food

Boost Your Health by Easily Incorporating Superfoods into Your Diet

Posted on December 16, 2024December 16, 2024Posted in KitchenTagged cooking at home, food, kitchen, recipeNo Comments

Superfoods are nutrient-dense foods packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can significantly benefit your health. From leafy greens like kale to seeds like chia, these foods provide essential nutrients that can support your immune system, improve digestion, and enhance overall well-being. But how do you seamlessly add these powerful foods to your everyday diet? In this post, we’ll explore easy and delicious ways to incorporate superfoods into your meals without overwhelming your routine. Start Your Day with Superfoods at Breakfast Breakfast is a great opportunity to infuse your meal with superfoods, giving your body a healthy head start. Upgrade Your Snacks with Superfoods Snacks are an excellent way to sneak more superfoods into your diet. Supercharge Your Salads Salads are a natural home for superfoods and can be customized with a wide range of nutrient-dense ingredients. Power Up Your Lunch and Dinner Incorporating superfoods into your main meals is easier than you think with a few simple swaps. Supercharge Your Soups and Stews Soups and stews provide the perfect opportunity to incorporate superfoods without much effort. Drink Your Superfoods Superfoods don’t have to be limited to solid foods. Beverages can also be a great way to boost your nutrient intake. Incorporate Superfoods into Your Desserts Yes, even your desserts can be supercharged with nutrients without sacrificing flavor! Incorporating superfoods into your diet doesn’t have to be complicated. By making small, intentional changes, you can gradually increase the amount of nutrient-dense, health-boosting foods you consume. Whether it’s adding a handful of spinach to your smoothie or using quinoa as a base for your salad, these small adjustments can have a big impact on your overall health and well-being. So start experimenting with these simple ideas and give your meals a nutritional upgrade today!

Cooking Techniques to Enhance the Flavor of Fungi

Posted on December 16, 2024December 16, 2024Posted in CookingTagged cooking, food, Fungi, MushroomsNo Comments

Mushrooms, a favorite in kitchens around the world, are packed with earthy, umami-rich flavors that can elevate any dish. Whether you’re working with common varieties like button mushrooms or more exotic types like shiitake or oyster, cooking techniques can significantly enhance their flavor and texture. In this post, we’ll explore some of the best methods to bring out the deliciousness of fungi and take your culinary creations to the next level. Sautéing: A Simple Yet Effective Technique Sautéing is one of the most straightforward ways to cook mushrooms, but the key is to do it properly to bring out their deep, savory flavors. How to Do It: Why It Works: Mushrooms are over 80% water, and sautéing helps to evaporate excess moisture while caramelizing the surface. This browning enhances their natural umami flavor, resulting in a more intense taste. Roasting: Intensifying Flavors Through High Heat Roasting mushrooms is another excellent method to concentrate their flavors. The high, dry heat of the oven brings out their natural sweetness and adds a subtle crispiness. How to Do It: Why It Works: Roasting dehydrates mushrooms slightly, concentrating their flavor and creating a meatier, more robust texture. Grilling: A Smoky Flavor Boost Grilling mushrooms is a fantastic way to add a smoky, charred flavor that complements their natural earthiness. Larger mushrooms, like portobellos or king oysters, are particularly well-suited for the grill. How to Do It: Why It Works: The grill imparts a smoky depth to the mushrooms, while the direct heat caramelizes their natural sugars, enhancing their richness and texture. Braising: Rich, Savory Flavor Infusion Braising involves cooking mushrooms in a flavorful liquid over low heat, infusing them with additional aromas and complexity. This method is perfect for dishes like stews or risottos, where you want the mushrooms to take on the flavor of the cooking liquid. How to Do It: Why It Works: Braising infuses the mushrooms with additional flavors while breaking down their fibers, making them tender and deeply flavorful. Dry Searing: Maximizing Umami Dry searing is an unusual but highly effective way to maximize the umami flavor of mushrooms. This technique involves cooking mushrooms without any oil or fat to allow them to release and concentrate their natural juices. How to Do It: Why It Works: By drawing out the mushrooms’ moisture through dry searing, you concentrate their umami flavor, leading to an incredibly rich and intense taste. Marinating: Enhancing Flavor Before Cooking Marinating mushrooms is a fantastic way to add depth before cooking. The porous nature of mushrooms allows them to absorb flavors from marinades, adding complexity to their natural taste. How to Do It: Why It Works: The marinade permeates the mushrooms, infusing them with complementary flavors that enhance their umami profile. Using Dried Mushrooms for a Flavor Boost Dried mushrooms, such as porcini or shiitake, are incredibly potent and can be used to intensify the flavor of dishes. Rehydrating them in hot water releases their concentrated flavor, which can be used both in the mushrooms and the soaking liquid. How to Do It: Why It Works: Dried mushrooms have an intensified flavor compared to fresh ones. When rehydrated, they add a depth of flavor that can transform simple dishes into something extraordinary. Mushrooms are incredibly versatile and can be transformed through various cooking methods, each enhancing their natural umami flavor in different ways. Whether you’re sautéing, roasting, grilling, or braising, experimenting with these techniques can help you discover new depths of flavor and texture in this humble ingredient. So the next time you’re cooking with fungi, try out one of these methods and enjoy the rich, earthy flavors that mushrooms bring to your meals!

