Home

Put Your Convection Oven to the Test with These Delicious Recipes

Posted on March 4, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Family, Home, How-ToTagged convection bake, convection oven, recipe, roast5 Comments

If you’re trying to figure out how best to cook with your convection oven, we’ve got some helpful advice and delicious recipes to get you started. Cooking Tips: Cooking simple dishes (like cookies) or shorter cooking times, lower the expected temperature by 10-15 percent. Cooking complex dishes (like roasts) that require a lot of time, lower the temperature by as much as 30 percent. Convection is good for: Roasting ham, turkey, roast-ready beef cuts, and similar meats Roasting vegetables and potatoes for an extra crisp Cookies and muffins—especially when you have a big batch to bake at once. Pies and pastry Casseroles—when covered they won’t lose much moisture. Toasting breads or buns Maple Balsamic Roasted Vegetables Vegetables roasted with rosemary and olive oil, then finished with a drizzle of maple balsamic reduction. These vegetables are a must for your next dinner party. Prep Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes Recipe by foodnessgracious Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds whole thin rainbow carrots 1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes peeled chopped into 1 inch cubes 2 small red onions cut into thick chunks 1/2 pound rutabagas peeled and diced 1 1/2 pounds parsnips peeled and sliced thinly 1/3 cup olive oil 2 tsp sea salt 2 tsp black pepper 1 tsp fresh chopped rosemary 1 1/2 tbsp dry herb de provence 1 cup maple syrup 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar Instructions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl combine all of the vegetables. Add the oil, salt, pepper, herbs and rosemary and toss to coat well. Place the vegetables on a large roasting pan or two baking sheets, making sure they are all level and not on top of one another. Place in the oven and cook for about 45 minutes, checking that the point of a sharp knife spears the vegetables easily. When the vegetables are cooking in the oven, place the maple syrup and balsamic vinegar in a pan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer slowly until it has reduced by about half and is nice and thick. Once the vegetables are ready, lightly drizzle some of the syrup over them and return to the oven for 5 more minutes. Serve warm or store in the refrigerator until ready to use. HOMEMADE ROTISSERIE CHICKEN Who loves Rotisserie Chicken? just about everyone. Rotisserie Chicken is so tasty, juicy, convenient, and it’s just the recipe you need to keep in your arsenal.Chicken rotisserie marinade 4+ pound Whole chicken .5 bottle lemon juice .25 cup white wine .25 cup extra virgin olive oil Chicken rotisserie rub 1 tablespoon Honey 3 tbsp unsalted butter 1/4 cup brown sugar 4 tsp garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon dried basil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Marinade instructions Clean cavity of whole chicken, wash and pat dry. Combine all marinade ingredients and mix. Pour into a large freezer bag and add the whole chicken. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours. Rub instructions Remove chicken from the marinade. Melt the butter and honey in the microwave and mix. Evenly brush the butter and honey mixture on and inside the chicken. Mix all of the dry ingredients and apply it to the entire chicken. Tuck wings underneath chicken and truss the legs together with twine. Run rotisserie rod through the cavity of chicken and insert the rotisserie forks into the skin of the chicken. At 350 degrees F, a whole chicken takes about 20 to 30 minutes per pound to cook. Therefore, a 4-pound chicken should take 1:20 – 2 hours to cook. Use a meat thermometer to test the internal temperature. When chicken reaches 175 to 180 degree F, it is done. Old Meatloaf Perfect the preparation of a meatloaf by combining conventional and convection oven performance for the perfect meatloaf dish. Prep Time: 45 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes Recipe by Scott Basye Ingredients 1 cup fresh bread crumbs(soft white bread) 1/3 cup milk 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck (85/15) 1/2 pound ground pork (not lean) 2 tablespoons butter 1 large onion, diced 2 celery stalks, diced 1 medium carrot, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 cup creme fraiche 2 eggs, beaten 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder 1 teaspoon paprika 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 6 slices bacon 1 cup ketchup 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg Instructions Preheat oven to 350°F. In a small bowl place bread crumbs and drizzle the milk over the top. Set aside. Melt the butter in a large skillet, add the onion, celery and carrot. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally until vegetables are soft, but not browned. Add garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat, scrape into a small bowl and allow to cool to room temperature (about ten minutes). In another bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, creme fraiche and Worcestershire sauce. In a large bowl place the beef and pork, add the breadcrumb mixture, vegetables, egg mixture and the rest of the ingredients except the bacon, ketchup, brown sugar and mustard. Use your hands to thoroughly combine the meatloaf ingredients and then place into an large ovenproof baking dish. Lay five strips of bacon lengthwise over meatloaf; cut the remaining bacon strip in half and place at each end of loaf. Place in oven and set timer for 45 minutes. Meanwhile combine Ketchup, Brown Sugar, Mustard and Nutmeg and set aside. At the end of 45 minutes, set oven to convection and cook meatloaf for another 15 minutes. When completed, remove meatloaf from oven and pour or brush glaze all over the surface of the bacon (it’s ok if some drizzles down into the pan). Place back in over and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the glaze is bubbling. Remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes. Serve! Huevos Rancheros Bake This is a flavorful dish that checks all the boxes for a yummy weekend brunch, or a breakfast-for-dinner moment. Prep Time: 35 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes Recipe by Tablespoon Kitchens Ingredients

