18 Tips to Improve Your Holiday Prep and Cooking Times

The holidays are just about here and it's time to start planning for your big family and friend meals. It does not matter if you are a master chef or are new, cooking for the holidays is a big deal and can take a lot of time. Here are 18 tips that can improve your times. Some are super simple and easy, others are a little more advance and require certain features in appliances. By knowing these helpful tips, you can cut down your prep and cook times and spend more time mingling with family and friends.

Easy Cooking Tips

1. Plan ahead and read the directions before starting

It is always a good rule of thumb to be prepared before cooking. Make sure to have a plan of what you want to make and make sure you have all the ingredients before you even start to cook. Make your shopping list one week in advance and  add to it as you remember last minute things. Remember to also read the directions before starting so you know what's coming up next.

2. Prep food ahead of time

You can prep your fruits and veggies a few days in advance. Start by cutting them and storing them in air tight containers.

3. Cut food in smaller pieces

While you are cutting your produce during prep times think about size. The smaller the pieces, the less time it will take t

o cook all the way.

4. Use in-season ingredients

Buy in season produce and meats to save you money at the grocery store. The foods that are in season will have the best taste with less prepping or cooking effort.

5. Don't  peel your produce

Save time by not peeling your produce. Eating the skin in fruits and veggies can save you time, but will also keep more nutrients in the food making it more healthier to eat. Just make sure to wash your produce well. This can be done with carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, apples, oranges, pears, and more.

6. Make more for leftovers

While you're cooking for today's meal, you might as well cook for tomorrows meal too. Don't be ashamed, double your recopies so that you have plenty for leftovers. You can even use some of your scraps for soups and leftovers can be used to make sandwiches and other meals. You can even freeze some of the food and save it for a few weeks later.

7. Clean as you go

While you are waiting for your food to cook for the next step, take those extra minutes to clean dishes and cooking areas. Fill your sink with hot and soapy water. You can have some of your pots and pans soak saving you time after you eat your meal.

8. Pre-set the table

You can have your dining room table set a few days or even a couple of weeks in advance. This will get you in the holiday spirit ahead of time and make your room more festive. By doing this, you can have more time to chat with loved ones when they visit you.

Pro Cooking Tips

9. Shopping list

A pro tips is to have your shopping list by sections and then have it in order of where it is in the grocery store.

10. Memorize your favorite recipes

Pro cooks don't use recipes very often. You can save tons of time by memorizing your favorite ones.

11. Don't try new recipes for big gatherings

Be comfortable with what you are making and do not try something brand new for the big feast. You can try something new, but in advance. Practice making something new a few weeks or months in advance. This way you can tweak things so that you can perfect them for the big day.

12. Grow your own kitchen herbs

Fresh herbs can really give your food a more fresh taste and add flavor. Herbs like parsley, basil, rosemary, oregano, and savory are simple plants that can grow in your kitchen or garden. This will save you time at the grocery store.

13. Pre-mix your favorite spice combos

Make your own spice combos that you use all year round. Store them in spice jars and store them in a cool place. This can help you save time and money throughout the year.

14. Preheating for turkey and other big meats

Before you turn on your oven for big meats and roasts, have your oven pre-heat at a higher temperature like 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the oven is ready, put your meat in the oven and then turn your oven down to the right temperature such as 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Because your turkey is cold when putting in your oven, you can actually shock your oven with the coldness and loose the correct temperature making the cooking process longer. By doing this trick, you can start cooking at the correct temperature at the very beginning.

15. Skip carving at the table

It might be your family tradition to have the head of the house carve the turkey at the table before everyone eats. Skip this step and do it in the kitchen. You can be more strategic about your carving and you won't have to worry about knocking anything over at the table or making a big mess.

16. Cook with an Induction Cooktop or Range

Induction cooking heats a pan that is magnetic directly . The technology of heating the metal at a microscopic level can actually make your cooking times 50% faster. Induction also allows you to have more control with your temperatures reducing the risk of over or under cooking. The technology allows you to have cooking more consistent and have the same results every time. The smooth surface is also very easy to clean and you do not have to worry about cleaning cooked-on spills.

