Kitting Out YOur College Kitchen

 It's that time of year when the kids nmove into their dorms. Some have kitchens which is a blessing. yet many of these are bare minimum.It's time to remedy that and give the cooking area a n A plus upgrade.

A lot of parents and school officials feel that students could cause a disaster if there'sa kitchen in their dorms area. Yet it would come in handy as well as teach responsibility.Some schools such as Harvard have a communal kitchen area equipped with the most basic. There are stoves, ovens and fridges but that's about it.Manhattan based New York University,, or NYU actually have apartments with full kitchen, complete with the basics and cabinets for storing pots, pans and utensils. Some just allow a microwave and a mini fridge which are enough to make simple recipes and heat up frozen foods and leftovers. A good idea is that have half the  roommates buy one appliance like the microwave and the other half buy the mini fridge. What is the best microwave for college dorms? Try Hamilton Beach  which is also the best budget wise.it's 1.1 cubic feet capacity. It can defrost which is great for those frozen lasagna from mom along with having the usual buttons for popcorn, pizza and frozen veggies.panasonic and Whirlpool also offer good and budget friendly microwaves. 

To match this is the dorm mini fridge. Which ones are the best? A mid size ones that perfect for chilling water as well as keeping yogurt and other dairy products chilled. It should be about three cubic feet. some have extra space for a freezer to store ice cube trays and small ice cream containers.Black and Decker has a good model that also has room for liter bottles and a door that can go from right to left handed and vice versa. Frigidaire is another good model and it comes with a small freezer section for frozen food and frozen treats. If your student wants crisper , hot food without all the calories then buy an air fryer. These are perfect for heating up steaks ,nuggets and all sorts of veggies. it'll give the meals a more home cooked taste too. The Ninja AF101 Air fryer is a good choice.It not only air fries but also roasts, dehydrates and reheats. The control panel is a snap to use  and the basket slides out for easy cleanup. Cosori has a sleek air fryer that would work well with any dorm.It can fry evenly and cleans up like a dream. What else is needed?easy to wash melanine plates that are sturdy and easy to wash and dry. They're also easy to store. Knives and forks can be had anywhere. Check Dollar Tree or Dollar General for very cheap sets. 

It's time to move into the dorms. Outfit them with good appliances that will make eating easy. It'll make for good eating which will lead for good studying

Salad Ready

 These next two days are going to be spent cooking and grilling up a storm. It's a lot of work  however it can be reduced if you make the sides  - namely the salads beforehand. 

One of the  first jobs to do is getting the ingredients salad  ready. Did you get the right spuds for potato salad? Waxy ones are the best because they hold their shape but really any can do. Boil them the night before and let them cool overnight in the fridge.If you're making the traditional version now is the time to hard boil the eggs and even cut the celery. its' then just mixing everything together. what about if you;re adding bacon.That's a last minute thing that can be done in the microwave and added after everything else is mixed in.If you;re really pressed for time on grilling day then make the salad the night before.It should be OK and not become too watery.. What about that other barbecue classic - three bean salad? Can that too be made in advance? Yes!. In fact it would be better made the night before because all the flavors meld together then. If you want to add leafy greens do so right before serving so they retain their crispiness. Storing them with the bean salad overnight make make them limp and soggy.

Every barbecue will have a bowl  of macaroni salad.Many home chefs will be making ti the night before. why is it a good idea? LIke bean salad kept overnight , the flavors will meld together. The pasta, vinaigrette and veggies will have time to mix and create a more complex and layered flavor. also the pasta will absorb the dressing , making it softer and moister in texture. It won't dry out then in the fridge. To keep it from becoming too soggy.only pour in half the dressing for overnight. add the other half right before serving.You could make half the macaroni salad the night before. Cut up whatever veggies you'll be using and store them. Cook the pasta  the day of the barbecue for a fresher taste.Cole slaw is also a popular picnic or barbecue side. Can the entire salad be made ahead? Yes and no. Slice the cabbage and carrots the night before and then add the mayo or whatever you want the day off. Cole slaw is notorious for becoming so slimy an soggy after time int he refrigerator,. A too soggy slaw would definitely put a damper on an other wise delicious dinner.

Make tomorrow easier by assembling and prepping your salad early. It give you more time to concentrate on the meats. This makes for a better time for grilling.

Your Vacation Kitchen

A vacation in a house with a kitchen is a plus. You can cook and eat when you want. You're not at the mercy of local restaurants and their schedules. Yet you do have to be careful and mindful. This is not your kitchen,  treat it with respect.

