Year: 2021

Marcella Hazan’s Famous Tomato Sauce Recipe

Posted on March 2, 2021March 2, 2021Posted in RecipesNo Comments

Look no further than this famous tomato sauce recipe. The Marcella Hazan Classic tomato sauce is adored by bloggers and food writers alike. The best part? It only needs four ingredients! It brings a bright and velvety tomato sauce with a richness from the butter. You don’t even need to mince the onion, it’s all hands-off. Enjoy this minimalist and simple yet satisfying recipe. Read about it below. Yield: Serves 2 to 4 Ingredients: 1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, no salt or herbs added 5 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 small white onion, peeled and cut in half Kosher salt To serve: Cooked pasta Shaved Parmesan cheese Instructions: Place the tomatoes, butter, onion halves, and a pinch of salt in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook, stirring and crushing the tomatoes lightly with the back of a spoon occasionally, until droplets of fat appear on the surface of the tomatoes, about 45 minutes. Remove and discard the onion. Serve over hot pasta with Parmesan and black pepper, if desired. Source: Get Pocket

Why You Should Avoid Mixing Bleach with Other Cleaners

Posted on March 2, 2021March 1, 2021Posted in HealthNo Comments

Bleach has long been controversial for household use due to the impact on both our health and the environment. But sometimes bleach is one of the few products that can get those white white or properly kill germs. If you ever need to use bleach it’s important to know a few key things about it. Bleach is considered a disinfectant and not a cleaner. This means its potency is greatly reduced when it comes in contact with dirt. You should always clean first and disinfect after if needed. Bleach should be handled with gloves and eye protection, and always stored away from children. One of the real dangers of bleach is when it’s mixed with other chemicals. Here are the few to absolutely steer clear from. Ammonia. Bleach and ammonia is a well known no-no. The problem is that many cleaners can contain ammonia, which can be dangerous if you unknowingly mix bleach with it. When combined these two produce chloramine gas which can burn your eyes and respiratory tract and cause internal organ damage. If the concentration is high enough it can not only be toxic, but also explosive. Vinegar. Vinegar seems very mild since it’s often used in so many other ways, but not with bleach. The combination produces chlorine gas, which causes coughing and irritation to mucous membranes. It also causes chemical burns and can be deadly if exposure is prolonged. Any acid mixed with bleach does the same, including lemon juice and some toilet bowl cleaners (which is why you shouldn’t pour bleach in the toilet!). Rubbing Alcohol. Alcohol combined with bleach produces chloroform, which can make you lose consciousness. Breathing chloroform for too long is deadly. Other dangerous substances can be produced when mixed with alcohol such as hydrochloric acid and chloroacetone. The takeaway here? Never mix bleach with anything besides water. Source: the Kitchn

Kitchen Items You Can Put in Your Dishwasher

Posted on March 1, 2021March 1, 2021Posted in KitchenNo Comments

We may think dishwashers are only useful for plates and utensils, however there are plenty of larger items it can clean as well. It leaves them cleaner than you might achieve normally. Here’s a list of the items that are generally okay to run through the dishwasher. As with any product, always follow your user manual first to see if there are any specific cleaning requirements. Stove Grates and Caps. As long as your grates and caps are coated in enamel they’re fine to put in a dishwasher. Check to see if they look or feel like raw uncoated metal. If so, skip the dishwasher and wash these manually. Microwave Tables. Depending on their size, these tables are often a pain to clean in a sink. If you’re worried these aren’t as clean as they should be, toss them in the dishwasher. Refrigerator Shelves and Drawers. Some of these may be too big to fit in a dishwasher, but you may be able to stack a few in the same place you normally stack plates. Others you might be able to lay across the top. Sink Drain Cover. This one may be relatively easy to clean by hand compared to the previous ones, but they’re generally covered in stuff you may not want to touch. Give it a wash in your dishwasher for a quick and effortless clean. Select Cosmo Range Hoods come with ARC-FLOW permanent stainless steel filters. These are designed to be washed as many times as you need in your dishwasher. They’re also conveniently sized to fit! Find our entire catalog of Wall Mount, Under Cabinet, or Island Range Hoods here. Source: Food Network

How to Clean Stainless Steel Pots and Pans

Posted on March 1, 2021February 26, 2021Posted in KitchenNo Comments

These pans can often carry a hefty price tag, so it’s important to keep them in pristine condition. Luckily, it’s easy to shine up these pots and pans if you have all the necessary ingredients. Read how below. What You’ll Need: Stainless steel cleaning powder or baking soda Water A non-abrasive scrubbing pad (a Dobie pad or non-abrasive sponge is ideal to minimize scratches) A detail brush, like a toothbrush, to clean crevices A toothpick Rubber gloves (optional, but recommended, to protect your hands) Instructions: Add a small amount of tap water into the pot, followed by generous shakes of powdered cleaner. With the sponge, mix the water and powder to form a paste-like texture. With the sponge, spread the mixture around the pot. Make sure to cover the sides or walls. If you need more, add more powder and water. Scrub away at the stains. Make more paste as needed to clean out any pesky pots or crevices. Repeat the process for the outside of the pain. Rinse and dry the pan with a lint-free towel. Source: the Kitchn

Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Posted on February 26, 2021February 26, 2021Posted in RecipesNo Comments

Try this delicious peanut butter cookies recipe. Use your favorite peanut butter and for the best shape, let the dough chill for at least three hours before baking. These are perfect with the cross-hatch pattern on top for the final touch. Prep time: 30 minsCook time: 10 minsDough chilling: 3 hrsTotal time: 3 hrs 40 minsServings: 24 servings Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter (1 stick, 4 ounces, 112 g), unsalted or salted, room temperature 1/2 cup (100 g) white granulated sugar 1/2 cup (110 g) packed brown sugar 1/2 cup (130 g) peanut butter 1 large egg 1 1/4 cups (160 g) all purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt (if using salted butter, omit the salt) Directions: Make the cookie dough. Beat the butter until creamy, 2 minutes. Add the brown sugar and white sugar, beat for 2 more minutes. Mix in the peanut butter and the egg.In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk together the dry ingredients—the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir the dry ingredients into the sugar butter mixture. Chill the dough. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate at least 3 hours. Preheat oven to 375°F. Shape the cookies. Shape the dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. Place the balls of dough about 3 inches apart on un-greased cookie sheet. Flatten in crisscross pattern with a fork. (It helps to dip the fork in sugar to keep it from sticking to the dough.) Bake at 375°F until light brown, about 9 to 10 minutes. (Remove the cookies from the oven and let cool in their baking sheets for a minute. After a minute, transfer the cookies to a rack to cool completely.Note: For chewier cookies, bake at 300°F for 15 minutes. Source: Simply Recipes

Fragrant Plants That Will Make Your Home Smell Incredible

Posted on February 26, 2021February 25, 2021Posted in HomeNo Comments

Plants are the key to giving your home fresh scents and aromas. There are plenty of flowering plants and herbs that thrive indoors and can give your home a divine smell year-round. Here are a few plants you should add to your collection. Chocolate Mint Mint is easy to grow outside but the herb can also thrive indoors with the right conditions. Put your mint plant in a pot on a sunny windowsill and water when the soil is dry to the touch. This fragrant plant is great for salads, but you can also put them on a dish near your shower ledge to create a soothing aromatherapy steam. Credit: Skyprayer2005 Credit: Liuntova Katsiaryna Gardenia Since gardenias come from the tropics, they need six to eight hours of bright, indirect sunlight. But these plants are one of the best sources of fresh scents. Keep your gardenias in rooms with a bit of humidity and a temperature range of 55 to 75 degrees F. You’ll want to use a soil that drains quickly to prevent any root rotting. Paperwhite Narcissus Another plant with a powerful scent is this delicate flower. These plants prefer cooler temperatures around 60 degrees F and indirect sunlight. If you want the scent to stick around, pot the bulbs at two-week intervals for a continuous bloom. If the conditions are right you’ll get sweet-smelling blooms each spring. Credit: Roy_TeamV Source: Apartment Therapy

Surprising Sources of Carbs in Foods

Posted on February 25, 2021February 25, 2021Posted in HealthNo Comments

When you think of carbohydrates you may think of bread, pasta or pastries like cookies and donuts. However, carbs can be found in a wide range of foods we eat–from sugary treats to leafy greens. Carbohydrates are a major source of energy in diets, and although they may be vilified in current trends, they are essential for supporting athletic performance and muscle recovery. Whether you’re looking to cut down on your carb intake or manage your consumption, here are a few foods you may not be aware are high sources of carbs. Yogurt. Dairy contains natural sugar in the form of lactose. Yogurts, even unflavored, can have a high carbohydrate percentage. Greek yogurts tend to have less, but one half cup contains four grams of total and net carbs. The number of carbs goes higher if the yogurt is regular, nonfat or flavored. Protein Shakes or Bars. As previously mentioned, carbs are a great source of energy and are often preferred by athletes. It’s something to be aware of if you’re looking to track your macros. A single serving of popular protein powders contain 15 grams of total and net carbs per serving. A protein bar is more likely to have added carbs due to the added ingredients like oats, rice flour and starches. A typical protein bar can contain 19 to 25 grams of carbs per bar. Processed Meats. Meat may not be the first thing you think of when you imagine foods packed with carbs. These meats often have fillers like breadcrumbs and flavorings which adds to their carb count. One serving or about two slices of deli turkey contains three grams of total and net carbs. One link of chicken sausage has three grams of total and net carbs. Sauces and Condiments. It’s not always the food that has the carbs, but could be the condiments and sauces it’s prepared with. These usually have added sugars that can up the carb total. For example, one tablespoon of ketchup has four grams of total and net carbs. A tablespoon of barbecue sauce contains six grams of total and net carbs. Source: Insider

