Those Cooling Dinner Dishes

 It is hellishly hot througho9ut the world. Europe is roasting. The US isn't far behind temp wise. What happens when even eating feels like a chore? have cold,refreshing meals. These take the edge off those steamy sinner time suppers. A bite or sip of something cooling can be revitalizing.

A cup or bowl of gazpacho is the way to go. This chilled soup is the perfect dinner on a ninety degree day. The Spanush make this flavorful soup when the summer heat becomes unbearable.This is one of my favorites and it;s only rotation two to three times  a week during the summer. It's an easy blend of tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, bell peppers, onions or onion powder combined with a bit of water , olive oil and a good red or white wine vinegar. I chill mine for at least two to three hours before serving. This leaves the afternoon free to do anything else. Vichysoisse is another cold soup,perfect for a Summer Sunday meal.Keep in mind that it can be served hot too when the cooler weather arrives. It's usually cooked over a stove top for thirty-five minutes however it's easier to cook in a crock pot during a heat wave.It;s cutting potatoes and leeks into bite sized pieces along with onions, carrots and celery Add one can of cream of mushroom soup and another can of cream of celery for thickness and richness. Evaporated milk and four chicken bouillon cubes are also added. along with butter. Cook for two to three hours on high and then chill for about an hour. Add parsley flakes for decorations.

Never discount canned meats and fish. Canned chicken breast makes for an excellent salad , especially when it'ts combine with mayo and a good sprinkling of tarragon flakes.This is perfect on toasted brioche rolls or croissants. Keep in mind that you can also stuff tomatoes with this mix too. Just core tomatoes and gill with this . You vcan add almonds for crunch and texture . This can also work for lettuce cups too. Just use any big leafed lettuce and fill. Both the tomatoes and lettuce can also be filled with seafood as well. Use canned or fresh crab  and mix with chopped celery , mayo and just the teeniest bit of white sugar. You could add a dash of Old Bay seasoning too. Shrimp, and lobster too make for luxurious fillings. If you make shrimp or lobster salad, then use either to make a great seafood roll for a fun and lush dinner. You could toast the buttered hot dog rolls in the air fryer before stuffing them. Another fun and cool dinner idea is a sushi bowl/It's a lot less work than rolling and cutting the pieces. It starts with rice which can be bought precooked  and fish. Use already cooked shrimp or crab from your grocery store or fish market.  Add a layer of nori or black seaweed, and then fill in with julienned carrots, celery and sliced avocado Cucumber is also included for cool freshness. Give the bowls  good dousing or rice wine vinegar ir sushi vinegar which is rice vinegar and sugar mixed together with salt.

It's summer. The world is on fire - almost literally. Create col suppers that are refreshing and delicious.

Cooking For The Whole Week

 Weekend cooking  can be a pain but it pays off, especially if you are planning to have it for the entire week. Saturday and Sunday are perfect days  to make those frozen meals for week night dining. There's so much you can make for a full five busy days ahead.

Be ready when you want  to cook a lot.Make sure that the cutting board is clean and wiped down. Are the knives sharpened? Do you have the right ones? Are the pots , both for stove top or for the microwave also clean and ready? When the utensils and gadgets are ready then look at what you have? Jarred sauces and pasta make for good weeknight dinners. They both store and freeze easily. Have boxes of your favorite pasta along with lasagna sheets for cooking. Have both read and white pasta sauces to cook with to vary the upcoming agenda of meals.beans are a vital ingredient in soups and stews. Make sure you have the appropriate number of cans . Also have a variety too, Chickpeas are versatile and can be used in everything form soups to  curries. red kidney beans are another must. They add flavor to soups like minestrone. Do you have enough herbs and spices. Make sure there is enough garlic and onion powder along with oregano and rosemary. Do you have enough of the basic seasonings such a as sea salt and peppercorns that can be freshly ground? Most importantly  - do you have the storage containers ready to be filled and stored.

As for recipes, again a hearty pasta such as penne or bucatini work well with reheating. You can just cook the pasta and then let everyone microwave their own cup of sauce. for later eating. They can be cooked together too.Another dish that can last well into the next weekend isa bean stew. Add any kind of bean you like or a combo of them such as chickpeas and cannellini along with a veggie such as spinach . Tomato paste and vegetable broth give it a smooth texture.  Keep in mind that you can add chicken or beef to this along with stretching it out with rice. or quinoa.For easier cooking with this use your crockpot It allows you to to go about yoru Saturday chores and errands with only having to check in once or twice to see how it's cooking. A meat based stew even lets you make some dumplings for a more filling meal. These can be made either plain or with herbs for a tasty extra.Of  course soups are a good dish to make. They're easy to to store and easy to reheat in the microwave. Take advantage of the season's bounty. A good squash, cauliflower ro pumpkin soup is easy to whip up especially if you have a bof soup pot and an immersion blender.