Many vacationers head to foreign countries for a week or two away.There's a problem with foreign kitchens.They have stoves that have a Celsius temperature range. If you're not use to Celisus, you'll have to use the converter on your phone e or follow this formula subtract 32 from the Farenheit temp, then multiply by five and divide by nine. (Using Google conversion is much easier, it's more exact, If you do it with the calculator,it'll be off by about .02 degrees).Are the results the same? More or less. There is also the gas mark where one mark equals 275 degrees Farenheit. If your roast or cakes requires four makes to cook or bake you know it's going to be 350 degrees Farenheit .Again there are charts on  line to help you deal with the conversion,If you;re staying in any UK  home and you have a fan oven , don;t be alarmed. This just means a convection oven.It's usually twenty degrees Celsius lower than a regular Celsius temp stove. (you've probably heard Mary Berry use the phrase a fan oven on any of her PBS cooking shows). A fan oven is rather like a big air fryer. The food will be crunchier and crisper but cooked at a lower temperature.

What about other kitchen matters? Most European countries have very small fridges. They need the space for counters and food prep. They're not like the sometimes mammoth  restaurant style ones Americans have in their sometimes mammoth kitchens. Don;t tr y to over stuff yours . Most people overseas keep their milk and butter out instead of refrigerating them .Keep the frozen stuff down to a minimum since freezers are also tiny.. Think ice cream and popsicles or ice lollies if you;re vacationing in the UK.Vacationing in the US is different, but you still have to be mindful of the kitchen and fridge too whether you  stay in a house, apartment or efficiency apartment at the shore.Keep your food to the basics. Good choices are bacon, eggs and milk for breakfast along with butter and something drinkable. Have juice and milk ready for the kids.Most motels have a soda and snack machine on the premises so you don;t need to get a huge bottle of soda. If the kids want sandwiches, then consider having a packet of cold cuts and a small jar of mayo. Take advantage of local farmers markets for produce but don;t overbuy. Keep the kitchen tidy and not over flowing with food or food waste.

Your own private kitchen is a good thing on a vacation. Just be aware of temperature differences along with cultural ones too. It'll make for an easy time preparing home cooked meals for your family.

Leftover Roulette

What do you do with all those leftovers ? Are they still good and if so can you repurpose them. What can you creat with a bit of these combined with a smattering of that?Plenty if you know how to do it.

Leftovers get moldy quick. Eat them now or you'll be faced with a  thin coating of white,  green or orange mold. Unless you're conducting a science experiment toss them. fruit also either gets a white fuzzy coating of the stuff alogn with shriveling up quick. The same with veggies. Try to use fruit as part of a parfait or evne breakfast. Of course overly - almost black bananas are a staple in banana bread. Apples and pears with brown spots should be chucked outside either to feed the local wildlife ro added to the compost heap. If you went apple pickingand wound up wirh too mnay baskets, then think about wither giving them to family, friends and neighbors or make pies and tarts for the crowd. Keep in mind that fall's fruit apple and pears can be frozen and they can be used for later use. As for veggies again, if there's even a spot of mold toss them,if not think about salads that just have tomatoes or peppers in them. Onions can keep and they can be shredded and air fried for crispy snacks.

Protein goes quick too,.leftover steak and chicken can be cut up and used in salads. Add tomatoes , broccoli and green beans  Dress with a zingy Italian dressing for  a qucik supper.Another idea is adding the meat  to ratatouille for a different spin on the classic French dish. Serve with toasted baguette slices.Leftover turkey and ham can be ground in the food processor with some mayo . This can take the leftovers into lunch or even as a quick snack spread on crackers. Leftover soup can be revitalized with the addition of broth and smaller pasta like pastina or orzo. It can be stretched also with some leftover steaks or cut up chicken breasts along with whatever cut veggies you have. Leftovers  can also be turned into subs.Yesterday's salad can be used as one of the layers  along with whatever cheese you have in the fridge. Keep in mind that cold cuts have a short life too. Use them within a few days  whether in sandwiches or inyour takes on Croque Monsiur or Croque Madame.

Clear the fridge before you forget and wind up with all sorts of mold. Be creative what the leftovers . They can be turned into something tasty and not be wasted.

Is That A Kitchen Or What?

 When is a kitchen not a kitchen? When it could be combined with any other room, namely a bathroom. There are several places in Manhattan that could double as two utile rooms. Is this becoming a trend or a take on an older New York City lack of space problem?

New contributor and food writer Jess Eng wrote about this in yesterday's New York Times Food section. Bath tubs in New ork apartments aren't new. In fact they've been over for more than a century thanks to the New York Tenement House act of 1901. It required  all residences to have a sink and a bathtub to meet the city's sanitation standards. Then  Lower East Side apartments  the tubs fit into the largest room of the house which was the kitchen.Now , over a hundred years later New Yorkers have fallen in love with them , creating ingenous ways of dealing with a tub right next to the stove or fridge. There are also kitchens that wouldn' go amiss in a child's playhouse thanks to them being so tiny. Other kitchens even have stoves from the Twenties which still work. How do city home chefs cope with  all of this?Being New Yorkers  they've developed ingenous and creative ways of dealing with this strange cooking spaces. it could only work and happen in Manhattan.

