Pro Cooking Tips: Braising Meats For Tenderness And Flavor

August 8, 2013 by  
Filed under Kitchen Cooking Guide

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Remember visiting grandma’s house and walking into a kitchen overflowing with the most luscious smells you’ve ever encountered? There was always a large pot on the stovetop simmering away. And when that pot was opened at dinnertime, you found yourself face to face with a plate of the most tasty meats and vegetables you’ve ever eaten. Nobody could cook like grandma!

Not to diminish your childhood memories, but you can now cook every bit as good as grandma. Chances are, in that stovetop pot, grandma was braising. Braising is a method of cooking meats and vegetables. It is especially effective for tougher, cheaper cuts of meat such as shanks, briskets and rumps. This is a primary technique taught in culinary school. Braising is not only great for home cooked meals, it is also a method for gourmet preparations straight from New York or Hollywood. Cooking school graduates have developed some wonderful variations to the meats, liquids, vegetables and spices included in braising to create some truly elegant meals.

Regardless of what you include in your pot, one thing is certain. Because braising involves cooking in liquid for longer periods of time, your house is sure to be filled with the most delightful aromas, and your meat will be fork-tender… just like grandma’s.

In culinary arts school, professional chefs learn to start the braising process by searing the meat in hot oil. The reason for this is twofold. First, searing seals the meat (trapping the juices inside) so the meat doesn’t become dry when cooked. Second, searing your meat before braising brings out a lot of flavor. The caramelization of the meat on the bottom of the pan gives an extra layer of rich essence to the recipe.

Once the meat has seared and is browned on all sides, remove it from the pan. Create a bed of chopped vegetables (called a mirepoix) on the bottom of the pot. In culinary school, professionals are taught to pair the meat with the flavors of the vegetables. For beef or lamb, you might select carrots, onions and celery for your veggie mix. Allow the vegetables to sweat (cook just until they begin to produce liquid) then add your meat and liquid.

Add the meat back to the pan, add your spices and pour in your liquid. This is where your creativity will come in. In the south, you might find braised dishes such as traditional pot roast with carrots and potatoes. Seasonings could include garlic, salt and pepper. Liquids might be a combination of beef stock and Worcestershire sauce.

In the Los Angeles or Hollywood area, you may be more likely to find lamb shanks braised with rosemary, tomatoes, garlic, onion, chicken stock and red wine. Culinary arts school instructors usually tell would-be chefs to pick up on local flavors whenever possible to bring authenticity to their creations.

Once your favorite seasonings and liquids are in place, reduce the heat to a low setting for stovetop cooking or transfer your pot to the oven and bake at approximately 300 degrees. (Be sure you have an ovenproof pot.) Cook for about 3 hours on the stovetop or 2.5 hours in a 350-degree oven. Plate up your meal and serve with some of the delicious sauce left in the pot! It’s a meal everybody will love.

Preparing Food For A New Years Eve Party

August 8, 2013 by  
Filed under Kitchen Cooking Guide

Preparing food for a New Years Eve party can be a great deal of fun or it can be a great deal of stress. It can even be a combination for the two. Those who are experienced at throwing parties may be able to plan a menu for their New Years Eve party and execute their plan with ease while still enjoying the party. However, those who do not have a great deal of experience hosting parties may have difficulty planning a menu and may feel a great deal of stress on the day of the party. In either case, it is wise to begin planning the food for your New Years Eve party in advance to ensure your guests enjoy the food at the party. This article will offer some tips for preparing food for a New Years Eve party.

Whether you are an accomplished chef or a novice cook, preparing food for a New Years Eve party can be quite a challenge. One of the first decisions you will have to make is what kind of food you will like to prepare for your guests. You may opt for offering a sit down dinner early in the evening and light snacks and desserts afterwards. Likewise you may opt to offer a dinner buffet early in the evening and snacks and desserts throughout the remainder of the evening. Alternately you may choose to skip dinner because the party will likely start late in the evening and simply offer an assortment of sweet and savory appetizers throughout the evening. Once you have selected one of these options you can make other decisions such as what types of foods to offer and how much food to prepare.

