Recipes Articles

Article / Updated 09-19-2022

A slow cooker is truly a pleasure to use. Manufacturers seem determined to outdo themselves in making slow cookers more user-friendly and convenient, so you have plenty of options when picking out a slow cooker: Shape: Slow cookers are available in two shapes: round and oval. The traditional round shape is perfect for making soups, chilis, and stews. The oval slow cooker can prepare larger pieces of food, such as whole chickens. Size: For convenience, slow cookers come in a wide variety of sizes ranging from 1-quart to 7-quart capacity. The most popular size units are the 4- and 6-quart versions. Heat-resistant glass cooking containers: Some new slow cookers have cooking containers made of heat-resistant glass that enables the user to brown over the stovetop and then continue cooking in the same container in the slow cooker. Nonstick coating: If you don’t want to have to spray your slow cooker’s container with vegetable oil cooking spray, get a slow cooker that has a nonstick coating on the cooking container. Divided container: You can find slow cookers that come with an inner pot that’s divided into two separate cooking compartments. This divided cooking system enables you to make two different dishes at the same time. Digital settings: You can now find some slow cookers with a digital display. With the simple push of a button, you can choose the cooking time and temperature you desire. Easy-transport innovations: You might want to get an attachment that anchors the lid to the base for trips in the car or an insulated carrying case.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 08-26-2022

If you want to try your hand at Italian cooking you need to follow some basic cooking rules that govern Italian cuisine and learn the structure of a traditional Italian meal. If you run into a problem converting measurements, a handy chart can help. Know the most common fresh herbs and pasta shapes used in Italian cooking and you're on your way to creating authentic Italian dishes.

Step by Step / Updated 08-25-2022

Eating a plant-based diet is one of the fundamentals of Mediterranean cuisine and one of the major reasons for the health benefits found in the Mediterranean diet. Many regions in the Mediterranean enjoy pasta as well, but it’s the crown jewel of Italian cooking in particular. Adding vegetables to pasta is a no-brainer. The bottom line is simple: The more nutrients you eat from your foods, the better health you experience. Part of the goal with eating the Mediterranean way is to decrease animal protein and increase plant-based proteins.

Article / Updated 08-19-2022

Eating a plant-based diet is one of the fundamentals of Mediterranean cuisine and one of the major reasons for the health benefits found in the Mediterranean diet. Lentils are small, round legumes that make a healthy choice for any meal. They're a great source of plant-based protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals such as folate and iron. Lentils are great to cook with because they take on flavors well from other ingredients such as herbs, spices, or broths. If you look hard enough, you can find a variety of different types of lentils, all with their own unique flavor, color, and texture. Some types are better for soups, while others are great as a stand-alone side dish. Use this guide to help you select the perfect type of lentil for your next dish: Brown lentils are the most common type of lentil found in major grocery stores. They range in color from light brown to dark black and have an earthy, nutty flavor. Brown lentils can turn soft quickly if you don't watch your cooking time. The mild flavor works well for many dishes, such as soups and salads, and these lentils are also good for purees because they're easily mashed. Green lentils are often glossy-looking, with a pale green/brown mix of colors. They have a strong flavor and take a little longer to cook than other lentils. The plus about green lentils, other than their taste, is the fact that they retain their texture and shape well, making them perfect for side salads. Red lentils range from gold to red and have a sweet, nutty flavor. Like brown lentils, they run the risk of turning mushy from overcooking. You see red lentils most often in Indian dal or curry dishes. Red lentils are also fabulous in soups.

Article / Updated 06-23-2022

Before you begin grilling, here are some general tips that you should always keep in mind for the sake of safety, preparation, and getting the best results. Practice patience with your fire. Never put food on a grill that isn't ready. Be sure to take your time getting the fire going, making sure that the coals are uniformly ashy gray. And remember that not all foods take well to the same fire or the same temperatures. Check your recipe or your grill manual to find out what temperature you need for each type of food. Organize your grill space. Set up a small table next to the grill with all your ingredients, utensils, serving platters, and so on. Grilling can proceed quickly, and so you have to be ready to serve food when it's at its peak. Flavor your food. Grilling a hamburger, a steak, or some fish on the grill is simple and wonderful all on its own. But to add flavor to the food and seal that flavor in is the mark of a master griller. Marinating, which is a liquid flavor enhancer, adds moisture and is great for almost all foods. Oils are great for keeping delicate foods moist on the grill, and rubs help create a nice crispy crust. Don't skimp on fuel. Be sure to build a fire that won't lose its heat before you finish grilling. This is especially important with a charcoal grill. Even though you can always replenish your coals, it's better to use too many than not enough. Just remember to spread the coals about 2 inches beyond the edges of the food, and if you do replenish the coals, you must wait until they turn ashen gray — usually about 20 minutes — before you get back to your ideal heat. Police the fire! A fire changes constantly and demands your attention at all times. At the beginning of the heating process, coals will glow and have a flame above them. When you add food, you'll likely have a small to large flare-up, so monitor the cooking closely at that time. If you leave the grill with fire licking the sides of the food, you may come back to a charred meal. Later on, when the fire has died down, you want to maintain a consistent heat so the food cooks evenly. Replenishing the coals if they start to lose their glow and diminish in size is usually necessary at least once. You may need to replenish more times throughout a long cooking time. Figure out when food is done. Unfortunately, overcooked food doesn't have a reverse gear to take it back to rare, and an overdone piece of meat is a crying shame. So be sure to hover over your grill and check the food often. To test for doneness, make a small cut in the center of the food so you can peek inside. Test frequently for doneness a few minutes before the end of the estimated cooking time. Use an instant-read thermometer for thick chops, roasts, and whole poultry. You should also gauge the searing on the outside of the food. Some folks love a black char and others prefer a light one. However, if you let the fire flare up too much, you may just get a coal-black exterior and a blood-rare interior.