Having a miniscule kitchen is no big deal for Phoebe Lifton and her partner Arthur Canedo.  Their Upper West Side apartment is a dream  with it's proximity to grocery stores, parks and restaurants. There are even picturesque views of trees blooming in the Spring. The one drawback? An almost doll sized kitchen. everything is miniature from the fridge to the two burner stove. There is no oven for baking or roasting yet, thanks to their Insta Pot  and toaster oven they make it work. They created carrot saffron risotto and shakshuka. Then there is Elise Shatz who has a bathtub in her kitchen .Most of the units in her tenement building do have this quirk, a leftover from an earlier age. It's not used for bathing but could be used for storign ice and drinks at a potential party.Nikole  Naloy takes advatnage of her kitchen shower's nearness to access a hot  cup of chamomile tea on the nearby counter.  The storage problem in a small kitchen can be a bit much too. Edythe Hughes unplugged her noisy fridge and uses it for her books and papers. She does have a mini fridge for perishables.

It's not unusual for a kitchen to have extras. It is , however when there's a bath  and shower stuck in th emiddle of it. Then again that;'s what makes the city so unique

Reselling Your Kitchen

 Can a kitchen be taken apart and sold?The answer is both yes and no. Some things can easily be given over while others are better off junked. what works in a garage sale and what doesn't?

Appliances can be resold.If you love in New Jersey you can "sell" your fridge to the utilities company and receive one hundred dollars for it. There are companies that will also buy your stove too if you're getting a new one. Keep in mind the newer or "younger it is the better the resale. No one is going to buy an appliance that's reaching it;s third decade. Think anywhere from five to ten years in age. Also there are some brand slike Frigidaire and Whirlpool along with GE that are going to be more preferrable. Think about selling your college graduate's mini fridge too. There are many college freshman who would jump on the chance to get a lower priced  one .What about the smaller appliances like air fryers and microwaves? Again the newer model ones have a better chance of being resold.These are coveted items at garage sales where just starting out home chefs will snap them up. make sure you hve any kind of warranty to pass on for any appliance. This will be vital if there are repairs.

Smaller kitchen items are always a guaranteed sale. Thrifty home bakers will snap up holiday themed cookie cutters and cake pans. Try to keep all themed bakery items together.  although you could offer an all year round cookie cutter or cake set that includes Christmas trees, pumpkins, flowers and Easter egg shapes.A cookie or dough shooter is also a coveted garage and yard sale item. Make sure the barrel is thoroughly cleaned before you sell it . Also make sure the discs that cut the dough are also clean and shiny.The same applies to an icing gun and the nozzles. Sometimes it is hard to get the frosting out of the last. rewash just to make sure. Also check to make sure you have all the discs and nozzles before you sell the guns.KNife sets, espcuially Cutco and Faberware are also much desired resales. Keep in mind that they should be sharpened and checked for any rust or scratches.Cookbooks are also big re sellers. These are the opposite of the other kitchen resale items. Vintage ones from decades and centuries pasts are much in demand. each tells a story especially through ancient stains and notes written ;

Yes you can sell off your kitchen. Just make sure they're all in working order , whether its'a fridge or a cookie cutter. It'sa fun way to make extra cash and get rid fo what you don;t need

Vacation Kitchen Or Not

 It's time to start thinking of vacation rentals with that is the question. Simple or elaborate?A bssic one with basic appliances or a more elaborate one,

Most vacationers select a place for it's loction. This isn't wrong. After all who wants to hike to the beach However they should also check out the kitchens too. Two people will not need as much as a family of five.A simple four burner stove ,a fridge and a sink is all you need>Microwaves are ubitquitous but keep in mnd they may be the most basic.Some place already have pots and pans. Some don't . You may have to get these along with such basics as utensils plates and a frying pan. Most effeciency apartments have this set up and it's good if you're having at least one meal at home. The same applies if you plan on visitng any big city. Think about a smaller apartment with a basic kitchen or kitchenette if you're staying in a big city like ROme or New York.All metropolises have small stores and eateries within walking distance. You 'd only have to eat breakfast in. Lunch and especially dinner can be eaten out. 

For larger families or groups a big kitchen is always handy. Kids can enjoy a homecooked breakfast and even lunch in one. A beach house with a big kitchen is also great for fishermen wanting to cook the day's catch. Keep in mind that it can come with luxury appliances like a convection oven and a restaurant style fridge. The homeowner may also have such gadgets as a pasta or ice cream maker. If you know how to use these, then do so. Take advatnage of the locals markets and farm to create fresh and delicious dishes. MAny will also come with a coffee maker. This is great if you're in a popular oceanside town. Many coffee places are always crowded even into the evening. Another plus of having a bigger kitchen during vacation is space. No one is hunched around a smaller table or forced to eat in the living area. Ther'e plenty of room to sort out shells while having a sandwich or read the paper as you're enjoying a coffee. Then there's the bigger fridge which is good if there are leftovers or if you have to stock up on special foods like gluten free breads.

