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    Mistakes You Might Be Making with Your Air Fryer

    Posted on Posted in Appliances 101, Kitchen, ProductsTagged , , ,

    Have you been using your Air fryer a lot more lately? Then you know it’s an easy and more convenient way to get delicious meals on the table quickly.  Cooking with this miracle kitchen gadget is a game-changing experience. The possibilities are endless when you cook with an Air fryer – so to make the most of this amazingly versatile kitchen tool, we’ve put a list of common mistakes people make with their Airfryer.  Mistake # 1 Not Preheating the Air Fryer  Like your oven the air fryer needs to be hot in order to properly cook the food.  Placing food in the air fryer while it’s still cold might not yield the best results for your recipes. Even if the recipe doesn’t mention it, we recommend to turn the air fryer on 5-10 minutes before you add your food. It heats up pretty fast so it won’t take long for it to reach the perfect temperature.  Mistake # 2 Too Much Food in the Basket  It can be tempting to over crowd the basket since most air fryers are small but don’t. Your air fryer needs space for air to flow around it. There’s enough room to comfortably fit two- four servings of food depending on the size of the machine. Rather cook in smaller batches for faster, better results.  Mistake # 3 Not Using the Right Amount of Oil  The name air fryer might be misleading because you do actually need more than just air to cook in the air fryer. You don’t want too much or too little oil though. Using just enough oil will help your food crisp up.   1-2 teaspoons of oil is all you need for most items. Even if you’re avoiding added fats in your diet, you can spritz the food with some non-stick cooking spray to coat your food ( but don’t spray the basket directly). Check recipe instructions for more exact measurements.  Mistake # 4 Cutting vegetables too small Beware of small pieces of food falling through the basket holes and then burning. To avoid this from happening it’s best to cut ¼ inches wide to ensure they remain in the basket. Mistake # 5 Using wet batters A lot of deep-friend foods we love have a moist batter that don’t work well in the air fryer because there isn’t enough hot oil to set the batter like  in a vat of hot oil. To avoid a sloppy mess when wet batter sinks through the basket holes adapt your recipes or use recipes that require a thick coating instead. Mistake # 6 You don’t clean it often A number of problems can arise from not cleaning your air fryer after each use.  You’re risking food contamination, crumbs left behind or leftover oil residue can burn and cause smoke, posing a fire hazard.   Be diligent about hand washing the air fryer basket, bottom tray and drawer with warm soapy water after every use. Mistake # 7 You don’t flip your food You can’t set it and forget it- the air fryer does require some attending.  To make sure your food cooks to your desired perfection make sure to check on it. Flip your proteins halfway through while they’re still cooking to ensure the dish is evenly cooked. You will also want to move your veggies around periodically when cooking them in the air fryer.

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    Cook Once, Enjoy it Twice Mexican Beef Recipes

    Posted on Posted in Family, Kitchen, RecipesTagged , , , , , No Comments on Cook Once, Enjoy it Twice Mexican Beef Recipes