It's so easy to devote a weekend for weeknight cooking.Decide what you want to make. Get the ingredients and cook. You;ll have delicious homemade meals for the week ahead,

Rainy Day Eats

 April bring showers as the saying goes. Yet a rainy day is a perfect time to bake or cook(However not to make candy)> What's your favorite treat to make during a rainy April day? It could be baking cake or cookies for later snacking? Or making a crockpot full of homemade chili or sauce,

WHat is your favorite rainy eats to make? For me it could be a soup if the weather is chill enough or a croque Monsiuee loaded with Gruyere , ham and butter. et us know here.

It's Crockpot Season

 It's January and that means one thing :time to get out  the crockpot or start using the one you received for Christmas. There's so much you cna make using it. Be rady for , easy, ribsticking meals  that warm you from yoru head to your toes.

I got mine out after a few seasons of not using it.I love it, from Classic which I bought at Target six years ago./ The handle is broken and it's seen better days after six years but it still works beautifully.

I spent a rainy , snowy Sunday making homemade vegan chili.It's my Mom';s recipe that I tweaked. It  has a cuo of both kidney and cannellini beans, a cup of vegan soy crumbles, crushed pepper infused tomatoes and tomato sauce. A mix of cumin, chili powder, along with onionand garlci powders were added. You can add real meat and just the tomato sauce. A bowl of it was perfect on a frosty, chilly day. You can jazz it up your own recipe by adding a layer of mixed Mexican cheeses, and sour cream or a dollop of guacamole.

Use your crockpot to make all sorts of warming dishes. My next big recipe with it will be homemade tomato sauce. This is bascially the chili recipe sans the cumin and chili powder. I can see  it on top of penne or spaghetti with vegan meatballs. I can also just serve meat balls and sauce over Italoan bread for a hot hearty, hero. Keep in mind that crockpots can also be used to make Swedish meatballs and a variety of homemade soups. Imagine a good leek and potato one being simmered in it. If you have apples, cut them up with some granulated sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon for a chunky applesauce. 

It's crockpot season. Use yours to make hot , tasty meals. It's such an easy cook that produces warming dishes for cold winter days and night.

A Month Of Easy Cooking

between now and the new Year there will be nothing but hectic rushing. There are Christmas concerts, office parties and of course shopping. Tons of shopping for both food and gifts. All that means easy meals that are quck to make.

This is where the air fryer and crockpot are necessary. Air fryer meals are easy to make in only minutes and the plus side they're given an extra crunch.Think chicken nuggets whether the real thing or plant based. Gardein has both nuggets and plant based chicken flavored filets which can easily be turned into lemon pepper chicken. Brush both sides of th efilets with lemon juice and then dust with pepper before air frying. This and air fried veggies make for a satisfying meal. Keep in mind that hot dogs are also good air fried. The best part is they only take five minutes to cook up. Serve on toasted butter buns with spray cheese on top for a fun meal the kids will love. You can also use the air fryer to make Hannukah latkes  or just regular potato pancakes for a quick Saturday or Sunday supper.Have sides of applesauce and sour cream as sides. Prepeared meat balls and sausages  can also be air fried and then easily added to a jarred sauce for a homemade flavor.

Your crockpot should be in heavy rotation during this time. The cold weather practically begs for a pot of easy to make chili. It's just a simple mix of canned tomatoes, tomato sauce and ground beef or plant based crumbles(Keep in mind this also makes for a grea homemade pasta sauce too). Add the chili and cumin to suit your family's taste. It can be mild or five alarm hot. Buy a square of cornbread (Acme has this fresh baked) to serve with it. You cna mix it up by making a white chili which has turkey instead of beef and cannellini beans along with cream cheese instead of tomatoes. Its flavored much the same way with cumin and got pepper along with garlic.  Serve with slabs of garlicky Texas toast. Your crockpot or even Insta pot can also wield up a good old fashioned stew too. Chicken or beef is perfect, Add carrots , onions an dleeks along with potatoes for a tasty blend. Serve with hot crusty rolls and an easy to make green salad for a quick week day meal.

Keep this four weeks easy cooking. It's easy , using your air fryer and crockpot. The meals will still be homemade, delicious but a snap to make.

 

Cooking For The Week

 It's hard to cook on weekdays. There's always a busy schedule , with work and after school activities. A simpler solution is cooking ahead on a Saturday or Sunday and using those cooked meals for the week ahead.

Cooking ahead is not a new idea but it's a god one . You don't want to rely on frozen , processed foods all the time and you want your family to eat healthy too. One of the simplest recipes to make is sauce. If you don;t have time on the weekend then consider using your crock pot. Just pop the ingredients in and let it cook for six to eight hours while you get Saturday chores done or even want to spend time hiking or going to the beach  The sauce can be used in  a variety of different ways, from a traditional spaghetti to even a base for a chili. For the last just add some ground beef or vegan crumbles. You could also make chili in advance too. All you have to do is pair it  already baked cornbread which can be bought at any grocery store. Another great go to sauce is pesto. This is a bit more labot intensive than tomato but worth it. The sauce begins with pulverizing fresh basil leaves with olive oil and slightly toasted pine nuts. (these can be omitted or walnuts can be subbed in), Since the cheese could cause mold when frozen omit it and add it later when you;'re ready to cook wth the sauce. Pesto can be blended with tomato sauce or use just on it's own with any kind of pasta.