How to Elevate Your Cooking Experience with a Convection Oven

Posted on February 27, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Appliances 101, Home, How-To, Kitchen, ProductsTagged convection oven, double oven, true convection, true european convectionNo Comments

Why are Convection ovens becoming more and more popular with home cooks? Primarily because they’re faster, more efficient, and they make more delicious results than regular ovens. Even though a lot more homes have convection-capable ovens, many cooks still don’t know how to use them. So we’ve compiled some information that will help you feel confident using your convection oven. Understanding Your Convection Oven First, “convection” is a setting on your oven and your oven has a button that enables the convection feature. Convection ovens can be gas or electric, so when the convection setting is off, you’ll experience all the advantages and disadvantages of cooking in those respective ovens. What happens when that convection setting is on? The oven uses fans to circulate hot air and cook food more rapidly than a traditional oven. Instead of relying on radiated heat from heating elements, a convection oven spreads the hot air so it envelopes food and cooks it from all sides. There are different types of convection: Convection and True Convection. Convection is your normal oven, but with an added fan on the back to circulate air. When shopping confirm that the oven has this third heating element around the fan. True Convection or ‘European convection,’ features a heating element behind the fan, allowing for better cooking results than standard convection. Tips for getting more out of convection Adjust the Recipe Follow the rule of 25, when using True convection experts recommend adjusting any recipe in two ways. 1. Lower the oven’s temperature by about 25 degrees and 2. Expect the food to be ready about 25% faster than the recipe suggests, so reduce the cooking time by roughly 25%. Keep in mind variables such as initial oven temperature, quantity of the food, desired level of doneness, and oven model will all affect cooking time. Experiment with the temperature or cooking time, also start checking early and often until you get used to cooking the convection way. Air Supply To be effective air must circulate over and around the food when using your convection oven. Use trays and baking pans with lower sides that allow hot air to flow freely. You should place trays and pans in a way that they don’t hinder effective circulation. Use shallow roasting pans and rimless cookie sheets when possible. Try to keep a two-inch clearance on all sides. Do not cover the ovens shelves with aluminum foil. Avoid overcrowding the oven Remember, convection relies on air being able to circulate air, avoid overcrowding the oven and blocking the flow of air. When you use multiple racks try not to fill the racks wall-to-wall and make sure you monitor the dishes for browning. When to Use the Convection Setting When you’re roasting Foods like meat and vegetables, convection immediately sears the food, locks in juices and continues to cook it faster, more evenly, and the drier environment yields crispy skin and caramelizes much better. When baking convection heat melts fat and forms steam quicker, which helps create more lift in pies and pastries. When baking a big batch of cookies, with convection you’re not limited to making one tray at a time. When you’re toasting or dehydrating, convection is efficient at removing moisture as quickly as possible. When Not to Use the Convection Setting Not all foods are suited for convection cooking method. The fan disrupts delicate dishes that start out as batter and set while cooking like cakes, soufflés, breads, and custard. Blowing air on these foods can create lopsided results. Don’t use convection when making these foods: *While some argue that convection creates even browning and a great crust, others say that it dries out the interior of bread. The choice here is really up to you.

Bakers Edition: How to Create a Better Kitchen

Posted on February 12, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Appliances 101, Home, How-To, Kitchen, ProductsTagged bake, baking, double oven, food, kitchen, kitchen appliances, kitchen designNo Comments