Regardless of the types of foods you decide to offer, you will also have to make decisions regarding the preparation of the food. The simplest, but also likely the most expensive, preparation option is to have the party catered. In this case you pay a caterer to prepare and deliver all of the food. They will also likely provide the methods for keeping the foods hot or cold if necessary. This is an excellent option for hosts who do not want to spend a great deal of time preparing food for the party and who do not want to have a great deal of responsibility related to food preparation on the evening of the party.

Another option for preparing food for your New Years Eve party is to prepare all of the food ahead of time. With a little research you will surely find a large number of recipes for items which can be prepared ahead of time. These recipes can include items which can be served chilled, room temperature or hot. For items which should be served hot, you will only have to worry about reheating the food on the night of the party. Preparing the majority of the food ahead of time is a great idea and will really help to enable the host to enjoy the festivities on the evening of the party.

Still another less popular option is to prepare all of the food during the party. This helps to ensure the food is all fresh and is served at the appropriate temperature but it is also a great deal of work for the host. The host will not likely have a great deal of time to socialize with the guests because she will likely spend a great deal of time busy with food preparation.

When planning a New Years Eve party, you can also consider hosting a potluck event. This greatly simplifies the food preparation process for the host. If you opt for a potluck, it is important for the host of the party to coordinate with the guests to determine who will bring what to the party. This is important because you do not want everyone to bring a dessert. Likewise you don’t want everyone to bring an entrée either. Ideally a couple of people will prepare entrees and the remainder of guests will bring side dishes, salads and desserts to the party.

Popular Italian Food

August 8, 2013 by  
Filed under Kitchen Cooking Guide

When people think of popular Italian food they most likely think of spaghetti, lasagna, or tortellini. However, the popular Italian food in Italy is actually a little different and much more diverse.

A very popular Italian dish is the minestrone soup. This soup makes excellent use of one of the most popular ingredients in Italian food, beans. Beans are widely used in Italian food and are the feature ingredient in many soups, not just the minestrone. Along with beans are nuts as another popular ingredient. The main nut preferred for Italian food is the pine nut. This nut is used to not only accent pasta dishes, but also as a main ingredient in popular desserts. But, the most common and popular use of the nuts is in pesto sauce. Nothing says Italian food like a good pesto sauce.

Another popular Italian food ingredient is rice. By far the most popular use for this ingredient is in the signature Italian food dish of risotto. Here rice is mixed with broth, vegetables and spices to make a very unique and flavorful dish. Risotto is widely known as the most popular appetizer in Italian food and different regions take great pride in their individual risottos. Rice is also used in many different soups and stews throughout Italy.

The most ubiquitous of all popular Italian food ingredients is olive oil. The best olive oil is known as extra virgin olive oil and many Italian food chefs rely strictly on extra virgin olive oil. The difference between extra virgin olive oil and virgin olive oil is the acidity. In order to be classified as extra virgin the olive oil must not contain more than one percent acidity. Virgin olive oil on the other hand cannot have more than two percent acidity. Extra virgin olive oil is by far the most popular in Italian food where it is used not only to cook food in, but also as a dressing for salad and a dipping option for bread.

When discussing popular Italian food it is essential to talk about the most popular breads and pastries. Breads serve an important role in Italian food. They can be used as appetizers, sides to a meal, and desserts. The most popular breads are flavored with herbs, cheeses, and sun-dried tomatoes. An excellent dessert bread in Italian food is the biscotti which means “twice baked”. This popular dessert is more like a biscuit or cookie and is often flavored with almonds and spices. Fruit can be added to the biscotti and a popular choice is cherries. Biscotti are very versatile in Italian food, being served for breakfast with coffee or as an after dinner treat.

