beaten egg. Mix until crumbly and sprinkle over fruit, covering all exposed fruit.
4. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until golden.
Take the peach cobbler out of the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. Dig in and enjoy! Goes extremely well with a little whipped cream and vanilla ice cream. The combination of the warm peach cobbler with the cold ice cream is money!
Try this delicious peach cobbler recipe. This goes really well with this filling meat lasagna.
Posted in Cooking by Mike Sasaki -
Thursday, 10. September 2009
I usually find myself thinking “What Can I Cook With The Ingredients I Have”? Typically, I think of this on a weekday afternoon after a brutal day at work. I know that 2 hours in the kitchen is going to lead to a huge feeling of stress and after I’m done cooking, it’ll be another 30 minutes of dishes and then off to bed. Not a great way to live!
With the invention of the internet and all of the recipe websites that help you find great recipes based on what you already have at home, you can now cut down the time you spend in the kitchen.
Ultimately, this will lessen your stress and improve your overall health. Let’s face it, most times you decide not to spend 2 hours in the kitchen and pick up fast food on the way home. As we all know, fast food is high in fat and sodium and has little nutritional value, so by using these recipe websites you’ll find that you will end up saving more money, improving your health and removing the stress related to cooking for hours and hours.
Now, back to cooking…if you are committed to saving the earth and living ‘green’, you definitely want to use up all of your groceries. Many times, I purchase a lot of groceries and end up using half an onion or 3/4 of a loaf of bread. With these same recipe websites found on the internet, you can find recipes that will help you use up all of your leftovers. This will definitely help eliminate any food waste and less trash to throw away each week.
Be sure to browse the hundreds of recipe websites that are out there. You will be happy with the designs, layouts and content of each site. Good luck with your cooking!
Now, you can answer that tough question what can i make with the ingredients i have and try out tasty hawaiian macaroni salad.
Posted in Cooking by Mike Sasaki -
