Foods You Didn't Know You Could Cook in an Air Fryer

 

Photo source: Martha Stewart

Some of the foods surprised me and some I already knew about.  My air fryer is large enough to fit some Corning ware.  Individual silicone cupcake liners are for more than just cupcakes.  My stove is rarely turned on anymore since I have tried to find ways to bake most of what I want within reason.  I still haven't mastered baking a frozen pizza in there.

The article is from Martha Stewart.com.  Click here to go to the article and be amazed at all you can cook in your air fryer.

Leftovers That Spoil Faster Than You Think

 

"Leftovers are a normal part of cooking, but that’s especially true during the holidays when refrigerators are packed with half-finished casseroles, carved turkey, and your favorite starch-filled sides. And while many dishes stay safe for up to a week in the fridge, some leftovers do not have the long shelf life we tend to assume" comment about food safety and leftovers from Real Simple.

Click here to go to the informative article and find out which leftovers do not have a long shelf life. 
 

More article links:

Here's How Long Your Leftover Turkey Will Last in the Refrigerator and Freezer

How Long Common Leftovers Last in the Fridge, from Chicken to Pizza

How to Quickly and Safely Bring Butter to Room Temperature - And Only Way to Store Butter

 

"If you've ever decided to bake a batch of cookies at the last minute, you know that bringing a stick or two of butter to room temperature safely and quickly is important—but it's also tricky business" comment from editors at Martha Stewart.com.  

Click here to find out how to bring butter to room temperature the quick and safe way according to a representative of Land O'Lakes Butter.

"I realized, for all my butter love, I had no idea how long it could be left unrefrigerated. So I conferred with a culinary content specialist at Land O’ Lakes, Tonja Engen, to get some answers" - comment from Stella Totino of Simply Recipes.

Stella Totino

Stella is a former pastry chef turned food writer with years of experience testing and researching all things food. She is invested in discovering fun new flavors and the tools that help to create them.

Click here to find out the only way you should store butter according to Land O'Lakes. 

Secret To Silky Smooth Melted Chocolate

 

Photo source: Simply Recipes

The recipe comes from Simply Recipes and they have this comment about melting chocolate - "The number one mistake people make when melting chocolate is giving it too much heat. Too much heat can cause chocolate to burn, and when that happens, there’s no turning back."

Click here to go to the recipe page and find out what the secret is to successfully melting chocolate according to French pastry chef and master chocolatier Jacques Torres.

How to Freeze Cookies and Cookie Dough

 

Photo source: Better Homes and Gardens

"Frozen cookies, baked or unbaked, save the day when you don’t have time to bake a batch or when you want to get a head start on the holiday baking season" - description of the article from Better Homes and Gardens.

This is an excellent article that goes into every aspect of preparing for the baking season.

Click here to go to the article.

The Captain is still with us in spirit
and I honor his place in my life.

Organized grocery shopping tips to help you save time and money on groceries

The following article was posted in one of the foodie groups I belonged to a while back. There was a time when I was Suzy Homemaker and an organized grocery shopper . . . my former routine is listed in the last paragraph . . . the master shopping list.

The master shopping list was kept in my word processor, a copy of the list was kept on the refrigerator so we could highlight an item that needed to be purchased. It was a routine thing and we never came home from the store without everything that was needed.

When I'd find a new recipe to try or if either of us got a craving for a recipe, I would pull a copy of it, mark the master shopping list of needed items and place the printed recipe behind the list on the refrigerator. The effort was made to look through my massive recipe collection so food boredom would not set in and I always tried to vary the menu, planning for the use of leftovers for another meal. Keeping the recipes with the master shopping list just made meal planning easy for me.

If you would like to try my organizing idea, I found it easier to use those refrigerator magnets that have a clip on the end . . . they usually have a stronger magnet making it possible to hold more items without sliding down.

Here is the article . . .