There is much more to Italian food than just pasta and sauce. Italian food is a cuisine of diversity. When traveling in Italy it is often amusing to see the stark difference between what Italian food is popular in America and what Italian food is popular in Italy. If you want to try some different Italian food you certainly can’t go wrong with these time tested favorites.

Easy Party Food Planning

August 8, 2013 by  
Filed under Kitchen Cooking Guide

Parties are fun events we all look forward to attending. If you’re hosting the party, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with all the preparations to be made. Invitations, table settings, decorations and rounding up extra glassware all take time. Then there’s the party food planning, shopping and cooking. Unless you’re hosting a pot luck, a party is a lot of work! However, with a little organization, you can make short work of your menu and party food planning. Here are some fail-safe tips to make your party a success.

If your guest list is large, a buffet style party is the way to go. All the dishes are laid out and your guests help themselves. If you’re just having a few friends in, it’s not much work to set the dining table for a sit-down dinner and it is a bit more elegant.

Easy party food planning begins with careful menu selections. One main entree and perhaps two hot side dishes should be the most you need to deal with on the day of the party. Remember, some dishes taste better when cooked the day before, allowing the flavors to marry.

As a main entree, consider casserole style dishes like lasagna or manicotti for casual gatherings. Fancier dishes, like Beef Bourguignon, definitely improve in taste when prepared a day or two before you plan to serve. The classic German Sauerbraten owes its fantastic taste to four days of marinating. You then pop the roast in the oven the day of your party with little effort. You just make the gravy when the meat’s done. So think do-ahead when planning party food for your menu.

For your hot side dishes, a rice pilaf would go well with the Bourguignon and can be done on the morning of your party and warmed just before serving. For the Sauerbraten, roast potato wedges in the same pan. Gingered carrots in orange sauce is an easy dish, as are creamed baby onions with nutmeg. These elegant vegetable dishes are also good do-aheads as the flavor improves when allowed to sit overnight in the frig.

A big green salad is always welcome. Wash the greens in the morning. Keeping leaves separated from one another, layer them on paper towels in a large rectangular plastic container. In another bowl, put your tomato wedges, onions and fresh or dried salad seasonings. Keep other salad veggies, like mushrooms, olives and cucumbers in separate containers. When you’re ready to assemble the salad, your greens will be nice and crisp. The salad goes together in five minutes.

Make your menu work for you! You can see that careful party food planning is the key to assuring a sumptuous meal for your guests without frantic last-minute preparations.

More Than Just Tips On Cooking Healthy Food

August 8, 2013 by  
Filed under Kitchen Cooking Guide

Cooking healthier food doesn’t mean that you should intake only odorless and tasteless food. Today with the availability of numerous cook books and recipes on healthy living, anybody can prepare a tastier and healthier food in the comfort of their home. The choice of right kind of food ingredients is very crucial while preparing a healthy food. You can give a slight modification to your favorite recipe by including certain nutritious and healthier ingredients and alter here and there without compromising on taste and health. Just ensure that you reduce the calorific value and remove the fat content.

Cooking is not required from the basics. You can go to some restaurants and get a ready made recipe of your choice and add some healthy pinches here and there and transform them into a partial home made recipe which is healthier than before. Healthy cooking does not mean that the ingredients should always contain raw vegetables. It is essential that the food items consists of vitamins, anti oxidants and minerals required for a balanced diet no matter how they are cooked. So just chopping and topping doesn’t mean healthy food but nutrition rich food is only healthy food. So lower your fat content and cut down on fat content. This would definitely prevent you from major ailments erupting in future. Use non stick cook ware to reduce the oil content. Include lots of fruits and vegetables to ensure that you have enough fiber content included in your diet for proper bowel movements and clean digestive system.