Quick Udon Noodle Soup Recipe

Posted on February 25, 2021February 24, 2021Posted in RecipesNo Comments

This udon noodle recipe is great for a last minute meal. The starch from the noodles thicken the broth and give it a silky texture. It’s the perfect way to use up any leftover halves of peppers or cabbage from previous recipes. Learn how to prepare this dish below. Yield: Serves 2 Ingredients: 1 cup vegetable broth (or other broth) 2 cups water 1 bay leaf 1 star anise 1 teaspoon salt Handful of udon noodles 1 to 2 cups Swiss chard, torn into pieces (or other hearty green) 1/2 block tofu, cubed 2 to 4 spring onions, sliced Soy sauce, to taste Directions: Bring liquids, bay leaf, and anise to a boil. Add the udon noodles. When the udon is almost cooked but still slightly crunchy, add the chard. Cook until the udon and chard are both tender. Stir in the tofu and spring onions. Remove the pot from the heat. Remove the bay leaf and star anise, and season with soy sauce as needed. Divide between bowls and enjoy! Source: the Kitchn

Managing Wood Utensils in a Kitchen

Posted on February 24, 2021February 24, 2021Posted in KitchenNo Comments

Wood utensils have been used for centuries and are still one of the most common tools found in kitchens today. Wood is great to prevent scratching pots or pans, and won’t react chemically with hot food. Here are the few do’s and don’ts when it comes to handling your wood utensils. DON’T put the wood utensils in a dishwasher. The intense heat and steam will make the wood crack. DON’T let utensils sit in water for prolonged periods of time. DO wash the utensils in hot soapy water fairly quickly after use. DO pat the utensils dry with a cloth and let them air dry. DO rub with a slice of lemon and let air dry for any strong flavors that have seeped into the wood. DO apply a mineral oil every once in a while to the wood to prevent it from drying out and cracking. Source: Apartment Therapy

Classic Cheese Fondue Recipe

Posted on February 24, 2021February 23, 2021Posted in RecipesNo Comments

It’s delicious, decadent, and infinitely customizable, what’s not to love? If you’re new to fondue, it’s all about pomp and circumstance. Learn how to make this originally Swiss dish below. Yield: 6 to 8, makes 3 cups Prep time: 12 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 10 ounces Emmental cheese 10 ounces Gruyère cheese 1 clove garlic 1 1/2 cups dry white wine, such as Chablis or dry Riesling 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 3 tablespoons kirsch 1 tablespoon cornstarch Freshly ground white pepper Freshly grated nutmeg Sweet paprika For dipping: 1-inch cubes of day-old French bread or country loaf, apple slices For serving: cornichon pickles, pickled onions Equipment: Fondue set with burner, or a 6-cup enamelled cast-iron saucepan/saucier pan to use stovetop Measuring cups and spoons Box grater Chef’s knife and cutting board Wooden spoon or heatproof rubber spatula Whisk (optional) Directions: Grate the cheese. Grate 10 ounces Emmental cheese and 10 ounces Gruyère cheese (about 2 1/2 cups each). Rub the pot with garlic. Rub the inside of a fondue pot or medium saucepan (preferably nonstick or enameled cast iron) with 1 garlic clove. Heat the wine and lemon juice. Add 1 1/2 cups dry white wine and 1 teaspoon lemon juice and heat over medium heat until steaming, about 4 minutes. Whisk the kirsch and cornstarch. Meanwhile, place 3 tablespoons kirsch and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a small bowl and whisk with a fork until smooth. Slowly stir in the cheeses. While stirring constantly in a figure-eight motion, gradually add both cheeses a handful at a time, waiting until each handful is completely melted and incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the paste. When the mixture begins to bubble, stir in the kirsch-cornstarch paste. Season the fondue. Continue to cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, and season with a little white pepper, nutmeg, and paprika. Should your melted cheese begin to separate, increase the heat and whisk or stir the mixture quickly to bring it together again. Light the flame. Carefully light the flame on your fondue set, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer the pot to the fondue set. Carefully transfer the pot to your fondue set. If you’re going without a fondue set, simply place the pan on a wooden board or other heat-resistant material. Serve the fondue. Serve the fondue with bread cubes or sliced apples, cornichon pickles, and pickled onions. Source: the Kitchn