    With so many Americans preparing meals at home, the practice of cooking once and eating twice can extend your grocery budget while also making meal planning less stressful and more comforting. Cook a base dish that can be enjoyed today and used for an entirely different meal tomorrow. It’s a kitchen practice as simple as it sounds. For example, bake some fish for tonight’s dinner, and   fish tacos for tomorrow’s lunch. Cooking meals that feed the entire family is essential and even better if they give you a jump on a second meal. Whether your love for cooking runs deep or is being newly discovered, keep the following in mind when planning to cook once and eat twice: Stock up on staples. Before heading out to the store, develop a list of ingredients that can be used for multiple dishes. Canned goods, such as black beans and corn, are great items to store in the pantry and have on hand for a variety of favorite family recipes. Other basics like corn tortillas can be used in multiple ways, such as tacos, casseroles and even salads. Don’t forget produce. To increase flavor and nutrition, adding produce is key in your planning.  Make meat go further by using the same meat base two days in a row in two different ways in dishes like Mexican Lasagna and Tacos.  Beef Tacos Makes: 8 tacos Ingredients 1 lb. 90% to 93% lean ground beef 1 Tablespoon chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 cup tomato sauce 1/4 cup water 12 taco shells – either hard shells or small 6-inch soft flour tortillas will work Optional Taco Toppings: shredded cheese shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, diced red onion, taco sauce, sour cream, guacamole, etc. Instructions Add the beef to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break the meat apart with a wooden spoon. Add the chili powder, cumin, salt, oregano, garlic powder, and pepper to the meat. Stir well. Cook until the meat is cooked through, about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the tomato sauce and water. Stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 7-8 minutes, until some of the liquid evaporates but the meat mixture is still a little saucy. Remove from the heat. Warm the taco shells according to their package directions. Fill the taco shells with 2 heaping tablespoons of taco meat. Top with desired taco toppings: shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, diced red onion, taco sauce, sour cream, guacamole, etc.   Mexican Lasagna Servings: 6-8 Ingredients 1 pound ground beef  1 package taco seasoning 1 (10 ounce) can of tomatoes with green chilies, undrained 1 (15 ounce) can refried beans 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained and rinsed 1 (15 ounce) can black  beans, drained and rinsed 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup sour cream 10-12 corn tortillas Instructions Preheat oven to 350 In a large skillet brown ground beef, drain off any grease. Add the undrained tomatoes with green chilies and package of taco seasoning, stir mixture until seasoning has dissolved. Let mixture simmer until all liquid is gone, about 6 minutes. Then remove from heat and set aside. Meanwhile, drain and rinse the black beans and corn. Set aside. Open refried beans and set aside. Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with cooking spray. Begin your casserole with a base layer of corn tortillas 4-6 depending on the size. Then layer the rest of the ingredients in this order, refried beans, taco meat, corn, black beans, sour cream and cheese. Repeat, until your fillings are gone. Bake 30 minutes, let cool 5 minutes before serving. Top with your favorites like avocados, tomatoes, and cilantro!

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    Stuck-at-Home Easy Meal Hacks

    Posted on Posted in Family, Home, How-To, Kitchen, RecipesTagged , , ,

    Not sure what’s for dinner tonight? You’re not alone.  After weeks on lockdown and exhausting your favorite go-to meals you’re probably working extra hard to be creative in the kitchen. Even if you’re stuck at home your meals don’t have to be boring, with a little meal planning your family can enjoy healthy, flavorful meals during the coronavirus quarantine. More cooking can also mean more time spent preparing meals so innovation and technology can make meal prep easier, and kitchen hacks like turning to ready-to-heat meals that take just minutes can enhance your productivity. Consider these simple ways to rethink your dinner routine in an effort to create more moments with loved ones: Look for recipes with as few ingredients as possible. Dishes that include longer ingredient lists typically require more legwork in the kitchen, which usually involves additional prep steps and sometimes longer cook times. Plus, you’re more likely to already have the necessities on-hand for recipes that call for 5-10 ingredients rather than lengthy lists.   Buy pre-cut vegetables to trim time spent on prep work. One of the processes that can surprisingly consume more time than you realize is cutting, chopping and dicing veggies prior to even really diving into a recipe’s instructions. If you’d still prefer prepping your own fresh produce, try completing your work the night before when it doesn’t interfere with quality time spent with family.   Meal kits certainly save time in the store, but be careful to avoid options that still include a lot of prep and cleanup. Focus on frozen kits that contain pre-chopped and measured ingredients that are ready to go.   Stock your pantry with the basics to make cooking quicker and easier. From condiments and canned goods to seasonings and spices, keeping the essentials on-hand means less time scrambling for a quick run to the store and more moments spent at home.   For one of the ultimate comfort foods that’s simple to make, try thischeesy baked potato casserole. Stock Up on Pantry Essentials Running to the store every other day isn’t an option when you’re on lock down, so try to keep your pantry stocked with non-perishables that are often necessary in a variety of meals. Seasonings and spices (salt, pepper, dried herbs, cumin, chili powder, paprika, onion powder, etc.) Canned goods (tomatoes, beans, corn, broth, cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, etc.) Grains (flour, pastas, breadcrumbs, rolled oats, instant rice, etc.) Condiments and oils (olive oil, canola oil, ketchup, mustard, vinegars, barbecue sauce, butter, cooking wines, etc.)

