Make Those Pancakes Perfect

 Nothing beats a good Father's Day breakfast tan a plate of perfectly made flapjacks. What dad doesn't love a stack oozing with melted butter and dripping wit rich maple syrup.Yet  sometimes it;s hard to create a good stack. There are so many problems that can arise. Luckily there is help.

Regular contributor Melissa Clark offered tips in a guide published in today's New York Times Wednesday Food section. The ideal pancake should be golden and fluffy wit air holes to soak in the melted butter and  syrup. However there are so many factors that can ruin that crumb.One is that old ingredients are being used.Scratch recipes call for baking powder and baking soda. This give the batter lift and creates that fluffy texture These also give pancakes their deep golden brown hue and vigorous rise. However both can go stale. Always check the expiration date before using. If it's not visible then try this test. For baking soda drop a pinch of either lemon juice on vinegar in a small pile. It should give a vigorous bubble.Baking powder just requires a mix wit a bot of hot water.A fizz means it;s still good to use. Another problem is that the batter hasn't been rested enough.A quick rest can be between ten and thirty minutes.An ideal rest would be forty-eight hours which will deepen the flavor. The buttermilk which is required in Melissa Clark's recipe will have more time to work on the batter. By morning it should be thick and perfect for griddling.

Pans can also factor in creating the perfect pancake.Pan temperature is important. Cook with a low flame and the pancakes will turn out doughy and white. Too high a flame and the exteriors will be scorched. The best bet is heating the pan over a medium sized flame for two to three minutes, Flick in a few dri=ops of water.If they sizzle and evaporate then it;s the perfect temperature.Use a mix of butter and a neutral oil to fry the cakes. Use a generous amount of butter  to create the crispest edges.There shouldn't;t be a thin sheen but enough to swirl around the pan.Test it with the first flapjack. Also the choice of pan is important too. Use either stainless steel,carbon steel or cast iron. Another important factor is how much batter is used. Don;t make those big wagon wheel ones seen on Tiktok or Instagram. Smaller ones are much better.They'll have crispier edges and will be much easier to flip.Use a large ice cream scoop to measure out the batter,DON"T touch the water once iit's in the pan .The pancakes will be ready when bubbles speckled the entire surface.Use a wide, thin spatula and flip it in a confident motion.The second side takes as long as the first to cook.Both sides should be golden and lightly springy in the middle. Mix in like blueberries and chocolate chips  should be added in when the pancake first hits the griddle,.

Dads love a good stack of golden pancakes. Follow this guide to give the man of the day a perfect breakfast. The result will be crispy and fluffy griddle cakes perfect with maple syrup and butter.

Easter Ready

 Easter is less than a week away. It;s time to get ready on a nother holiday meal that rivals a CHristmas Day one. Luckily with Easter there is leeway.Norhing has to be set in stone.

One thing to bring into the mix is the main course. This is the time to get the Easter ham. Some stores like Shop-Rite and Stop and Shop have discounts, especially if you've already spent five hundred dollars during the month of Marcn. With the ham,  ake sure you have the ingredients for the glaze.Is there enough brown sugar and honey which serve as the base? You can always buy the extras such as oranges for juice or any kind of soda at the end of the week. Another point to ponder is will there be vegans or vegetarians present. What do you serve them?Start looking at recipes on line and experiment with them. It pays to execute the recipe even once.This way you can adjust the sasonings and cooking time. You can also do this with sides too. If you want to make air fryer potatoes for the first time, then do a dress rehearsal sometime this week. Also check out pots and pans. Get new ones for both cooking and baking if you need them. If you're planning on barbecuing, make sure the grill is clean and you have charcoal for cooking.

