Top 10 Skills to Master Your Grill @jonny6pak: AFAIC, marinades are NEVER the way to go. I've never had a piece of meat that was somehow made better by soaking it in something. A brine will help tenderize and will flavorize to the extent that you like salt (and yes is much better than any marinade I've had), but honestly, I think a good homemade rub is all you need 99.9% of the time. I rub chicken, pork, and beef with consistently good results. I also coat the outside of beef and pork with olive oil to help with searing. The only meat that gets anything wet at all is ground beef, which gets egg white and Worcestershire (along with oatmeal, cheese (grated or sometimes stuffed with blue cheese), (usually) onion flakes, salt and spices—and a coating of olive oil).
encyclopedia of spices Spice Advice – how to make the most of spices, which spices to use with particular foods, when to add them, grinding, storage and more. Herbs and Spices Fight Disease — Most of us look at spices as a way to perk up the plate but are you aware of their potential to fight disease? Look here for some recent findings. All about Vanilla – and then some… history, curing, varieties, vanilla extract, essence, powder – even vanilla salt. Cooking with Thyme – Getting the most of thyme in your cooking – including varieties of thyme, preparation, infusions, fresh vs. dried and many suggested uses for cooking with thyme.
Cinnamon Bun Pancake Recipe When two people tell you that these are the best pancakes they have ever eaten, then you know that they are good. These pancakes are exactly what you want when you are craving a cinnamon bun but do not have the time to make them. These are sweet, cinnamony and fluffy. This recipe is indeed a treat, but it is also a great recipe to try experimenting with whole wheat flours. *adapted from this recipe from Tasty Kitchen* 1 1/2 cups flour 3 Tablespoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 teaspoons baking powder 1 Tablespoon cinnamon 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup milk 2 Tablespoons maple syrup 1/4 cup melted butter 1 Tablespoon vanilla Put all of the dry ingredients in a bowl. Whisk the dry ingredients together. Add the wet ingredients and whisk together until well combined. Preheat a griddle or large saute pan over medium heat. They are delicious just like this but even better with this. To make the frosting: 1 cup confectioners sugar 2 Tablespoons melted butter 2 tablespoons milk
Marinades made easy Marinade: It’s one of those culinary terms that evokes an aura of kitchen mystique, as if throwing together a bunch of liquids, flavorings, herbs and spices will magically transform meat, fish or even vegetables into tender dishes bursting with flavor. It sounds almost like a kitchen spell -- albeit without the dramatic incantations, or the smoke (better save that for the grill). Unfortunately, in the real world, marinades have their limitations. Contrary to popular belief, a marinade will not tenderize a cut of meat. But that’s all right, it can still impart great flavor. Essentially, a marinade functions as a “dressing” for meat. And like a salad dressing, a marinade should be thought of as a seasoning. Rather shallow Furthermore, marinades will penetrate only the outer one-eighth to one-fourth inch of the surface of the meat. In fact, if you’re making marinade for the first time, consider using salad dressing as an inspiration. Time it right Fish will marinate quickly. Now mix it up
50 Amazingly Helpful Time-Tested Tips for the Kitchen You know all of those helpful kitchen-related suggestions that old-timers are so willing to share with the younger generations? These little tips and tricks might be called “kitchen hacks” these days, but they’re still the same good old nuggets of wisdom that they always were. As with any old wives’ tale, hack, or tip, your mileage may vary. Some of these gems have been around for several lifetimes - and according to most grandmas, they really work. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50.
Joy the Baker I feel like I’m grasping tight to the things around me these days. I’m probably the first to shrug off the change of season, the change of moving cities, and the change of traveling a ton as no big deal…. but it all adds up to matter and I have to admit I feel a little crazy in the brain. This season I’ve started a new workout routine. I’ve also taken out my Tender cookbook (a Spring go-to) and am daydreaming my way through Donald Link’s Down South cookbook in an effort to acclimate myself to my new city and surroundings. Here are a few more Spring flings I’m into these days. 1•• I am very pale. 2•• I absolutely LOVE this Ellovi Body Butter. 3•• I’m thinking of sporting short fingernails with Blue Orchid Nail Polish as the weather gets warmer. 4•• Pale nude lipstick like this Pearl Lipstick blends with any outfit and is less noticeable when I forget I have lipstick on and smear the whole deal all over my face. 5•• When I was a teenager my mom told me that I had a ‘hat face’. I love you!
Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies? Yes! Have I got a treat for you today right before Valentines day! I was getting ready to cut my traditional sugar cookies in the shape of hearts for this post and a little light bulb went off! I don’t know if I was craving cinnamon rolls or what, but I thought to myself….I am soooo making these sugar cookies into cinnamon rolls! Brace yourself friends, you will NOT be able to stop eating these, they are that good. My husband and I both agree the only way to enjoy these beauties is after they’ve chilled in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. I’ll stop talking so you can go make these quickly, make them for your Valentine and he or she will LOVE you forever!! Roll your chilled dough into about a 12 inch x 5 inch oval. Just pretend that I’m not spreading all that butter over cookie dough, we’ll all feel better Brown sugar is next up Then the Cinnamon! Time to roll into a cute little log, then use a sharp knife to cut into slices Place onto your baking sheet Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting 1. 2. 3. 4.
Kitchen Helpers I found these helpful charts last week and just had to share! Both of these beauties are from Chasing Delicious (aka one of the most fab foodie blogs out there)! Aren’t they faaaaabulous?! Buy them here. (Note: There are lots of little charts like this online, but these are my favorites). I love tea, but I’m no expert. For people of the UK, have this one with you while you’re meal planning or grocery shopping! I’ve fond some other helpful charts that I’ll share in another post! Yay charts!
My Favorite Cake. Period. I use the word “favorite” too often. But this time I think I mean it. This cake is the cake I make for myself. I don’t share it. Of course even as I type this I am thinking of other favorite cakes, which I will eventually get around to sharing— but this is the most important. GREEN CITY MARKET REMINDER: If you’re in Chicago, don’t forget that the Green City Market is still up and running all winter long! Caramel Cake (Gourmet, January 2008) Cake: 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons sifted cake flour (not self-rising; sift before measuring)1 teaspoon baking powder3/4 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon salt1 stick (4 oz) unsalted butter, softened1 cup granulated sugar1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract2 large eggs, at room temperature 30 minutes1 cup well-shaken buttermilk Caramel Glaze: 1 cup heavy cream1/2 cup packed light brown sugar1 tablespoon light corn syrup1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Make cake: Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
My Baking Addiction Peanut Butter Mousse in Tuile Cookie Spoons Recently a friend asked me to bake for an upcoming party she's having, so I've been researching all kinds of bite-sized dessert canapés. One recipe that caught my attention is from BHG; a rich mousse that is served in the bowl of a teaspoon. The mousse sounds inviting, but I'm not sure I want to commit a good portion of flatware to the project (32 spoons!). The idea of a disposable plastic spoon came to mind, but for a single bite - well, that would be environmentally unsound and just too wasteful. Then, it came to me suddenly. Edible spoons! Do they exist? I've wanted to try stencil paste (or tuile batter) for some time, and now I had the perfect opportunity! The tuile batter recipe comes from my new favorite cookbook, Le Cordon Bleu Complete Cooking Techniques. I'm happy to say that the stencil paste is very uncomplicated. These bake for only a short time. ...and onto the curve of a rolling pin. The hardened spoons will have a crisp texture. My one complaint? With love, P.S.