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.

What happens when we put a light bulb in a microwave?

Here is a great example of something that you should not put in the microwave: a light bulb. Watch to see what happens...



Ever wonder how microwaves work? Microwaves heat up food, or in this case a light bulb, by radio waves. The radio waves are set at a certain frequency to agitate water molecules inside the objects in the microwave. These water molecules vibrate which generates heat that warms up the food.

Stay tuned to see other objects "cook" in the microwave.

What happens when we put a DVD in the microwave?

Ever wonder what really happens when you put things in the microwave that your mom and dad told you not to ever put in there?

Here at Appliance Factory & Mattress Kingdom, we have done some pretty fun and dangerous experiments to see what really happens when you put different objects in the microwave.

Please don't try this at home.

This episode shows you what it looks like when you put DVDs in the microwave...



Hopefully this video blows up your world with imagination.

What would you want to see put in the microwave? Leave your suggestions in the comments section and we will try it out!

Recipe- Coconut Chicken Green Curry

With the temperature dropping and cold nights ahead of us, I wanted to share one of my favorite recipes, Coconut Curry Chicken. The sweetness from the coconut milk coupled with the robust curry flavors and spicy seasons make it a great meal when you need to warm up.

Prep: 5 minutes

Cooking: 15 – 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 6-8 Skinless boneless chicken thighs cut into bite size pieces. (You can substitute with chicken breast but I believe the thighs hold the flavor better with such a robust curry sauce.)
• 12 oz can of Coconut Milk
• Medium white onion
• 1/2 chopped red pepper
• 1 Sliced Thai eggplant
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tablespoons of fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
• ½ to 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper
• 1 bushel of minced cilantro
• 3 tablespoons of green curry paste
• 1 table spoon of vegetable oil

Step 1

Bring a large skillet to medium high heat. Add minced garlic and diced chicken thighs. Cook until chicken is browned on the outside. Add chopped white onion, red pepper, and Thai eggplant. Stirring regularly cook until onions have slightly brown ends and are soft.

Step 2

Add in all of the remaining ingredients, mix well and reduce heat to medium. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. When sauce has reduced and chicken is cooked thoroughly. Remove from heat and serve over white rice or toasted French bread.

GE Cafe PRO Style Dual Fuel Range- Walk through

In this video, Scott takes you through the benefits and features of one of our favorite ranges, the GE Café Freestanding Range (C2S985SETSS). This range/stove showcases restaurant inspired styles with its robust commercial handles and straight edges plus combining sought after features. 

The Café Dual Fuel Range includes:
• Electric Convection Oven with temperature probe
• Five gas burners with 2 power burners in front 
• Fifth burner can be converted to a griddle
• Two independent ovens with even temperature throughout



Stop by one of our stores to learn even more about this range oven and others. Find the perfect range before the new year.

4 Features of the Samsung Duo Range

Samsung 5.9 cu. Ft Electric Flex Duo Range with Soft Close and Dual Door

What makes this Samsung range so special?  Here are 4 special features that make it so amazing.

1. Dual Convection: Cook faster and more evenly with the Dual Convection system. This allows the single oven to split into two ovens with the smart divider.  This allows convection cooking in both ovens.

2. Dual Door: A unique middle hinged door allows for just the top section or the full oven to open, making this oven very flexible and energy efficient.

3. Flexible Cooktop: This cooktop features 5 burners, one of which is a triple burner allowing for different size pots to be used on the same space. The bridge burner creates an extra-large cooking surface for those oversized pots and pans.

4. Steam Clean: Steam clean for a quick 20 minute clean or use Self clean for a deeper clean.

Is this the range that you have been looking for?  Click here to get more details on this model (ne59j7850ws).

4 Main Microwave Types and How to Choose the Best One for You

When most customers think about microwaves they think of two kinds, over the range and countertop microwaves.  The reality of it is that there are much more options. Here are the 4 main microwave types.

Over the Range Microwaves

 This is the most common place for the location of a microwave oven as well as cost effective.  The advantage of this location is that it does not take up space on your countertop and also gives you light and ventilation for your range. 

Countertop Microwave w/ Trim Kit

Built-in microwaves are great for the consumer that does not want to take up counter space and prefers the look of a hood vent over their range.  The microwave fits flush with the cabinet and a trim kit is installed to make it look built-in.  A little more expensive but a much cleaner look.

Microwave Drawer

These microwaves are fairly uncommon but very practical.  If you not will to give up you cabinetry space or don’t what your microwave visible this is perfect.  These microwaves install under your countertop and extend out instead of the door swinging open.  The price is on the high side but well worth it. 

