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.

Cake Pops Made Easy

Wow your friends at the next spring or summer gathering with these almost-too-easy cake pops, sure to delight everyone!

Ingredients:

·    9X13 chocolate cake, prepared from cake mix

·    1 can chocolate frosting

·    2 boxes Baker’s premium white chocolate

·    cake pop sticks (available at craft stores or online retailers)

·    Sprinkles, colored sugar, writing icing, or other decorative supplies

Directions:

1.    Crumble cake into a large bowl until crumbs are fine and granular

2.    Add chocolate frosting a little bit at a time until cake is moist and can hold a ball shape, yet still slightly crumbly. Use your hands to blend frosting into cake crumbs

3.    Use a mini ice cream scoop, melon baller or teaspoon to scoop out cake mixture. Roll into tight ball approximately 1 ½ inches in diameter and place on plate. Repeat until all the cake mixture has been rolled into balls.

4.    Melt 2-4 ounces of white chocolate in microwave, following instructions on package.

5.    Dip tip of cake pop sticks into the white chocolate and insert into the cake balls about halfway

6.    Freeze for about 20 minutes. While waiting, prepare all of your decorating supplies

7.    Melt the remaining white chocolate in a large cup. Make sure you have enough chocolate to completely submerge the cake balls

8.    Remove cake balls from freezer

9.    Dip cake balls carefully into the white chocolate until covered

10.  Allow excess white chocolate to drip off. Swirl and tap gently if needed

11.  Add sprinkles or colored sugar while the white chocolate is still wet. It will harden quickly

12.  Stick the decorated cake pop into a styrofoam block to finish setting. Place into the freezer to speed up setting time. If desired, decorate with writing icing

13.  Store in a single layer, in an airtight container

Makes approximately 36 cake pops

9 Benefits of Cooking with a Steam Oven

Steam ovens are a hot trend for people that want to cook a healthy meal.  They have really grown in popularity in the last 10 years and keep getting more affordable as time goes on. There are many benefits of cooking with steam ovens versus regular ovens.  Here are some of the reasons why you will want a steam oven when you are redoing your kitchen.  

• Time Saving: Smaller cavity, faster preheat
• Better tasting: Moisture is not lost
• Healthier: steam helps retain vitamins, minerals and nutrients of food
• Better quality: Steam preserves color, texture and flavor of produce
• Reheat quality: Can warm up food without drying it out- saves money on food!
• Multipurpose: Can be used as a traditional wall oven and installed in several different applications.
• Steam enables easy clean up instead of a spill over in a traditional oven.
• Cooking can be done using glass, metal dishes & cutlery.
• There is no flavor transfer when cooking multiple items in the oven.

A steam oven has a reservoir that needs to be filled with water before you start cooking. On some ovens, this reservoir needs to be filled manually, while others can be hooked up to your home’s plumbing so that you always have water ready for steaming.   Convection steam ovens give you the ability to roast and brown foods and still keep it nice and moist.  Steam ovens are pricey, but have gone down in pricing. They start at about $3000, but are worth it if you want the best results for the healthy food you are preparing for your friends and family.

Check out all of the steam oven options that we have available online, but we recommend seeing them in-person at one of our stores.

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!

The Best French Door Refrigerator for Your Family!

Pam from our Greeley location is here to show you all the great features of the Kitchen aid 26 cu. ft. 5 door French door refrigerator. Watch the video to see all the amazing features.



Some of the features include:

• Water and ice dispenser with adjustments and presets
• Ice maker is in the door with a larger capacity bin.
• Removable drawers.
• Adjustable shelves
• Grey interior
• LED lighting throughout
• Herb Storage
• 2 independent cooling systems
• Crisper drawers
• Air flow throughout
• Easy close doors
• Pizza freezer area
• Extra freezer drawers for organization
• Sleek stainless steel and black stainless steel finish options
• Kitchen Aid handles with red badges at the ends

If you are in love with this refrigerator, please give one of our stores a call or you can check it out here.

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.

Inside Look at Refrigerators: Capacity & Sizes

Chuck Ewing, owner of Appliance Factory & Mattress Kingdom is here to give you an inside scoop on refrigerators. There are different sizes and capacity options. Know a little about each one to find the perfect refrigerator for you and your family.



Pro Refrigerators
Average size is 25 cu. ft.

• Great finish and most people love the built-in look.
• Inferior capacity, but more expensive than other options.

Counter Depth Refrigerators
Average size 22.7 cu. ft.

• Walls are thinner between the refrigerator and freezer making a little more space.
• They are usually taller and stick out from your cabinets.
• Great capacity at a great value.

Standard Depth (Non-counter depth) Refrigerators
Average size 29.7 cu. ft.

