devo digest » Kitchen

Tasty Tips for Cooking with Gas Grills

Stevie Wonder — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 06:14:06 +0000

Cooking up a storm on your barbecue is always a treat, but it takes a lot more work than many people realize. It’s not just about throwing as much food onto the grill as possible and hoping that things turn out okay. You have to put effort into the process right from the beginning and all the way through until each and every piece of barbecue food comes off the grill. It’s all about love and it really shines through with this particular cooking method when you do the best job possible. Here are some simple tips that will make sure your barbecue meal turns out great every time.

Clean equipment – you would be surprised at how many people fire up their gas grills without cleaning them first. It’s absolutely essential that you clean your barbecue from top to bottom and that goes double if you’re using a charcoal grill. You don’t want leftovers from your last meal to get into your food, especially when it consists of burned particles that are utterly unhealthy.

Flavor - while you might get decent results from simply putting certain pieces of meat on your grill, you should always take every opportunity to add your own flavors. Whether it’s with a dry rub or your own secret barbecue sauce, try to marinade meat like chicken and pork for a good amount of time beforehand. Don’t make the rookie mistake of relying on barbecue sauce otherwise your food will taste generic and boring.

Fresh ingredients - far too many people these days rely on frozen barbecue food instead of buying fresh meat and produce from their local grocery store. It might be easier and faster to cook using burgers and chicken wings that come frozen, but there’s no way it’s going to taste as good. Use the best ingredients that you can afford and don’t forget about the wonderful world of vegetables and seafood either.

Side dishes – a barbecue isn’t just about what comes off your grill. It’s about the entire experience which means you have to make sure you have a bit of something for everyone. There should be traditional favorites like potato salad and coleslaw, and there are plenty of side dishes that you can find with multicultural inspirations. Try to come up with a balanced meal where your side dishes complements your meat which can be rather heavy-handed greasy.

Happy Grilling to you and your family!

Modern Aprons Come Many Modern Designs

Stevie Wonder — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 21:16:10 +0000

Aprons are an ever present staple in any kitchen. Today’s busy cooks often have to go directly from offices and the workplace into the kitchen so an aprons basic function is to protect precious work clothes and everyday clothes from nasty food stains and spills.

But aprons can do so much more that just that. Aprons come in a variety of styles, colors and fabrics. They can be customized to fit even the most fashionable cook. Aprons styles range from the 1950s housewife kitschy to the modern chic of today. They are meant to be both fun and functional in your busy kitchen. The styles of the 1950s apron are making a huge comeback in today’s kitchen as the retro movement is seeing a huge surge.

These items are very cute and fun for any woman to don on, they add a feeling of nostalgia while preserving fabrics. Other popular apron styles reflect a holiday theme, with gingerbread and candy canes around Christmas time to ghosts and ghouls around Halloween. During any holiday season you can find an apron to wear on that special day.

While aprons can be found easily for women they also can be found for men and children who help in the kitchen. Cute or humorous sayings often adorn mens aprons, one of the most popular being “kiss the cook”. Aprons for children sometimes can match the mothers creating a lovely image of a mother daughter cookery making team. Aprons typically come in one size fits all varieties so they are designed to fit over the clothes of anybody. Aprons often come in a variety of fabrics, with the most popular being cotton. You can find aprons in a full range of colors and prints and can customize your particular apron to suit your personal style, all while protecting your clothes.

Getting a Red Microwave Oven – A Short Guide

Stevie Wonder — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:01:19 +0000

If you love your kitchen so much yet find it dull and unappealing, then you should think about getting a red microwave oven. These are the same as any other microwave oven, its just that they look more stlyish. Its bold red color creates a striking visual effect in your kitchen, making it an ideal centerpiece. If you want to get this trendy piece of kitchen appliance, read this short guide.

Multiple settings. Most microwave oven nowadays have an array of control settings, which makes them ideal kitchen buddy for most people. For example, if you want to reheat a leftover pizza, there’s a “pizza setting” that automatically sets the temperature and length of time with just one touch of the button. Other features include cooking modes like reheat, defrost or cook. For your red microwave oven, remember this: the more hi-tech, the sexier your oven will be.

Volume capacity. Most microwave ovens have volume range of 13 to 42 liters. The bigger volume, the more food you can cook. For your red microwave oven, you might want to get something with a minimum holding capacity of 23 liters. If you got the model with a grill, it’s preferable to get a bigger one.