Meat loaf is  a week night staple. It's easy to make on the weekend and then freeze. Both uncoooked an d cooked can be kept for up to six months. Just remember to wrap it properly so that there are no freezer burns. The good thing about the meat loaf is that you can vary the recipe. Add  a cup of barbecue sauce for a zesty tangy slice. You can even serve it with barbecue sauce too Another is adding chopped Jalapenos  for a fiery change up. A family crowd pleaser will be a meat loaf made with Caribbean jerk seasoning Just toss in  about a pinch so it's not too spicy. If the family loves turkey then thiunk about making a couple of loaves of turkey meat loaf.  You can even make it healthier by swapping out the bread crumbs and switching in almond meal.It;s also good cold and sliced into sandwiches for next day's lunch . Ground meat can also make for awesome meatballs too, especially if you use the air fryer to cook them. Everyone will love a meatball sub with homemade sauce They'll also be good with the homemade pesto and spaghetti for a heartier supper.

These are busy days. Cook ahead and make the day less busier. It's still good food but without all the fuss.

Ovenless Cooking

 warm weather means a warm house. Factor a hot stove into that and you have an unbearably hot and uncomofrtable kitchen. Yet thereare ways to still have a hot fresh meal, Use your air fryer, Insta-Pot or crockpot for cooked or baked meals and treats.

One of the best inventions ever for the kitchen is the air fryer. This is great during those hot steamy days. You don;'t have to light the grill or turn on the stove. Hamburgers and hot dogs can easily be cooked and crisped in this.They're still juicy but with an extra crunchiness that just makes them sing. Use your air fryer for seafood too. You can easily make fried shrimp or even lobster tails in it. This is perfect if you're dying for a summery treat. The air fryer is good for snacks like onion rings and French fries to go with those burgers and dogs. Some also have the room to bake. You can bake anything and everything from pancakes to brownies. You just need parchment papper cut to fit the size of the basket. Another plu is that the  air fryer is an easy clean up, I'ts just the basket that needs to be washed and dried. That's it. No pots or pans. No messy stove top or oven interior to wipe and clean.

Insta-Pots and crock pots are your friends during steamy days too. Everything is basically a "dump and go" , perfect for when you're too hot and tired to cook an elaborate meal. Family can enjoy a tasty baked mac without having to turn on the oven.It's also great for baking lasagna. This winter classic can easily be created during a heat wave.Both Insta-Pots and crockpots are good for simmering scatch soups too. If you're craving a homemade celery or spinach one make it in either ones of these. Freeze the leftovers if you want a quick hot lunch or light supper. Chili is another perfect dish for these cookers and you can use ingredients form your garden like tomatoes , peppers and onions as the summer harvest season progresses.Not surprisingly your Insta-Pot is a bonus for creating desserts too. A  chocolate lava cake is an easy bake in one. Even cheesecake, usually reserved for Christmas or New Year's can be a summery dessert thanks to a bake in one. Add some fresh picked blueberries or strawberries on top. Again  like with the air fryer, these are easy to clean. No hassle. No mess. No worries.

Let your oven rest during this warm days. Use your airfryer, Insta-Pot or crockpot to cook and bake. It' makes for an easier time and a cooler kitchen.

That First Apartment Kitchen

 Many college seniors are now in the process of miving off campus or moving to on campus dorms with kitchens. This is a crash course in not only easy cooking but home cooking too. How do you stock a beginner's kitchen? Not with love as you might think but with knowledge.

It's always good to check out the major appliances of any rental. Many landlords usually go for the cheaper stoves and fridges and these may not work well. Check for gas leaks and if the burners and oven work correctly. As for the fridge, make sure it's both cooling and freezing. If there's a sweet odor coming from it two to one it's leaking freon. Talk to the landlord about replacing the refigerator or possibly buying a new one.(the cost should be deducted from the rent). Space in the kitchen is also important. Air fryers and microwaves are must haves. is there enough room for thm (or at least for one. Air fryers can easily be tucked under the kitchen table) What else is needed? A crock pot is another necessity. These are great on those long days in class when you can't spend the day cooking tomato sauce or chili. Immersion blenders are another kitchen must have. Theseare great for making smoothies but they even better for  blending and smoothing out chunky soups.what about pots and pans? Get three pots, an eigh quart stock pot for boiling pasta and making soups, a two quart and one quart for cooking rice and creating sauces. A frying pan and griddle are vital for frying up steaks or indoor cooking hot dogs and hamburgers.