17. Cook with a Convection Oven

A convection oven has a fan and exhaust system inside. The fan helps blow the hot air and vent it back out throughout the oven. Because the hot air is getting pushed throughout, your food will cook more evenly and more quickly. You can cook food up to 25% faster than a traditional oven. Because there is new air coming into the oven, it caramelizes the sugars on top faster making the outside brown perfectly when roasting while still keeping the inside nice an moist.

18.  Make Cleaning up easy with your Dishwasher

Once you are done eating your feast, you and your guests will want to relax. One of the big things that you can do before starting to cook is making sure that your dishwasher is empty and ready for the dishes. Have a quiet dishwasher so that after the feast you can run it during your gathering. Your guests will be amazed that it's so quiet, but also it will save you time after the party. You can also do a quick cycle before dessert or use disposal plates for dessert so you don't have to run two different dishwasher cycles.

Get Ready for Fall with Your 5 Senses

There are signs that Autumn is just about here. The kids are back in school, the days are shorter, and you can feel a little breeze in the air. It's a great time to start noticing the natural transformation and embracing your five senses to make your fall oasis. Here are five things that you can do to get all of your senses ready for fall.

1. Vision: Add the Fall Decor

Let the decorating begin with visuals around your kitchen and home! Start by changing your kitchen decor with Autumn colored napkins, leaf shaped napkin rings, earthy center piece, fall themed table runner, fall colored flowers with a neutral vase, a fun fall picture or a decorative calligraphy sign, and more. Decorating the room with warm colors will definitely get you into the season.

2. Taste: Baskets of Fruits and Veggies

Make sure to load up on the fall fruits and veggie favorites and have them out in either a basket or a bowl. You can get things like  apples, pears, mini pumpkins, berries and cherries,  corn, squash, eggplants, and more. These will provide natural colors into your kitchen, but make you want to have healthy snacks which will make your taste buds get into the season. I also challenge you to try new recipes for dinner with some of these fruits and vegetables.

3. Smell: Burn those Candles and Bake On

The temperature is about to get a little more chill at night. Get a little warmer by bringing out fun candles. Gravitate towards candles with warm colors like brown, gold, red, yellow, orange, and white which will fill the room with fall. Look for fragrances like pumpkin Chai,  cinnamon apple, frosted cranberry,  vanilla birch, and autumn leaves. Baking more will also bring yummy smells into your home. Try baking a pies, bread, corn bread, cinnamon rolls, and more.

4. Touch: Settle Ways to Feel Fall

This sense is one that we least think about and is more settle. Think about opening your window to feel the colder breeze go through your hair. You can place fall themed rugs on the floor to keep your toes warmer. This will keep the floors free from the crunchy leaves and dirt that comes from outside.  Bring out your favorite house slippers or fuzzy fall socks as another layer of warmth in your home. Or turn on the fireplace to feel the warmth of the log burning.

5. Hearing: Get the Family Together

Again, opening the window will provide you also with the touch of the wind, but also the sounds of fall. You will hear animals making noises and trees moving in the wind and is a natural way of bringing Autumn in from outside. But the big way to hear fall is to have dinner together at the table. Fall is all about bringing family and friends together; what better way to do that by having dinner together. The sound of the kids playing right before you sit down, the laughter of a joke, and the storytelling  throughout your meal.  Togetherness is the real spirit of Autumn!

When you do all of these things, you will definitely get into the spirit of the season. Take a few moments tonight and throughout fall to gather the family together and enjoy every aspect of fall.

Coil vs Glass Cooktops/ Ranges

Celebrity Chef Mark Kalix is here today to show us the differences between coil and glass ranges/ cooktops.  He then talks about how you can find great deals on top ranges in our stores in the Clearance Center section. Let's take a look...



Standard Coil

• Coil ranges are the more traditional option.
• The coils and drip pans are easy to remove and replace.
• Coils and drip pans are more affordable to replace.
• In general, they are more resistant to scratches and bumps.
• Heating element transfer heat by direct contact.
• Can be used with all cookware including cast iron.
• Easy to tell if burners are on because you can see the red coils or flames (gas versions).
• May take less time to heat up before cooking.

Glass Top

• Heating elements are hidden underneath glass.
• Can look more appealing and modern with sleek design.
• Easy to clean by wiping down with Cerama Bryte glass cleaner.
• Heating element transfers heat to burner with flat-bottomed cookware the best.
• Might require specific magnetic pans, but is safer in that you won't burn yourself or other materials.
• They take less time to cool down once turned off.

