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Archive for the ‘How To’ Category
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!
Posted in How To, Tips & Tricks | No Comments »
Saturday, August 7th, 2010
Here is a past episode of The Immaculate Chef that I was in courtesy of Dubious TV. Click here to view the episode!!
Posted in Cooking Demo, General, How To | No Comments »
Thursday, July 15th, 2010
This week’s wine of the week comes from The Northern Rhone Valley.
Ferraton Pere & Fils 2005 Hermitage (Syrah)
Visual: inky purple with a paler rim, deep core, clear
Nose: jammy fruit, blackberries, white pepper
Palate: medium alcohol, medium-plus acid, blackberries, tobacco, bitter chocolate, cinnamon
Pairing: Venison, Spare Ribs, Lamb, Swordfish, Edam or Gouda
Posted in Culinary Vocabulary, General, How To, Wine of The Week | No Comments »
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Monday, March 1st, 2010
Yesterday I hung up a new spice rack I have built and I am wondering…how are people storing their spices and dried herbs? For the best longevity, you should store them in a cool, dark place. Storing them above the range top is NOT a good idea as heat speeds up oxidation and will eventually render your stores rancid. Glass is the best storage container, and if you must store in bulk, be sure to vacuum seal the jars if possible.
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