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Blue Cheese Omnivorous
Ingredients Romaine Lettuce (head $1.29) 1 pound of steak ($10 per pound) 1 box of colorful pasta ($1.03 Blue’s Clues because my inner child sways me at times.) 1 red pepper ($2.62) Blue Cheese dressing ($2.43) ½ pound block of blue cheese ($3.79...
Boiling - The Test of a Good Cook
Let's take a look at one of the most basic forms of cooking - immersing food in hot water.
Yes, I know. That includes simmering as well. But I want to look at boiling, some of the different foods involved and the ways in which they are treated....
Cookware what you need and what you don’t !
Cookware is always a rather contentious subject. I have seen chefs turn up to even the simplest of cooking jobs carrying more than it would take to maintain your average oil tanker (though maybe this is not the best use for your cookware), when...
Discover how to eat healthier by eating more fruits and vegetables
Recent changes in food guidelines have meant an increase in the recommended daily consumption of fruits and vegetables. That is because eating nutrient rich, low calorie, low fat foods such as fruits and vegetables, has been shown to have a strong...
How to Teach Your Children to Cook
If you're ready to teach your children how to cook, here are some simple tips for teaching them the basics, and giving them skills that will last them a lifetime!
First of all, think safety. Any child that has to stand on a stool or chair in...
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crockpot tips - don't forget the slow cooker!
Many of your favorite recipes can be successfully adapted to the crockpot or slow cooker if you follow a few simple rules. You'll find a basic time/temperature guide for converting recipes, some do's and don'ts for specific ingredients and a few tips for making your slow cooker dishes more flavorful.
Liquids
Generally, liquids may be decreased in slow cooking - a general rule of thumb is about half the recommended amount. Unless the dish contains rice or pasta, one cup of liquid is usually enough.
Pasta and Rice
When recipes call for cooked pasta to be added, cook it until just slightly tender before adding to the pot. Add 1/4 extra liquid per 1/4 cup uncooked rice, and use long grain converted rice for the best results. For long-cooking recipes, add cooked rice shortly before serving.
Beans
It is usually best to soak beans overnight before cooking them in the crockpot. Before adding sugar or acidic ingredients, the beans should be softened first, either in the slow cooker or on the stove top. If your recipe includes tomatoes, salt, or other acidic ingredients, the beans should be tender before beginning.
Herbs and Spices
Ground herbs and spices tend to dissipate over long cooking times, so it's best to add them near the end
of cooking. Whole herbs release flavors over time, so are a good choice for crockpot cooking. You should taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary, before serving.
Milk/Cheese
Milk, sour cream, and cream break down over long periods of cooking, and should be added during the last hour. Condensed cream soups are good substitutions for milk and can be cooked for extended times. "Healthy," or reduced fat cream soups can be used in any recipe as a substitute.
Cheeses don't generally hold up over extended periods of cooking, so should be added near the end of cooking, or use processed cheeses and spreads.
Soups
Add water only to cover ingredients in soup, and add more after cooking if necessary for a thinner soup.
For milk based soups, add 1 or 2 cups of water and during the last hour, stir in milk, evaporated milk, or cream as called for.
Vegetables
Dense vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and other root vegetables should be cut no larger than 1" thick, and placed in the bottom of the pot, since they take longer to cook
Rob Moore cooks up quick and easy recipes from HIWAY-cafe.com, a site devoted to Recipes As Fast As Your Life!
Visit for more quick easy crockpot recipes and more!
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