Whether you’re whipping up a big batch of extra fudgy brownies for a school bake-sale or crafting a delicate three-tier Orange Cardamom Cake with Rose Buttercream for a special occasion, we have practical tips and advice for the ultimate kitchen layout, tools, and equipment so you can turn your kitchen into a bakers dream. Do you love to bake? Here are some great ways to make your kitchen work for you. Custom Counter Heights Different tasks call for different countertop heights. Home cooks serious about baking may want to consider custom countertop heights to achieve the most comfortable height. A counter-height surface works fine when mixing or assembling recipes. For kneading or rolling out dough, most bakers prefer a lower surface to get the right amount of leverage. To achieve this, you can Install countertops at a custom height or lower a section of an island so it’s the right height. For a simpler solution, stand on a step stool and use a counter or use a kitchen table to achieve the most comfortable height. Previous Next Turn to Your Pantry Baking often requires lots of ingredients and bulky countertop equipment, so pantry organization is the key to maintain a pristine kitchen. Install pull-out and horizontal pantry drawers that help you easily access your baking supplies. If you have enough space, consider putting your baking station inside your pantry. Also consider extra shelving for mixer storage. Organizing the pantry into specific sections and using bins with airtight lids allow for easier access when you need the basics – flour, sugar, brown sugar, chocolate chips, etc. Previous Next The Right Work Station Granite and marble stay cool, making pastry dough easy to roll and clean up easily. Other baker-friendly countertops that can accommodate rolling, cutting and direct heat with no fuss are Quartz and Corian. If you can’t afford to install a whole slab, purchase a small marble section specifically for baking, or place marble on the kitchen island. Previous Next Double Ovens If what you are looking for is more baking and less waiting, double ovens are a bakers dream. They’re Spacious and versatile enough to accommodate your needs and allow a baker to cook two dishes at different temperatures at the same time. The double ovens, with convection are a must as the Convection ovens work with fans that recirculate heat, which evenly bake cookies and crusts. Even baked goods such as croissants develop a crispy, even texture with convection heat. An oven with a warming drawer or built-in Proof mode create the perfect oven environment for proving dough, you can also cook a variety of dishes in the warming drawer like meringues or melt chocolate. Extra Deep Sink The sink is an essential element to keep the kitchen clean. Clean-up will be a whole lot easier with a deep, wide more functional kitchen sink since baking often involves using odd-shaped pans, oversized cookie sheets and large mixing bowls – many of which can’t go in the dishwasher. Previous Next Stand Mixer Serious bakers have more than one, and double or triple up on the bowl attachments so they don’t have to stop to wash them before moving on to the next phase of a baking project. Previous Next Baking Supply Cart It’s easy to run low on countertop space and having your supplies within reach is essential when baking. With a rolling cart you can move around your kitchen more easily and have your baking essentials wherever you’re working. Tech Corner There are thousands of recipes and how-to videos online to access these you can wire in a TV, desktop or laptop computer or an iPad in a small corner next to your countertop. A kitchen desk area works well for multi-tasking bakers so you can monitor the oven when working or catching up on emails and social media.

Kitchen Remodel Ideas for Small Spaces

Posted on January 31, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Appliances 101, Home, Kitchen, ProductsTagged design, design trends, inspiration, interior Design, kitchen design, kitchen remodel, kitchens, remodeling, styleNo Comments

Learning how to optimize your cooking space is the first step to remodel your kitchen cost-effectively. With limited space, trying to update your kitchen with quality products that work and fit into your home can be a difficult task to accomplish. Maximizing your kitchen space is a lot easier when you choose the right cabinet and appliance options. Kitchen cabinets can be the most cluttered space in any kitchen because of all the utensils needed for cooking. This is especially true with confined drawers because you end up putting all your eggs in one basket-so to speak! The good news is that there are simple and efficient ways to maximize your cabinet space. For quick and easy access having food items next to your cooking area is a must! With a spice filler kit, you can neatly place your spices in your drawers at any angle to see each spice or any other food items for easy identification and removal. Another useful way to organize your kitchen is with swing-out shelves that offer great visibility and easy access. These handy shelves remove the pain of having to search for hard to reach cookware and containers. Finding a place to store small appliances in small kitchens can be a huge challenge when you don’t want your counter space overrun with kitchen devices, you’ve got to get nifty. A kitchen with clutter-free counters is not only more aesthetically pleasing but also offer you the most cooking space possible. Over-the-range microwaves are the ideal choice for small kitchens, but very few can fit in a compact space. The perfect over the range microwave for limited spaces is the COS-2413ORM1SS by Cosmo without having to settle for low power. This microwave has an impressive 1000 watts for precise control to give you excellent results with a range of touch presets and 10 power levels and sensor cooking to prepare your favorite meals and snacks. Eliminate smoke, steam, and cooking odors from your kitchen with built-in exhaust fans. This OTR microwave’s sleek black glass finish brings an ultra-chic look to your kitchen, and it’s wonderfully complemented by convenient functions like the ability to disable the glass turntable and child locks for safety. To seal the deal it boasts a very affordable price tag. The refrigerator is the safeguard of produce, frozen foods, meat, dairy products to maintain the freshness of our food items 24 hours a day, but can also take up most of your kitchen space. For small kitchens, our French Door Refrigerator can make your cooking space feel larger and help improve mobility to be at eye-level with your food items. Here is a refrigerator to meet your everyday grocery demands, Cosmo’s FDR225RHSS 22.5 cubic feet 4-Door French Door Refrigerator. A Modern refrigerator that will make a statement but still takes up less space in your kitchen, so you’ll walk through it with ease. This refrigerator provides better storage for oversized and small items, its total storage capacity includes 15.9 cu. ft. fresh food capacity provides ample interior space, while 6.6 cu. ft. freezer capacity allows you to store plenty of your frozen foods with easy access. Sophisticated aesthetic features like a stainless steel finish that’s fingerprint resistant to keep your fridge looking spotless, and digital temperature controls and display for accurate monitoring. Our intelligently crafted refrigerator is here to provide you with easy access to your food items, ample kitchen space, and an automated ice-maker. A kitchen renovation is a formidable undertaking on its own with multiple areas to touch base. Especially choosing what appliances fit best with your cooking space. Cosmo offers a variety of products that make renovating for space easier with appliances that fit each unique kitchen area to maximize the utility and spaciousness of your kitchen.