Save Time Grocery Shopping by Crystal Dupay

(the article is no longer published, but here is the content)

Many hours of our week are spent grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning the house. By the time we finish our myriad other responsibilities and try to squeeze in some quality family time, we don't have much opportunity to research the sale ads, travel to several different grocery stores to find the best deal, cook from scratch or make homemade clothing and gifts to save us money. We know that all of these things will help us keep more of our money and contributes to our quality of life but how do we fit it into our already hectic schedules? Budgeting our time and condensing several tasks into one can help tremendously. Saving time can add up to financial savings in a big way.

Becoming organized can cut down on time and money spent in the grocery store!

We all know how frequent trips to the grocery store can separate us from our precious pennies when we scoop up the many impulse items strategically placed by savvy store managers and marketing experts. We also know the virtues of shopping from a list and never buying anything that doesn't appear there, but how many of us can be that disciplined all of the time? I have found the best plan is to keep myself out of the store as much as possible. This means that I must be organized enough to remember everything that I need on the first trip to the store. Below you will find some tips to help you curb your time spent in the grocery store and in turn, help you keep those hard-earned dollars where they belong…in your pocket.

Make a master list of all the things that you absolutely must have on hand at all times. This means anything that you would make a special trip to the store to purchase if you no longer had it in the house. This list usually includes things like diapers, formula, milk, bread, dishwashing detergent and, for many of us, coffee! You'll need to add your own personal family favorites as well. Once the list is finished, purchase two of every item on the list. When you begin to use the first of your two items put that item on your grocery list for you next shopping trip. Which brings me to the next tip…

Create a continuous grocery list. Keep this list in an accessible place and have all of the members of your family use it. Whoever uses the last bit of any item is responsible for writing that item on the list. You may find that for the sake of convenience you will need more than one list. I have a list in the kitchen and also one upstairs inside my linen closet door to record when I am out of such things as toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper, etc. A dry-eraser board is good for these types of lists and cuts down on paper usage.

Keep a freezer inventory. Especially if you stock up on items while they are on sale. Different things begin to look very much the same after they have been in the freezer for awhile. If you don't keep a running list of what is inside your freezer and mark it down when a portion is used, you may find yourself with far too much of one item. It is a sad shame to find a great deal on ground sirloin, for example, only to have to throw it away because it became freezer burned before you actually needed to use it.

There should be a place for everything and everything should be in it's place. Be sure to always store your grocery items in the same place in your freezer, pantry, cabinets, or drawers. I've forgotten this rule several times and have run out to buy more toilet paper in bulk quantities only to find that I already had a huge box of it underneath several other items that I've carelessly thrown on top of it. Here again, organization is the key to saving time, effort, and money.

Make a "super shopping list". This is more like an outline, really and it is divided into the departments of a grocery store such as dairy, produce, household items, etc.. I shop at the same store every time I grocery shop so I have my list set up according to the layout of this particular store. I have the master copy of this list saved in my word processor and I print out several whenever I need them. Even if you shop at several different stores, a list like this will still be very helpful. Using this list saves so much time and helps keep me focused on the items I came to buy instead of the fun little kitchen gadgets that are sitting in the center of the aisles.

Here are other links . . .

How do I save money on groceries when costs keep increasing

Links from Mommy Savers.com and more information

How to Craft and Send the Perfect Holiday Cookie Tin

 

"While homemade cookie tins offer plenty of opportunity to be creative, the pros say following a few key principles can help ensure your precious cargo arrives safely to its final destination. In this article you'll find everything you need to know about putting together and mailing cookie tins, according to baking experts" . . . description of article from All Recipes.

Throughout this blog I have written about the success and gratification it gave me to have those little homemade gifts available during the holiday season to give to the host of a party you are going to or having a gift for someone who happens to visit you, for example.  Now I bring an article to show you how to do it.  Be creative in your packaging as you may not want to use a cookie tin. I will provide links to other articles as I find them.

Click here to go to the article that will show you how to do it.