It;s important to plan out your vacation>It's also important to check where you're staying's kitchen. Make sure it's what you want and fitting, whether big or small.

Culinary Resolutions

 With the New Year starting it's time to think about what you want to change or keep in it. It could regard appliances or expanding your global cookbook. What's on the agenda?

Will the new year bring a new kitchen? If you've been dithering about a whole new makeover make 2023 the year to do it. Take a look at other kitchens on line  along with consulting with  a reputable remodeling company. Keep in mind to plan now and start renovations in the warmer weather when it's easier to cook outside. What about appliances? Take a good look at your ovens and fridges. If you feel they need to be replaced then  consider a state of the art replacement  . This is also the time to take advantage of those holiday gift cards. Get that air fryer or electric wok for new ways to cook. Many stores like Target and Wal-Mart have some great sales on most kitchenware  right now so take advantage of them. Are you looking to expand your global cookbook like I am?Then comsider buying some new spices such as Berbere spice and Szechuan pink peppers. I know I want to try more African and Asian dishes in 2023 so that means using different ingredients like teff in my cooking.

What other resolutions should you make? Cleaning out. My spice cabinet is overbrimming with all sorts of herbs and spcies that I rarely use. Open it and they come cascading out. All that cinnamon and sage has to go. It makes for a easy reach when I do need my most used spices like onion and garlic powders. Another must do throughout the year is cleaning out the refrigerator. It's a good habit to get into. Get rid of all those little containers with leftovers from who knows when.  Another good habit to begin ih the New Year is using up leftoivers a day or two after they've been cooked. It means less cooking , especially during a busy week and emptying out the fridge . Also don't save those little dribs and drabs of sauces and condiments. You can combine ketchup and barbecue sauce for a new dipping sauce or something to slather on barbecue ribs and chicken. Those packets of soy sauce from your Chinese take out can easily be used in homemade Asian dishes while those Taco Bell sauce packets can be used in making homemade chili. 

There are so many resolutions to make culinary wise. Will it be an expanded kitchen ?A new ovn? Or just tidying upa messy cooking space? It's your resolution. Stick to it.

Spring Cleaning Your Fridge

 Spring is here and that means one thing : cleaning. There are probably plans for the whole house, especially the kitchen. The fridge and freezer need also looking into. It's time to toss and make way for the holiday season ahead.

It's a good idea to look into the fridge and assess what's there. Most likely your fridge door is full of condiments from last year's grilling season. Surprisingly barbecue sauce only lasts for one month after opening. Toss any old gunky bottles. The stuff is probably too congealed to use anyway. Should you replace it with a brand new one? Only if you plan on barbecuing soon or like it over your burgers. ketchup lasts much longer , becoming dark and crusty after six months. This  you can replace because it is usable , especially as we approach grilling season. Mustard is the same. What about those packets of soy and duck sauces along with hot mustard that come with your Chinese take out. They're good as long as they're sealed. Use these to spice up your recipes. Add some hot mustard or soy sauce to a stir fry. The duck sauce is the  perfect sauce for chicken  nuggets or tenders.Leftovers should only be kept for three or four days. If not mold takes over and your fridge has some weird science experiment going on. Cut fruit like cantelope and melon are only good for forty-eight hours before they develop a sour taste. Cheeses on the other hand can lasts weeks. Cheddar is still good even after a month while Brie can last up to three weeks.

Once you've cleaned out the bottom portion, it's time to tackle the freezer. Not surprisingly ice cubes are one of the most durable foodstuffs. They can last up to two years without any noticeable change of taste. However this is not true for actual frozen foods and leftovers. Yes, green beans and Eggos can be stuck indefinitely in your freezer however after two or three years they will degrade in taste. This will make them un appetizing. What about those bumper crops from last summer? Frozen fresh fruits and veggies can really only last about eight months. It's best to have a plan for them before you freeze them as well as putting the date they were frozen on the freezer bags. That way you know what to toss and to keep. Many ask if they can keep their frozen meat leftovers. Yes, but only for s short while.Chicken needs to be trimmed of its' fat otherwise it can become rancid and spoil the meat.(rancidity won't make the chicken toxic but it will ruin its' flavor.) Cooked bacon and sausage will also last for eight weeks and again beware of rancidity.You can keep hamburger for that period of time  before it goes bad. Ice cream lasts only two or three months too, so chuck that ice cream you bought for Christmas or New Year's,

A good refrigerator cleaning is a must especially during this holiday month. Get rid of the old to prepare for the new.It'll make for more room to store all those great foods for celebrating.

Oh Fridge

 After the oven the refrigerator is the second most important appliance in the house. It keeps our food cool and safe. It allows us to store extra food and leftovers. It's a vital part of home cooking along with adding style to our kitchens.

