Archive for the ‘Tips & Tricks’ Category

Let There Be Light!!

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

If you use charcoal in your grill (I use natural wood charcoal) and you start your coals in a chimney, consider using an alcohol fuel canister to light the coals.  Using newspaper can be inconsistent and may need to be done a few times to light the coals.  The fuel canister has a constant flame to ignite the coals and will start the chimney in a shorter time.  Happy grilling!

Nice Pair!(ing)

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Summer is here and it is definitely time to BBQ.  Most of the time when searing those succulent, viscid vittles, I am enjoying a beer.  However there are times when the perfect wine pairing will ratchet up the meal to an elegant level that transforms the patio into your own personal sidewalk cafe.  Here is a pairing to assist you with such an aesthetic.

Rosemary Grilled Chicken Breast served with a fresh peach relish paired with a Viogner (vee-oh-NYAY).

This medium bodied, acidic white wine from the Northern Rhône, is fruity and fragrant, with notes of peach, apricot, melon and apple.  The peach notes will be emphasized because of the relish, and the crisp, refreshing apple notes will compliment the grilled flavors quite nicely.

7 year’s bad luck?

Friday, June 25th, 2010

If you are like me and love to use cast iron, beware the glass cook top!  That particular cooking surface is designed to concentrate heat around the elements.  If you use a large, double element, cast iron griddle, you run the risk of shattering the glass surface and an extremely costly repair.  Only use cast iron on gas range tops to avoid an unplanned kitchen remodeling project.

Summer Traffic? Keep It Cool.

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

With the teasing of warm weather that has been around us lately, keeping groceries cool is so important while transporting them home during rush hour.  I like to pack a cooler with me to keep foods that need to be refrigerated (particularly meats, fish and poultry) in a cool and safe environment.  It doesn’t take long for dangerous bacteria to form on raw food.  Anything above 40 degrees F and below 140 degrees F is prime breeding grounds for those hazardous, microscopic, creepy-crawlies.  Grocers tend to have ice on hand for purchase, or if to are going to the butcher or fish market, they are more than willing to supply you with a small amount of ice for the trip home.  Don’t let the heat from being stuck in traffic ruin your groceries.

It’s Not Easy Being Green

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Lately, when I am browsing the produce stands, I am finding pale green beans.  If you are experiencing this same phenomenon, here’s a tip to bring out the vibrant, vivacious and vivid green color.

Bring 1 quart of water to a boil and and a pinch of salt and about 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda to the water.  The baking soda will sweeten the water pulling out the natural sugars and pigment in the green beans.  Trim the stem and blanch in the water for about 3-4 minutes.  Shock them in an ice water bath until completely cool and save for the next day in a sealed container, if you aren’t eating them right away.

You will see an enormous change from doing the pale green beans in your steamer basket.

Cut out the fat? NEVER!

Monday, April 19th, 2010

Let me clarify.  When I render bacon for weekend breakfasts, I have been saving the bacon fat in a lidded container and storing it in the fridge.  One can use this fat as an ingredient for homemade dog cookies or seasoning cast iron.

When re-seasoning cast iron, lightly brush the entire cooking surface with an even coating of bacon fat and bake in the oven at 185 degrees F for about 1 hour.  Repeat the process three more times and allow to cool completely.

When making dog cookies, your pooch will love and appreciate the addition of this tasteful, toothsome, tantalizing treat.

Tip

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Always have a bottle of bleach water solution handy in a spray bottle.  When you trim meats and poultry, you can immediately sanitize your counter tops and prep surfaces.  The ratios that make up a SAFE  bleach water solution are 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of water.  Clearly label your sanitizer bottle for safety.

Having a solution like this on hand will help control the spread of dangerous bacteria and prevent food born illnesses.

Not on the fence? Start Waffling!

Monday, April 5th, 2010

Tip:

For lighter, fluffier waffles, add some seltzer water.  The CO2 in the seltzer acts in a similar way to egg whites to provide leavening (lift) to your waffles.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 tablespoon salt
1/2 cup dried buttermilk powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups unflavored seltzer water

Method:

1.  Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 250 degrees.  Set a wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet and place in oven. (This is to keep the waffles warm until ready to eat)  Whisk flour, sugar, salt, buttermilk powder, and baking soda in a large bowl to combine.  Whisk sour cream, eggs, vanilla and oil in a medium bowl to combine.  Gently stir seltzer into wet ingredients.  Make a well in the center of dry ingredients and pour in wet ingredients.  Using a rubber spatula, gently stir until just combined.  Batter should remain slightly lumpy with streaks of flour.

2.  Heat waffle iron and bake waffles according to the manufacturer’s instructions (use about 1/3 cup for 7-inch round iron).  Transfer waffles to rack in warm oven and hold for up to 10 minutes before serving with butter and maple syrup.

-recipe courtesy of Andrea Geary

Keep It Simple

Saturday, April 3rd, 2010

For Easter dinner, I will be traveling to my in-laws and dining with them this year.  We are all responsible for bringing a side dish or dessert.  This is a tradition for most of our family gatherings and I find it serves us well.  No one person is solely responsible for all of the food, and the ease of setting up the meal is an added benefit.  We all can add our own personal touch to our contributions, and the meal is less stressful on the host.

Erin Go Blah? Sod Off!

Monday, March 8th, 2010

St. Patrick’s Day, my favorite holiday, is upon us next week.  I am looking forward to the festivities and the FOOD!.  Believe it or not, Irish fare is not all bland, boiled or bromidic.  There are succulent and tasty flavors and preparations involved in Irish cuisine.  A St. Patrick’s Day menu I might prepare is as follows:

Apple-Parsnip Soup
served with Irish Soda Bread

Crab & Boile Salad
(Boile is a hand crafted goat’s cheese marinated in olive oil and herbs)

Bacon Wrapped Salmon
served with an apple-thyme cream

Bailey’s & Strawberry Fool
(a traditional whipped cream dessert)

All of this accompanied by a few pints of Guinness….the perfect meal.  Slainte!



 
Red Tricycle Biznik Seattle Picks Facebook Twitter