The Green Kitchen

Everyone is hyper aware of global warming and what it can do to the planet. They are cutting down on ordering on  line along with buying locally grown produce. Yet to fully go green, home chefs have to rethink the way they clean,and cook. Nowadays that's pretty easy.

Water is always at the crux of conservation. One way to save is only boiling a cup of water for one cup of tea or hot cocoa. Boiling more just is a waste of energy. Another idea is keeping bottled tap water in the fridge as opposed to running the tap until you get cold water. The water is already chilled and good to go. You can keep bottled water in the freezer during the hot days of summer. One you don;t have to keep opening the freezer door to fetch ice cubes. The ice inside melts providing refreshing, thirst quenching sips. (have a few of these ready for those trips to the beach too.) Vegetables and fruit always have to be washed. Instead of rinsing them with running water , just place them in a large pan of water  and use a vegetable scrubber on the skins.Another chore we have to do every day is washing the dishes.If you have only a few from one meal, wait until the next to wash everything. You could also put all the dishes, cups and utensils in the dish rack and spray them clean with your sink's spray nozzle.Also don't prerinse dishes and cups before putting them in the dishwasher. The machine usually does a good job of it.

Not surprisingly how you cook on can also help in saving the environment, One of the easiest actions is using pots and pans the same diameter as the burner. This will not only save energy but also money.  Electric stove owners can save $36 annually while those who have a gas stove will save around $18. Also reduce  the amount of heat needed. Don't force a boil or try to cook something fast. That's what the microwave is for. Also a microwave can take up less energy than any stove.however it does have a lot of drawbacks. A better medium would be conscientiously using the stove and oven. Don't preheat unless you have to Another energy conserving idea is cooking several dishes together. This means one thing - more yummy sheet meals where the mains and the sides are all roasted together on one pan.Then there's the cook's tic of opening the door to see if everything is browning or baking well. Don't. It's a bad habit that allows  heat to go out. Instead always keep the oven window clean so  you can see clearly through it.Check the oven door seal too. A poorly fitted or degraded one can leach heat and energy  A good test is slip a piece of paper between the seal and the door.If it goes through then replace the seal or buy a new oven.

A green kitchen is a good one. You're making an effort to not only save the planet but also money. The ecology is helped and so are you,

A Basket of Apple Recipes

Apples are one of the most nutritious and tastiest fruits around. There are some man different kids, from the custardy fleshed Macintosh to the crisp Granny Smith with a dozen other varieties in between. There are also dozens of recipes, both savory and sweet that feature  them in a brand new cookbook.

How D'ya Like Them Apples? (Gibbs Smith Publishers) is the cheekily named new cookbook written , by Madge Baird, a seasoned food editor and cooking instructor. She has previously written about chicken and soup, and brings the same enthusiasm and good recipes to this apple-centric cookbook, Her many and varied ones are a great way of introducing and sneaking nutrition into everyday dishes, from stuffing to even chocolate chip cookies. There are chapters on salads and soups along with meat and poultry. The best one are on the pies and pastries, where the fruit shines along with one on cakes cobblers , breads and sweet treats.I have to admit I was a little bummed when there were no caramel or candy apple recipes but there are enough sweet ones to fill that gap. There is a section on interesting facts and helpful hints which will make working with apples easier.The fruit comes in 7,500 varieties worldwide while there's 2,500 varieties alone in just the US and Canada. She also suggest what kinds make for better baking such as those crunchy Granny Smith, Pink Lady Jonathan, Golden Delicious and their hybrid Jonagold. Then there is the question of peels or no peels.Ms. Baird points out there there a lot of antioxidants in the skin and the vitamin C is located right under them skin.

The recipes are wonderful and can take home chefs from the summer right into the winter. There is the snappy apple salad blending Granny Smith chunks with snap beans and almonds with a lemon and honey dressing,,Two unusual ones  are an apple , spinach and brown sausage link one and a potato salad laced with crisp red apples in a honey mustard dressing.Picnic lovers will enjoy the apple slaw, a marriage of the fruit with crisp green salad. The soups are homey , blending apples and apple juice with everything from squash to pimento. Apples always go well with pork and there are a few recipes that feature the happy pairing.There are dressed up pork medallions cooked with apple slices and sweet onions. Home chefs will love making the Sunday Dutch Oven pork that features pork chops, apples and potatoes spiked with a Southwestern or Mexican spice blend that has a kick of smoked paprika,The sides are great too, from the spinach-apple curry to the Parmesan roasted apple vegetable menu. Apples shine in dessert recipes especially pie and these do too. Apple lovers will love the rustic pie  that's in the shape of a gallette.and the yummy wonton apples pockets a la mode,a take on the classic fritter recipe.Kids will enjoy the apple spice cupcakes with vanilla frosting. Try the classic Apple Dutch Baby for brunch or make the applesauce chocolate chip cookies. Purists will love the recipes for apple butter and apple sauce. two classics that are a must in any kitchen pantry.

How D'Ya Like Them Apples is a joyous salute to all dishes apples. Apple lovers have to add this cookbook to their library and to experience the sweet and savory recipes. They are wonderful to make and delicious to eat.

The books comes out in August but you can preorder it and others on Amazon.

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How D'ya Like Them Apples?