Sustainable Cooking – 6 Seasonal Farmers Market Recipes

Posted on January 14, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in HomeNo Comments

Farmers’ markets have grown in popularity thanks in part to the movement towards healthy, local, and organic food. Farmers’ markets pop up during the summer and fall with fresh-from-the-farm favorites. Here are some flavorful recipe ideas that let fresh fruit and vegetables play a starring role. What You Might Find at a Farmers Market: Seasonal fruits and vegetables Dried fruit and nuts Dips and sauces Meat, fish, and eggs Prepared foods Freshly squeezed juices, coffee, and tea Fresh bread Fresh flowers and potted plants Honeys, preserves, and jams Cream of Zucchini Soup Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 4 Ingredients 1/2 small onion, quartered 2 cloves garlic 3 medium zucchini, skin on cut in large chunks 32 oz reduced sodium Swanson chicken broth, or vegetable 2 tbsp reduced fat sour cream kosher salt and black pepper to taste fresh grated Parmesan cheese if desired for topping, optional Instructions Combine chicken broth, onion, garlic and zucchini in a large pot over medium heat and bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and purée with an immersion blender, add the sour cream and purée again until smooth. Taste for salt and pepper and adjust to taste. Serve hot. Heirloom Tomato & Herb Salad Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 4 Ingredients Fried Chickpeas & Capers 6 tablespoons grapeseed oil (or another high heat oil) divided 3 tablespoons brine packed capers, drained and patted dry 1/2 cup chickpeas (if from the can drained and patted dry) pinch of smoked paprika pinch of fine sea salt Salad 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon honey 2 tablespoons minced dill + additional sprigs for garnish 2 tablespoons minced basil, + full leaves for garnish 1 tablespoon minced parsley + additional sprigs for garnish 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt freshly ground black pepper 2 1/2 pounds assorted heirloom tomatoes, sliced 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half crumbled feta cheese for serving (optional) Instructions Heat 3 tablespoons of the grapeseed oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the capers and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to brown and burst open, about 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove them to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Carefully add the additional oil to the pan along with the chickpeas. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chickpeas begin to brown and crisp up. About 5-7 minutes. Remove from the heat to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Sprinkle the chickpeas with a pinch of smoked paprika and sea salt. Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, honey, dill, basil, and parsley. Drizzle in the olive oil and continue to whisk together until smooth. Stir in the salt and pepper and set aside. Arrange the sliced tomatoes on a large platter. Drizzle with the dressing and top with the fried capers, chickpeas and sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese. Pasta with Grilled Eggplant, Smoky Tomato Sauce, and Basil Walnut Pistou Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 45 minutes Servings: 4 Ingredients 1 package gluten free lasagna noodles Smoky Tomato Sauce ½ eggplant, cut into rounds ¼” thick. 3 tablespoons olive oil kosher salt Basil Walnut Pistou 2 cloves garlic 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves ¼ cup walnuts ¼ cup fresh lemon juice 1/3 cup olive oil kosher salt Instructions For the Eggplant, preheat a grill to medium-low. Drizzle the eggplant slices with the olive oil and sprinkle them lightly with kosher salt. Place them on the grill with the largest pieces over the hottest part of the grill. Watch them carefully so they don’t burn, flipping them just as they start to soften and get good char marks on them, about 2 minutes depending on the size of the slices. Continue to cook them until they have the marks on the other side as well. When they are cooked to tender on both sides, remove them from the grill and set them aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the gluten free lasagna noodles to al dente according to manufacturer’s directions. While the pasta is cooking, make the basil walnut pistou. Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until well combined. Season to taste with kosher salt. After you drain the pasta, toss it with a generous amount of the smoky tomato sauce and the eggplant. Drizzle the top of the pasta with the basil walnut pistou and serve immediately. (Recipe via heatherchristo.com) Mushroom and Leek Quiche with Gruyere Prep Time: 25 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Servings: 8 Ingredients 1 deep dish 9 inch pie crust 3 Tablespoons butter, divided 3 leeks, white and light green parts only 12 ounces sliced mushrooms 8 eggs 1 cup whole milk 1 cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup flour (optional) 2 cups shredded gruyere cheese, divided 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese Instructions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet, melt 2 Tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, undisturbed, for a few minutes, or until the bottom side is golden. Flip and continue to cook until mushrooms are golden on both sides. Season with salt. Remove to plate. In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Add the leeks and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the leeks to a plate. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, salt, and flour. Sprinkle some of the gruyere cheese on the bottom of the pie crust. Pour half the egg mixture in followed by half of the gruyere cheese and half of the mushrooms and leeks. Pour the remaining egg mixture on top along with the rest of the mushrooms, leeks, cheese, and gruyere. Top with Parmesan cheese. Bake the quiche in the preheated oven for 60-80 minutes or until very golden brown and set in the center. If the pie crust gets too brown, shield