We hope that talking about the benefits help you in deciding if coil ranges or glass top ranges are better for you. There are still other featured and options available such as deciding between gas and electric, range or a cooktop, freestanding or slide-in ranges, induction cooking, dual-fuel ranges, and more. Contact one of our stores to ask about any questions that you may have and to go through some of the other features to help decide what is the best for you.

From Our Oven to Yours: How to Marinate Meats for Grilling

There is nothing I enjoy more than a well marinated, well cooked piece of meat. Marinating before grilling may seem like a daunting task, but know what kinds of marinades for different types of meat will speed up the process and result in better tasting food.

Beef

Beef done right is a rich with tons of flavor, melting in your mouth – no matter the quality of cut. The best way to achieve this tenderness is the perfect marinade and slow cooking. Beef marinades should add to the natural flavor of the meat, while keeping it moist during grilling.

Try this recipe-

Prep 15 min

• 1/3 cup of soy sauce
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 ½ tablespoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
• ¼ teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic

Cook to your likes.

Chicken

When it’s good it’s good! When it’s bad it’s as rubbery and dry as gum. Although it is easy to overcook, chicken is a staple in most diets thanks to its nutritional value and excellent taste. You don’t have to worry about dry chicken if you marinade it to perfection.

Try this recipe-

          Prep Time 15 in

• ¹⁄₄ cup cider vinegar
• 3  tablespoons whole grain mustard
• 3  cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1   lime, juiced
• ¹⁄₂  lemon, juiced
• ¹⁄₂ cup brown sugar
• 1 ¹⁄₂ teaspoons salt
• 6  tablespoons olive oil
• ground black pepper
• 6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

Cook until golden brown on both sides.

Pork

Just like Chicken this white meat can dry out very quickly when cooked too long. A good marinade will solve this issue and add lots of extra flavor.

Try this recipe-

          Prep time 25 min

• 2 large pork chops
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon mesquite-flavored seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cook until golden brown on both sides.

Convert to Gas or Induction? The Choice Is Yours

Many people come into the store wanting and dreaming of converting to gas.  A lot of times this involves a big kitchen remodel project and can come with hefty costs.  There is a great alternative to the time, money, and effort that this takes to switch to gas.  Welcome to the world of induction ranges!

Take a look at the pros and cons of both and it will help you determine which option is best for you.

Gas Ranges

Most professional chefs prefer cooking on gas. Once ignited, the burners respond faster and you do not have to wait for the burners to warm up with conventional electric cooktops or ranges. They are also a little bit easier to clean and maintain. With electric, there seems to be a huge mess after cooking and you have to clean it with a special product and elbow grease. With gas, you just have to remove the steel grate and wipe the crumbs and food way more easily, but not as easily as induction. Gas allows you to use different types of cookware and have your food cook pretty evenly and keeps your pans flat-bottomed.

Benefits of Gas

• Better control
• Fast boiling
• Can use different types of cookware

Drawbacks of Gas

• Tougher cleanup than induction
• High cost of conversion
• At altitude the effectiveness is reduced
• Can have a gas leak

Top Gas Choices

Ranges

• Viking VGR5606GQSS
• Samsung  NX58H5600SS
• GE JGB660SEJSS

Cooktops

• Thermador SGSX365FS
• Bosch NGM5624UC
• Maytag MGC9536DS

Induction Ranges

An induction range uses electromagnetic field to heat pots instead of radiant heat that standard electric ranges have. You have to make sure that you have the correct cookware for it to work properly which is magnetic or induction-capable. With induction, your cooking time can be reduced dramatically. The technology allows you to boil water 2 to 4 minutes faster with 6 quarts of water. The surface of induction cooktop stays cooler than the standard smooth top. This will make cleaning easier. Don’t get me wrong, your pot will still get very hot, but with the heat transfer technology, the surface below and around the pot won’t get as hot. Once you take the pot off the heat element, the heat stops and the surface won’t be super hot making it a very safe option, especially if you have kids.