What about stocking up that first pantry? Soup is a must because it's easy to microwave and eat.A cup of it with crackers makes for a filling lunch or dinner. Canned veggies should also be added to the list. They not only make for great sides but also tasty salads too.Beans and tomatoes of any sort should also be added. These make for a great crockpot chili  and the last is the backbone for tomato sauce.Olive oil is a must because it's not only good for you but also  versatile to cook with (but get  vegetable oil for baking).A small bottle of either red wine or apple cider vinegar can also be added. They  not only are crucial to vinaigrettes but some recipes call for a splash of vinegar. Bread , eggs and any kind of milk are also high on the list. Always have some kind of fresh fruit or veggie in the kitchen as well. These give you the nutrients and vitamins. A piece of fresh fruit is also a good between classes snack. Your first kitchen is also a good place to start a spice rack. Get small bott;es of cinnamon, garlic ,and onions powders. Rosemary and oregano are kitchen must haves as is chili powder.Old Bay seasoning should lso be included if your'e into seafood.

A first kitchen can be daunting.However it can be a dream  if it's well stocked and prepared.It'll mske for fun creating ,cooking and baking.

TikTok Treats

 Tik Tok is just more than dance offs and book reviews. IT's providing the inspiration for holiday baking. It;s giving the world excellent cookie and candy  ideas. Best part is that you can even add your own recipes and favorites to the mix.

If you want to see some of the latest trends , first download the Tik Tok app and then go into baking. It's an amazing amount of fun recipes done within just a few seconds. I love the holiday pumpkin rolls one, a tiny film of ingenuity and thread. Then there are the pizookie videoes which feature that clever marriage of pizza and giant cookie. These are easy to make and would be great for any Christmas tree party. Another fun Christmas party treat is the Christmas tree bread, made only and simply with chocolate ganache, what looks like store bought puff pastry and some clever twisting. The dough is cut into a tree shape with some stars cut from the extra dough and then the tree branches are twisted. The stars then are placed onto the tree's middle then the entire bread is baked.For the truly ambitious there are Tik Tok videos on homemade gingerbread houses build with scratch gingerbread. You could even try hot chocolate bombs for an interesting gift. The candy videos are also fun and there are some interesting recipes like crockpot candy one or the treat made with Saltines!

Keep in mind that most of the TikTok videoes do not give measurements , cooking times or oven temps. You have to look on the web for the recipes which, luckily there are many. The app does have some really great cake decorating videos. The cupcake ones are really fun and easy to replicate. However if you want a more detailed video then go to Youtube. As we all know the videos are much more detailed and can give you recipes with exact measurements and show  how to decorate every baked good with precision. Remember all this if you want to make your own Tik Tok clip. You only have a few minutes to create a cohesive clip. Get everything you need together. The bowls, measuring cups and spoons along with whisks and beaters should all be laid out. It helps to measure out everything before hand, like  what's done on You Tube and cooking shows. A good idea is having the treat already baked and decorated. You don't have the time to include the baking and decorating time together. Decorating is another thing. You can show how you added whorls and faces on your creations. The last is picking out the music. Go for a holiday theme background. wear an apron if you want to,

Tik Tok is a great way to get inspiration for your holiday table/ There are some neat ideas you can try. It could be a pizookie or a pan of fudge. Take a look at the app and have fun.

The Comfort Of A School Lunch

This upcoming school year is going to be fraught with all sorts of anxiety. A comforting school lunch can help ease some of those fears and stresses. Classic sandwiches, hot meals and snacks may bring a smile to those worried faces.

Fun lunches and riffs on cafeteria classics can easily be recreated at home. This is great if the kids are returning to classrooms right away and need to bring a lunch. Egg and tuna salad sandwiches are staples in any school and even college cafeterias. For the egg salad spike it up with some parsley or paprika for color. Tuna salad can be crunched up with the addition of celery which also gives it a shot of green too.Of course kids love bologna and turkey too.Many love the squish of both mayo and mustard. Combine these for a new condiment with the addition of toasted mustard seeds. The last  are easy to toast. It's just five minutes in a 350 degree Farenheit oven. Of course there is the loved for generations peanut butter and jelly . Vary it with crunchy peanut butte or all natural kinds. Change it up with either cashew or almond butter if the little ones are OK with that. (Keep in mind that some will freak out if you replace one kind of peanut butter with another). Get sandwich cutters to give them a festive look. what's good about these is that the cutters also seal in the filling so it doesn't squish all over the place. These will also come in handy when the little and not so little ones return to the classroom.

