- Common Cooking Terms - Here are definitions for some common cooking terms when you are following a recipe: 1. Baste: To moisten food, typically meat, with liquid (such as pan drippings, sauce, or melted butter) during cooking to add flavor and prevent drying. 2. Blanch: To briefly submerge food (usually vegetables or fruits) in boiling water, then quickly transfer […]
- Why learn how to cook? - Learning how to cook is important for so many reasons! In a time when we are all tightening our belts, cooking your own meals can be more cost-effective than dining out or purchasing pre-made meals. Buying ingredients in bulk, planning meals, and minimizing food waste can save money in the long run. Cooking at home […]
- Around the Kitchen – Air Fryer/Toaster Oven - Unless you have lived under a rock you probably know someone who owns an air fryer. Air fryers have gained a lot of popularity in the last decade. That can be attributed to several factors: Our air fryer has become a staple in our kitchen as well as many kitchens around the world. I use […]
- Cooking Technique Deep Dive – Chiffonade - I was in my early 20s when I learned this and I felt like I had earned my advanced culinary degree. My ex mother-in-law (and all around great person), Kathy, is an exceptional cook and nutrition and diet expert. She gardens, she travels, she experiments with cuisines, she loves to eat well and serve others […]
- Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Potatoes - These vegetables are probably the most vilified item in your kitchen. Do they deserve it? Last year Drew and I started to make major changes to our lifestyle by joining a diet plan in order to lose weight and have more energy. The plan included buying their prepackaged foods and then changing to home prepared […]
- Planning Your Meals - Not too long ago my daughter Aly (25) who lives 1000+ miles away was telling me about how high her grocery bills are and how much food she throws out a week. She needs to plan more. Planning meals ahead of time can save you time, money, and stress while promoting healthier eating habits. Here’s […]
- How do I save money on groceries?? - Idea Here’s How Plan Your Meals Plan your meals for the week and create a shopping list based on the ingredients you need. Buy in Bulk Purchase non-perishable items in bulk to take advantage of lower unit prices. Use Coupons Look for coupons in newspapers, online, or through grocery store apps to save on various […]
- Seasoning Combinations - When using seasoning combinations, it’s essential to adjust the quantities based on personal taste preferences and the specific dish being prepared. Start with smaller amounts and taste as you go, adding more seasoning as needed. Here are some versatile and popular seasoning combinations that work well for different types of cuisine: 1. Italian Seasoning: 2. […]
- Organic or not? - Of course, in a perfect world, everything we ate would be grown by us with no artificial interference. But we are not perfect and never will be. We used to have ducks and chickens but I got sick of fighting off the wildlife and being heart broken every time we lost one. We used to […]
- Basic Sauce Ideas - Knowing how to make basic sauces can greatly enhance your cooking repertoire and add flavor to a wide range of dishes. For each of the following sauces practice makes perfect. You can get away with not knowing how to make these for a long time. But it’s a great idea to give it a shot! […]