Author : Cosmo

Save Time Peeling Potatoes Like This

Posted on December 30, 2020December 30, 2020Posted in KitchenNo Comments

Peeling potatoes may not be a hassle when there’s just a few. Add a couple dozen and you may be in a time crunch trying to get through them all. Follow this one trick to speed the entire process along and make life a whole lot easier. You may be boiling your potatoes after washing and peeling, but try boiling them before (or par-boil if you’ll be cooking them later on in a soup) with their skins on. After, drain and let them cool for a few minutes until you’re able to handle them. The potatoes will be more tender and the skin can be peeled easily. Par-boiled potatoes offer some benefits too. They’ll absorb less water ensuring they won’t be gluey when mashed. Potato skins also contain flavor which you will retain with this method. Source: the Kitchn

The Health Benefits of Red Wine

Posted on December 30, 2020December 29, 2020Posted in HealthNo Comments

The science has spoken. It may be beneficial to consume red wine, in moderation of course. Here’s some of the key benefits you should know about to feel better the next time you open up a bottle. May Protect Your Heart A recent review has linked drinking red wine to a lower risk of developing heart disease. The research however does not link the direct act of drinking with the potential effects. Drinking red wines may often be accompanied with a Mediterranean diet which could be contributing to the health benefits. Combats Inflammation Red wine contains micronutrient polyphenols such as resveratrol, anthocyanins, catechins and tannins. Particularly, resveratrol is found in other foods like grapes, peanuts, chocolate and berries. These compounds exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Red wine consumption can also reduce insulin resistance and decrease oxidative stress. May Sharpen Your Mind Red wine also contains flavanols which may protect your body’s cells that support healthy blood vessels. This is a key physiological benefit to improve blood flow to the brain and prevent harmful plaque from developing. Some animal studies suggest resveratrol may prevent age-related memory decline. Promotes Longevity Long term population studies have linked moderate alcohol drinking to a longer life. It is possible to strengthen the effect of resveratrol with a balanced diet containing nutrient-dense foods such as those in a Mediterranean diet. It may be best to pair your favorite glass with a healthy meal. Mood Improvement A 2014 study found that people who consumed a glass of wine in an unpleasant environment experienced the same level of mood improvement as people in a more pleasant environment with no alcohol. As with any alcohol, it’s important to note the potential risks if consumed excessively. This may lead to liver damage, obesity, some types of cancer and stroke. The American Institute for Cancer Research says the less you drink the lower your risk for cancer. Some of these drinks may also have hidden liquid calories which can lead to weight gain. The American Heart Association advises no more than one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. Sources: Good Housekeeping

The Healthiest Low-Sugar Fruits You Should Eat

Posted on December 29, 2020December 29, 2020Posted in KitchenNo Comments

Skipping fruit may seem like the newest trend to cut out sugar, but some fruits actually contain valuable vitamins, minerals and antioxidants we need. On average only one in 10 adults get enough fruits and veggies needed in a balanced diet. This can increase risk for chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. If you’re looking to cut back on carbs and higher-sugar fruits, look to these fruits instead. Strawberries. A great option for their low sugar. A cup of strawberries only has 7 grams of sugar and provides your daily recommendation of vitamin C. Grapefruit. Another great alternative to sugary snacks. The key here is portions. Half of a grapefruit contains about 8 grams of sugar. Avocados. Although it may not seem like one, avocados are definitely a fruit. They are full of healthy fats that protect your heart and lower LDL or cholesterol, plus phytochemicals that reduce oxidative and inflammatory stress. Raspberries. Berries are low in sugar with just 5 grams of sugar per cup. Also, they have 8 grams of fiber which will leave you feeling full better than other fruits. Blackberries. Rich with 8 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein, these berries are perfect for nutrients. A cup has only 7 grams of sugar. Oranges. These fruits are better eaten whole rather than in a juice. A single orange has 12 grams of sugar with more than the daily recommended vitamin C. Sources: Good Housekeeping

Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe

Posted on December 29, 2020December 29, 2020Posted in RecipesNo Comments

Ingredients: 4 large russet potatoes, about a pound each Extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup sour cream 1/2 cup milk 2 tablespoons butter, softened 1 tablespoon cream Stuffing Option 1: Cheddar and Bacon 1 cup grated cheddar cheese 4 strips bacon 1/4 cup chopped green onion Stuffing Option 2: Blue Cheese and Chives 1 cup crumbled blue cheese 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives 1/2 teaspoon salt Directions Bake the potatoes: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Scrub the potatoes clean under running water. Poke each potato in several places with the tines of a fork so that when the potatoes are cooking they don’t explode. Rub the potatoes all over with a little olive oil. Place directly on the middle or top rack of the oven. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through. They should give a little when pressed. If short on time you can bake the potatoes in the microwave, 10 minutes on high heat for 2 potatoes, 15 minutes for 4 potatoes. The skins of microwave baked potatoes aren’t nearly as crispy, so you may want to rub a little olive oil on them and finish them in a conventional oven at 400°F for 10 minutes. Cook the bacon (if using): If you are including bacon as one of your mix-ins, while the potatoes are cooking, cook the bacon strips in a frying pan on medium low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, or until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Let cool. Crumble. Make potato “boats”: Allow the potatoes to cool to touch. Slice the top third lengthwise off the potato. Use a spoon to scoop out the insides, forming a potato “canoe”, leaving about 1/4 inch of potato on the skin. Alternatively, you can slice the potatoes in half, lengthwise. In this case you may want to bake an extra potato so that you will have more potato filling to mound into the potato boats. Mash potato insides with sour cream, milk, butter: Place the scooped out potato insides, sour cream, milk, cream, and butter into a large bowl. Mash with a potato masher. If you want a creamy texture, beat with an electric beater until desired consistency. Do not over-beat the potatoes! They can turn glue-y if you do. Stuff potato shells with filling: Mix in the extras with the potato filling. Reserve some of the extras to sprinkle on the tops of the potatoes. Spoon fillings into the potato shells. Sprinkle with extra toppings. Bake: Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F. Place potatoes on a roasting pan or baking sheet and bake 15 to 20 minutes until heated through. Sources: Simply Recipes Image: Alison Bickel

A Reminder to Throw Out That Sponge

Posted on December 28, 2020December 29, 2020Posted in KitchenNo Comments

Sponges are a hotspot for bacteria and can make you sick if you’re not careful. You may think if something is dirty then you should clean it right? With sponges, that’s not the case. It’s best to replace your sponge instead of attempting to clean it. Here’s why. You might have heard the cleaning tip to microwave your sponge to kill off bacteria. However, this isn’t as effective as you may think and could actually be a potential safety hazard. Microwaving a sponge can produce sparks which could damage your microwave. Unless you know the exact amount of time, and how wet your sponge has to be, it’s best to skip this idea altogether. Some sponges contain metal for scouring which is a big no-no in a microwave. While you may kill off pathogens with this method, you actually could be increasing the number of bacteria leading to some diseases such as E. coli. Bleach and dishwashers also may not be as effective. The problem is the pathogenic bacteria tend to stay behind even if these methods prove 99.9 percent effective. Our recommendation? Toss it out entirely and replace it with a new one. Researchers recommend replacing your sponge about once a week. Even if sanitizing your sponge may seem more cost-effective, it’s not worth the potential risk to your health and safety. Sources: The Kitchn

Product Alert: the UC36 and UMC36 Range Hoods

Posted on December 28, 2020December 28, 2020Posted in Announcement, NewsNo Comments

Our UC and UMC range hoods are getting a new larger model with the UC36 and UMC36! These models are 36 inches wide to handle larger spaces and plenty of cooking. Go beyond basic air filtration with these range hoods. Between these elegant units, you have the choice of either a sleek touchscreen with backlit display on the UMC36 or push button controls on the UC36. 380 CFM is available at your fingertips for efficient kitchen ventilation. Enable the convenient timer function and energy-efficient LEDs with just a few taps. Dishwasher-safe stainless steel baffle filters are removable for easy no-mess clean-up. Previous Next Features Efficient airflow ultra-quiet design with under cabinet range hood mounting Easy-to-use digital soft-touch or push button controls 3 fan speeds to adjust to your needs, choose from high, medium and low suction to suit a variety of foods and cooking 380 CFM airflow capacity provides quiet 65 dB noise level Two 2-Watt LED lights help illuminate the cooktop surface for added visibility at night Arc-Flow permanent filters are constructed of high quality stainless steel to effectively capture grease and cooking odors and keep the air clean. Our ARC FLOW permanent filters are dishwasher-safe and extremely durable Auto shut-off timer for multi-tasking and removal of lingering odors 5-year limited warranty 6 in. round duct for the exhaust opening, backdraft damper is included to prevent air coming back inside Made of premium 430 grade stainless steel, 20-Gauge thickness Dimensions: 35.4”W x 20.5”D x 9.75”H Electrical Requirements: 120V/60Hz Available here.