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    7 Best Kitchen Garden Herbs for 2020

    Posted on Posted in Appliances 101, Home, KitchenTagged , , , , , No Comments on 7 Best Kitchen Garden Herbs for 2020

    If the dishes you’ve been cooking feel bland and boring, fresh herbs are a great way to give them some liveliness- but herbs can be hard to keep and store in the fridge, and always seem to wilt just when you want to use this.  If you want fresh herbs easily accessible year round, you can start a small kitchen garden in a sunny window, and with our top seven picks, you’ll be covered for a variety of cuisines with no worries. Oregano: A far cry from the dried flakes you can find in pizza parlors, fresh oregano packs a punch. This earthy herb pairs well with boldly flavored dishes, proteins, especially poultry, and vibrant veggies like bell peppers. Cilantro: This staple of Mexican food can taste soapy to some, but for others, it’s a welcome addition to tacos, rice and other foods. Parsley: Not just the weird green decoration on the sides of your plate, parsley can add a clean, fresh flavor to almost any dish. It plays especially well with citrus and fish. Chives: This kissing cousin to onions pairs with nearly anything. It’s a friend to baked potatoes, soups and more- chop it up and sprinkle on top for a sweet, almost delicate onion flavor Rosemary: A bush rather than a plant, rosemary is a friend to proteins and potatoes. This woodsy herb is best left on the stem and removed before serving, or chopped finely enough that its sometimes tough texture isn’t a problem. Thyme: Indispensable in so many cuisines, Thyme is commonly used in French, Italian, Greek, Cajun and Creole food. It blends beautifully with other herbs to make wonderful seasonings. Basil: With so many varieties, basil compliments cuisines from Italian to Thai and even more. Pair sweet basil with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and quality olive oil for a dreamy Caprese salad. The best time to have started a kitchen garden would have been a few weeks ago, but the second best time is now. Put your planters together and assemble this all-star team to liven up your foods in no time.   For more recipes, ideas and inspiration, visit our website at https://www.cosmoappliances.com or follow our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cosmokitchenappliances

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    Easy Strawberry Shortcake Recipe (Video Tutorial)

    Posted on Posted in Home, How-To, Kitchen, RecipesTagged , , , , , , , No Comments on Easy Strawberry Shortcake Recipe (Video Tutorial)

    Enjoy your summer with fresh fruit like strawberries in this easy Strawberry Shortcake recipe. Watch video to see how to make this simple yet ridiculously yummy recipe! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N3GIaRFc0s Easy Strawberry Shortcake Recipe 1  can (5-8) Canned flaky buttermilk biscuits 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1/4 cup sugar Strawberry mixture: 3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced 1/3 cup sugar Whipped cream: 1/2 cup whipping cream 2 tablespoons sugar 1/4 teaspoon vanilla Heat oven to 375° F. Separate biscuits. Dip tops and sides of biscuits in melted butter. Dip biscuits, covering tops and sides, in sugar. Place sugar-side up on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 13-17 minutes, or until golden brown. To make strawberry mixture: In medium bowl, mix strawberries and sugar. Set aside. To make whipped cream: In small bowl, beat whipping cream and sugar until soft peaks form. Add vanilla and beat into mixture. On plate, split biscuits and put dollop of whipped cream mixture on bottom half of biscuit. Add strawberry mixture. Replace biscuit top and dollop with whipping cream.