Boiling, frying or soaking your vegetables in water for too long will definitely eliminate the important vitamins and minerals. Vegetables contains vitamins which are soluble in water. Some vegetables such as carrots, radish, lady’s finger etc can be consumed raw. They aid to maintain proper health and teeth. It is essential to put yourself in practice. Experiment with the help of various books available in the market. See to it that you don’t compromise on your health looking after your taste buds. Healthy foods can be made tasty. It is the way you master your culinary method. Cook steamed rice or boiled noodles rather than fried rice.

There is no need of any study required to prepare a healthy diet but it requires some common sense, patience and experiments to preserve what is required for being healthy and take out the unnecessary unhealthy ingredients.

Microwave Cooking Is The Wave Of The Future

August 8, 2013 by  
Filed under Kitchen Cooking Guide

When it comes to cooking there are few tools that are more versatile in the kitchen than the microwave. This device offers so many functions when it comes to cooking that most people never bother to utilize. It’s sad really. In most homes, the microwave has been relegated to doing duty as a meat defroster, popcorn popper, and coffee warmer rather than using is as the fabulous device for actual food preparation that it really is capable of being.

Before you set up to change your ways, you need to understand that when it comes to microwave cooking, not all microwaves were created equal. Wattage is vitally important as is the quality of your microwave. The average el cheapo microwave that you can find in discount stores will simply not stand up to the rigors of regular full meal preparation though they are perfectly acceptable for many wonderful dishes that can be prepared as side dishes. The correct microwave however, can actually brown and bake a full sized Thanksgiving turkey.

Microwave cooking is definitely not something that is meant for those who are afraid of trying something new or those that are afraid of making mistakes along the way. This is a process that is one part science and one part figuring it out. Research helps a great deal but even many of the recipes you will find for microwave cooking are written for microwaves of varying wattage so you will need to ferret out what times and temperatures would be appropriate for your microwave. This is to a large degree going to be a process of trial and error unless you are using the recipe book that came with your microwave.

Do not despair however, most that have tried microwave cooking find it to be a much better process for their meal preparation needs. While microwave cooking is great for big families it is an outstanding way to save money when cooking for and feeding one. It is also rather simple. In other words, even college students can benefit by learning microwave cooking for one or more as it will help them limit their expenses while still eating healthy fresh made meals.

Another great thing about microwave cooking that is often overlooked is that there are far less messes to be made than when cooking part of a meal stove top, part of a meal in the oven, and part of the meal elsewhere. By and large, microwave cooking keeps any spills and splatter isolated to your microwave. Most of these can be cleaned and controlled rather easily by using a removable plate in your microwave (that can be washed in the dishwasher) and covering your food whenever possible to avoid splatters.

Microwave cooking is gaining popularity despite the fact that is hasn’t caught on as well as the inventors would have liked. The proof of this is in the many products that have been created to make microwave cooking a little bit easier. From omelet makers to special trays for cooking bacon in the microwave industrious people are working to make the easy way of cooking that much easier.

If you have a microwave in your home that is used mostly for melting butter and warming pizza, then you have a microwave in your home that is being terribly under utilized. It is time you hit the search engines for recipes that will be appropriate for your microwave and get busy trying something new and different that will have your family awed and amazed. Imagine having them toss accolades for your tireless devotion and standing over a hot stove for hours when in actuality you only checked on the microwave when the proper time approached.

Microwave cooking very well may be the wave of the future. Get a head start and begin building your collection of wonderful microwave recipes right away for the best selection. The day will arrive when you can make microwave cooking the rule rather than the exception.

Make Sure Your Ice Is Safe And Clean

August 8, 2013 by  
Filed under Kitchen Cooking Guide

You may think that all ice is the same, but if you have contaminated ice, you and your family could be risking your health.

As the weather begins to heat up, so does ice consumption to keep beverages and food cold and fresh. Whether it’s a backyard BBQ, a picnic at the park or a daily glass of iced tea, people need safe, clean ice.