Some kids may not be returning to their classrooms until October or November. This means a hot or more substantial lunch. This is where your crockpot can come in handy. Make a big pot of chili for dinner one night and lunch the next (also remember that it can be used to top hot dogs too). Think about making crockpot tomato sauce which can be used over such kid favorites as spaghetti and ravioli. Kids love a good steamy bowl of tomato soup. Sure you can open a can but homemade is better - and much more flavorful. It's just taking plum tomatoes and cooking it with either chicken or vegetable broth. There's also diced onions, seasonings and garlic to round out the flavors. It's all stirred and cooked in the crockpot for six to eight hours.Grilled cheese is another kid favorite. Add a slice of ham for a croque monsieur vibe. Older kids may like it the French bistro version with a bechamel sauce on top. Bechamel is an easy blend of milk,butter and flour. Salt, pepper and nutmeg are the seasonings that elevate it. You could serve it with bistro fries or shoe string potatoes for a really fun lunch.

Start this  unprecedented school year off with familiar foods for lunch.It can be a hot soup or a cold PB & J sandwich. Whatever they like as long as it's a comfort to them.

Cleaning The Freezer

As much as we want to jump into the freezer right now, it's really good time to clean it out. We may have overbought during lock down and the top of our fridges may be bursting. It's time to clean out and see what we can do with those frozen meats and veggies.

Many bought burgers during the pandemic, and kept them there as restrictions eased and our favorite restaurants opened. Now is the perfect time to grill them for family barbecues. They can also go into the air fryer for a few minutes if you don't want to stand in 90 degree heat. One thing about hamburgers is that they are versatile so you can make them a variety of different ways. Try them as Salisbury steaks served with a sauce made from mushroom gravy or mushroom soup over precooked noodles or rice. You can also break them up and add them to crockpot chili or Bolognese sauce. The same can be done with veggie burgers such as Gardein's or Boca too. What is a fun meal is taking those frozen fries and making a sheet pan dinner with them and the patties. It's an easy way of having a summer classic without too much fuss. The same can be done with those chicken patties that have been hanging out by the ice cream. Add some pasta  sauce and top with Parmesan cheese. You can even serve these with a side of just plain spaghetti and let everyone mix the sauce on their plates.

Your freezer probably has a ton of frozen veggies too. Luckily these can be made into the perfect summer side - salads. It's easy to steam broccoli or green beans in the microwave and then toss with a vinaigrette. Chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving. Salads don't have to be limited to just those veggies. You can make a pea salad using frozen peas and mint leaves. Add some feta to make it a bit more substantial. Mixed frozen veggies can be added to stir fries or used in sheet pan recipes.  The last is just tossing them in olive oil and laying flat on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper.  They can also be added to various stocks to create minestrone soup. Frozen corn can be turned into a chowder or added to a potato soup for color and flavor. As for those bags of frozen fruit. Thaw them out for all sorts of toppings for ice cream sundaes or parfaits. They can also be added to smoothies for more flavor and chill. Save them for breakfast where they'll be perfect with waffles or French toast.

It's time to clean out that bursting freezer.Let it have a rest from all that pandemic buying.  Empty it to create tasty meals and desserts.

Dining Out Or In For Father's Day

Two big events are happening this weekend. Restaurants are opening and it's Father's Day. Now here's the question. Should you celebrate at Dad's favorite restaurant or have something at home? Can the family head out or is better to have a backyard bash?

There should be reservations already in place if you are planning on taking the man of the day out. There are some eateries who will take last minute reservations along with a handful who don't even need reservations. Eating out again is a big deal - and fun. After all it's a chance to dress up , comb the hair and put on sandals other than flipflops. Then there's sitting down and actually ordering a meal. Being waited on is another nice perk along with being served food that you haven't cooked yourself or comes in a container in a paper bag.There's also the thrill of ordering anything you like, from steak to shrimp as opposed to being stuck with what's being cooked in the air fryer or crockpot. Another plus of eating out? Desserts!!! Dad can choose anything from a whipped cream embellished slice of chocolate cake or a fancy mint leaf crowned sorbet in a fancy glass. Instead of a Keurig cup, he and you can have cappuccino or espresso. It's just a nice time out even though you may be dining out in the parking lot.

However it can be more comforting to celebrate Dad in the backyard. It's safer that's for sure if only a close few are invited - or just those living in the house. You can still have the fancy restaurant food , either with take out or making it yourself. An easy but lush lunch or dinner is grilled steak with a coin of herbed butter on it. Herbed butter is a easy make. It's taking plain butter (dairy or plant based) mixed with lemon juice, finely chopped parsley and a variety of other herbs such as oregano, basil, or rosemary. The butter can also be used on toasted Italian or French bread too. Another fun dad dish is a beer burger. This is combining a quarter cup of his favorite beer with chopped beef, Worcester sauce , garlic and onion. Serve with sliced tomatoes and lettuce along with a slice of Swiss cheese. Instead of the usual , gloppy macaroni salads, try grilled veggies as a side. Grill corn and asparagus along with eggplant. You can also use the herbed butter on these or on that other fatherly favorite grilled baked potatoes. End the meal with chocolate stout cupcakes with buttercream icing or double chocolate s'more's using chocolate graham crackers and eighty to ninety percent dark chocolate instead of plain graham crackers and milk chocolate bar.