Benefits of Induction

• Boils water in less than 90 seconds
  
• Better control than gas
• Easy clean up
• Safe option
• No conversion or remodeling needed

Drawbacks of Induction

• It just doesn’t have the flame
• You need specific cookware
• There is a buzz sound

Induction Choices

Ranges

• LG LSE4617ST
• Samsung NE58K9560WS
• Frigidaire FIF3054TS 

Cooktops

• GE Monogram ZHU30RSJSS
• Jenn-Air JIC4536XS
• ElectroluxEW36IC60LB

Start the Year Off Right With an Organized Kitchen!

 The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is over for another year, giving you a much-needed break from the kitchen! If you found yourself feeling extra stressed this holiday season when baking Christmas cookies, cooking large family feasts or hosting your annual get-together, your kitchen’s organizational system may be to blame. Now’s the time to get your kitchen in order for a more Zen experience and figure out systems that work best for you when you’re in a high-pressure cooking or baking situation. Here are a few tips for minimizing kitchen clutter, optimizing your counter space usage and getting rid of anything that you haven’t used in a while (or ever) to make room for the things you need every day.

Delete Duplicates

When a couple gets married or moves in together, the chances of having duplicates in your kitchen increases. Suddenly you find yourselves with two of everything: toasters, coffee makers, blenders...you get the idea. The possibility of owning more than one of every small appliance gets even greater when the wedding gifts start rolling in from well-meaning friends and relatives. While it can be hard to part with the Mr. Coffee that kept you sane through all those all-nighters in college, or give away the lookalike food processors you received from Uncle Ed, Cousin Jenny and Grandma Sue on your wedding day, you’ll be much happier when you whittle down your kitchen appliance collection to just one of everything.

Play “Sell, Toss, Donate” With Kitchen Items

Be honest, have you ever used that waffle maker that’s currently taking up valuable real estate on your kitchen countertop? How about the enormous bread maker you bought at a garage sale during your homemade baking phase? If you haven’t used a kitchen appliance in a year or longer, consider selling it on Craigslist or eBay or donating it to Goodwill or another charity-based thrift store. Any kitchen appliances that are beyond repair or are unsafe to use should be disposed of responsibly. Getting rid of appliances can be hard when you think you’re still going to need them one day, but you’ll be rewarded with a sleek, clutter-free kitchen that cuts down significantly on everyday stress.

Devise a System- and Stick to It!

Most of us already have designated cabinets and drawers for the things we need and use everyday in our kitchens. However, when life gets in the way, it can be difficult to stick to an organizational system and put things back where they belong after each use. If you find that your current system is hard to remember or doesn’t make sense to you, maybe it’s time to do a complete reorganization of your kitchen to help you make the best use of your counter space, utensils and appliances.

A new year can be a fresh start- why not begin with your kitchen? By following these organization tips, you can turn your kitchen into an inviting, clutter-free space that inspires creativity, conversation and happiness!

4 New Year Appliance Trends & Colors

As 2018 is upon us it is time to start looking at some new appliances. See what will work with your existing products, imagine what would look great in your kitchen as an upgrade, or maybe it’s just time for a full overhaul of the kitchen! Let’s dive in to the New Year and see what the latest and greatest trends and colors are in kitchen appliances!

1. White Ice

What’s old is what’s new, but white is making a comeback! The Whirlpool brand has a white ice color that is very modern.  This color allows you to still use color schemes that are fitting for people who are in love with the white kitchen trend that most people enjoy. The white color can match the white cabinets and/ or countertops, but allows you to look more up-to-date than your basic white appliance color. With these appliances you can go with a modern look or you can even give your kitchen a vintage- style.

2. Black Slate

A great addition this year is the GE Café black slate. This style has joined there standard slate color palate as a hot option for 2018. This deep charcoal color is nice as it allows anyone to match nearly any décor or color palate, but elegant enough to grab attention. The matte color hides fingerprints, easy to maintain, and almost eliminates smudges. This makes your appliance look extremely clean for its lifetime.

3. Black Stainless Steel

Additionally, all the different black stainless models are available from most brands out there so it’s a colorpalooza in appliances now as far as an option.  Brands that carry the black stainless steel finish are Kitchen Aid, LG, Samsung, GE, Whirlpool, and more. This finish was extremely popular last year and will be a favorite this year and beyond. This color is a mixture of a brushed metal with a glossy bold black hue. The finish helps resist fingerprints and still gives a very modern and elegant feel to the room.