Grill or no grill? Latest microwave oven models have grill features in addition to the standard cooking functions. This means through the use of microwave technology, grilling the food is much faster and easier. Because you want your red microwave oven to be in, try getting a model with the grill mode.

Door type. Choose a door for your microwave: flap or lateral type. A flap is a side-swinging door like the one in your refrigerator, while the lateral is a sliding-door type. The choice of door has functional benefits. Flap doors are ideal for small spaces, while the sliding is recommended if you have a big kitchen.

You can display your red microwave oven proudly on your kitchen workspace, or you can store it inside a microwave storage cabinet when not in use.

A Typical Countertop Dishwasher

Stevie Wonder — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:55:26 +0000

Here we look at the typical features and benefits of a countertop dishwasher, using a Danby model as our guide. Though there are plenty of variations around from other manufacturers the same general rules apply.

You can expect your unit to measure around 22 inches by 18 inches by 17 inches, so it will be about the size of a standard microwave and will weight just over 50 pounds – so it’s not light and, if you will be moving it around a lot, then you may want to choose a model that is on caster wheels. There are plenty nowadays that are, and Danby also make a portable countertop dishwasher.

Inside you will find a main basket for holding plates, cups, bowls and glasses and at least one smaller basket for cutlery. The inside perimeters will usually be made of stainless steel that stands up well to the rigors of constant washing. There will be soap and rinse dispensers and a spraying arm that emits jets of water during the cleaning process.

The best ones will have a digital control panel on the outside of the machine next to a viewing window, where you can see what’s happening with your wash. There may be 4 or 5 different wash cycle settings, depending on the load to wash. This way you can manage usage of water and other resources effectively. The electricity you use will be less, of course, than a standard full-size washer, but more than you use when washing by hand

These units can just be plugged in and connected to the faucet in your sink – they come supplied with an adapter to fit all taps. So there is no need to connect to the main water supply, as with the larger machines, and this convenience is another major attraction of these smaller models.

The Best Cheap Fridge Freezers Worth Every Dollar

Stevie Wonder — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 04:54:13 +0000

Freezers and refrigerator units are essential to living a modern life. While luxurious models of fridge freezers include extras that are blessings to the consumer, the average household expects the normal fridge freezer to perform its basic functions. Any fridge freezer with complete basic functionality and worth every dollar spent keeps most consumers happy.

The remaining important issue, therefore, is the finding a way to acquire cheap fridge freezers. Choices on how and where to buy is almost limitless these days, thanks to online shopping. With a click of the mouse, that much desired American-made luxury fridge or cheap fridge freezers coming from UK can be delivered fresh from warehouse and directly to your home.

Is it really true that it is best to order cheap fridge freezers over the Internet? One aspect of a fridge that must be put in mind when buying is its lifespan. Even the cheapest available refrigerator must be durable enough to keep functioning for some years. That must be ensured plus the correct fridge size and style that is suitable for your kitchen.

Purchasing fridge freezers online is not always hassle-free. You may end up wasting money on a faulty fridge especially when you overlooked important information such as the model, dimensions, and features. For instance, the delivered fridge might be too big and could occupy a huge portion of your kitchen floor. With such a huge fridge, even more surprising is if its storage area can only accommodate a few items. That’s too much effort exerted not only in buying but also moving the fridge to a good spot in the kitchen.

Those scenarios can be prevented to a certain degree if you opt to buy instead from the local department store. A sales representative is almost always there ready to entertain your concerns and can even provide some good advice. You can also compare different models in person. By examining every nook and cranny, you are one step closer to the fridge freezer that is perfect for you.

Often, the option to search for a cheap fridge or freezer at a local rental shop is ignored. But you can actually do without freezers in mint condition; you can always look for relatively new and fully functional fridge freezers for rent, even if most available units for rent are of the same model. Renting does not entail advance payments. Also, all maintenance and replacement costs are included in the monthly rental fee. That said, rentals are a viable choice for acquiring a fridge freezer cheaply.

Red Wine Glasses

Stevie Wonder — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:51:11 +0000

Wine is delightful to taste and a pleasure to partake of for many people. To make the most of experiencing a fine bottle of wine, there are a few things to remember when choosing which glasses to serve it in. Every detail of taste is enhanced when fine glasses are there for the total experience.

Red wine has a beautiful color and it is lovely to behold, so it is important to be able to see the wine in its true color through clear red wine glasses. Colored glass stems available on some glasses are to be avoided as these detract from the true color of the wine.