Father's Day is a time of celebrating. That's the important aspect, whether you dine in or out. Make sure the fathers in your life have a good meal and a good time.

Travel Through Your Kitchen

Since we can't physically travel this summer, we can do it another way -  through our kitchens. We can easily make dishes form different parts of the US and the world. It's a fun way to expand our palates and our repertoires.

Luckily there are cookbooks that can help us on our culinary journey.Try Priya Krishna's Indian-ish Recipes and Antics From  A Modern American Family. You can sip spicy chai drinks while enjoying dal or pulao.  The great Marcella Hazan left a phenomenal legacy in her Essentials Of Italian Cooking : A Cookbook.  You'll feel like you're at Lago Maggiore as you recreate her polenta and squab. Finish with a homemade Italian ice or granita as you play bocce in the backyard. If you're yearning  for bouillabaisse, there are several excellent Provencal cookbooks that you can upload to your Kindle.Enjoy the dishes of romantic Provence under backyard fairy lights. Want a week in Mexico, then buy Oaxaca: Home Cooking From The Heart Of Mexico by Bricia Lopez. This has hearty dishes of the home kitchen sort that can easily be recreated in yours. Author Kelly Kwok has The Asian Slow Cooker; Exotic Favorites For Your Crockpot. where you can make classic Chinese dishes while you sunbathe or garden.

If you had planned on an American road trip, not to worry. You can still make the same fried chicken you'd have in the South. It can even be made healthier by using your air fryer. You can fry okra and green tomatoes too. Wash down with sweet tea or mint juleps. Finish with a peach pie and homemade pralines. There are some excellent cookbooks such as Sweetie Pie's Cookbook Soulful Southern Recipes from My Family To Yours. So many head to New England for the beaches and seafood. You can easily get already steamed seafood at any local seafood restaurant or do the steaming yourself. Serve with cups of melted butter and lemon wedges.Of course there is the Jersey shore, and the famed boardwalks that dot many a coastal town. The Jersey  shore is known for its pizza and you can easily recreate it with dough already made and a good homemade sauce. Of course there's sausage and peppers. This is an easy saute piled on Italian bread. Mix it up with some red and yellow peppers. Finish with cotton candy  which you can buy the machine at Five Below and the sugars off of Amazon.

Turn your kitchen into a road trip. There's so many different cuisines you can try and pretend you're at the place where they originated. It's a fun staycation.

Pantry Creations

By now and in the weeks to come we've exhausted our pantry and comfort food recipes. It's time to come up with new spins and new ideas. Get your creativity on.

Beans are a pantry staple and surely we've used many recipes with them in this short time. There must be many families settling down to chili right now. It's a great crock pot fix , especially during these days of working and schooling from home. A new spin is white chili, This requires chicken, if you have it , any kind of white beans and mild green chili. Corn kernels can be added to along with mild green, red and yellow bell peppers. It can be topped with avocado and sour cream for extra flavor. Don't worry about it being time consuming to make. It can be made in a crockpot. Mix everything in the morning and let cook by and be read by the afternoon. Another bean dish is hummus. This is an easy make and recipes can be tweaked for some fun variations.Instead of making it solely with chickpeas , add some cannellini beans for a more buttery flavor and smoother texture. Many of the recipes do add tahini, but you don't have to if you can't find it. The same thing goes for olive oil. Use vegetable oil as a sub in. Garlic is always present in any hummus but if that's too strong, then think finely minced onions or onion powder.

Beans can also be used in salads along with other leftovers. Think a kidney bean and tomato salad or  a variety of different beans in a tangy vinaigrette. These both are wonderful sides for burgers and nuggets. You probably have a wide variety of canned veggies right now too.  That famed holiday dish , green bean casserole can easily be made as a main course. Luckily it can also be made in a crock pot or Instapot. It's taking a can of green beans and another pantry staple a can of chicken soup. It's cooked with any kind of milk, along with seasonings. It's usually topped with frizzled onions but you can use Funyuns if you have them.Eggs and canned veggies can also work together. Any diced or pureed tomatoes can be blended with beaten egg and garlic to create the northern Italian classic, pomadori e uovi, tomatoes and eggs. This is a wonderful lunch or dinner , especially served on large crusty slices of Italian bread. You can also use tomatoes in an impromptu shakshouka. This is poached eggs in a spicy sauce that also has peppers and onions along with onions and peppers.

Comfort dishes can be boring. Shake up the pantry with some tasty spins on classic dishes. You'll love them and so will your family.