Not surprising refrigerators have been around since ancient times. It was the Persians or ancient Iranians who created the first one. This was a hole in the ground capped with a large domed structure and catchers. it had subterranean storage spaces for storing dairy and meat. Other areas of the world relied on mountain ice or cold fresh water from lakes and streams. it was Scottish professor William Cullen who designed a small refrigerating machine in 1755. This could only cool a small amount.Many other inventors, from the Americans Oliver Evans , expatriate Jacob Perkins and Alexander Twinings to the brilliant British scientist Michael Faraday tried their hands at creating a working one. American doctor John Gorrie came close as did Australian James Harrison. yet it was the French Ferdinand Carre and Carl von Linde of Germany who perfected the method of liquifying gases to act as coolant. American homes first got fridges as late as 1914. These early ones were elaborate contraptions that required installation that spanned the kitchen and basement,The non  toxic Freon was added to these coolers in the 1930's and it was a game changer for home chefs. Now everything from milk to ice cream could be stored. It even spawned the creation of ice box cakes, an instant hit with families.

Now fridges are not only functional but also an integral part of a kitchen's overall design.  Many millennials are looking to their grandparents and even great- grandparents tastes. Retro is big in fridges right now. They may be smaller than the usual ones but they still have the same amenities like an ice maker. The color range is super cute with colors like candy apple red and robin's egg blue. Makers like Galantz have matching stoves and microwaves too.  Double door fridges are perfect for those big kitchens. They can store everything from wine to veggies. They can also provide you with up to forty glasses of ice a day along with giving you fresh filtered water. These newer models also keep veggies and fruit crisper and fresher than older models, perfect with the scarcity and high prices of produce these days. Smaller kitchens of course will do well with a smaller version yet one deep enough to provide adequate room for both fresh and frozen foods. Stainless steel is the way to go but if you want the traditional white then opt for it.

REfrigerators are a vital part of our kitchen . They aid us in storing and preserving foods. Getting the right one is crucial in having fresh food and ingredients. 

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.

Snowstorm Scrounging

Any sudden snowstorm can throw anybody for a loop/ There's the craziness of trying to get home on icy roads along with unexpectedly being snowed in. What happens when you can't go to the store? Scrounge. It's time to get creative in the kitchen.

Every home kitchen should have the basics - bread, milk, and eggs.Of course these three make up the backbone of any French toast recipe but they're multipurpose on their own. Bread can be used to make croutons for soup, along with the crumbs being used as thickener for soups, stews and even gravies. Toasted bread drizzled with oil and grated cheese makes for a tasty lunch or dinner. Keep in mind that any Italian or French bread is the perfect base for French bread pizza. If you don't have pizza sauce ,  drained stewed tomatoes can do the trick. Pita bread is another versatile bread that can have a variety of uses in a pinch. Yes you can stuff it with salad, veggies and meats for a quick, low calorie lunch or even dinner. It can also be turned into a grilled cheese pocket. Raid the fridge for any kind of cheese, from cheddar to mozzarella along with  ham or Taylor ham to stuff into the pitas. This is a great snack ,especially when you're stuck indoors, watching movies. Also they make great breakfast pockets too.Fill with eggs, ham or bacon.It's the perfect breakfast before tackling shoveling snow.

Milk is another multipurpose ingredient. Use it and whatever fruit you have around to make smoothies. Apples and pears, usually not associated with the drink, can be tossed in if you don't have the usual bananas or strawberries. If you have any leftover pumpkin puree from Thanksgiving, blend it into a pumpkin spice smoothie, a nice change up from the berry based ones. Yogurt is also versatile too. Add fruit bits or chocolate chips for a fun dip with any kind of shortbread or plain vanilla or chocolate snaps. If you do run out of milk during a sudden snow storm, then hit your freezer. Melted vanilla ice cream can be used if you need it for coffee or cereal, however be warned. The melted stuff can be a breeding ground for bacteria because the sugar in it feeds the microbes. Use it sparingly. Eggs can be your best source of protein if you have no meat in the house. A favorite is the Italian frittata. Use any leftover veggies to create a delicious breakfast , lunch or dinner. Also break into your spice rack for extra flavoring. A pinch of turmeric or garlic salt elevates any egg dish. You could also make scrambled eggs with the addition of tomatoes , peppers or onions too.

Sudden snowstorm happening? Don't panic. Scrounge around your kitchen. You'll be amazed at what you'll come up with - delicious dishes that will be family favorites and classics.

An Oasis Of Cool

Hot weather and heat waves are good for bringing families and neighborhoods together. Like blizzards the extreme weather proves to be too much, especially for the elderly. It's time to reach out and help in big and small ways.

The recent heat wave had everyone reaching for bottles of ice cold water. During our next heat wave - and we will probably have more  - reach  out to neighbors and even those with young children. Make sure that they have water and offer to take them shopping or share a 24 or 12 pack with them. Check in on older relatives and friends to make sure they're cool and hydrated. If they have just fans and limited air conditioning, then invite them over to chill and relax. You can easily make  homemade lemon or limeade or iced tea.  Flavored water is also a nice treat. If the air conditioning is a bit much then sit out in the shade or in the garage. This is a good time to buy a fridge for the car port. Store water in there for when you and the family need it. Also , if you're feeding feral cat colonies or just a few strays, have bowls of iced water for them too. Animals can have heat stroke as well. Also put their food in cool, shady areas.