Recent news reports have shown that some ice in fast-food restaurants is dirtier than toilet water. Whether processed and packaged from a moldy ice machine, mishandled through the use of dirty buckets or even hand-scooped by dirty hands, it is difficult to know exactly what you’re buying and consuming.

Here are a few tips for purchasing clean, safe ice:

• Ice should be clear in color as well as odorless and tasteless.

• The bag should be properly closed and secure.

• The bag should have the manufacturer’s name, address and phone number.

• The bag should be free of any foreign objects.

• The bag should have a product code.

According to a recent study conducted by Michigan State University, there is a heightened concern with safety of foods among consumers. In fact, 63 percent of the consumers interviewed are very or fairly concerned about the safety of the foods they eat and almost half of the respondents said they do not buy foods that are likely to be unsafe.

This summer, the International Packaged Ice Association (IPIA) wants you to know that all ice is not created equal and that ice shoppers need to be selective. When buying packaged ice, look for a product that has been packaged by a certified IPIA member and carries the IPIA seal.

The seal means that the packaged ice consumers are buying meets the association’s strict quality and safety policy. The stringent Packaged Ice Quality Control Standards (PIQCS) are mandated for all IPIA members to ensure safe and quality ice. The standards regulate employees’ personal hygiene, sanitary operations of the facilities, equipment and utensils used in making ice, quality of the water source and continuous microbiological testing of the finished product.

Love Food? Read All About It With A Cooking Magazine Subscription

August 8, 2013 by  
Filed under Kitchen Cooking Guide

If you love food and beverages, whether you enjoy making them, eating them, or both, there is bound to be a magazine for you. From general interest cooking magazines to magazines focusing on everything from beer to chocolate, foodies have a home.

If you want recipes and lots of them, covering the spectrum from classic American home cooking to dishes from all over the world, Cookbook Digest is a great magazine for you. Do you have bookshelves overflowing with cookbooks that you use only a few recipes out of, if any at all? Cookbook Digest pulls the best recipes from the newest cookbooks and passes them along to you, so you can keep more room in your house, and more money in your wallet. Another good basic is Home Cooking, which has recipes and techniques, as well as contests so you can show off your own creations. Traditional comfort foods and old fashioned homestyle cooking are the focus in Taste of Home.

Looking for something a little more gourmet? How about Bon Appetit or Gourmet? These magazines cover good food, fine wine, information on restaurants, food travel, and entertaining tips. Saveur travels the world to bring you information on the greatest cuisines from around the globe. Food and Wine covers, well, food and wine, along with travel, healthy eating, and entertaining.

If you follow a particular kind of diet for health, weight loss, or religious reasons, there are magazines to make your life easier, too. If you or someone in your family is diabetic, Diabetic Cooking can help you cook meals your whole family will enjoy that will also fit with a diabetic meal plan. Kashrus magazine has information on keeping a kosher kitchen, including recipes and information on products. Many people are following a low carb diet to lose weight, and SheKnows LowCarb provides recipes, weight loss tips and more on the low carb lifestyle. For vegetarians, Vegetarian Times magazine offers menus, information on diet and exercise, and research updates on vegetarian issues.

Finally, there are magazines that focus on a particular food. Chile Pepper offers spicy recipes, along with travel and restaurant recommendations, while Chocolatier is all about desserts. If you’re a beer connoisseur, All About Beer is for you. Learn about brewing methods, the history of beer, and the culture of beer lovers around the world.

Learn to Cook for the Week Ahead and Save Both Time and Money

August 8, 2013 by  
Filed under Kitchen Cooking Guide

Okay, so you’ve worked hard to get your home organized and you’ve developed some strong skills to use at the office as well. You might be thinking you have it all covered at home since your pantry is organized immaculately and everything in your kitchen has its place. It doesn’t change the fact that you’re still busy working all day and driving kids to practice, running errands or taking care of your household in the evenings. Another thing you can learn to do to simplify your life is to plan your meals and cook in advance.