4. Smart Appliances

Like everything else in our modern world, digital and ynch are now both a big part of appliances. Digital features such as the Smart Hub from Samsung, Chef Connect from GE, SmartThinQ from LG, along with many other brands have these same or similar options that allow you to connect your appliances with other devices and to your phone. You can preheat your oven, check what is in your refrigerator, schedule your dishwasher for a cycle, and do much more. You can even connect your appliances with popular gadgets such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home for even more convenience. If you’re a tech savvy kind of person than 2018 is going to be a great year for you to look into new appliances. The 2018 line ups from almost all the manufactures will have something that is of interest to you so go in to your local appliance store and see what catches your eye!   

A Great Cooking Option for the Holidays- Samsung Range Review

 It’s that time of year again where we all move our cooking back indoors and cooking for tons of people.  With the Holidays coming up, you might be considering a new oven for your kitchen.

 Today I would like to introduce to you the Samsung NX58H9500WS.

 Thinking out the cooktop this is a game changer for very big meals. This unit features a Hi-Performance 5-Burner Cook-top. This allows you to cook your food on top with flexibility with how fast you would like to cook things and the convenience of cooking over-sized pots and pans with the oval burner. With 18,000 BTUs you can get a rapid boil. This range also includes a cast-iron griddle, Wok Ring, and a 22k BTU Tri-Ring burner.   There are also grate indicator marks to help you place your pots and pans in the perfect spot to get the best cooking performance.

The oven provides more features that can help with cooking for the holidays. The True-Convection oven offers the most consistent oven temperatures throughout which helps make your food cook more evenly and makes every bite tastier. The internal meat probe helps ensure the proper internal temperature for your Holiday Roast or Turkey.  The oven is brightly lit with halogen lighting so it is always easy to monitor the status of your baked goods. The guiding light controls have a digital display that makes it easy to follow step-by-step instructions on how to cook certain foods and program your favorite recipes. The oven’s size is 5.8 cu ft which is large enough to handle that bigger turkey at the store or cook multiple big dishes at once. At the bottom, this range has a warming drawer. You can keep some foods in here until everything is ready to eat at dinner time.

Come see us today at one of our 17 locations, we can show you this convection range and many more like it to compliment your Holiday Cooking Season.

We hope to see you soon.

Enjoy the Holidays (Without Looking Like Santa): 3 Tips for Beating the Holiday Bulge

The holidays are a great time of year for people to come together and celebrate with good friends and family. Unfortunately, most of those celebrations also involve mass quantities of high-calorie foods, sugary sweets, and alcohol- all of which are contributing factors to weight gain and bloating. This holiday season, we have some tips for avoiding the holiday bulge without having to cut back on fun!

Practice the 80/20 Rule: Nobody should have to miss out completely on all the goodies that make the holidays special, but they can be enjoyed with moderation if you follow the 80/20 rule. Try to eat until you feel 80% full, like you could maybe use a little extra food...and then stop. It takes a little longer for your brain to get the signal that your stomach is full, so many of us just keep on eating until we’ve had too much of a good thing. By stopping before you feel 100 percent full and then waiting for about 20 minutes or having a glass of water, you can avoid the uncomfortable, over-full feeling that so many of us associate with holiday meals. After all, the only one that should be stuffed is the turkey!

Stick to Your Exercise Plan: With the weird work schedule, traveling to visit family, and company parties that keep you out late, the holidays can certainly wreak havoc on your routine. Many people find that it is difficult to fit a workout into all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and skip the gym for several days in a row. Not only does this make it harder to get back to your usual exercise regimen once the new year has begun, but it also can make you feel sluggish and tired because you’re not moving enough. Try to work in at least 30 minutes of exercise three times a week during the holidays in order to stay on track with your fitness plan.

Everything in Moderation (Including Moderation!) Nobody expects you to eat a plate full of raw broccoli at a party or family feast when there are things like pie and cookies in the room! It’s the holidays, and it’s OK to give yourself a treat. As long as you limit your intake of sweets, breads and high-calorie foods to one treat or so per day, you can enjoy all your delicious favorites this holiday season. Stick to the once-per-day rule and you’ll be fine. Then again, if you fall off the diet wagon one day this season, don’t beat yourself up- just resolve to make healthier choices the next day and maybe step up your exercise game, and you can make sure you stay ahead of the holiday bulge!