Beans A Good Pantry Staple Part Two

Beans are now an important part of our pantries as we stock up in unprecedented numbers. It's a great source of protein and they're flavorful. Yesterday we covered Melissa Clark's bean guide that was in yesterday's New York Times Food section. Today there's ways of cooking the traditional way or the easier method of using a crockpot or pressure cooker

This is a great keeper article because Ms. Clark offers how to soak and spice them.  They can be a quick soak or an overnight if you have the time - which now you do.  Spicing them is fun. If you like fiery  add chili powder for a quick chili. Want a taste that's more like pasta e fagiole? Then add some garlic and onions along with cooked celery. Beans can be cooked in a variety of different ways. The easiest is on the stove top. This is putting your beans in two inches of water and simmering over a low flame. Give them a gentle stir every now and then and remember that DON'T boil them. This can cause their skins to burst , creating either mushy or unevenly cooked beans. Dried beans will either  cook quickly for ones such as red lentils which only take fifteen minutes or a slow cook of three to four hours. This is for chickpeas and lima beans. If you're preparing them, then allow for time, such as starting in the early afternoon. Remember to save the water or aquafaba from the chickpeas. These are the vegan sub in for egg whites and you can create everything from vegan mayo to meringues and marshmallows with it.

The other methods are easy. One is using your slow cooker, Again as with the stove top method cover your beans with two inches of water or broth and salt to taste (although go easy on the salt if you're using broth, because it's already heavily salted) Set the setting on low and cook on low for about six hours. Ms Clark warns about kidney beans that need to be extra cooked ten minutes over a stove top before cooking in a crockpot.It makes them more digestable. Your pressure cooker also works well for cooking beans.Place soaked or unsoaked ones in again, about two inches of water. Add salt and any aromatics such as garlic or celery and some neutral oil such as peanut, canola or safflower . This last is to prevent any foaming  from clogging the vent. Remember to make sure you do not fill the pressure cooker to the brim. Only go halfway. Fill to the halfway mark instead. Cook at high pressure for anywhere between five to ten minutes for small beans such as black eyed peas, lentils and split peas. Chickpeas will take up to thirty five to forty minutes longer.. You'll know they're done by their tenderness.Store the beans in their liquid for five days. Do not freeze them because they can go mushy.

This is the time for pantry stocking. Have a few bags of beans on the ready for all sorts of dishes. They 're tasty and delicious as well as healthy and nutritious for you.

Summer Stock

Preparing the summer can be easy if you make everything ahead. It saves you from cooking during a heat wave which can be brutal. It's just pop into the microwave or toaster oven, serve and eat. Just that simple as a summer day should be.

One of the easiest recipes is hummus. You can make a lot of this tasty Middle Eastern dip and then use it a variety of ways. It's taking two cans of chickpeas (I use only one can and sub in cannellini beans for the other - it makes for a lighter taste)  and a heaping tablespoon of tahini paste.Olive oil and lemon juice are added for smoothness and tang. Then it's a quick blend. Double the amount and freeze it. It can last up to six to eight months and can be thawed out in the microwave. Have pita on hand to make crunchy pita chips or stuffed sandwiches with hummus, tomatoes and spinach. It also makes for a great dip for parties and movie nights too.Another stock up is salad. Yes salad. Many think that chopped greens only have a shelf life of two days tops. No! Use the paper towel method and your greens can last a full seven days. It's just first chopping the lettuce then rinsing it. Run it through a salad spinner to get the leaves completely dry. Drape a couple of paper towels over the bowel so absolutely no moisture gets it and tightly cover the entire bowel with Saran wrap. Take it when you need it.Add anything, from roast chicken from the store to a variety of chopped and sliced veggies.

Tomato sauce is not one of those recipes you make when the temps hit 100 or the high 90's. Let's face it , who wants to stand by a hot stove , stirring sauce. Yet you can have delicious homemade sauce and even chili if you just use your crockpot or Instapot. Again make double the amount and use it when you want. The same goes for spaghetti.It can last for a week in the fridge or up to eight months in the freezer. I discovered this when  I made too much pasta. It was easy to store - just put it in containers. Since I had no desire of even taking out the crockpot, I just bought already made sauce from Stop and Shop's Nature's Promise line and mixed the two. It was then seven minutes in the microwave and to be honest it tasted as good as any fresh made pasta. Add a salad and sliced Italian bread  and you have a filling meal, despite the heat.I plan on doing this more often , seeing how easy it is. The same applies to cooked rice. Make a lot of it and you can use it for hot dishes like chili or ratatouille (which also can be premade and stored) or a tasty rice salad loaded with peas, onions and peppers.

Stock up on creating basics for dishes. It saves you time in the kitchen during these hot, sweltering days. It's an easy way to cook and an easy way to eat.

A Crock Of Goodness

This was the Christmas when I received my first (!) crock pot.

It's a small  one, meant for cooking meals , desserts or even snacks for two .The brand is Crockpot  bought at our local Target. It's something that I wanted after covering a New York Times Food section piece on the Instant Pots. Those have a variety of settings and can do a  wide array of different slow cooking methods. Unfortunately they were 1) too expensive - I didn't want my family to spend seventy dollars on a gadget I'll  onlyuse a few times a year and 2) something that's going to take up most of my kitchen table. This one was inexpensive - only$8.99 and small enough I can effortlessly put on my kitchen counter.The crock is also super easy to clean. I don;t have to wrangle a large pot in my sink.I also don't have to deal with heaps of leftovers either.It makes enough for two which is perfect.

