Putting a holiday meal on the table can be a daunting experience for first-timers and seasoned pros, alike. But with a little planning, everything will come together flawlessly. Avoid a last-minute scramble by making portions of your meal ahead of time.
Here are some ideas: (more…)
click here for some great Ice cream recipes
Click here to learn about the Ice Cream Dipper
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| Refrigerate foods to maintain quality as well as to keep them safe. Some bacteria grow and multiply, although very slowly, at refrigerated temperatures. There is a limit to the time various foods will stay fresh and safe in a refrigerator. Food is properly refrigerated at a temperature range between 35-40° F or 2-6° C!
Did you check your Refrigerator lately?
click here for a chart to how long to keep foods or is it time to toss it out? |
Uncooked ham must be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Fully cooked ham should be heated to an internal temperature of 140°F.The ham should be allowed to stand at room temperature for 2 hours before cooking. Bake the ham at 325′ for the time in the chart below
Click here to try my California Orange Glazed Ham Recipe
Click here to view today’s blog postings for more tips and recipes
Click below for timing chart
Do YOU feel anxiety or stress that ends up in your neck or back?
PRODUCTS FOR EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY – FROM BABIES, TEENS, YOUNG, & MATURE ADULTS
Because food is such a focal point of the holidays, it’s all too easy to pack on extra pounds when joining family and friends in celebration. But a bit of planning may help you avoid weight gain.
I offer the following tips for preventing holiday weight gain:
After-Christmas sales can be a great time to load up on bargains – and not just on Christmas items.
With many people back at work today, the store will be less crowded and you will still find many great deals. Here’s how to make the most of those sales:
You might find great deals in my online outlet. Click here for more information
Question: How Do I Estimate How Much Alcohol I Need for My New Years Eve Party?
Answer: Dear Reader:
There are several factors you’ll want to consider when you calculate the amount of alcohol you’ll need for a party. (more…)
Use top-quality ingredient and assemble the ingredients before starting:
You can’t expect a first-rate product using second-rate ingredients. Be sure your ingredients are fresh and of the finest quality. If your recipe says the ingredient must be room temperature, be sure it is room temperature before proceeding. (more…)
A baking sheet should be either cool or at room temperature when the cookie dough is placed on it; otherwise, the dough will start to melt, adversely affecting the cookies’ shape and texture.
Uh-oh. Have you procrastinated about doing your holiday shopping? Again? Alright, deadline-pushers, you can officially stop despairing. These tips will require a minimum investment of time on your part, and they’ll help you survive another holiday season while elating your friends and family as well.
Do you love setting the table with a huge assortment of cookies but can’t stand the thought of spending several days baking? Then a cookie exchange party is the perfect party for you! Plan ahead for your party with our handy checklist.
You’ve picked a date and sent the invitations. What now? It’s simple to organize and throw your own party–we’ll walk you through it. Check out our tips to make the party extra-special, and browse our Christmas cookie recipes from around the world. (more…)
The rash of bankruptcies and other difficulties facing the state have led to changes and reinforcements of laws applying to gift cards in California. Since this is the season when the majority of gift cards are purchased, I thought it a good time to examine these laws for California’s shoppers.
For a state-by-state detailing of gift-card consumer protection laws visit the Consumer Union web site. (more…)
Craft time can be just as fun in the kitchen with this candy penguin and igloo project. See how to make a wintery scene with your kids using edible ingredients like marshmallows, frosting, sugar cubes, and coconut.
From choosing your tree to keeping your tree fresh, this is your guide to a perfect Christmas tree!
Read on to learn how to choose the best tree for you, put it up straight without a struggle, and keep it fresh, fragrant, and hazard-free — plus, secrets to holiday cleanup. (more…)
How to clean stainless steel cookware
Stainless steel requires little special care. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can ignore it. There are some things you need to do to keep your stainless steel in good shape.
Our party appetizer tips will help you plan your next dinner or holiday party. Eating appetizers offers a great way for guests to socialize while having something to do. You can place them strategically around your home to direct the flow of guest traffic and they are a nice thing to offer whenever alcohol is served so that guests don’t drink on an empty stomach.
Turn holiday leftovers into after-holiday delights with these simple ideas!
Cranberry Relish and Sauce
Canned Pumpkin Pie Filling
More Timely Tips
Cut the turkey into small pieces; refrigerate stuffing and turkey separately in shallow containers within 2 hours of cooking. Use leftover turkey and stuffing within 3-4 days; gravy within 1-2 days; or freeze these foods. Reheat thoroughly to a temperature of 165 ° F or until hot and steaming.
Here’s a list of common leftovers and recommended refrigerator storage times:
Kitchen Tip of the day:
This Thanksgiving, whether you are roasting or smoking your holiday turkey, don’t forget the most important step: brining.