Tips for Efficiently Using Your Kitchen Timer and Thermometer: Precision for Perfect Cooking

Posted on December 14, 2024December 16, 2024Posted in CookingTagged cooking at home, food, kitchen, kitchen appliancesNo Comments

A kitchen timer and a thermometer are two of the most essential tools for any home cook or baker. They help ensure that your meals are cooked to perfection by providing precise control over cooking times and temperatures. However, using these tools efficiently can make all the difference between a deliciously moist roast and an overcooked one, or perfectly baked cookies versus burnt edges. Here are some tips to help you make the most out of your kitchen timer and thermometer for flawless results in the kitchen. Know When to Use a Timer and When to Use a Thermometer While both the timer and thermometer help with cooking accuracy, they serve different purposes, and knowing when to rely on each one is key. Pro Tip: For dishes like roasts, cakes, or custards, use both tools: the timer as a general guide and the thermometer to ensure the dish reaches the perfect internal temperature. Set Multiple Timers for Different Tasks When cooking multiple dishes at once, it’s easy to lose track of time and overcook or undercook an item. Using multiple timers can help you keep everything on track, ensuring all components of your meal are ready at the same time. Pro Tip: To prevent forgetting a timer, place a sticky note near the stove or oven with labels that remind you which timer belongs to which dish. Place the Thermometer Properly for Accurate Readings Using a thermometer correctly is crucial for ensuring accurate readings, especially with meat and poultry. Incorrect placement can lead to misleading results, which can result in undercooking or overcooking your dish. Pro Tip: Always clean your thermometer before and after each use to prevent cross-contamination, especially when working with raw meat. Use Rest Times Wisely Resting is crucial for meats and baked goods to finish cooking and settle after being removed from the heat. Your kitchen timer and thermometer can help you make the most of this process. Pro Tip: For meats, aim to remove them from the heat 5-10 degrees below your target internal temperature and let carryover cooking bring it up to the final desired temperature. Program Your Timer for Prep Steps Timers aren’t just for cooking—they’re also helpful during preparation. Many recipes require timed tasks, such as letting dough rise, marinating meat, or allowing batter to rest. Set your timer for each of these steps to ensure you’re not rushing through important prep tasks. Pro Tip: Use different sound alarms or labels to distinguish between prep timers and cooking timers. Stay Hands-On with Cooking Thermometers Digital and instant-read thermometers are fantastic tools, but they require active attention. You can’t just stick them in and leave them like a timer. Here’s how to get the most accurate readings: Pro Tip: Invest in a probe thermometer that stays in the meat while it cooks, giving you a real-time temperature reading without having to open the oven. Use Alarms for Thermometer Targets Some thermometers come with built-in alarms that alert you when your food reaches the desired temperature. This feature ensures that you don’t have to keep opening the oven or grill to check. Pro Tip: If your thermometer doesn’t have an alarm, set a separate timer as a reminder to check the temperature at regular intervals during cooking. Keep Batteries and Accuracy in Check A dead battery or an inaccurate reading can lead to cooking disasters. Regularly check your thermometer and timers to ensure they’re functioning correctly. Mastering the use of your kitchen timer and thermometer can elevate your cooking from good to great by ensuring precise timing and temperature control. Whether you’re baking cookies, roasting meats, or deep-frying, these tools help you cook with confidence, ensuring your food is cooked safely and to perfection. By following these tips, you’ll avoid overcooked meals and undercooked disasters, making your time in the kitchen more efficient and enjoyable.