What are your favorite tips for staying healthy during the holidays? Let us know in the comments section.

How to Carve a Turkey

Chef Mark is here to show you how to carve your turkey for your next harvest party.



Start first by cutting off the legs. With your knife work down towards the joint and slowly twist until they pop right off.

Another tip is to run your knife on top of the breast bone to slice off each side of it. You want to make sure that you cut against the grain to get more tender turkey.

Watch the full video to get more great tips for carving the best turkey ever!

Let us know if you have any questions about carving a turkey or any other food related question in the comments section.

Recipe- Classic Butternut Squash Soup

When leaves start to fall and the night air gets crisp and chilly, nothing warms you up like a delicious bowl of butternut squash soup. Make this fall favorite for dinner tonight!

Ingredients:

• 1 large (2-3 lbs.) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 large (8 oz.) carrot, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 4 medium cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 4 cups homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• Pinch ground cinnamon
• Pinch nutmeg
• 20 fresh sage leaves (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss squash and carrot with olive oil and arrange on 2 rimmed baking sheets, being sure not to overcrowd the sheets. Roast until squash and carrot are very well browned on a couple sides, about 40 minutes; use a thin metal spatula to turn pieces two or three times during cooking. Set aside.

2. In a large saucepan, cook 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat until just starting to brown. Add onion and garlic, lower heat to medium, and cook, stirring, until soft and lightly golden, about 10 minutes; lower heat as necessary to prevent burning.

3. Add squash and carrot to saucepan and remove from heat. Pour 1/2 cup stock into each baking sheet and scrape up any browned bits, then pour into saucepan. Add remaining stock, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf and return to medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, then lower heat and simmer until vegetables are very soft, about 10 minutes. Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaf.

4. Using a blender or stick blender, blend soup until completely smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Return soup to saucepan and thin, if necessary, with additional stock until desired consistency is reached. Keep warm.

5. Using a stand mixer, handheld mixer or whisk, beat cream and sour cream with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt, until stiff. Set aside.

6. If making sage leaves for garnish, melt remaining 5 tablespoons butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat, swirling gently, until foamy and just beginning to brown. Add sage leaves, swirling to submerge and cook until frizzled, about 15 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sage to a paper towel to drain. Sprinkle very lightly with salt.

7. Ladle soup into warmed bowls, spoon dollops of spiced whipped cream into each one and top of frizzled sage, if using. Serve right away.

Prep Time: 1 hour 15 mins | Cook Time: 30 mins | Makes 2 quarts (6-8 servings)

Source: SeriousEats.com

What’s your favorite autumn recipe? Share it with us in the Comments section.

Tips and Tricks, how to make pesto

Pesto, it's not a paste and not a sauce. It's on it's own level.

In this video, Chef Mark gives some great tips onto how to make your own pesto at home. He uses a food processor to cut up the Basil. Make the roasted garlic at 450 degrees for 45 minutes to get that amazing flavor.



Items used in pesto:
Roasted Garlic
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pine Nuts or Almonds
Basil
Mint
Chives
Cheese (optional)

What other items do you use to spruce up your pesto at home? Leave them in the comments section.

Cooking with Chef Mark: How to Cut Potatoes Using Bridge Grip

Chef Mark is here today to teach you how to cut potatoes with his bridge grip knife tip. Make sure to bridge over your rounded vegetables like potatoes. Once you have cut the potato in half, use the flat side on the cutting board and use the forward rocking motion with your guide hand. Slice forward and make sure to make your cuts about the same length for even cooking times. You can use this method with other rounded or awkward shaped vegetables and fruit.

Leave a knife cutting question in the comments section to improve your knife skills.

Chocolate Truffle Tarts

Every week I bring you a video recipe and this week I'm in the Jenn-Air kitchen at Contract Appliance to share my favorite dessert, Chocolate Truffle Tart. Don't be intimidated by fresh pie dough, watch my video for tips on how to make, roll and fill pie dough. With a little practice you might find that making pies and tarts to be your go-to dessert.

• 1 Cup heavy whipping cream
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 large egg yolk

Preheat an oven to 325 degrees and position an oven rack in the center.

To prepare tart shell: On a lightly floured work surface; roll out the dough until 1/8 inch thick. Using a large spatula, place into a 10-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom, pressing slightly to cover the bottoms and sides. Trim the dough to be flush with the rim and chill for 10 minutes.