Baking is another Easter must. Do you have the molds to make bunny and chick cakes?What about the fun holiday themed cupcake papers? (although you can use pastel ones if you cant find ones with bunnies or chicks on them)What  flavor cake do you want to make? CHocolate usually sells out faster than vanilla. Also keep in  mind that some mixes like Duncan Hines Dolly Parton mixes require a lot of eggs, butter and milk instead of the usual vegetable oil. Also make sure you have plenty of the last too because other mixes do require vegetable oil in their batters.Scratch cakes, cupcakes and cookies need flour along with different kinds of sugar. Buy now when many stores like Lidl and Aldi have good sales.Make sure there's enough vanilla and almond extract along with orange and lemon ones.Easter cakes always require coconut so buy some. It also has to be tinted green.Did you use all the green food coloring for Christmas baking?If so then you need a new bottle it along with red and blue dyes.. Do you have enough yellow to create cute chickie and duckling treats? Buy it now before it all sells out.

This is the week to get read for the big day ahead. Be prepared.Have everything you need on hand. It'll make for a smooth holiday dinner.

The Perfect Birthday Cake

One of the crowning moments of any birthday is the cake. It's usually a perfect two layer affair with a yummy filling , frosted with buttercream. Buttercream roses or marzipan figures decorate it.It's a challenge for many home bakers , yet it doesn't have to be. Any home baker can create the perfect birthday cake.

One of the biggest dilemmas home bakers face is what kind of cake to bake.Scratch or mix? Many purists will tell you scratch is much better for you health wise and taste wise too. However, if you're pressed for time, a mix is a lifesaver. If you want to make a scratch one, keep it simple with a vanilla or a chocolate flavors Make sure you have all the ingredients from the baking powder to the butter and eggs. Remember to have unsweetened  cocoa powder if you're making a chocolate scratch cake. As for mixes, Duncan Hines  brand is really the best. The mix produces the best crumb - moist and flavorful. Pilsbury and Betty Crocker are also very good. All have a variety of different flavors that include such fruit flavors as orange ,lemon,pineapple and strawberry. Betty Crocker has the  fun SuperMoist Rainbow Chip cake , a mix filled with multicolored sprinkles. Once you decide on what kind of cake you're going to bake, check your inventory of pans.  The best kind is nine inch metallic ones. These  produce perfectly baked and even layers , with no burning. Also make sure you have a cake tester which is crucial is determining when the layers are done along with a sturdy wire rack for cooking.

The filling is important too. Many home bakers just use the icing as the filling, which can be OK if it's not too sweet. Cream cheese icing is the filling of choice for classic Red Velvet and carrot cake as well as banana cake. For other cakes, pureed fruit and whipped cream make for a nice  not too sweet filler. Try a layer of fresh cream and raspberry for any chocolate or vanilla cake.Lemon curd is a great filling for a lemon or pineapple cake. It's an easy mix of lemon juice with zest blended with egg yolk, sugar and butter to create a kind of pudding. A strawberry cake would be made decadent with a chocolate mousse one., and then iced with a dark chocolate butter cream. As for the finishing touch, buttercream is the way to go. Fondant, a combination of corn syrup, shortening and powdered sugar, flavored with vanilla is heavy and will make the cake cloyingly sweet. Save it for making figures and objects. Go with buttercream. The frosting can be made in a variety of flavors from vanilla to raspberry to orange to even peanut butter. Again, make sure you have the instruments to make the perfect gateau. An icing spatula is a must  because it gives a smooth glossy finish to the cake. Icing combs will give the sides those perfect even lines that bakery cakes have. Make sure you have a good cake icer that has a variety of nozzles to make buds and leaves. A cake nail is necessary to make those big roses that grace every birthday cake.Also have a nozzle with a small tip for writing.

The perfect birthday cake is the perfect gift. It should have a moist cake, a delicate filling and a creamy , buttery icing. The combination will give you  a memorable creation that's worthy of any birthday wish.

