Fall Pantry Keeps And Throws

 Fall offers a lot in the way of cooking and baking. Yet like anything in the house , the kitchen needs to be cleaned and scoured. There are some ingredients that need to be cleaned and some that need to be kept.  It makes for a more organized area , perfect for the heavy schedule ahead.

Items that need to go are the ones that made summer fun. If you have any ice cream left over from the summer  you can either eat it or throw it out. The sweet creamy treat is still good if you bought it in late August or early September. If you bought it earlier, you can still eat it  but it won't have the same vibrant taste. Sherbet is the same, lasting for two to three months. Luckily ice cream cones can last a surprising two to three years, however they will develop a rancid taste after two years in storage. These can be repurposed in fun Halloween treats by turning them into  cupcake cones. They also make cute containers for popcorn balls and Halloween candies as well as mixed berries. A fun dessert is layering different kinds of berries with whipped cream in cake cups. You can top off with sprinkles. Another long lasting summer treat is a box of Popsicles. These can go well into the new year and keep in mind that they're great for soothing sore throats. If you have boxes from the beginning of the year, throw them out.

You probably spent the summer creating all sorts of mayo based salads and slathering your dogs and burgers with all sorts of mustard and ketchup. Keep in mind that egg based mayonnaise has a shelf life of only two months. You won't die from eating it, but you'll become very sick.A better alternative is vegan mayo which can easily last six months once opened. That barbecue sauce you slathered on all those chicken wings and ribs may have to be thrown out, especially if you opened it in May or June.It lasts only four months. If you have a lot of it and it's still good, then think about adding it to meat loaf or hamburgers. You can also use it for pulled pork or pulled chicken. Horse radish is another condiment that has a short shelf life, expiring after  only four months. Throw it out if you bought it at the beginning of the summer. If it's under three months, then think about using it for roast beef sandwiches or to give salad dressings some zing. Ketchup is still good even after six months while mustard can last up to a year. Those pickles that graced the picnic table in the summer can also grace the winter table.Olives last even longer , staying in the fridge from one year to eighteen months.

It pays to clean out your pantry, fridge and freezer after every six months. It also pays to know what foods have a long shelf life and can be used in some cold weather recipes. See what you have and either use it or toss it.

The Gourmet Bride - And Groom

June is not only wedding season but also shower season too. Many spouses to be are into all sorts of gadgets and trends , being more savvy than previous generations about cooking and eating. If that's the case then get them interesting kitchen ware that reflects  their knowledge and tastes.

Hipster bride and grooms love anything artesanal. They'll go for pickles or beer that have been made not by a big company but by themselves. A DIY pickling kit then is the perfect wedding gift. A fermenting kit is only $34.00 on Amazon and it not only yields up tasty dills and gherkins but also trendy probiotic treats like kimchee and sauerkraut.There's even a date tracker and recipe book too. For a fancier spin throw in silver pickle forks that can easily be bought at that great artesanal  bazaar, Etsy. Bacon is another trendy home made product right now, Think about a bacon curing kit. This has everything from curing salt to a curing bag and maple sugar. It's only twenty four dollars, again at Amazon. You may want to throw in a gift certificate to your local grocery so they pick up the pork tenderloin to create it. As for the beer, a beer making kit would be perfect for the much in love . Best Buy has an elaborate one for $798 , a perfect gift for the groom from his groomsmen and best man..There are also cheaper ones for around forty if cost is an issue.

What about those who love to cook and bake? A traditional gift is always a crockpot - which is still a good idea. However update it by giving a mini one. These are great for making smaller meals and are not as expensive as the bigger varieties. They run in pricing from twenty to forty dollars. A sous vide machine is another neat gift home chefs will appreciate. This is a water bath for sealed packets of premeasured ingredients. The end result is tender, flavorful and juicy restaurant quality meals. Sous
vides are pricey, however. One can cost $200 although it would be a perfect gift from the wedding party to the couple. Food dehydrators are another neat present for gourmands. They can be used for making everything from fruit roll ups to beef jerky. Again, these can be expensive, starting at $90 and running as high as $400. Couples who love to bake may appreciate entire cake decorating kits. Step it up a notch and gift them with a cake airbrushing kit to create amazingly decorated creations. It comes with an airbrush and add ons  along with a power generating compressor and plastic dropper.

Gourmet couples deserve gourmet gifts. Give them something that will appeal to their artesanal and gourmand sides. It'll be a memorable shower gift, enjoyed years afterwards.