Cooking and Baking with Seeds: Unlocking Flavor, Texture, and Nutrition

Posted on December 13, 2024December 13, 2024Posted in CookingTagged baking, chia, food, recipeNo Comments

Seeds are tiny powerhouses of flavor, texture, and nutrition that can elevate your cooking and baking in exciting ways. From sprinkling chia seeds over your morning yogurt to adding a crunch of sunflower seeds to your salads, seeds are versatile, nutrient-rich ingredients that deserve a starring role in the kitchen. Whether you’re making savory dishes or sweet treats, incorporating seeds can boost the taste, nutritional value, and visual appeal of your meals. Let’s dive into the world of seeds and explore how you can start cooking and baking with them. Why Use Seeds in Cooking and Baking? Seeds are packed with essential nutrients like healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and phytochemicals, making them excellent for heart health, digestion, and overall wellness. But beyond their health benefits, seeds bring a unique combination of flavors and textures to your dishes. They can be crunchy, nutty, or mildly sweet, depending on the variety and how they’re used. Here’s a look at some of the most popular seeds you can incorporate into your recipes. Common Types of Seeds Chia Seeds Chia seeds are small, but they pack a powerful nutritional punch. When soaked, they form a gel-like consistency, making them a fantastic addition to smoothies, puddings, and jams. In baking, chia seeds can be used as a substitute for eggs (just mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water to create a chia “egg”). They are also great for adding a subtle crunch to granola bars, muffins, and breads. Try this: Flaxseeds Flaxseeds are another nutrition powerhouse, rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Similar to chia seeds, ground flaxseeds can be used as an egg substitute in baking. Their nutty flavor works well in breads, muffins, and pancakes. Flaxseeds are also excellent when added to smoothies, oatmeal, or homemade granola. Try this: Sunflower Seeds Sunflower seeds bring a rich, nutty flavor to both savory and sweet dishes. They are fantastic roasted and added to salads, soups, or grain bowls for added texture. In baking, you can use sunflower seeds to top breads, muffins, or cookies for a crunchy contrast. You can also grind them to create a smooth sunflower seed butter, which can be used in place of peanut butter in cookies, sauces, or spreads. Try this: Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas) Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are a fantastic source of magnesium, iron, and zinc. They have a mild, earthy flavor and can be used in both savory dishes and baked goods. Toasted pepitas are perfect for adding a crunchy element to soups, salads, and even tacos. In baking, you can toss them into quick breads, cookies, or granola. Try this: Sesame Seeds Sesame seeds are known for their rich, nutty flavor and are often used to garnish breads, crackers, and pastries. They are a staple in many Middle Eastern and Asian cuisines, adding texture and flavor to dishes like tahini, hummus, and stir-fries. Toasting sesame seeds enhances their flavor, making them a perfect topping for salads, sushi, or noodles. Try this: Poppy Seeds Poppy seeds are small but pack a delightful crunch and subtle nuttiness, commonly used in baking. They are a great addition to muffins, cakes, and breads, particularly when paired with citrus flavors like lemon. Poppy seeds also work well in savory dishes like salad dressings or sprinkled over bagels. Try this: How to Use Seeds in Baking Seeds can be incorporated into your baking recipes in multiple ways, whether mixed into the batter or used as toppings. Here are a few tips for baking with seeds: Savory Cooking with Seeds Seeds aren’t just for baking—they can also enhance savory dishes. Use them to add texture, flavor, and nutrition to everything from salads to main courses. Cooking and baking with seeds not only enhances the texture and flavor of your dishes but also boosts their nutritional value. Whether you’re looking to create healthy snacks, hearty breads, or indulgent desserts, seeds offer endless possibilities in the kitchen. From chia to sunflower, every seed brings something unique to the table. So, grab a handful of seeds, and start exploring their potential in your next meal!

How to Cook for Gluten-Free Diets at Home: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on December 12, 2024December 11, 2024Posted in HomeTagged cooking at home, food, GLUTEN, kitchen, recipeNo Comments