• More capacity than a 48 inch wide built-in pro refrigerator.
• More depth going back which is less convenient to access food in the back.
• Great for bigger families with a larger size and huge capacity. 

We hope that this video gives you a great starting point when deciding what type of refrigerator is the best for you.

If you have more questions about refrigerators, give one of our stores a call or come on by to one of our 17 locations.

Must-Have Pumpkin Products for Fall 2017

 Fall is here, and to many of us, that means just one thing: Pumpkin Spice EVERYTHING! The celebrated squash is the undisputed champion of autumn, with manufacturers of products ranging from coffee to car air fresheners hopping on the pumpkin spice bandwagon and churning out fall-inspired goodies to get us in the mood for crisp air, chilly nights and hot cider. Here are a few of our favorite offerings for 2017 to get you pumped for pumpkin season!

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter- Those who frequent Trader Joe’s know that the quirky specialty grocer has a particular knack for creating beloved, one-of-a-kind products that are exclusive to the store, such as their celebrated Cowboy Bark, as well as their famous (infamous?) “Two-Buck Chuck” wine label, Charles Shaw Wines. Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter is one such product, with fans across the country who wait each year in eager anticipation for its annual fall release. A delightful marriage of sweet and savory, Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter is as delicious with brie as it is on crackers or toast. $2.29

Talenti Pumpkin Pie Gelato- Spice up your dessert game with the out-of-this-world pumpkin spice gelato from Talenti. This creamy, delectable seasonal gelato is made with real pumpkin pie, crust and all, and is a must-have for the ice cream and gelato enthusiast who wants to experience the flavors of fall in a decadent, delicious way. $5.99

Spiced Pumpkin Candle- Yankee Candle Company- Not all pumpkin spice products are created equal. This especially holds true for candles, whose pumpkin spice iterations run the gamut from exquisite to just plain stinky! The Yankee Candle Company, known for its high-quality, long-burning candles, takes top honors for Best Pumpkin Spice Candle Aroma. With an aromatic blend of spices and an underlying pumpkin fragrance that is equal parts soothing and inviting, this candle will enhance the fall ambiance of any living space without becoming overpowering. From $1.99

What are some of your favorite pumpkin products? Let us know 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.

Freezer Needs for Storing Your Home Garden Harvest

So, it’s that time of year again….you home garden needs to be harvested, you’re planning your fall hunting trip, you need to stock up at the grocery store….and you need a new freezer! 

  There are a few things to consider when purchasing your new freezer.  Here are a few questions to answer to help you decide what your freezer needs are:

1. What types of foods are we putting in this freezer?
2. How long will the food be in the freezer?
3. Where will the freezer be located in the home?
4. Should we get an upright, or a chest freezer?
5. Frost-free, or manual-defrost?
6. What size should we get?

    If you are looking for a freezer to use for your regular day-to-day grocery needs, then a frost-free upright unit might be good for you.  These units do not build-up with ice and are best served for the foods that your family will go through on a regular basis. If you are looking for more long-term storage, then a manual-defrost chest type freezer would be best.  These units keep your food deep-frozen, while the unit may build up with ice, your food will not get freezer burned.  When you open a chest freezer, the cold air stays down in the freezer.  When you open an upright freezer, the cold air tends to escape.  Chest freezers can hold a lot of food; however, some may find that keeping an upright freezer makes it easier to organize your groceries.

    If you are going to put your freezer in the garage, make sure that where you put it doesn’t reach below -5 degrees F or above 110 degrees F.  Put it along a joining wall with your home.

A freezer will hold approx 35 lbs of food per cu. Ft., so a 15 cu. ft. chest freezer should store approximately 525 lbs of food.

Chest freezers come in a variety of sizes from 5 cu. ft. all the way up to 25 cu. ft., and range anywhere from $145-$799.

Upright Freezers are usually in the 14-21 cu. ft. size and range between $399 & $899.

Come see your home-town appliance team today so that we can help you pick out the right freezer for your family.  We have standard sizes available, but can special order any size freezer that suits your needs.

Let us know if you have any questions about freezers and storing your food. Leave it in the comments section.

5 School Lunch Ideas for Even the Pickiest Eaters

It’s that time of year again- time to stress out about packing your kids healthy lunches they’ll actually eat! Fear not- we have compiled a list of surefire nutritious meals and snacks that pack up well in a Bento box and have the seal of approval from the pickiest eaters around!

1. DIY “Lunchables”- A healthy spin on the popular but sodium- and preservative-filled pre-made snack boxes, these homespun twists on a kid favorite are sure to win lunch! Some thin-sliced deli ham, turkey or roast beef cut into small squares, thin, square-cut slices of cheddar, gouda or colby jack cheese, a small handful of baked low-salt crackers and a chewy peanut butter and chocolate granola bar will be a fun-to-eat lunch that packs a protein punch!