Meal planning and bulk cooking are both wonderful techniques you can utilize and modify to fit your families needs. The idea behind this is simple. The principle is that you cook and or prepare your meals ahead of time and then preserve them by either freezing refrigerating them. It can also help stretch your food budget dollar further, since you can cook one large meal and get two or three other meals from it with the proper planning.

Start by writing down a list of your favorite meals and plan on preparing a grocery list that will coincide with your menu. Since you’re learning to cook in bulk, your shopping list will have to change accordingly so you’re sure to have enough ingredients on hand when the time comes to do the cooking.

The most important tool in meal planning and bulk cooking is your freezer. Freezer bags are a great space saver if you have a small freezer. You can fit many in the same space of a few storage containers. Be sure to incorporate lots of quick and easy meals that your family can warm up and serve themselves in the event you’re not able to be at home for dinner or you just need to grab something that’s quick.

You’ll also learn to love your slow cooker. Experiment with different recipes and variations on your favorites. They also make easy work of cooking whole chickens or roasts which can be frozen or refrigerated for later use very easily.

You’re only limited by your own imagination when cooking in bulk for the week ahead. Factor in the time you save by not having to do a lot of after dinner cleanup or dishes, and you’ll be glad you took the time to master this important organizational skill.

Kitchen Mysteries: The Fondue Pot

August 8, 2013 by  
Filed under Kitchen Cooking Guide

One of the biggest unsolved mysteries of the kitchen is the fondue pot. Fondue pots are a popular bridal registry item and they are often given as house warming gifts. But by the time the thank you cards have been sent, the fondue pot has usually disappeared never to be heard from again. They wind up in the back of a closet or in the attic or some are even re-gifted. Why does everyone want a fondue pot but no one ever gets around to making fondue?

Fondue is easy to make. Sure there are some recipes that require sautéing vegetables or marinating meat overnight and some use exotic ingredients that you won’t find at the supermarket. Those types of recipes taste great but they are the reason that your fondue pot is gathering dust instead of being used.

The key to getting use out of your fondue pot is to pick very simple recipes that are easy to make such as the recipes listed below. One is a basic cheese fondue that substitutes regular Swiss Cheese for the more expensive and harder to find Gruyere cheese. The 2nd recipe is Mocha Fondue, a must try recipe for coffee and chocolate lovers. Once again this is a recipe with basic ingredients and easy instructions.

Swiss Fondue
2 cups dry White Wine
1 Garlic Clove
1 lb Swiss Cheese
3 tbsp Flour
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
1/4 tsp White Pepper
Salt to taste
Nutmeg to taste

Rub the inside of the fondue pot with the garlic clove and add clove to pot
Heat up the White Wine & Lemon Juice on medium low heat – should be hot but do not boil
Mix Flour and Cheese in a bowl
Slowly add cheese mixture while stirring
Add remainder of ingredients while stirring
Optional: Add a splash of Kirsch or Blackberry Brandy
To Dip: Italian bread cut into cubes, vegetables, flat breads

Mocha Fondue
8 oz Semisweet Chocolate
1/2 cup Hot Espresso or Coffee
3 tbsp Granulated Sugar
2 tbsp Butter
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Chop chocolate into small pieces and set aside
Heat espresso and sugar in fondue pot on low heat
Slowly add chocolate and butter while stirring
Add Vanilla
Optional: Add a splash of Irish Cream
To Dip: Angel Food Cake, Apple Slices, Bananas, Strawberries, Pound Cake, Pretzels, Pineapple Chunks, Marshmallows

Fondue can be easy to make and it’s definitely fun. The key is to use simple recipes so that you can spend your time enjoying fondue and not worrying about getting a complicated recipe right. Isn’t it time that your fondue pot became a permanent fixture on your countertop. You can free up some room for it by moving the crock pot into the closet.

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