Cooking for a gluten-free diet at home can seem challenging, especially if you’re used to incorporating wheat, barley, and rye into your meals. However, with a bit of knowledge and creativity, you can create delicious and satisfying gluten-free meals that everyone can enjoy. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or a loved one with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the world of gluten-free cooking at home. 1. Understanding Gluten and Its Sources Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It acts as a binding agent, giving bread and other baked goods their structure. For those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, consuming gluten can lead to serious health issues. Here’s a list of common foods that contain gluten: 2. Stocking Your Gluten-Free Pantry The first step to cooking gluten-free meals is to ensure your pantry is stocked with gluten-free alternatives. Here are some essential items to include: 3. Reading Labels and Choosing Safe Products When shopping for gluten-free ingredients, it’s crucial to read labels carefully. Look for products that are certified gluten-free, as these undergo strict testing to ensure they contain no gluten. Be aware of cross-contamination, which can occur when gluten-free foods come into contact with gluten-containing items. 4. Cooking Techniques for Gluten-Free Meals Here are some cooking techniques to keep in mind when preparing gluten-free meals: 5. Creating Delicious Gluten-Free Meals With the right ingredients and techniques, you can create a variety of gluten-free meals. Here are some ideas to get you started: 6. Dessert Options Just because you’re cooking gluten-free doesn’t mean you have to skip dessert! Here are some gluten-free sweet treats: 7. Staying Informed and Getting Creative The world of gluten-free cooking is constantly evolving, with new products and recipes emerging regularly. Join gluten-free cooking groups, follow blogs, and attend cooking classes to learn new techniques and find inspiration. Cooking for a gluten-free diet at home doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right ingredients, techniques, and creativity, you can prepare delicious, satisfying meals that cater to gluten-free needs. By embracing the variety of gluten-free foods available and experimenting in the kitchen, you can make healthy and tasty meals that everyone can enjoy—gluten-free or not!

3 Ways to Cook the Perfect Turkey

Posted on November 23, 2020November 24, 2020Posted in Family, Kitchen, RecipesTagged food, kitchen, meal, recipe1 Comment

Cooking turkeys can be a daunting task. Instead of resorting to an old recipe, try something new this year if you’re up for the challenge, here are three different ways you can cook that perfect turkey. Smoke It Smoking turkey takes about the same amount of time as cooking it traditionally in an oven, however it requires more attention. You’ll need to truss your turkey to make it easier to flip in the smoker for an even cook. Cotton butcher’s twine is a must. You’ll need to have a slow and mellow fire. Be sure to keep your coals glowing and add some hardwood chunks for a unique flavor. Keep an eye on the turkey throughout the day and measure its temperature. Avoid a dry, hot smoker as this will make the turkey’s skin crack. Have a silicone brush on hand to keep the turkey basted. Grill It A gas grill can be ideal for cooking turkey with the right tools. You’ll need a roast rack to hold up your turkey upside down and away from the grill as it starts to cook. The breast will take the longest so start with the breast side facing the burners. After an hour or two you can flip it over directly on to the grate. Add some smokey flavor with a smoke box as gas doesn’t naturally do this. Keep track of the temperature of your turkey. Use a dual probe thermometer as the breast will take longer to cook. Fry It One of the quickest ways to cook a turkey is frying it. You can cook an average sized turkey in about an hour, making it a much more attractive method. It’s best to brine your turkey beforehand to maintain moisture in the turkey as frying can dry it out. Safety is key when it comes to frying a turkey. Be sure you have a thermometer to keep track of the oil’s temperature. Use proper equipment when lowering and lifting the turkey in the oil, such as heat resistant gloves. Turn off your fryer prior to lifting it out of the fryer and check the turkey’s temperature once it’s out. It’s only safe to fry a turkey outdoors and with the proper fryer. Keep flammable items away from the area. How are you going to cook your turkey this year? Let us know over on our Facebook and Instagram, or in the comments below. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving this year! Sources: HGTV

Spice Up the Season With These Easy Recipes

Posted on November 17, 2020November 17, 2020Posted in Family, Kitchen, RecipesTagged cooking at home, food, holiday cooking, recipe, thanksgivingNo Comments