2. Yogurt Parfait- In a small plastic container, layer fat-free vanilla yogurt, granola, strawberries and blueberries, then repeat the pattern twice. Sprinkle with granola as a garnish, and refrigerate until it’s time to serve. Your child will love the look and taste of this healthy snack! (You can even substitute other fruits for variety. Don’t be afraid to get creative!)

3. PBJ “Sushi” Rolls- Want an exotic twist on a tried-and-true favorite? Make your kids’ peanut butter and jelly sandwich into small, sushi-inspired rolls! Simply cut crusts off of whole-grain bread, slather with peanut butter and grape jelly or strawberry preserves, roll up and cut for a next-level PBJ experience! For extra credit, pack it with disposable chopsticks so your child can have fun trying to pick up the sandwich rolls.

4. “Dippy Picnic”- There’s not much kids love more than eating with their hands. Why not let them go nuts with a “dippy picnic” snack? Pack pretzel rods, apple slices, baby carrots and celery sticks in a Bento box, along with mini containers of peanut butter and hummus. Then let the dipping madness ensue!

5. Go Bananas!- Give your little monkey a delicious, nutritious snack with these tasty, protein-rich banana roll-ups. On a small flour tortilla, spread a layer of peanut butter, then drizzle with Nutella. Roll up a peeled banana, and either cut into small finger-food rolls or give it to your child whole. For an added crunch, use chunky peanut butter for texture!

Any great suggestions for kids’ lunches? Let us know in the comments section!

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

Cooking with Chef Mark - How to Make Pita Pockets

Chef Mark is here to show you how to make pita pockets with yummy tasting tzatziki sauce.



Here are a couple of ingredients you will need:

• Pita Pockets
• Sliced Beef
• Skewers
• Plain Greek Yogurt
• Pickles
• Garlic
• Onions
• Thyme
• Tomatoes
• Green Peppers
• Mint
• Lettuce

This is a fun meal for the whole family. Enjoy!

Cooking with Chef Mark - How to Sharpen your Knife

You probably have seen a steel before while chefs sharpen their knives. Chef Mark is here to show you how to properly use your steel to make sure you knives in the kitchen stay sharp.



Make sure to keep your knife at a 20 degree angle throughout the whole length of your knife. Hone both sides of your knife to keep your blade even and straight in the middle. Honing your knife 5-6 time is recommended to get the most out of sharpening your knife.

Remember, a sharp knife is a safe knife!

Have any questions about using a steel for honing your knife? Leave it in the comments section.

Chef Mark - Summer Butternut Squash Salad

Learn how to make a simple and healthy recipe for dinners and lunches. Butternut Squash Salad is a great summer option that will make you want more. This is a super simple meal that your friends and family will want to try. Go ahead and cook with Chef Mark today!

Cooking with Chef Mark - How to select the right kitchen knife

There are tons of different shaped knifes out there and people can find themselves confused as to which knife works best for specific items to cut in the kitchen. Chef Mark is here to show you a couple of his go-to knifes that work best for certain types of food. Learn about 5 different types of knifes and what to use them for..



Here are the knifes he showcases in this video:

Chef Knife- Used 90% of the time in the kitchen
Fillet Knife- Super flexible for fish cutting
Boning Knife- Great for use of cutting around joints and bones in various meats
Serrated Knife- Best for Breads, but can also be used for cutting other items.
There are a couple other specialty knifes that he covers that you will want to look into.

What is your go-to knife in the kitchen? Share it with us in the comment section.

Cooking with Chef Mark - How to Properly Hold Knife

Chef Mark is here to show you how to properly hold your knifes while preparing food in your kitchen. Watch the video to learn how to hold your Chef Knife with a pinch grip. Use a forward rocking motion to get the most our of your cutting.



Stay tuned to see more great cooking skills and in particular, knife skills. Care about your food and have great knife skills to impress your guests at the kitchen table.

What happens when you put Christmas lights in the microwave?

For those of us who are curious we often wonder what happens when you put something in the microwave that shouldn't go in the microwave. See what really happens when you put Christmas lights in a microwave....

Don't try this at home.




The fist microwave was invented on accident in 1946. Dr. Percy Spencer, a self taught engineer, was doing tests on a radar-related research project with a new vacuum called magnetron. After doing a test, he reached in his pocket and found that his chocolate bar was melted. This brought curiosity to his mind and he started doing more experiments testing to heat up popcorn and more. What he had invented changed the cooking game forever. Microwave ovens are now used in almost every household and is a multi-million dollar industry.

To get more of the story, check it out in this article.