The view of the wine as the light travels through it, the “legs” and “teas” on the wall as the wine swirls, along with its aroma are all a part of the decision making process concerning wine glasses. Those that have a wide bowl and taper toward the top will funnel the aroma of the wine and let the sweet smell be tasted in the nose. The narrow opening of the glass will cause the swirling to concentrate and rise into the nostrils with ease. If the glass is too wide, the aroma will be dispersed too quickly, which would be such a shame.

Red wines are usually served in larger glasses than white wines as they must have more space to develop and breath once poured from the bottle. Sparkling wines and champagne need to be presented in thicker glasses which have a straight side or champagne flutes in order to preserve the fizz. There are all purpose glasses found in the wine regions of California that is five and a half inches tall with a stem that is one and three quarter inches. The glass holds up to eight ounces of ones favorite beverage.

When presenting a certain set of glasses at a dinner party for friends, consideration should be made regarding the type of wine being served. They should be set up in the order of being used, beginning on the right and moving to the left. Wine is usually poured from the right and food is served from the left. Start with the tall stem glasses for white wines. Next, serve the reds in larger goblets and finally, use smaller, short glasses for sherry or port. The color of the wine must be evaluated so be sure to leave room in the glass to capture the aroma as it is swirling, rising through the rim of the glass into the nostrils. Filling the wine glass from one third to one half full is adequate.

With these simple guidelines, the guests will feel as though they are at a wine tasting event and enjoy their tasting experience with utmost joy.

Margaritaville G1000 Tailgating Grill Reviews

Stevie Wonder — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:10:04 +0000

Grills are an essential part of tailgating and represent the essence of tailgating in flame form. Buying a tailgating grill can be a complicated process as it is a bit of an investment, however, with help from some tailgating grill reviews such as this one, you’ll be able to find just the right grill that fits your budget as well as your appetite. If you’ve ever considered buying the Margaritaville G1000 grill, you’ll want to check out this review first.

The Margaritaville G1000 grill, also known as the Freedom Grill, is a trailer hitch mounted grill that rides behind the vehicle. It uses a standard 2 inch trailer hitch and a specialized grill mount to ride outside the vehicle which leaves you with more room for your tailgating gear inside. The grill has a huge 352 square inch grilling surface which is close to the size of most normal backyard grills and it has a powerful 20,000 BTU burner to provide more than enough heat. This is important because some tailgating grills, while being portable, just don’t have enough BTU to heat the entire grilling area which makes it challenging to grill more than one thing at a time. In fact, the Margaritaville grill is one of the few tailgating grills that can stand up to the cold weather. It has all of the accessories you’d expect on your home grill, including a thermometer mounted right in the lid, grilling tool hangers so your spatula and knife are always close by, a special flip down spice/sauce compartment and two fold-out side tables to set your food and plates on.

Setting up the Freedom Grill is as easy as unlocking the hitch, swinging the grill of to the side and hooking up the propane. The grill also has a push button ignition so you’re not fussing around trying to get the thing started. The way that the grill stand swings out provides you instant access to the back of your vehicle so it’s easy to get at all of your other tailgating gear and as a bonus, you can use the tailgate as a seat or really large table. And when it’s time to run into the game all you have to do is kill the heat and lock the grill back in place. It comes with its own locks to keep people from taking it and, once you are home, it’s incredibly convenient to store.

Small Kitchen Remodeling: Tips and Suggestions

Stevie Wonder — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 21:40:04 +0000

The kitchen can be a place where most of us spend a lot of time. Whether it is fixing meals for the family or cleaning the dishes after a party. Because we spend so much time in this area of the house we can become bored with the overall motif. This is when you might start thinking about some ways to give the kitchen more life.

The simplest way to give the kitchen a new look is by putting up some decorations like kitchen window curtains but if you want more of a change then updating the cabinets might be just right. In the rest of this article we will look at the different categories of cabinets that are available for purchase.

Budget

Before any plan can be laid out though, you need to figure out how much of a budget you have to work with. Deciding a budget will help you to not over spend and it will help you in the decisions about the various materials to use.

Another factor that plays heavily into the budget is whether or not you are going to do the work yourself. Hiring a professional can be pricey but trying to do a job that you may not be qualified to do can be even more costly. It is best to be safe and to hire a contractor to do the work.

Cabinets

Once the budget is figured out then it is time to start working on the kitchen cabinets. Cabinets come in many different types, styles and finishes. All of the different types of cabinets can be put into three basic categories: Custom, Semi-custom, and Stock.