Of course I had to get Linda Larsen's The Complete Slow Cooking For Two

 (Sonoma Press)I love this book. As you can seen from the crock picture, I'm making her apple-pear sauce. I've always wanted to make apple sauce. There are some legendary stories in my family's culinary history and I wanted to add to them. Besides it 's a low calorie dessert that I made just a smidge healthier by adding agave syrup. I am planning on making chili soon in this along with a tasty sounding Indian cauliflower-potato soup along with rice stuffed peppers.There's a great tomato soup recipe that I'd love to make as well. Rice pudding comes out at its' creamiest when slow cooked and Ms. Larsen's book has several recipes I want to try. her lemon rice pudding as well as her  chocolate cherry lava cake. There is even some yummy sounding bread puddings too.

This crockpot is going to change the way I cook meals and make dessert.It will definitely be incorporated in my routines. I'm  looking forward to trying more recipes and  sharing them.

10 Years Of Foodie Pantry!!

2018 marks the ten year anniversary of Foodie Pantry! I can't believe it,because it doesn't feel like a decade has elapsed. It started  from  two little  paragraphs  and grew into pictorials about cooking polenta and icing cakes. There have been interviews with famous chefs , and cookbook reviews , analyzing Times Food section  articles and delving into the history of our favorite foods. Unfortunately I have lost my greatest adviser ,my Mom, on the long trip to this point.I will miss asking her for advice or how she made a certain recipe.

The upcoming year will reflect what this poor writer has been writing about  - trends, eating healthy , and recipes. There will be posts or my new favorite  - the pommelo - the granddaddy of the orange. along with forays into crockpot cooking and turns with Mexican and Indian cuisine. The fun thing about writing this blog is that I get to explore different cuisines from around the world along with tasting  new trends and traditional dishes.

I'm grateful for all you readers and promise that  this anniversary year will be a palatable one.

Special thanks to Pete Burley and Mitch Rappel fr for letting me create this blog for their Fyxx Caffeinated Water in the spring of 2008.

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.

Overtime Cooking

The worst part about working over time isn't the brain drain or a long , stressful day. It's trying to get something decent to eat despite the fatigue and crankiness.It's a choice between fridge foraging or fast food, pan frying or microwaving. What's the right solution?

Coming home late can come with challenges, especially if you're hungry. Many just have a bowl of cereal and milk and call it a night. This works but  it still may not be satisfying enough. Another is turning whatever snack you have into a full blown meal. Again it's a quick fix that does have its consequences (namely weight gain and possible indigestion). A tad better is that classic standby - the drive thru window.It's easy to order that cheeseburger, fries and a soda, even easier to eat however a meal like that can be heavier at night. The caffeine in the Coke or Pepsi may keep you up half the night (not great if the next day  is another ten hour slog) along with the fries laying heavy on your stomach. If you do opt for the fast food route, then head to Wendy's or Subway. Their offerings are not as greasy as the other major chains. Wendy's has the added plus of a baked potato, a filling yet relatively light meal for a late supper.Their salads are also perfect for late night noshes, thanks to the variety of healthy ingredients like almonds and dried fruit. Subway is another great choice. You can have them make up a sandwich with healthy components such as whole wheat bread along with fresh veggies such as tomatoes, peppers and onions. The chain also has a good selection of natural juices as well.

What about going the home cooked route? This is where having leftovers comes in handy. That roast chicken or turkey can be turned into a sandwich .Leftover steak can be turned into a salad with mixed greens and grape tomatoes. It can also be ground into a kind of paste , mixed with mayo or olive oil to create a kind of deviled ham. The same can be done  with any leftover roasted ham , chicken or turkey. Those leftover  grilled veggies can be converted into a primavera sauce thanks to the addition of some olive oil and garlic. You can even add in tomato paste for a richer flavor. Crockpot cuisine is always a life saver for a home chef with a busy work schedule. Make a  dump meal, an easy melange of meat and veggies.Try a chicken casserole or an easy bean chili. Slow cookers can be used for making homemade soups, always perfect after a long , stressful day. Try a split pea that's accented with such veggies as carrots, onions and celery along with garlic and parsley for more flavor. Add ham or a ham hock to give it that rich pea soup flavor. Minestrone is another great soup that can be mixed together in the morning and eaten at night.This can be tailored to suit your tastes. Add elbow macaroni or orzo, go heavy on the onions or tomatoes, use chicken or beef broth. Bring home some rolls and a ready made salad and you've got a nice meal that nourishing and delicious.

Working overtime doesn't mean coming home to no food on the table. There are several ways to go for  eat properly after a rough work day. Don;t let your tomach get as frazzled as your mind. Treat it to warm, nutritious meal and a calm evening of relaxation.