Delicious Christmas Leftover Recipes

Posted on December 23, 2019October 14, 2020Posted in Home, RecipesNo Comments

Get creative with Christmas dinner leftovers. Transform your leftover turkey and all the other holidays’ trimmings into a whole range of delicious dishes. From casseroles to pizza, these recipes are full of festive flavor. Leftovers can be great, just make sure you make the most of them and follow food safety practices. What to Do With Leftover Ham Ham Pizza Try making your pizza using your fridge full of leftover ham. To make it a Hawaiian style pizza you can even add pineapple to it if that’s your favorite combo. Ingredients 2 cups of chopped, leftover ham 1 store-bought pizza dough OR 1 batch of homemade pizza dough 1 jar of store-bought or batch of home-made herb pizza sauce 1 (240 g) ball of mozzarella cheese, sliced 1 large onion, sliced Instructions Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Lightly dust your counter-top in flour. Using a rolling pin, roll out your pizza dough until desired size and thickness is reached. Carefully transfer to pizza pan and adjust accordingly. Spread your sauce to about 1-inch from the edge of the pizza dough. That uncovered part will be your crust. Evenly spread out the ham and onion. Finish off with mozzarella cheese. Place into oven and bake for 15-17 minutes, or until mozzarella cheese is nicely browned and crust is golden. Allow cooling slightly before cutting! Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders After all the holiday cooking you might want to take it easy, these sliders are a simple and satisfying dish to whip up. Ingredients 24 slices of ham 6 Slices of Swiss cheese, cut into fourths 1/3 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon poppy seeds 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1/2 cup butter melted 1 tablespoon Onion Powder 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 2 packages (12 count) Hawaiian Sweet Dinner Rolls Directions Cut rolls in half and spread mayo onto 1 side of the rolls. Place a slice or two of ham and slice of Swiss cheese in the roll. Replace the top of the rolls and bunch them closely together into a baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, melted butter, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour sauce over the rolls, just covering the tops. Cover with foil and let sit for 10 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Uncover and cook for an additional 2 minutes until tops are slightly browned and crisp. Serve warm. Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole It’s the day after Christmas and you’re still feeling festive, and need to make breakfast to feed a large group, this casserole is a perfect option. Ingredients 10 large eggs 1 1/2 cup milk 2 tsp. Dijon mustard 2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves, plus more for garnish 1 tsp. garlic powder Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 4 cups cubed French bread or baguette 1/2 lb. ham, chopped 1 1/2 cups shredded white cheddar Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, mustard, thyme, and garlic powder and season generously with salt and pepper. Butter a large baking dish. Add bread and top with ham and cheddar. Pour over egg mixture. Bake until eggs are cooked through and ham is golden, 45 to 55 minutes. (To make ahead, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to overnight, then bake as directed.) Garnish with more thyme and serve. What to Do With Leftover Turkey Turkey Enchiladas We all love Mexican food, and this recipe is the perfect comfort dish to use up that leftover turkey. Ingredients 2 cups cooked shredded turkey 2 teaspoons cumin 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 2 cups shredded Mexican style cheese 12 tortillas (enchilada size/fajita size – about 8-10 inches) 2 cups enchilada sauce chopped cilantro Directions Preheat oven to 375 degrees and lightly grease a casserole/baking dish. Lay tortillas out on a clean flat surface. Distribute black beans and shredded turkey between each tortilla and lay it out in a strip right down the middle of each tortilla. Sprinkle cumin over black beans and turkey. Divide one cup of cheese between each tortilla, sprinkle the cheese right on top of the black beans and turkey. Spread 1 cup of enchilada sauce in the bottom of a prepared baking dish. Roll up each tortilla and place side by side in the dish. Sprinkle remaining enchilada sauce over the enchiladas, and remaining cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese has melted and tortillas start to brown a little bit. Garnish with cilantro and serve warm. Turkey Panini These grilled Italian sandwiches are a real treat! The cranberry sauce and thyme give it that extra holiday touch. Ingredients 3 ounces sourdough bread 2 slices sliced about ½ inch thick 1 tablespoon mayonnaise 3 ounces turkey breast 2 tablespoons cranberry sauce 1 slice provolone cheese 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves Directions Heat a panini press or skillet to medium-high heat. Spread the mayo on both sides of the bread. Lay the slices down on a clean work surface. Place the sliced turkey meat on top of one slice of bread. Add the fresh thyme leaves, then the cranberry sauce and finally the provolone cheese. Cover the sandwich with the other slice of bread. Transfer the sandwich to a panini press or hot skillet. Press together gently to help the whole sandwich stick together. Cook it until the bread is crisp and golden and the cheese is melted about 3-4 minutes. Turkey Spaghetti Bake A pasta dish big enough to feed a crowd and delicious enough to keep them coming back for more. Ingredients 1/2 pound spaghetti 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 yellow onion finely chopped 3 cloves garlic finely chopped 1 1/2 cups leftover shredded turkey or chicken 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 28- ounce can crushed tomatoes salt and pepper to taste 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 1 cup shredded mozzarella ½ cup small fresh mozzarella balls Fresh basil to garnish Directions Preheat

Real Life Microwave Hacks

Posted on December 11, 2019October 14, 2020Posted in Appliances 101, Home, How-To, KitchenTagged kitchen, kitchen appliances, life hacks, microwave, tips and tricksNo Comments