Custom cabinets are the most expensive cabinets that you can buy. They are tailored to your specific needs and tastes. This is why they are the most expensive.

Semi-custom cabinets are in the middle of the price range. These cabinets are mass produced but they still offer some choices when being order. For example you can customize their size and finish.

Stock cabinets are the most cost effective cabinets that money can buy. These are the type of cabinets that are mass produced and they come in a variety of types but you don’t have a say in the way they are built like you would with the other two types of cabinets.

Updating the cabinets is not only a great way to add a new “face” to the kitchen but it is relatively economical. This type of work is especially beneficial when it comes to small kitchen remodeling because these kitchens don’t have as big a canvas to work with as bigger kitchens do.

The Safety of Using A Plastic Water Bottle

Stevie Wonder — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:15:03 +0000

Water is essential for human survival. It sustains a lot of vital body functions. When the body is dehydrated, it starts to malfunction and when lost fluids are not replaced, death may occur. Drinking a minimum of eight glasses per day is highly recommended. This amount should be increased if an individual has an active lifestyle or is continually exposed to the heat of the sun.

There are many materials used for storage of drinking water but the most popular are plastic water bottles. This is because they are lightweight, durable because it does not break when dropped, and are priced affordably. But users of plastic containers were alarmed when news broke regarding the hazardous effects of using this material to store water and food.

Several studies have shown that some kinds of plastic leaked harmful chemicals to their contents such as Bisphenol-A or BPA. This substance is a known endocrine disruptor and increases the susceptibility of women to certain malignant disorders such as uterine and breast cancer. It also raises the testosterone level of men. Exposure to this chemical is also linked to obesity and infertility.

Not all water bottles that are made of plastic are unfit for use. Some are actually very safe because they are not known to leak any chemicals to whatever they contain. Nalgene is one company that produces safe water containers. Their products used to contain traces of Bisphenol-A but the company has then recalled them from the market. They also reformulated all their products which are now devoid of BPA.

Another way of ensuring that you make the healthy choice of water container is by looking at the recycling numbers that are usually located at the lower or bottom part of the bottle. Those that have the recycle number 1 can be safely used once while those with numbers 2, 4, and 5 can be utilized repeatedly. Keep away from water bottles with recycle numbers 3, 6, and 7 because they have been found to contain BPA as well as other carcinogenic substances.

Cleaning Tips for a Variety of Kitchen Worktops

Stevie Wonder — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 23:25:22 +0000

Picking out the perfect countertop material can be an event in and of itself. The visions and dreams of what the kitchen will look like and how your family or friends will be in awe of its beauty can make any homeowner feel fuzzy inside. Once you find that perfect counter and have it installed you may feel that the work is done. Now the hard part begins; keeping that countertop looking like it does on day 359 as it was on day one. We will discuss some great cleaning tips and tricks for a wide range of kitchen worktop materials so that your perfect countertop stays just as beautiful as it was when it was installed.

Laminate Countertops

One of the most popular types of countertop material that is used is the laminate material. This material is made of a veneer that is affixed to a ¾” thick piece of particle board. This makes the material easy to clean and extremely cheap to own. One trick to cleaning up stains off of this type of worktop material is to squeeze a lemon slice onto the stain. Allow the juice to sit for at least 15 minutes before you rinse it and dry it off.

Butcher Block Countertops

Butcher block countertops are in the solid surface worktop category. They are typically made of wood and are completely solid. This makes them a bit heavier but also more durable. They need to be if you are going to be doing the chopping right on the surface. A tip to cleaning this type of worktop material is to use a mixture of bleach and water: ½ tsp of bleach to 2 quarts of water. You don’t want to soak the surface in this solution as it will permanently stain it but it works great if you use it to wipe the counter down then immediately dry it off.

Marble or Granite Countertops

Some of the most expensive and beautiful countertop materials are made of marble or granite. These worktops almost can be considered works of art themselves with the interplay of gray stone and dark veins. Because this worktop is made of natural stone it is more susceptible to surface scratches than other materials. When cleaning these countertops it is recommended to use less abrasive cleaners and tools. A soft sponge with dish washing liquid and warm water is sufficient to disinfect the surface and remove the stains.

Keeping that beautiful countertop looking as new for as long as possible can be one of the biggest challenges you face in the kitchen. Everyday wear and tear not to mention all the spills and splatters that are to come in the countertops lifetime don’t help either. By using some of these tips and tricks you can keep the counters luster for a lot longer.