Does Pie Really Need To Be Refrigerated?

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

Good question and I often wonder, but put it in the fridge to be safe.  Now we can all find out.

The article is from Southern Living and covers everything you need to know about the question and everything else you need to know about storing pie and how.

Here is what they have to say about the article:  "Whether you picked up a pie at your local bakery or baked one from scratch, knowing how to store it properly is the best way to keep it as fresh and delicious as possible. Different types of pies can benefit from different storage methods, whether your pie is fruit- or custard-based, a meringue pie, or other variety. Storing your pie properly won’t just help keep it fresh, it will also ensure food safety."

Click here to go to the article.

How to Make the Best Sugar Cookies from Martha Stewart

 

Photo source:  Martha Stewart

Two of Martha Stewart's favorite bakers give their expert advise on how to make the perfect sugar cookies.  Those sugar cookies are beautiful.  This article will help you make the best ones you can.

Click here to go to Martha's Sugar Cookie Tip page.

Martha Stewart has been a domestic role model for me.  When I quit working and JR and I became a one income family, I listened to every word she said about everything.  Her recipes never let me down.

She also provides the link to another article that features 12 Classic Christmas Sugar Cookie recipes. Click here to go to the recipe page.  You gotta try them!

Is it safe to line the oven with foil

 

I have always lined my oven with foil.  It is something I learned from my nana, so I did it too.  I'm sure you did too.

Click here to go to an article from Southern Living that discusses the use of foil in the oven.  It also gives other uses for foil in the kitchen.  Very interesting and informative article.

Freezer Maintenance

Organize Your Freezer Like A Pro

Freezer Maintenance is a problem for me despite my best intentions.  Once it is a mess, I don't know where to start, but I'm hoping these videos and links to informative articles will be helpful to achieve freezer organization.  

I'll add more links and videos as I find them.

Free Printable Freezer Inventory Sheets

The Best Way To Keep Trace Of What Is In Your Freezer

The Absolute Best Way to Organize Any Freezer (and Keep It That Way, Once and for All)

The Ultimate Freezer Organization Guide

Your Guide to Rotisserie Chicken: Meals, Storage, and More

 

Rotisserie chicken has become a convenient and economical way to quickly prepare delicious meals.  It is widely available at grocery stores.  You can also make roasted chicken at home.  A good idea is to set time aside to make a couple of roasted chickens to have ready as needed.  Make them, cut them up and freeze them is a smart thing to do.

Check out Mary Hunt's informative article on everything you need to know about rotisserie chickens from her blog Everyday Cheapsake.  

Click here to go to the article.  While you are on her blog, subscribe to her newsletter . . . you will be glad you did.  I've been subscribed for many years and is one of my favorite blogs.

Shrimp and Sweet Pepper Linguine

Fast and easy recipes are what I seek out on those days when it seems like there are not enough hours in the day.  I've gotten into a cooking groove that I can whip out in 30 minutes or less since that is what our lifestyle calls for recently . . . except for our two days off.  Fast and easy is smart cooking, but doesn't have to compromise the quality of the meal.  

This recipe has everything I look for in a fast, easy and quality meal.  Add a salad and some good bread to complete the meal.

This Shrimp and Sweet Pepper Linquine recipe comes from Crisco's website.  They are currently hosting an awesome giveaway . . . their theme . . . 

"The authentic flavors of Crisco® Olive Oil can inspire you to transform everyday ingredients into something extraordinary. And you can share your inspirations for a chance to win a trip to Italy!"

Click here to get details and enter the contest.

Ingredients

1/4 cup Crisco® Pure Olive Oil

4 to 6 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 large red pepper, cut into strips

1/2 pound medium raw shrimp, peeled and de-veined

Salt and pepper, to taste

1/2 pound linguine, cooked and drained

Parmesan cheese, to taste

2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley

Directions

1.HEAT oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic. Cook and stir until golden. Add onion and peppers, cooking until tender.