It’s not just for reheating leftover pizza- the microwave has some pretty nifty hacks that you can use to make your life easier. Here is a list of the best hacks we found. Peeling Garlic Got Easier Peeling garlic is daunting, however, you can put the garlic in the microwave and heat it up for 15 seconds. The heat will release the moisture from the garlic clove which gets trapped between the skins and loosens it. Once you take it out, the skin just slide off. Get More Juice from Your Citrus Fruits If you need help getting the most juice out of a lemon, lime or other citrus fruit throw it into the microwave for about 10-20 seconds so that the pulp inside becomes soft and you can juice it with ease. Tear-free Onion Chopping Save your eyes from the horrible stinging sensation you get when chopping onions. Ever wondered why that happens? Well, when an onion is cut with a knife, its cells release volatile sulfur compounds that cause tearing. The trick is to trim off the ends with a knife and heat the onion for about 30 seconds before chopping away. Bring Stale Bread Back to Life When your bread or bagels stale simply wrap in a moist paper towel (not soaking) and pop in the microwave for 20-second increments. The moisture from the towel will soak into the bread to make it taste fresh again. Preserve Fresh Herbs If you want to preserve herbs well, wrap them in a paper towel and heat them in the microwave for about 30 seconds allowing them to dry out. This may make them last longer in the refrigerator. To completely dry the herbs continue to microwave in 15-30 second increments until the herbs. Soak Lentils or Beans Overnight All you need to do is place your uncooked beans or lentils in a bowl filled with water, add a pinch of baking soda and microwave them for about 10 minutes. Allow them to rest for 30-40 minutes, after which they are ready to be cooked. Make Frothy Milk for Your Coffee The next time you’re craving a fancy frothy café au lait just make it yourself. A microwave and a mason jar are all you need. Fill the mason jar with as much skim or 2% milk as you’d normally use in your coffee, cover and shake it vigorously to get the frothing process started, then pop it uncovered in the microwave for 30 seconds. Then voila! Silky, frothy warm milk. A DIY Heating Pad for those Cold Nights Make your heating pad at home in two minutes! Pour rice into a sock then tie a knot at the top of the sock. Put it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Reheat as needed. Steam Clean the Microwave We’re sure with these hacks your microwave will be working overtime. So while you’re at it, steam clean it with some lemon water. Place a bowl of water with freshly squeezed lemon juice into the microwave and set the timer for 5 minutes or until the water boils, let it sit in the microwave for 3 minutes so the steam can loosen any food stains. Remove the bowl then wipe your microwave clean.

Quick Cleaning Tips for Your Kitchen Appliances

Posted on December 4, 2019October 14, 2020Posted in Appliances 101, Home, How-To, KitchenTagged kitchen, kitchen appliances, kitchens1 Comment

Clean your kitchen appliances faster with these quick cleaning tips for your kitchen appliances, show your appliances a little cleaning love, and they’ll look and work as good as new. Clean Your Refrigerator The space behind your refrigerator is notoriously filthy. Dirt, pet hair, and a host of other stuff can build up beneath and behind the refrigerator. This can block the appliance’s motor and coils and restrict airflow. To clean, pull out the refrigerator and mop up whatever you find. Part of my spring cleaning ritual. Is to vacuum the refrigerator coils behind the fridge, which will put less stress on the motor and prolong its life. Here’s how to clean the inside of a refrigerator the easy way. A little soapy water or an equal parts water and white vinegar solution will clean and shine the inside of your fridge. Wipe down shelves and crispers weekly, or whenever you spot a spill. Remove fingerprints on stainless steel exteriors with a damp cloth. Clean Your Dishwasher You wouldn’t think of cleaning a dishwasher since its job is to clean but it also needs a good cleaning; In fact, as often as your shower or sink. Sanitizing the dishwasher can be done quickly. To eliminate mold and bacteria run the dishwasher on the hottest, and longest cycle with white vinegar. This will sanitize and loosen food and soap scum. You should wipe around the edges of the door, around the gasket and check the drainage area as well. Clean Your Microwave Sauce and food splatter inside the microwave constantly and all that buildup is unsightly and gross to cook with. Fortunately, there is a simple solution, the best way to clean microwave messes is to fill a microwave-safe container with water, microwave it until the water boils, and let it sit for a few minutes while steam loosens any caked-on food. Then simply wipe it clean. Clean Your Kitchen Stove and Oven Stove-tops are hot spots for oil splatters and food spills, so it’s best to clean it often. The key to cleaning your stove-top is to be quick. Before the bits of food cook onto the surface wipe them away immediately, careful not to burn yourself. If splatters sit for a few days soak with an equal parts mix of vinegar and water or use dish soap and water for built-up grease. Now that the stove-top is clean, you can take care of your oven and it’s quite simple nowadays because most ovens have self-cleaning options. While this feature does a good job of by itself there are a few spots it doesn’t reach. You can wipe them up built-up grime with vinegar or soapy water around door hinges and frames and the space between double ovens.