Article / Updated 06-14-2022

Who doesn’t love saving time (it allows you to do other things, like eat more cheese)? Check out the handy table below and take the guesswork out of wine and cheese pairings. Time-Tested Wine and Cheese Pairings This Wine Goes Well with This Cheese Sparkling wine Fresh cow or goat milk cheese, triple-crème cheeses, or Parmigiano Reggiano Crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc Mold-ripened goat milk cheeses Buttery Chardonnays Buttery, creamy cheeses; try a triple-crème cow milk or an aged Gouda Sweet or crisp Riesling Washed-rind cow milk cheeses Lighter red wines, such as Pinot Noir and Sangiovese Semi-firm sheep or goat milk cheeses; try Ossau-Iraty, Manchego, or younger Gouda Syrah Comté Big red wines, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux blend, full-bodied Zinfandels Aged cheddar or another cheese with some bite and heft, such as an aged pecorino, Parmigiano Reggiano, or Grana Padano Dessert wines (port, Sauternes, or Late Harvest Riesling) Blue cheeses and triple-crème cow milk cheeses

Cheat Sheet / Updated 06-01-2022

To cook truly wonderful Italian meals, it helps to have some knowledge of Italian cooking tradition. This Cheat Sheet summarizes important factors in cooking like an Italian, including cooking terms, pairing flavors, and Italian culture and history. It also includes explanations of ingredient labels, wine labels, and an Italian meal-planning checklist.

Article / Updated 05-27-2022

You can’t test foods for doneness while pressure cooking, so here’s a handy table that shows how long to cooks foods in a pressure cooker. The cooking times in the table begin when the pressure cooker reaches high pressure. Always start with the shortest cooking time; you can always continue cooking under pressure for an additional couple minutes until the desired texture is reached. Recommended Pressure Cooker Cooking Times Food Cooking Time (in Minutes) Apples, chunks 2 Artichokes, whole 8 to 10 Asparagus, whole 1 to 2 Barley, pearl 15 to 20 Beans, fresh green or wax, whole or pieces 2 to 3 Beans, lima, shelled 2 to 3 Beets, 1/4-inch slices 3 to 4 Beets, whole peeled 12 to 14 Broccoli, florets or spears 2 to 3 Brussels sprouts, whole 3 to 4 Cabbage, red or green, quartered 3 to 4 Carrots, 1/4-inch slices 1 to 2 Cauliflower, florets 2 to 3 Chicken, pieces 8 to 10 Chicken, whole 15 to 20 Corn on the cob 3 to 4 Meat (beef, pork, or lamb), roast 40 to 60 Meat (beef, pork, or lamb), 1-inch cubes 15 to 20 Peas, shelled 1 to 1-1/2 Potatoes, pieces or sliced 5 to 7 Potatoes, whole, small or new 5 to 7 Potatoes, whole, medium 10 to 12 Rice, brown 15 to 20 Rice, white 5 to 7 Spinach, fresh 2 to 3 Squash, fall, 1-inch chunks 4 to 6 Squash, summer, sliced 1 to 2 Stock 30 Sweet potatoes, 1-1/2-inch chunks 4 to 5 Turnips, sliced 2 to 3

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-28-2022

Making healthy food choices is an essential part of successful diabetes management. Cooking diabetes-friendly meals at home is a great way to ensure that you're eating nutritious food; avoiding preservatives and excess fat, sugar, and sodium; and controlling your portion sizes. If you've just been diagnosed with diabetes, you may be wondering where to start when it comes to eating well. Understanding the best food choices for people with diabetes is an important first step. Before you begin cooking healthy recipes at home, learn how to shop for the best ingredients and prepare your kitchen.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-15-2022

Following a few foolproof baking tips will make baking cookies a fun and delicious experience. If you run out of an ingredient while making cookies, you can find a substitution, or you can reduce the fat in your favorite cookie without compromising its quality. Adding icing to your cookies makes them even more fun.