A Proper Washing Up

One of the lost kitchen arts is properly washing up after a meal. nhome chefs have no clue about how to hand wash china or stemware. Everyone, home chef or not, should have some knowledge of it. It will come in handy , especially if the dishwasher goes on the fritz or they move out of their mom's house,

One of the first things to consider is what dish detergent to use. Dawn is one of the best.A little goes a long way so one bottle can last to two months, even if you wash dishes three times a day. Not only, that it's gentle , with a line that features skin softening ingredients along with ones that features blends of scents that act like aroma therapy when you wash dishes. They also have a free and clean line that has no perfumes or dyes.Another good one is Seventh Generation that is all natural, Stop & Shop also has a good dishwashing soap too, that is gentle yet strong.The next step is donning rubber gloves to protect hands and nails. This is good if you've just had a manicure and don't want to ruin it. The gloves can be bulky though, and they can cause dishes and glasses to slip and break.Now the icky part - cleaning off those orts of food. Use a fork and just scrape everything into the garbage or directly into the backyard compost heap.. This prevents clogging which can lead to an expensive visit from the plumber later on. Fill the sink with hot water.It has to be very hot yet tolerable. Hot water not only sanitizes germs, but also helps in degreasing pots and pans.

Now you're all set to load the sink. Put the bigger items in first so they can soak. These are the plates, mugs and items such as pots and pans that are caked with food. Start with the silverware. It's the germiest snce it's goes in people's mouths. Plunge one piece at a time into the water while vigorously scrubbing it. Study it before putting it in the drying rack.If there's still food on it, rescrub. Use your fingers or steel wool to get it off. Wash other items such as cups and glasses that also come into contact with mouths.Regularly change the water because it will get dirty fast. Now it's time for the pots and pans., Add a little more soap and water to pans that still have burnt food stuck onto them and allow them to soak.Afterwards dry utensils, dishes, pots and pans with a clean dry  terry cloth dish towel. Some people prefer microfiber towels. They do wick away moisture very quickly and wash and dry faster than regular dish towels. The feel though, is funny.I prefer terry cloth because it 's gentle on plates and glasses surfaces and they wash and dry just as nicely as the microfiber. You can also let dinnerware air dry too. Remember to rinse out your sponge too, as well as cleaning the sink to rid of it of any food bits and soap. If the sink is dirty, bleach it ..It could easily get stained from red wine, coffee and tea being dumped in it before hand,

Properly washing dishes and utensils may be a lost kitchen art but it's a vital one. It pays to know how to clean dirty plates and glasses.Use time honored methods for sparkling results.

Thanksgiving Eve Prep Time

The night before Thanksgiving is always a fraught time for home chefs.Not only is tomorrow a time for tears and triumphs, the night before can be crazy too. However, the insanity can be lessened just by being orderly and doing some of tomorrow's prep tonight.

This is the time to assess all your ingredients and make sure you have enough and then some. If not, make that trip to the grocery for anything extra, whether it's a couple of bottles of soda or more salad. Also, ask family and guests if they're bringing any last minute plus ones. An extra plate at the table could mean shortages. It's better to have overage than be short and now is the time to go out and get enough for tomorrow. It's the night to make pies too. If you're too tired, always get help. You could make a night of it with friends and family turning the night into a baking party.(just be careful with the libations - no one wants a pumpkin pecan mash up pie). Also prebaked crust or pre made pie dough is a huge help.The same goes for any dessert, from pumpkin mousse to sweet potato pudding. It's also a good time to whip cream and put the butter onto the fancier butter dish. The less smaller chores can be done tonight. If the kids aren't too engaged with their devices they can also help out with polishing the silverware and setting out the plates and utensils. They can also help with decorating the table too along with any last minute dusting and cleaning.

Many home chefs wonder if they can start prepping the night before to save time in the morning.The answer is yes.Veggies can be cut tonight for use tomorrow. Keep them in a bowl of ice water until they're ready to use. This also works perfectly for iceberg and romaine lettuce  too. Any lettuce can also be kept fresh by wrapping a cold damp paper towel around the leaves.It's also a good time to make the vinaigrette or any homemade dressing too, storing it in a cruet  in the fridge. Another must is tearing up the bread for stuffing and then storing it in airtight plastic bags.This will cut down on the time spent making the stuffing and let home chefs move quicker onto the next dish. Pots and pans should all be out tonight too. That way it's easier just to grab them instead of spending minutes searching for them .Breakfast is another meal to think about tomorrow.Unless there are guests staying over, keep it simple.  A bowl of cereal or oatmeal is always a good way of starting .If the whole family is together then just have a bagel brunch where there's a minimum of fuss and bother Let the family cook and clean up after themselves if they want something more involved like scrambled eggs and bacon or French toast.