Hot summer nights can be unbearable too. Again invite elderly neighbors over for a cooling drink and maybe a bite to eat. It is easy to make any fruit ade. It starts with a simple syrup - one cup of sugar boiled in one cup of water. From there mix three cups of fresh  lemon juice with four cups of water. Serve with a lot of ice.Change it up with lime ade. Another cooling idea is buying ice cream or Popsicles for everyone. Everyone - no matter what his or her age  - will enjoy a frosty sweet on a 96 degree F night. It's a communal way to keep chill and along the way  a chance to hear interesting back stories. Another way to keep neighbors , family  and friends cool is inviting them over for a no cook dinner. Introduce them to hummus, salad Nicoise or gazpacho. All three  dishes require no cooking , only mixing and blending. You could even have a minimal cooking meal such as pasta crudo which is a great way to use the veggies of the season.

Make your house and yard an oasis of cool. Invite friends , family and neighbors over to enjoy frosty treats and company. Us these hellish days for heavenly connections.

The Air Fryer Controversy

For some the air fryer is a blessing. It's a handy way of cooking certain foodstuffs without having to rely on the oven. It's small, and compact. There's no preheating and cleaning it is a snap. So what's wrong with it?

According to the New York Times and it's subsidiary Wirecutter, this genius machine has a lot of flaws. Melissa Clark wrote an article about it in today's New York Times Food section. There are also recipes too which highlight the air fryer's good points. To be honest, I don't see why there are any complaints.I was skeptical at receiving it at first but that quickly dissolved with the first use. For me, it's better than using the stove. No annoying preheating time. Just set the temp and the minutes and cook. Since it's  a convection oven ,every part of the food being cooked is perfectly "fried" to golden perfection. Hot air is circulated around by high speed fans in the machine's upper part.The food is placed in a perforated basket and the grease drips down into the basket beneath.It's a simple clean up - another plus. Yet Wirecutter claimed that it was over hyped and overpriced. (Mine was a gift bought during a pre- Christmas sale at Target. $60 dollars marked down from $100)

The machine was first introduced in Europe in 2010 and since it's introduction to the States, nearly ten million were sold. Sales increased 69 % in 2018 alone. Those are numbers not to be sneezed at

. As for the recipes, I feel Ms. Clark gets too elaborate with them, especially the fries.She bakes them twice , first at 350 degrees F for ten minutes and then 400 degrees F for another ten minutes

 . There's a cooling period in between that I think is unnecessary (but that's just me). I would probably go for 360 F for ten minutes then, turn, then cook again. There's also a Brussels sprout one, with them being baked with garlic. The sprouts  sound good and something I would try, but without the balsamic soy sauce. As for the chicken wings, again they sound tasty but , again, Ms Clark puts a lot of work into a simple dish. She coats them with baking powder, salt and pepper, then refrigerated for anywhere from an hour to overnight (really?) Then the pieces are placed along the edges

 of the basket and air fried for 400 degrees F for twenty minutes. One, I don't think it has to have all that overnight waiting and two, placing the wings on the basket's edges is too much. They can be placed on the basket's floor and flipped after ten minutes of cooking.

Are air fryers worth it?  YES! I would urge to get one if you don't have one already. They are definitely worth the money and the counter space. Buy one. You won't regret it.

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A Birthday Treat

It being my brother's birthday today,I decided to do the sisterly thing and make him a cake. (No, not the cookie above, that,s from the splendid Dixie Lee Bakery in Keansburg New Jersey) I had no desire of firing up the oven on a hot summer's day, so I went for the alternative a homemade ice cream cake.

I first bought a small silicone cake mold from Amazon. As for the ice cream my brother is a vegan so I bought Soy Good coconut milk ice cream in chocolate and mocha almond.

Non dairy ice cream doesn't melt as fast as regular dairy base so they were left out for twenty minues.The first layer was mocha. Then was the crunchy chocolate middle.

IT was grinding up Nabisco chocolate wafers

Then add in  a tablespoon of melted margarine e or butter.I went for I Can't Believe It's N not Butter.Mix quickly and spoon over the first layer.I should have given the crumb mix time to cool down.I didn,t.

Next came the chocolate layer and another layer of the crumbs.Again I used about ten crumbled wafers and more spread.It was then placed in the fridge overnight. 

 

The next day it was unmolded.

Hershey Hard Shell was poured over it to give it a glossy icing, then a crown of whipped cream.

This is the cross section.You can see the layers.

The chocolate was harder to work with yet both together worked.

Will I do this again. Yes. This was my recipe.It has to be adjusted and tweaked.