Thanksgiving: Make-Ahead Recipes

Posted on November 25, 2019October 14, 2020Posted in HomeNo Comments

How many times have you heard someone say they’ve slaved away in the kitchen all day? It’s safe to say too many times. Stress in the kitchen can easily arise for a variety of reasons, especially when you’re strapped for time and have a never-ending to-do list. Holiday feasts call for delicious dishes to please a crowd, but making preparation as simple as possible is as time-honored a tradition as the turkey itself. To decrease the stress and make your hosting experience more enjoyable, cook as much of your Thanksgiving meal ahead of time, also consider these simple pro-tips: Prep Before You Begin Practice the “mise en place” method –Aa French term for having everything in place before cooking. Measure ingredients, chop vegetables and set out utensils to create a steady workflow. Plan Ahead – Like The Pros Prepare easy appetizers to serve ahead of guests’ arrival and don’t be shy about outsourcing sides to family and friends. You Need the Right Tools A worthwhile investment in the best kitchen appliances and gadgets will get you through your holiday cooking and baking without stressing, by keeping you organized and on track! Check out our full range of affordable priced luxury kitchen appliances. To help you plan your menu, we’ve compiled a selection of Thanksgiving recipes that has something for everyone, Thanksgiving side dish recipes, a Thanksgiving dessert recipe and of course Thanksgiving main dish options. So! Instead of letting yourself go crazy this year, try these Thanksgiving make-ahead recipes: Sausage and Cornbread Stuffing This classic turkey sidekick can be assembled and tucked away in the fridge up to a day before hitting the oven on the holiday. Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20-25 minutes Servings: 10-12 Ingredients package cornbread pound sweet Italian sausage, ground ½ cup carrots, peeled and diced 1/2 cup celery with leaves, diced 1/2 cup yellow onion, peeled and diced 1/4 cup dried blueberries 1/2 cup dried apples teaspoon fresh garlic, crushed ½ tsp. each dried sage leaves and black pepper 1-2 cups low-sodium chicken stock nonstick cooking spray Directions Cook cornbread according to package instructions; allow to cool. Leave uncovered and let dry 1 day. Break into medium pieces. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. and lightly coat a medium-sized baking dish with cooking spray. Heat medium skillet and add sausage. Cook until half done and fat is rendered. Add carrots, celery, onion, blueberries, apples and garlic, sage and pepper. Sauté until caramelized. Add cornbread pieces and stir to combine. Add chicken stock until slightly wet or pasty; stir well to combine. Transfer stuffing from skillet to pan and bake, uncovered, 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Internal temperature should reach 155° F when fully cooked. Cranberry-Sage Rolls These make-ahead rolls can be chilled in the fridge up to 24 hours before baking. Add cranberry and sage for a delightful holiday twist. Prep time: 30 minutes Rise: 30 minutes Bake: 20 minutes at 350°F Yield: 12 rolls Ingredients 1 (16 ounce) loaf frozen white bread dough 2 tablespoons butter, melted ½ cup finely chopped dried cranberries 2 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger 2 tablespoons snipped fresh sage 1 egg 1 tablespoon water 12 small fresh sage leaves (optional) Directions Thaw dough according to package directions. Grease a large baking sheet; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 12×10-inch rectangle. Brush with melted butter; sprinkle with cranberries, crystallized ginger, and snipped sage. Starting from a long side, tightly roll up rectangle into a spiral. Cut into twelve 1-inch slices. Place rolls on prepared baking sheet, standing rolls upright with seam sides down. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size (about 30 minutes). Preheat oven to 350°F. In a small bowl whisk together egg and the water. Brush rolls with egg mixture. If desired, gently press a small sage leaf into the top of each roll; brush leaves with remaining egg mixture. Bake about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Garlic Mashed Potatoes Your search for make-ahead mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving ends here. You can make and chill these mashed potatoes up to two days. Simply reheat gently with a little more dairy and they’ll be as velvety as if you had whipped them only moments ago. Ingredients 2 lbs russet potatoes 1/2 stick (4 tbsp.) butter 1/2 cup softened cream cheese 1/4 cup heavy cream 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Directions Peel and cut potatoes into pieces that are roughly the same size. Bring a medium pot of water to a simmer, and add the potatoes. Raise heat to a boil and cook until fork-tender. Drain the potatoes, then return the pot to the stove on low heat. Begin mashing the potatoes, and slowly add all other ingredients. Mash well, then spread potatoes in a baking dish. At this point, cover and freeze the mashed potatoes for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, remove the potatoes from the freezer about 2-3 hours before serving. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Dot the tops of the potatoes with a few pats of butter, then cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until warmed through. Green Bean Casserole A completely fresh green bean casserole that can be made-ahead for your Thanksgiving feast (no canned soup required), then freeze and forget it. To serve, just reheat (from frozen) and top with crunchy fried onions. Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Total time: 45 minutes Serves: 10-12 Ingredients ½ cup Panko 2 tablespoons olive oil (or melted butter) ¼ teaspoon table salt ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper 3 cups canned fried onions (about 6 oz.) 2 lbs green beans, ends trimmed and halved 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 lb sliced white button mushrooms 3 medium garlic cloves, minced fresh ground black pepper 3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour 1½ cups low sodium chicken broth 1½ cups heavy cream Directions Mix panko and fried onions with two tablespoons of olive