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    Father’s Day Gifts for the Man Who Loves to Cook

    Posted on Posted in Appliances 101, Family, Home, ProductsTagged , , , , , 3 Comments on Father’s Day Gifts for the Man Who Loves to Cook

    Hey Family, Father’s Day is coming up. Yey! Sure, typical Father’s Day gifts generally get the job done – think golf clubs, tool set and even a stylish tie – but what about the dad who enjoys spending time making magic in the kitchen. Don’t forget him. Give him the tools he needs to succeed, whether he’s baking for the big game, preparing a meal for the family, trying out a new recipe or seeking to master the perfect steak. Reaching one’s fullest potential in the kitchen requires the right equipment, so put the best gear in his hands (or on his counter) and up his culinary experience with these ideas from Cosmo Appliances. From a Portable Induction Cooktop Burner to a Sous Vide Cooker turn his Kitchen countertop into a versatile powerhouse, give your food-savvy dad what he needs to up his culinary game. For more Father’s Day gift inspiration, visit cosmoappliances.com. A Super Range for a Super Dad Dad deserves tools as bold and innovative as his culinary creations. Featuring Gas or Dual Fuel Ranges that combine modern styling with high-performance cooking technology. Dad will appreciate the authentic professional appearance with a robust profile. With high performance sealed burners that deliver exhilarating precision while the convection oven provides consistent heat for perfect roasting, baking, and broiling. These one-of-a-kind Ranges are sure to take his culinary prowess to a whole new level. Chef on the Go For those warm summer weekends, camping is a fantastic activity that provides hours of enjoyment and a welcome opportunity to connect with loved ones and nature. After a day full of outdoor activities, Dad will want to prepare something easy, simple and very fast. Upgrade your camping cuisine with a portable Induction cooktop. Thanks to induction technology, electromagnetic currents generate heat from within the metal in the cookware for extremely fast and even heating. Boasting impressive safety features unlike burners with flammable and combustible vapors, our system remains cool to touch until cookware is placed on it. It’s sleek, compact design allows him to enjoy cooking anywhere he goes. Personal Pasta When its your dads turn to cook he’ll be looking to put his personal touch on dinner, so give him the ability to make his perfect meal with a Cosmo’s Sous Vide Cooker. Gadget savvy dads and foodie dads alike love sous vide cooking because its science meets cooking, making it super cool. Dad can cook a variety of foods sous vide, including seafood, meat, poultry, eggs, fruits, vegetables, desserts, and even infused alcohols and kinds of vinegar. Sous Vide Cooking with Cosmo achieves fail-proof results, with steak cooked medium-rare from edge to edge, tender, juicy chicken breasts, and ribs with meat falling off the bone. It’s just what a Dad needs to bring something fresh and new to the table. Gifts under $20 for Dad Cookie Master Does dad love to bake? then we can bet you he hates the post bake clean-up. Let’s talk cookies stuck to the pan or new pans that already have rust on them…eww! Dad will love our baking mat and pan and the fact that it is commercial grade, durable and easy to clean! The mat is BPA free and made of food grade silicone. Cosmo’s nonstick baking mat will turn any surface into a non-stick healthy baking alternative; with even heat distribution he’ll bake like a pro without the need for butter, grease, or cooking sprays. Shop here King of the Grill For many dads, summer is synonymous with outdoor grilling and barbecues. Get dad a pair of Cosmo Silicone Kitchen Gloves perfect for Barbecue grilling and much more. Not all gloves are created equal. When handling hot food, rearranging coals and grill plates he needs a heavy duty pair of insulated BBQ gloves. Our exceptional pair of silicone gloves is designed for cooking lovers with protection and comfort in mind. They’re the most versatile kitchen tool for baking, cooking, and grilling, and can be used inside the kitchen for baked goods, by the grill for barbecuing chicken, frying a turkey, or even the fireplace! Dad will enjoy maximum protection while wearing these heat and cold resistant gloves. Shop here

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