Gingerbread Hot Chocolate Recipe

Posted on December 25, 2020December 24, 2020Posted in RecipesNo Comments

Every holiday season, there’s nothing like relaxing and sipping on a hot chocolate to wrap up the evening. Try this recipe we’re sure you’ll love. Ingredients: 6 cups milk ¼ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder ¼ cup sugar 2 tablespoons molasses 3 teaspoons ground ginger 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg ¼ teaspoon allspice 7 ounces good quality milk chocolate, chopped Whipped cream, for serving Mini marshmallows, for serving Directions: Combine the milk, cocoa powder, sugar, molasses, ginger, cinnamon nutmeg and allspice in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar, cocoa powder and spices are dissolved and the milk is steaming, about 5 minutes. Do not let the mixture come to a boil. Whisk in the chopped chocolate a little at a time until smooth. Divide among 6 to 8 mugs and garnish with whipped cream and mini marshmallows. Sources: Food Network

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas, From Cosmo

Posted on December 25, 2020December 24, 2020Posted in Family, HomeNo Comments

This holiday season has proven to be unlike any other. Here at Cosmo we wish you and your families a safe and happy holidays. We look forward to what the next year will hold and hope to continue to bring everyone together in the kitchen.

What to Look for in a Microwave

Posted on December 24, 2020December 24, 2020Posted in Appliances 101No Comments

Look no further for a complete rundown on microwaves and what to look for. Whether you’re shopping around for a new one or looking to replace your old one, here’s all the information you’ll need on making your next purchase. Types Microwaves come in three main types: countertop, over-the-range and built-in. Countertop microwaves are the most common for their affordability. These are great to simply take out of the box and plug in for a no-hassle installation. Over-the-range and built-in microwaves on the other hand require some setup time and most likely a professional installer. These kinds of microwaves have additional benefits however. An over-the-range microwave can vent fumes and odor away from a range below. A built-in model will free up counter space and look more sleek in cabinetry. Countertop microwaves can often utilize a trim kit to get the same built in look. Size Once you decide the kind of microwave you’d like you can turn to the size. Establish how you’ll be using the microwave. If you’re just cooking for yourself then maybe you can opt for a smaller capacity model. Be sure to factor in the counter space you’ll be losing with countertop microwaves. Most models will have a 1-2 cubic feet range. External dimensions can also vary so always measure the desired location to make sure it properly accommodates for the size. Wattage For microwaves, wattage directly translates to power. A 1,000 watt microwave is a great baseline to start from. Anything less may result in slower cooking. In general, the higher the wattage the faster the cooking time. Keep in mind a high wattage microwave will be more expensive. Features Automatic defrost and pre-programmed settings can make your life easier when warming up snacks. Sensors can also calculate cook time based on the steam the food emits. This will help ensure your food heats exactly the way you want it to. Pay attention to safety features like a child lockout if there will be young children present. This feature will prompt for a sequence of numbers to operate the appliance. Check the microwave’s buttons and icons. If they are too small or close together you may accidentally press something you didn’t intend to. Smooth control panels will be easier to clean than buttons or knobs. Are you ready for your next appliance upgrade? Learn more about our microwaves here. Sources: Good House Keeping

Range Hood 101: Your Complete Guide

Posted on December 24, 2020December 24, 2020Posted in Appliances 101No Comments

One of our most popular and diverse product lines here at Cosmo are our range hoods. Range hood terms may seem confusing at first, but we’ve compiled a complete guide to master this appliance. These hoods can be a beautiful focal point in your kitchen that provide just as much functionality. Ventilation The main purpose of range hoods is to get odors, smoke and fumes away from your kitchen when cooking. This can be done in one of two ways, ducted or ductless. A ducted range hood should have ductwork from the kitchen all the way to the outside of your home. A non-vented or ductless range hood utilizes a filter and recirculates the air back into the kitchen. Often, the kind of range hood you choose will depend on the kitchen. A ducted range hood completely removes smoke and smells while a ductless build may be less effective in doing so. Installation Types You’ll come across mainly three different kinds of range hoods based on their installation method–under cabinet, wall-mount and island mount. An under cabinet range hood is mounted to the cabinets above a range. The wall mount doesn’t require any cabinetry as they are installed on the wall. Finally, an island mount goes directly to the ceiling and suspends mid-air. All three of these options can be ducted or ductless, depending on the kitchen. Size The standard width of range hoods are 30 or 36 inches wide. There are some pro variations that go wider and can handle larger quantities of smoke and fumes. If your kitchen allows for it you should always have a range hood that is equally as wide as the range underneath. Bigger tends to always be better. Strength & Noise You’ll come across the term CFM when looking at range hood airflow strength. CFM stands for cubic feet per minute and generally the higher the number the more air the hood can vent. A general rule you can follow is you should have 1 CFM per 100 BTU of the gas range underneath. If you do a good amount of cooking try to have a range hood with at least 350 CFM. The downside of a higher CFM would be the noise the hood creates. Features When checking for features, look at fan speeds. You’ll want a range hood with at least 2 speeds for low quieter venting and high but noisier venting. Another useful feature is an exhaust timer which automatically shuts off the hood after a set period of time. Built-in lights come standard in most range hoods, but the type of lights can vary greatly. Look for range hoods with light replacements that are easy to find in the future. At Cosmo, we carry a wide array of range hoods to meet your every need. You can see our complete catalog here. Sources: Apartment Therapy