As for the taste - amazingly good!

Foodie Footprint

Today is Earth Day, the day when we have to honor our planet as well as cleaning up our land and water. Yet foodies and home chefs can honor the planet all year round as well as reducing their carbon footprint.

One of the best ways to cut down on energy and pollution is buying local. This is easy as we head into the Spring planting and summer harvest season. Many groceries such as Stop & Shop, Acme and Shop Rite, here in New Jersey all by from local family farms. However, they also buy from South American and Mexican farms out of season too. Try to avoid these when you can. Another good place to source locally ground fruit and veggies is your local farmer’s market. They should be opening soon in cities and towns across America and offer a wide and delicious variety of garden variety and even unusual produce. Farmer’s markets are also great places to buy honey and all natural baked goods from family owned apiaries and bakeries , along with cheese and butter from local dairies. Of course the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint is planting your own. Add more green to the environment by growing tomatoes and lettuce along with onions and carrots. Include some herbs too  to add zing to your organic meals. One of the most impactful gestures is canning. Preserving your fruits and vegetables for eating during the winter is a great idea. You don’t have to rely on foreign imports when winter comes. Just go to your pantry and pull out the green beans or cherries you preserved back in July and August.

How do you make your kitchen more energy efficient? Use your microwave instead f your oven. It takes less energy to cook food because the appliance uses heat to cook the food not the atmosphere around it as a traditional oven would. A microwave can save up to eighty per cent of power used to cook or warm up meals in an oven. Yet many eschew microwaves because of the health controversies surrounding them. This is fine because there are ways to make a stove and oven more energy efficient. Just make sure that the flame is fully underneath the cookware. This also applies to electric stoves too.Also use appropriate size pans for the job. Oversized ones will eat up too much energy and heat. They’re also cheaper too.Another must-do is don’t pose in front of the open fridge , wondering what to eat or drink.It accounts for up to seven per cent of refrigerator’s energy used. Opening the door lets warm air in which makes the fridge’s compressor has to drive it out while returning to a normal temperature for storing food.Decide what you want before you open the door.Also have an organized one too. Rooting around in it is the same as posing in front of it.Put the more popular items up front and don’t overload both the top and bottom.

Foodies can also do their part in saving the planet. Buy local. Be resourceful .Most importantly  - DON’T waste energy when you cook or store food!

Your Fridge On Holiday

This is the height of the vacation season.Even your kitchen gets a holiday when you're away,,well, sort of gets time off.Your fridge will still be working.However food still will go bad if it's not being used.Before you pack your bags, clean out your refrigerator. Fridges and even freezers are usually crammed full, even during the summer.The best bet is to decide what needs to be tossed and what needs to stay.One of the most spoilable is milk.You can drink it use it in recipes or bring it with you if you have a cooler.If you run out of it a day or two before vacation, then buy Parmalat, the boxed and sealed milk.It also comes in smaller boxes, but this can be used for cereal too.Sour cream and yogurts can stay however, if they're unopened.Remind everyone in the family to not put their half eaten yogurt snacks back in the fridge.Try to share them before you go.Luckily eggs have a longer shelf life and can last anywhere from a month to six weeks in a cold environment.If you have cracked eggs, use them right away or you'll come back to an ice box that smells like a sulphur pit.Cold cuts, that hot weather staple, can last about thee or four days, especially if you got them fresh from the deli.Eat them if they're still good.If not, toss. Many home chefs keep their fruit , vege and even herbs in their refrigerator. Peaches and plums can last five days before rotting. .This also applies for berries too.Bananas keep for about a week.Luckily fruit makes a great snack or dessert so you can get rid of it quick.Tomatoes and other veggies last a week too,but again you can get rid of them too.Make BLTs or tomato sandwiches to use up not only the veggies but any leftover bacon ,bread and mayo.Herbs can keep only for a few days before losing their flavor.Again any green from basil to dill can be used in a variety of hot and cold dishes.Use basil as a topping in mini pizzas. Put the dill to good use in a variety of store-bought or homemade salads.You can even make foil packets and bring the herbs with you on vacation.As for the canned and bottled stuff, they're good as long as the lids are tightly screwed on.It is good to be prepared for a power shortage when you're away.Give a spare house key to a friend or relative to check the fridge after a power outage.Tell them to throw put anything that has an odor.Also have them check the freezer and have them Ro Chuck anything that's been melted and refrozen. Your fridge will still be working hard while the rest of your kitchen takes a much deserved rest..Make it easy though by cleaning it out.You"ll come back rested with a fridge that had a holiday on it's own.