Hello Airfying: A Healthier Way to Cook Your Favorite Food

Posted on November 7, 2019October 14, 2020Posted in Home, How-To, Products, RecipesNo Comments

You’ve probably heard about the Air fryer, that cool kitchen gadget people have been raving about since it hit the market. Are you still wondering what all the hype is about? Made popular by claims air frying is a healthy alternative for frying food; because it replicates the wonders of deep-frying in a healthier way. So, how does it work? The Air Fryer, uses rapid air technology to fry, bake, roast or grill your food with only a tablespoon or less of oil. Think of it as a hi-tech counter-top convection oven. Something else to consider, is the air fryer is a time-saver when you find yourself short on time to cook. It offers fast cooking, with little to no preheating required. It’s a great companion tool for adventurous cooks with little time to spare. What You Can Make in an Air Fryer AIR FRYER FRENCH FRIES The first thing you can try is a simple and delicious batch of French fries. Fresh or frozen potatoes! Crunchy, easy and healthy! Ready in under 30 minutes. Ingredients 1 tbsp Flat leaf parsley 1 Garlic powder 1 Salt and pepper 1 tbsp Olive oil, extra virgin 1 pound Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes (peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch thick sticks) Instructions: Throw your fries into the air fryer basket, and cook in the air fryer at 400°F for 15-20 minutes. While the fries are air-frying, chop the herbs and garlic, and mix with olive oil in a medium-size bowl. Remove the fries from the air fryer and transfer to the bowl with the garlic, rosemary and oil – toss thoroughly, and season with salt. Serve with ketchup or sriracha mayo — which is 1:1 ratio of sriracha to mayo, Yum! AIR FRYER CHICKEN WINGS Air fryer chicken wings are the crispiest wings you’ve ever had! Cook a whole batch in your air fryer with a few simple ingredients. Ingredients 1 tsp Paprika, smoked 1 Salt and pepper 1 tsp Garlic powder 1 tbsp Olive oil 2 tbsp Barbecue sauce 1 tbsp Olive oil 1 1/2 lbs Chicken wings & drumettes Instructions: Set the air fryer to 375 degrees F. Season chicken wings with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika and place into the air fryer basket Cook the wings for 20 minutes, flipping after 10 minutes When time is up, flip one last time and increase the temperature to 400 degrees F. Cook an additional 8 minutes until skin is crispy and golden Remove wings from air fryer and place in a bowl or serving dish Toss with BBQ sauce Finally, cook the BBQ sauce coated wings in the Air Fryer for additional 2 minutes and enjoy! SPICY GARLIC CHILI SHRIMP Bursting with flavor, this air fried shrimp recipe is perfect for all occasions it’s heavenly with a flavorful spicy kick. Ingredients 1 pound of shrimp peeled and de-veined 3 Tablespoons olive oil 2 cloves garlic minced 2 teaspoons chili powder ½ teaspoon ground cumin ¼ teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Sweet Chili Sauce (to taste) Instructions: Set temperature to 400° and timer to 5 minutes for preheating. Rinse Shrimp with water Apply a thin layer of oil to the shrimp and put into the fry basket evenly, put the fry basket with pot back in the appliance. set time for 5-8 minutes or until they look crunchy and golden. Remove from basket and coat with seasonings to your taste. GRILLED CORN ON COB Air Fryer Corn on the Cob is sweet, and juicy as can be! Make this with fresh corn for a great side dish recipe. No fuss, no mess, all deliciousness. Ingredients Corn Cobs (Sliced) 2 pcs Cooking Oil 1 tsp Instructions: Skewer the corn cobs, sliced to preference Set temperature to 400° and timer to 5 minutes for preheating. Apply a thin layer of olive oil to the corn and put into the fry basket evenly, push the fry basket with pot back in the appliance. Set time for 10 minutes or until baked golden. Add butter, salt, mayonnaise, season salt or whatever you like and enjoy! GRILLED PEACHES AND CREAM Love grilled peaches? – But who wants to heat up the grill for a few little peaches? Now you don’t have to, you can simply pop ’em in the AIR FRYER!!! You’ve got an easy and delicious Dessert in minutes. Ingredients 2 peaches 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup butter, diced into tiny squares Cool Whip or Ice Cream Instructions: Cut peaches into wedges and pull out pits In air fryer, set a piece of parchment paper on top of rack Lay peach wedges, skin side up (on side) on parchment Air fry at 350 degrees for 5 minutes Mix together crumbs, brown sugar and butter Flip peaches skin side down Spoon crumb mixture over top of peaches – try and keep the butter on top of the peaches as best you can Air fry at 350 degrees for another 5 minutes Place peaches onto plates and top with whipped topping Spoon any excess butter/topping mixture from parchment onto whipped topping Want More Recipes? The Cosmo Air fryer comes with a complimentary Recipe Book with these and many more recipes to try. GET YOURS HERE If you need fast, healthy, convenient and tasty meals, then once again, an air fryer is for you.