Click below for directions (more…)
Setting a table is not as difficult as it seems. The basic rule is: Utensils are placed in the order of use, that is, from the outside in. A second rule, with only a few exceptions is: forks go to the left of the plate, and knives and spoons go to the right.
Click below for Descriptions and diagrams
When you use a garlic press or crush the garlic cloves, you get a stronger flavor than when you mince it fine with a knife. This is only noticeable when using the garlic raw
Garlic can be used as a pest repellent to repell aphids.
Small bulbs of garlic can be as much as 20 times as strong as larger bulbs.
Are you interested in how to teach cooking to kids? I’ve had several people contact me looking for advice about wanting to open up cooking classes or do cooking parties in their own area.
7. Keep cooking groups to 3-6 kids. This tends to work best. If you have more than 6 kids, get an assistant to help you.
8. Teach kids to clean up as well as create recipes. Wipe up spills with paper towels, clean floor with broom if needed, etc. when done.
Q. What are some basic stock recipes?
A. Thank you Iris for my first question on my blog. Stock is a lot easier to make than you might think. Here are some easy recipes for chicken, beef, and vegetable stock:
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Kitchen Tip of the Day = How to use a Microwave Rice Cooker
1. To cook rice, refer to package microwave directions. If package microwave directions are unavailable, a general guideline for four servings is 2 cups water to 1 cup rice. Fill cooker with water and rice. Cook on HIGH (100% power) 5 minutes; reduce to MEDIUM (50% power)15 minutes or until water is absorbed.
2. Place clear inner lid into base with outer rim upright. Set lid on top of cooker aligning lid tabs with handles. Pull locks up and over tabs to click in place.
3. Place cooker in microwave and follow package directions to begin cooking. Microwave ovens vary; adjust times and power levels as needed, beginning with shorter cooking times.
4. Remove from microwave with heat-resistant oven mitt or pad. Release locks from tabs. Caution: Steam will build during cooking. Using a heat-resistant oven mitt or pad, lift lid toward you, allowing remaining steam to escape away from you. Insert a utensil in center hole, lift clear inner lid toward you.
5. Refer to microwave manufacturers instruction manual for more information on cooking other foods.
Whether your family calls it stuffing or dressing, most likely the first thing that comes to mind is Thanksgiving. However, stuffing is not just for holidays and not just for poultry. Many varieties of seafood and vegetables are also prime candidates for stuffing.
Click below for more information
YOU HAVE ONLY 3 WEEKS UNTIL THANKSGIVING
Think it’s too early to start planning Thanksgiving dinner? Think again! Nov. 26 may seem like a long way off, but for the holiday host, it’s right around the corner. That’s why each Tuesday until Turkey Day, I’ll bring you preparation tips to ensure your Thanksgiving is as smooth as your gravy (should be). Here are two tips to start thinking about today!
1. Get a head count.
Now’s the time to start inviting people to Thanksgiving dinner. If you’re thinking about it, chances are good your friends and family are, too. So if your cousin is bringing her new boyfriend, and both sets of grandparents are coming to town, as well as your parents and siblings, you’re going to need to figure out how to seat everyone at your small table with three mismatched chairs.
Getting a head count this early ensures you’ll have enough time to borrow tables, chairs and whatever other furniture items you need to so that everyone can eat comfortably, and then have a place to lounge when the tryptophan-wine combo sets in. And don’t forget to find out who’s a vegetarian, who’s allergic to nuts, and any other dietary restrictions you’ll be dealing with. The last thing you want to hear as you put your pecan pie on the table is that your cousin’s new boyfriend has a severe nut allergy.
2. Pre-order your turkey.
There are few things more stressful than trying to find a good turkey of the correct size during the week before Thanksgiving, especially if you want a fresh turkey over the 3-4 days to defrost a frozen turkey
Luckily, many grocery stores begin taking orders for turkeys around the beginning of November. And that early head count will let you know how much turkey you’ll need to ensure everyone leaves with bellies so full they’ll wish they’d worn sweatpants. Allow for one pound of turkey per person (that way you’ll most likely have leftovers for things like turkey sandwiches and other fun recipes I will be posting here after Thanksgiving.
HOW TO TOAST NUTS
Here is a great tip for your Autumn baking, I discovered that most nuts such as PECANS, ALMONDS, and WALNUTS toast beautifully in the microwave. Many Fall recipes call for nuts which are in season right now. By toasting them first, the flavor explodes and enhances your recipe. Instead of using your stovetop or oven, put this microwave method to the test. It worked like a charm.
Evenly spread nuts in a flat microwavable dish such as a small stoneware bar pan. Microwave on high or full power for 3 to 4 minutes for 1/2 cup of nuts and 4 to 5 minutes for 1 cup. Stir every 45-60 second intervals (which is good for all nuts) to control the toasting times during cooking. Do not over cook as nuts will continue to darken after being removed from the microwave.
Warning!! the dish will be HOT. allow to sit for 5 minutes to cool the nuts to room temp before using in your recipe
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