Built-in Microwave Oven

Built-in microwave ovens can be installed in a wall or cabinet.  They give you the appearance of a wall oven with the functionality of a microwave.  Some are even offered with convection giving you the ability to use them as a second oven.

3 Things to Consider When Purchasing a Dishwasher

Are you in the market for a new dishwasher? Chances are you have many, many questions and there just seem to be enough clear answers. In this modern age there’s a buying guide to pretty much everything, however, when it comes to something as essential as dishwashers the internet is filled with specs, and technical details that read like a foreign language.

At Appliance Factory and Mattress Kingdom we’re experts in simplifying the appliance shopping experience. We take industry jargon, that’s designed to fill spec sheets and make them practical and easy to understand and digest. We want to prepare you with the tools to make the most rational decision and not rely making a decision from a sheet of specs that we see too much in the market.

We’re confident these three practical tips to consider when purchasing a dishwasher;  will help you prepare in making the best decision possible. PS: We can’t wait for you to come in and show off how prepared you are; we have 16 locations find the one closet to you here.

1. Price or Performance:

This is a question you must ask yourself before you walk into a store, or begin shopping online. This simple question will really help clarify what you’re looking for and ensure you don’t buy anything you don’t need. That’s the last thing you want is to pay more for a feature you don’t need. And trust me there are a lot of different features out there, that’s one of the primary factors that can drive the price of a dishwasher from $349 to $1600.

2. Do I Know My Space:

Many resources start with measurements, meaning that measurements are the most important factor in deciding or selecting a dishwasher. While measurements are important, you’d be shocked how many people walk into one of our 16 stores or chat with us online and have their measurements; but have no idea the other appliance brands or colors in their kitchen. Yes, measurements are extremely important but knowing the goal for the space is extremely important:

• Do I want to match the brands in my kitchen or am I open to other options?
• Do I want controls on the front, or do I want controls hidden to have a more concealed look in my kitchen?
• Is my current dishwasher panel ready, do I want to stay panel ready or do I want a solid color?
• Is my kitchen open to another room, how important are noise levels?
• How many place settings or pots and pans, or silverware do I want to fit into the dishwasher?
• Those are just a few questions to get your mind ticking. There are many more, so get pots and pans out, bring your favorite wine glass to the store with you, etc… Your space is your life, knowing your space will make sure you find a dishwasher that fits your life.

3. Read a review or two:

It really doesn’t matter the manufacture or model, just read a couple of reviews on dishwashers. Trust us there are thousands of them on the internet. This is great for you, because you can see what other shoppers are saying about their purchases. Pay close attention to reasons they don’t like their dishwasher and reasons they do. If you’re price conscious  read reviews on entry-level models and then compare the mid-level models. Chances are some of these reviews will help you discover questions that are really important to you that just hadn’t crossed your mind. 

Create Your Own Professional-Quality Kitchen!

Have you ever wondered how professional chefs set up their own kitchens at home? Certainly they’re the experts, since they spent a large part of their days cooking, prepping and cleaning up kitchens on the job. Here are a few tips to give your home kitchen the pro chef treatment- without breaking the bank!

Open up- Most professional chefs love open-plan kitchens as a great way to entertain and cook at the same time. Instead of spending their dinner parties sequestered in a walled-off kitchen, this way chefs can interact with their guests, have fun, and even show off a bit as they prepare amazing meals when company comes over.

Pay attention to the “kitchen work triangle”- This refers to the small area comprised of the refrigerator, prep area and stove/oven area. These three important locations are commonly found near one another in a typical kitchen layout- a chef doesn’t want to have to go all the way from one end of the kitchen to another as she is working. Though large kitchens with tons of counter space are becoming quite popular in modern home layouts, chefs don’t necessarily need or even want all that space, and prefer to keep a tight work space, with one designated zone for each part of the cooking process.

   Group your utensils- Worry less about what looks nice and more about what works well. Functionality beats form when it comes to kitchen utensils, and chefs recommend putting all the utensils you use most into a container on the spot on your counter where you do the most cooking. Of course, design and practicality can have a happy medium- look for fun, cool-looking containers that go with the personality of your kitchen and serve their purpose.

Buy good cooking implements- It’s tempting to go for the bargain items that may not work as well, but come at a lower price. However, chefs recommend that you buy high-quality, highly-recommended cookware, utensils and appliances which will not only work better but last longer, saving you money in the long run.

Is your kitchen chef-worthy? Tell us about your setup in the comments below.