Your Spring Planning Guide

Spring is a time of holiday and party planning, thanks to Easter and Passover.It's also shower season  and graduation party season too. All of these bring a certain amount of panic. However, don't worry. Start plotting and planning  - and it'll be smooth sailing through this busy season.

Easter and Passover require thought. Even though they're a couple of weeks away it's time to begin to write all sorts of lists The most important is the guest list. Who's coming - who's coming for both dinner and dessert and who's just stopping by for dessert.Another important list is an allergy and likes and dislikes. list.. There's also the question of the ham. Do  you want a dry or wet one? Do you want to just serve it as the solo main dish or have an accompanying leg of lamb? What about the vegans in you life? What will they eat? As for sides, do you want Spring fresh asparagus or go for more heartier fare such as homemade potato salad and baked beans? Passover also brings about several dilemmas for the home chef  Will a brisket be satisfying or lamb? would a leg of lamb be more satisfying than lamb chops?.Should the seder table be based on family traditions or jazzed up with a more trendy Mediterranean one that features za'atar and harissa? Also, should the desserts for both be a  buffet of different sweet treats or just one type of dessert. Another question, should the dinners be held outdoors if the weather is warm and sunny?

Showers and college grad parties will also crop up like Spring flowers.Many weddings take place in June and July so April and May are prime shower months. There may also be proposed baby showers too. Again the hosts not only have to start compiling lists but possible seating arrangements too. The last thing any party giver and celebrant need is a battle erupting. Another question is indoors or outdoors? If the house is too small, then consider a backyard venue which means start looking into tent, chair and table rentals. Now comes the next question is buffet or pot luck better? To be honest , people (and you do have to have to invite the opposite sex) are too busy gossiping and playing catch up to eat. Think about serving nibbles such as spinach pies or mini pizzas along with cheese puffs and small skewers of  cheese and veggies. Desserts can follow in the same vain with mini cupcakes and petit fours  iced with frosting that reflects the wedding's color scheme. Graduation parties also require planning too. Keep in mind that you may be housing  former dorm mates and roomies Respect their likes and dislikes along with allergies and culinary bent. If they can contribute great - they may even have some interesting contributions to the buffet.

Spring is hear and with it a varieties of holiday dinners and parties to plan.  Don't panic, Careful planning will help you get through this hectic season with ease.

Welcome The June Harvests

June is here and with it comes the first of the summer harvests.  t's an exciting time for foodies and home chefs.. New and healthy dishes can be made. Main meals and desserts can have a nice fresh from the garden taste to them.

If you're in the Garden State, New Jersey, like I am , then then you should be on tenterhooks.This is the month  when first harvests of blueberries and cherries will be ripening. They'll be perfect for pies, crisps and parfait as well as just eaten fresh for a healthy dessert or snack.Cucumbers  come later in the month, think of all those refreshing salad made with them, mixed with sour cream and fresh picked dill. Jersey farms also yield up beets broccoli and cabbage too. Nothing beats a yummy beet salad with just the boiled ones dressed in a simple vinaigrette. With the cabbage, think slaws that will go perfectly with all   that barbecue fare. Broccoli means salads and sides  - and the added benefit of an extra green in the diet. Our  neighbors New York and Pennsylvania have similar harvests with Pennsylvania has the extra bonus of early onion, squash and snap bean harvests. Take a trip out to Pennsylvania farm country for a weekend and come back with a car or van loaded with good stuff. Head to Varick New York annual cherry festival in the Cayuga Lake- Finger Lakes district.

For those Marylanders,crabs aren't   the only good food on their June menu. The state is bursting with all sorts of produce thanks to them ripening right now.They already have Spring's best with their asparagus, spinach and strawberries.There are also green peas,snap beans and that perfect dessert ingredient, red and black raspberries.Lettuce and  summer squash are also blooming righ now.Nearby Delaware has all these harvests too plus tomatoes and potatoes . Whether you're there for a weekend  or for a week,take advantage of the farmer's markets there.Midwesterners  will enjoy similar harvests,If you;'re in Illinois get the pie crusts and Ice    cream ready because it's rhubarb season there now. neighboring states, Indiana and Wisconsin  also have similar harvests with  Wisconsin   bursting with peaches. Imagine them with the fresh cream from America's Dairy State.Washington State gives us luscious cherries and currents along with the unusual hybrid tayberry. This is a cross between a  blackberry  and a raspberry  and can be used in sorts of dishes form salads to pies.It's also zucchini season there as well so think about zucchini Parmesan or sautéed with garlic.

June is the start of the summer harvest season. Jump right in and take advantage of the amazing bounty nationwide. Add fresh veggies and fruits to meals and desserts for a refreshing, just picked flavor.