Cover shell with parchment paper, and fill with pie weights blind-bake in the oven until pale golden brown, about 15 minutes, and allow to cool.

To prepare tart filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the cream and milk and place on the stove over medium-high heat and bring to a low boil. Remove from the heat; add the chocolate and let stand until melted, about 5 minutes. Using a whisk, stir until smooth.

In a small bowl, whisk in the egg with the egg yolk and then whisk in 1/2 cup of the chocolate cream. Thoroughly whisk this custard mixture into the chocolate cream in the saucepan.

Transfer the filling into the prepared tart shell and bake until set around the rim but still slightly jiggles in the center, about 30 minutes.

PIE DOUGH
It’s as easy as 3 2 1

• 3 - Part Flour
• 2 - Part Butter
• 1 - Part Water

This technique is based on a ratio of twice as much flour as fat by weight. The fat is rubbed into flour to create a loose mixture that is then bound using a small amount of ice water, rolled out, then shaped and placed to create the top or bottom of a tart or pie. Using butter adds flavor while using lard ensures optimum texture.

Have a cooking or baking question? Leave it in the comments section and Chef Mark will get back to you!

Recipe- Sweet Summer Slaw

Be the hero of every barbecue this summer with a delicious coleslaw recipe that tastes amazing with beef brisket and fried chicken alike!          

Ingredients:

• 1 16-ounce bag coleslaw greens mix
• 2 tablespoons diced onion
• 2/3 cup creamy salad dressing (such as Miracle Whip™)
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds
• Fresh squeezed lemon
• 1/2 diced up apples

Directions:

1. Combine the coleslaw mix and onion in a large bowl. Squeeze lemon onto the mix.
2. Whisk together the salad dressing, vegetable oil, sugar, vinegar, salt, apples, and poppy seeds in a medium bowl; blend thoroughly. Pour dressing mixture over coleslaw mix and toss to coat. Chill at least 2 hours before serving.

Prep time; 15 minutes | Serves 8

6 Camping Tips for a Fun-Filled Summer Adventure!

Summer is here- time to plan your family vacation! This year, why not skip the expensive resorts and overblown theme parks and head back to nature? A camping trip can be fun for all ages without breaking the bank. Here are some helpful tips so you can get the most out of your camping trip, whether it’s your first time in the wilderness or you are a seasoned outdoorsman (or outdoorswoman!)

Reserve a campsite

 You may think you can just load your gear into the SUV and head to the nearest campground to begin your outdoor adventure, but you’d be in for a rude awakening. Popular campsites can book up months in advance, especially during holiday weekends, so it is a must to call ahead and make a reservation.

Tent size matters

Do you want to share a large tent with your whole family, or would you prefer to have the kids in one tent and you and your spouse in another? These are things to consider before you head to the camping supply store. While you may enjoy the value of purchasing only one tent, keep in mind that this limits your privacy and also can be harder to put up and break down than a smaller tent.

Don’t cheap out on sleeping bags

 The quality of your sleeping bag largely determines the quality of sleep you’ll be getting on your trip, so it’s not a good time to skimp. Consider that this bag will need to fit your body and keep you comfortable in the outdoor conditions, so be sure to read reviews ahead of time to determine what’s right for you.

Follow woodburning restrictions

 Sure, there’s nothing quite like a roaring campfire, but if you live in an area that is in the midst of a drought, or if you have a naturally dry climate, you must check to make sure there are no woodburning restrictions prior to building a fire. Park rangers will not hesitate to fine you for an illegal burn, so be sure to check ahead of time.

Start a fire the first time!

When it comes to building a campfire, the actual process of getting it started can be tedious. Bring cotton balls smeared with petroleum jelly to ensure an easy start to your fire every time. Dryer lint also works as a great fire starter, if you want to have a use for all the lint you pull out of the trap.

One-pot meals for the win

 Cooking over a campfire or a portable camp stove can be great fun, but can also lead to frustrating cleanup. Keep it simple with one-pot meals that can be easily prepared and enjoyed with minimal cleanup afterwards. This blog has a bunch of great campfire recipe ideas that can be prepped at home ahead of time!

Does your family have a special tradition or pro tip for surviving the great outdoors? Let us know in the comments section.