Kitchen Ceaning Yays And Nays

One of the worst summer chores is cleaning the kitchen.This involves getting rid of smelly leftovers and stale hard as rock whatever.The chore can be made less difficult simply by sorting.Figure put what is keepable and what's toss able. You'll have a cleaner, fresher cooking area, prefect for the minimal cooking of the season. If you haven't cleaned out your freezer now is the time to do so. After all, it'll be stocked with ice pops and pints of ice cream.Despite the old wives tale ,you can eat last year's ice pops only if they don't have a slight odor.Ice cream is another matter.It starts acquiring a funny taste at around six months. Get rid of it if it's been in the fridge for a whole twelve months. Frozen foods are different .They can be kept until their expiration dates. Check all dates before cooking or tossing. If you have frozen herbs or homemade pesto, again remember when they went into cold storage. Herbs only have one year. A little different theory works for down below.Fruit and veggies should be cleaned out after two weeks or ten days, depending on the particular produce. Tomatoes will emit a sour, earthy smell when they rot and will have almost prune like skins. Some foods will have the green patina of mold. Any cold cut will,after a week as will Ginger and some cheeses. Try to weed these out on a regular basis to have an odor free fridge.Canned and bottled foods and drinks can be kept much longer. Barbecue sauces, ketchup and mustards can sometimes last years however if they look syrupy or gummy chuck them into the garbage bin. Baked goods have much better and longer shelf lives. Some people even thrive on rock solid stale cookies and cake. they are good dunked into coffee. However they can be so hard as to break teeth.Luckily wild life such as raccoons and wood chucks have sweet tooths.You can toss anything without chocolate to them. Chocolate is dangerous to most animals so throw chocolate chips and stale brownies away. Stale baked goods can also be repurposed. Grind them up into crumbs to sprinkle over ice cream or as a filling for an ice cream cake.The same applies to bread especially French or Italian loaves. These actually make the best crumbs and they can be reused in a variety of dishes.Try them to thicken soups or as a breading for fried foods. unfortunately bread and cake's ingredients can't be saved. the only long lasting one is sugar or honey.Eggs turn after a month, flours gets wormy. toss these or give them away if you can't use them.Milk has both a sour smell and taste after only two or three days. flavorings such as vanilla and almond extract can surprisingly hold on for six months to a year, thanks to the alcohol in both. A clean kitchen is an inviting one.Remember to purge it of old rotty foods on a regular basis. it makes for not only an uncluttered one but one that is free of nasty smells and molds.

The Summer Fridge

One of the most important rules of summer is keeping it light.This also applies to your fridge.This is not the season to load it up with leftovers and tons of other stuff. The more you have in it ,the more chance of it emitting that lovely rotten overripe food smell. The best bet is to stock it to a bare minimum.Keep it easy and breezy until the fall. Leftovers and doggie bags are always fun.However they're not so festive when they 've been left in the fridge for a week or two.Try to eat them a day or two after you've brought them home.Otherwise toss.The food will also get mold y too ,thanks to the hot weather(even though they're cold.,mold still flourishes )Ditto for those left over uncooked hamburger patties.Grill them or crumble into a quick chili with tomato paste, beans and spices.Those big salads you got at the diner and couldn't finish.Definitely eat those or chuck a day after .The greens will get soggy and not taste so good. During the summer months we have a tendency to go wild for the produce of the season.Even though fruits and veg are good for you, it's best to buy only in small quantities.Pitted fruits such as plums and peaches go bad and develop mold spots after a week. Don't over buy these.Keeper fruits, fruits that retain their freshness even after being in the fridge a week are strawberries. Blueberries and black berries( basically any berry),Veggies have. A little better shelf life however don't go too crazy with them. Cheese Can keep as well but it's best to only have one or two kinds. In the fridge(although they can always be added to omelets or melted into sauces. if you want a fresh smelling fridge ,keep it light and easy.Don't overload it or you'll have a hot smelly mess on your hands.Let the refrigerator have a vacation too this summer.

Fridge Reorganizing

Having the power out has taught many people one thing: don't overstock the refrigerator. You  wind up throwing out things you'd forgotten you've bought (as in my case).The best thing to have is a balanced fridge, one with essentials - not frills.

What are fridge basics? Eggs, milk and juice , the last is important if you have kids. Another basic is butter or if you're more health conscious margarine. Some people feel that bread should be kept cool, however thats' an individual taste.Another must are the condiments,mayo, ketchup and mustard. Mats, whether uncooked or cold cuts are always a good basic to have, however don't overbuy. If the power goes out , the first thing will go is the chicken or the roast beef.

What about the freezer? Ice cream, although considered a frill is always a good thing to have. The problem is that most people like a variety and some people like to have two or three containers. Stick with one ,finish and then go on to  another . Frozen foods are basics too however don;t overstock. These are the first  foods to go bad if there's a power outage. Have one or two , if you;lre really not into them but need them as a quick meal fix. Another idea is only have a few homemade frozen meals, not huge platters  of lasagna or ziti You may forget about these even and it could later lead to a mystery dish.

Fridges are nothing more than cold storage. Don't turn them into full pantries, full of junk. Be prudent when you food shop. Don;t stuff your refrigerator. Keep it on a diet.