Don't turn Thanksgiving Eve into a night of panic and craziness. Keep it cool and calm by doing prep time tonight.It makes for an easier holiday tomorrow.

Repurposing Those Old Pots And Pans

The old adage that they knew how to make stuff in the old days is true.Many pots and pans made before the second World War can still be used today.They are tough , strong enough to withstand countless flames or heavy duty priming. There is only one problem: cleaning them up. Rust and old food is hard to get rid of but with the right cleaners, these gems can be restored to almost brand new again.

It's sad when home chefs throw out a beloved family heirloom because they 're having trouble cleaning it. However there are various solutions to make it usable.If there is still food on it then the first step is to bake it off. This sounds almost counterproductive but it works.Put the oven on self cleaning mode which reduces the baked on gunk to a fine ash..If you don't have a self cleaning oven then you'll need the aerosol spray oven cleaners along with rubber gloves (this is a must because the spray cleaners are mostly lye, a dangerous corrosive). The best  place to do this is a well ventilated area or better yet, outside. Spray the pan generously with the cleaner and then put the whole thing in a plastic garbage bag. Surprisingly leave it for two days . This will give the cleaner enough time to eat away at the rust and food. The following step is washing it again in a mixture of eight parts water to one part vinegar. Priming is next and again this require a hot oven. This is the seasoning part which makes  it ready for use again.

Those discolored aluminum pots can also be scrubbed brand new again.Remember that it's not s sturdy as cast iron and a more gentler cleaning method has to be employed. Start by simply boiling water in it and then letting it soak. You can add a few tablespoons of cream of tartar to remove any dark stains left by certain foods.You can also use different cleansing spray like Dawn Power Dissolver  and allow it to sit on the surface for 30 minutes.Be very careful around the handles , especially if they are wood.A simple soaping and rinse will usually get them clean.Polishing requires different grits of sandpaper as well as You also will need a rubbing compound and a damp rag (similar to silver polish) to bring back the pot's luster.You can also go a more natural route by using cream of tartar, vinegar and lemon juice along with baking soda. You can also clean aluminum utensils with this mixture too.Finish with a non abrasive silver cleaner for luster and shine,

Don't throw out those old pots and pans. These heirlooms can be tidied up and made new again. It just takes some cleaner and elbow grease to get them back to their original sparkle.

January Is Kitchen Sale Times

January has always been the month for white sales. Sheets, pillowcases and towels were marked down to unbelievable prices. The same is now true with appliances and gadgets.If you feel like you need new gear or just over worked your blenders and toaster ovens over the holidays, then treat yourself to new ones this month.

Many stores from Targets to Kohl's are having major sales right now, especially on pots and pans sets. This is the time to buy them, especially with the great discounts happening. Some of the better brands such as LeCreuset can be bought with tremendous sales pricing right now. Kitchen Aid , always a chef's must have is also being offered at good pricing. A crock pot can be had at only twenty bucks and this is a steal at Target  , especially if you're big into slow cooking. Other must haves to pick up are electric griddles, rotisseries and grills. Any of these also make great shower or housewarming gifts too so stock up if you're going to have a few of these to attend.

Frill appliances are also going on sale right now too.If you wanted that cool Soda Stream, the aerator that carbonates regular water , scoop it up. Their  flavors are also being offered at discounts too at againlike stroes at Target and Kohl's.Those mini cake pop ovens  along with donut makers are also being sold at lower pricing too. Buy them now for some fun Valentine's Day baking later on. Keurig Coffee makers are being offered at lower pricing right now at some stores . Definitely take advantage of this if you're a big coffee maker,

January is a big sales month. Take advantage of these discounts if you need any appliance or just want a fun gadget. Pinching pennies is always good, better yet when thy're being saved on kitchen appliances.