The holiday season is upon us, and with that comes delicious foods for the whole family! Snacks are a staple for any occasion but are often overlooked. Don’t miss the opportunity to bring a memorable experience when you impress your family with these recipes. Learn how to make these delicious treats below, courtesy of AmericanPecan.com Reindeer Pecan Brownies Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Yield: 20 brownies Nonstick cooking spray 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted 1 tablespoon pecan or canola oil 1 cup, plus 2 tablespoons, granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup all-purpose flour ½ cup cocoa powder 1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional) ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 20 raw pecan halves, cut in half 40 candy eyeballs 20 red chocolate candies ¼ cup chocolate chip Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray mini muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. In large bowl, whisk melted butter, oil and sugar until well combined. Add eggs and vanilla extract; beat until mixture is thick and pale in color, about 1 minute. Sift in flour and cocoa powder. Add espresso powder, if desired, and salt. Using rubber spatula, fold dry ingredients into butter mixture until just combined. Batter should be thick. Using 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, transfer batter to prepared mini muffin tin. Bake 13-15 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out mostly clean, with some lingering crumbs. Add chocolate chips to heat-safe bowl; microwave until smooth and melted. Pour melted chocolate into sandwich bag and cut off small portion of one corner to use as tip. Use melted chocolate to “glue” on pecan antlers, candy eyeballs and red candy noses to brownies. Allow chocolate to set before transferring brownies to airtight container. Note: Brownies will stay fresh for up to three days. No-Bake Pumpkin Pecan Pie Bites Prep time: 15 minutes Chill time: 1 hour Yield: 12 bites (6 servings) Crust: 1 1/2 cups raw pecan pieces 3/4 cup pitted medjool dates (about 7 dates), soaked in hot water 10 minutes 1 pinch pink salt Filling: 1/3 cup pumpkin puree 1/3 cup full fat coconut milk 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice 1/4 cup maple syrup 1 pinch pink salt 1 scoop collagen peptides (optional) 12 raw pecan halves, for topping To make crust: In food processor, process pecan pieces, drained dates and salt until combined and “dough” starts to form into ball. To make filling: In bowl, combine pumpkin puree, coconut milk, pumpkin spice, maple syrup, pink salt and collagen peptides, if desired. Whisk until smooth. Line cupcake tin and evenly distribute crust mixture, about 1 1/2 tablespoons in each cupcake opening. Use fingers to press crust into even layer. Evenly disperse pumpkin pie filling among openings until tins are about half full. Top each with one pecan half and place in freezer at least one hour. Source: American Pecan Council

Essential Pantry Staples to Have on Hand

Posted on May 28, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Family, How-To, RecipesTagged cooking, cooking at home, foodNo Comments

Keeping a well-stocked pantry ensures you can pull together a quality meal on a moment’s notice or when unexpected circumstances keep you from making it to the store. In many homes, the pantry is filled with mismatched odds and ends that may not fit together, but you can shop smart to gather basic ingredients you need for a wide range of recipes. Spices: A robust spice rack lets you customize all the other ingredients for dishes as simple or complex as you like. As you’re building a spice collection, start with basics like salt, pepper and garlic powder. Also add some of your favorite dried herbs like basil, thyme and ginger then build the rest of your supply around your favorite foods so you can easily create familiar dishes with what you have on hand. Protein: You may be surprised by how many protein options can be stored in your pantry. Aside from nuts, beans and peanut butter, keeping a selection of canned seafood can allow you to create well-balanced, protein-rich dishes whether you’re topping a salad, adding the finishing touch to your favorite pasta, filling a wrap or more. For example, wild-caught canned tuna or salmon can be the foundation for a multitude of recipes. Oils: When used in moderation, oils are an essential cooking ingredient that add flavor and depth. Extra-virgin olive oil can be used for everything from sauteing proteins and drizzling over veggies to creating dips and dressings. Many home cooks also favor canola oil as a neutral cooking oil that can be used in a wide range of preparations. Grains and Pastas: Most pastas have a long shelf-life, making them a great addition to a well-stocked pantry. Pasta and grains can be the foundation of a meal when paired with sauce and protein or veggies, or as an easy side dish. Include your favorite styles of regular pasta along with options like couscous, quinoa and rice. Canned Vegetables: You can pack in plenty of healthy nutrients without a trip to the farmer’s market or produce section. Put your personal touch on canned veggies to enhance their flavor, like adding some onion (or onion powder or flakes), salt and pepper to cut green beans. Be sure to keep plenty of choices on hand for vegetables you enjoy eating on their own and ones you might use as ingredients. Broth or Stock: Whether you use it as the base for a delicious soup or to add flavor in countless other recipes, broth and stock can be found with both meat and vegetable bases so you can easily create sauces and more. Condiments: These sauces and accompaniments help perk up your favorite foods. There’s no standard list of right and wrong, but staples like ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, barbecue, soy and hot sauce top many people’s must-have lists.