2.ADD shrimp, salt and pepper. Cook shrimp until pink and tender. 

(I never cook shrimp more than 4 minutes)

Serve over cooked linguine. 

Top with grated Parmesan cheese and parsley.

There are countless ways to vary this recipe  

and ways to make it even easier on a busy day.

Variations!

Use chicken instead of shrimp 

Make it a veggie meal by adding mushrooms, broccoli, green beans or diced tomatoes or sun dried tomatoes instead of shrimp or chicken.  Experiment with what you like or what you have in the fridge.

Kick it up a notch by using jalapeno peppers if spicy hot is what you like.

Kitchen tips to make it easier!

Use pre-cut onions and peppers . . . when I have time, I'll cut peppers and onions and place them in freezer bags.  For one thing, they don't go to waste if you don't use them fast . . . second, this meal can really come together way faster if you don't have to spend the time to cut your veggies.
  

Another thing I've started doing to make things easier . . . I buy minced garlic in a big jar since I use so much garlic in my cooking.  Garlic dries out so fast and I hate waste.  Or you can make your own minced garlic in olive oil packed in a glass jar and kept in the fridge.  Make it on the same day you cut your peppers and onions to freeze . . . get it all done at one time so you won't have to be bothered with that stuff until you run out.

Have you experimented with sun dried tomatoes?  Try throwing some in a sauce or a stir fry type of meal like this one.  

How about roasted red peppers that come in a glass jar?   Some come packed in garlic for awesome flavored peppers that are ready to go with no fuss.  I love them!  They add a new dimension to any recipe that calls for peppers.

Since I finally have a "life" with the awesome new man in my life, I'd rather spend more time with him than in the kitchen . . . I'm finding ways to cook faster and with convenience foods, and adopting the "Sandra Lee" style of cooking.

Hope these tips help save you some time!

Cooking and Cleaning Tips

This article from the Old Farmer's Almanac website was meant for the holidays, but they are great tips for any day of the year! I have added the website link on the sidebar for future reference . . . check out their cooking and recipe section, it is awesome!

• Before you cook even one holiday recipe, remove kitchen clutter, making as much room as you can for holiday preparations. Cast a cold, hard eye on those kitchen counters. Get out a large cardboard box and fill it with all the things you won't need, and stash the box in the attic or basement.
  
  
• Attack the refrigerator. Discard everything that's past its prime. Make space to chill bowls of cookie dough, batches of eggnog, and perishable food gifts you may receive.
  
  
• Read recipes carefully and think through every special meal you'll cook. Organize your work area. Pay special attention to pan sizes and the space you will need for such activities as rolling dough and combining several bowls of ingredients.
  
  
• Check to make sure you have plenty storage containers and materials, including of plastic wrap, waxed paper and aluminum foil. If you use glass or plastic containers with snap-on lids, organize them so they're easy to find—and that includes the lids that fit them.
  
  
• Clean as you go. Make a habit of washing, drying, and putting away equipment as soon as you can after using it.
  
  
• If you face a roasting pan with baked-on grease and gunk, fill the sink with hot water, add 2 tablespoons of dishwasher detergent, and soak the pan overnight. Then scrub it with steel wool.
  
  
• If you burn something and it sticks to the bottom of the pan, let the pan cool off. Scrape out as much of the burned food as you can. Then fill the pan with cold water and add 3 tablespoons of salt or baking soda. Let it sit overnight. In the morning, bring the water slowly to a boil and let it simmer for 20 minutes. The pan should just wipe clean.
  
  
• If your glassware looks cloudy, put 1 to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in the offending vessel and fill it to the top with hot water. Let it sit for at least three hours. Then rinse it out and wash it in warm, soapy water.
  
  
• When cleaning heavily tarnished silver, rub it with a damp cloth sprinkled with salt; then wash off the salt and polish the silver. If you run out of silver polish, use toothpaste. It works just as well and smells a whole lot better.

Source: Old Farmer's Almanac website