Common Cooking Myths Busted

Posted on May 15, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Family, How-To, RecipesTagged cooking, cooking at home, foodNo Comments

It isn’t just inexperienced home cooks who make mistakes in the kitchen. There are countless cooking myths that keep even the most competent chefs from reaching their full potential in the kitchen. Before you suffer through another less-than-stellar meal, make sure you’re not falling for these cooking myths. And start making every meal healthier and more delicious. Myth No. 1: Frozen isn’t as good as fresh Frozen food is just as—and in some cases more—nutritious than fresh varieties. Fresh food is often picked before the fruit or vegetable is ripe, then packaged, shipped, and stocked. The time from harvesting to your plate could be days, even more than a week. During that time, the food loses nutrients. Frozen food, however, is harvested at peak ripeness and flash-frozen within hours. Myth No. 2: Microwaving destroys nutrients in food Nutrients break down when exposed to heat, no matter the source. Cooking foods in water or other liquids can also make nutrients leach out of the food. Since microwaving is so quick and uses very little liquid, it preserves more nutrients than other cooking methods such as boiling or baking. Myth No. 3: Cooking removes nutrients from vegetables. Many people believe that eating vegetables raw is the best way to get their nutrients. Most vitamins are not too much affected by heat from boiling or steaming, and cooking vegetables might actually make some of them easier to digest. Boiling water-soluble vitamins (like vitamin C and B) does remove some n nutrients into the water, but most remain. Myth No. 4: Cast-iron skillets work only on gas stoves; you can’t cook with them on an electric range. Cast iron works great on electric, although it may take a little longer to achieve the same results since cast iron is slightly slower to heat on an electric heating element. If you’re using a cast-iron skillet on an electric range, you may find that you need to cook things slightly longer. Myth No 5: It’s bad to refreeze previously-frozen food Food thawed on the counter (a serious no-no!) should never be returned to the freezer for safety reasons. In fact, you might want to consider throwing it out entirely. However, Frozen foods that were thawed in the fridge and not on the counter can be returned to the freezer. Myth No 6: Cooking with a Grill has limitations Think of your grill as basically a big oven with a lid, you can cook just about anything on it — providing you have the right vessel. There are a few “ungrillable” items that are great prepared over hot coals. Myth No. 7: Slow cookers are good for everything Slow cookers are wonderful but they can’t cook everything. There are some things that just aren’t going to turn out well in the slow cooker, no matter how hard you try. Since most types of fish and shellfish cook very quickly, the slow cooker is not advisable for most seafood dishes. Myth No. 8: Don’t Wash Cast Iron Pans You should definitely wash your pans. Coat the surface of the pan in cooking oil before soaping it down. This way the dish soap won’t damage the seasoning.

Cooking with a Range – Beginner’s Guide to Cooking like a Pro at Home

Posted on May 12, 2020October 14, 2020Posted in Family, How-To, RecipesTagged food, food expirationNo Comments

Everyone is entertaining at home these days, and whether it’s for a small group or large gathering, the trend of professional-grade kitchens in the home is here to stay. A top chef’s kitchen adds lots of value to your home, and the focus is the appliances. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing pro-style chef-grade Gas Range . Gas Heats up Faster Because the Flame Is the Source of Heat Gas stoves heat much faster than electric, with gas stoves, the flame itself is the source of heat. This means you don’t need to wait on for the burner to get hot – your pan will instantly begin feeling the heat. When You Turn off the Burner, You Turn off the Heat When you turn off the burner, you turn off the flame. And, when you turn off the flame, you turn off the heat. Simmering May Take Some Practice When it comes to cooking on a gas range, there’s one thing that many people have trouble with, and that’s how to simmer. It may take some practice. With a bit of practice, you will find the perfect setting for the simmer function. Learn What Gas Smells Like and Know How to Turn the Gas Off it’s very important to know what natural gas and propane (depending on which you have) smell like. While leaks are very rare, they are possible. For your safety, knowing how to turn off the gas is crucial. Take the time to learn where the valve switch is and how to use it before you even cook. Be Mindful of the Flame Remember that you are cooking with an open flame. With a gas range, the flame is the heat. So, if something comes in contact with it, a fire can start very quickly. Watch out for things such as kitchen towels, oven mitts, long hair, loose clothing, etc. And, get in the habit of turning a burner off the moment you remove a pan from it. Keep It Clean No matter how hard you try, cooking can get messy. Food splatters, drips, spills, and so forth. And while you may want to overlook this mess or believe that it will cook off the next time the oven or stove are turned on, you are leaving yourself with a potentially dangerous situation. The leftover debris from your cooking may actually catch fire the next time you go to light your burner. So make a point to clean after each use. When Baking, Consider Rotating Your Pans One of the biggest complaints from bakers is the uneven heating that occurs in a gas oven. Unless you have a convection fan, you may find that your food may bake faster on one side. To prevent any issue with over- or under-cooked food, consider rotating your pans throughout the baking time. This will help each side to be evenly exposed to the heat.