Tag: food preparation

Potato Slicer: Enhancing Efficiency and Safety in Kitchens

Ricardo Davis

– Prep Solutions Tower French Fry Cutter (best overall)
– Geedel French Fry Cutter (recommended for beginners)
– Sopito Electric French Fry Cutter (best electric option)
– RovSun Commercial French Fry Cutter (commercial-grade option)
– NewStar Foodservice Commercial Grade French Fry Cutter (lever-type handle option)
– Sopito Professional Potato Cutter Stainless Steel (professional-grade option)
– POP AirFry Mate (mentioned in the article)
– Cuisinart PrepExpress French Fry Cutter (mentioned in the article)
– ICO Stainless Steel 2-Blade French Fry Potato Cutter (mentioned in the article)

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Strainer vs Colander: Choosing the Perfect Kitchen Tool

Ricardo Davis

– Colanders and strainers are different tools.
– A colander is made of inflexible metal, plastic, or ceramic and is bowl-shaped with larger holes drilled all around.
– Colanders are best used for washing produce, draining beans, or draining larger pasta shapes.
– There are different types of colanders, including large stainless steel ones for professional kitchens and smaller, decorative ones for occasional use.
– Strainers are made of fine mesh with tiny openings for liquids to pass through.
– Strainers are usually asymmetrical with a lip on one side and a handle on the other.
– Strainers are more flexible and made of thinner material with finer holes than colanders.
– They are better for draining or rinsing things with smaller pieces, such as orzo pasta or small legumes like lentils.
– A strainer is the best tool for sieving the foam of stock.
– The article discusses different types of strainers and their uses.
– Strainers are commonly used for draining pasta or vegetables and for straining sauces.
– The article mentions the availability of a specialized type of strainer called a chinois, which has a conical shape and is particularly suitable for straining thicker mixtures.
– Another type of strainer mentioned is a strainer basket, which is cylindrical in shape and is useful for boiling pasta or blanching vegetables without the need to pour hot water.
– The article suggests that both types of strainers can be easily found in restaurant or kitchen supply stores.

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Can You Marinate Frozen Chicken? Tips and Tricks

Ricardo Davis

– Marinating frozen chicken is possible, but it may not be as effective as marinating fresh or fully thawed chicken.
– Different parts of frozen chicken, such as wings, breasts, thighs, and tenders, can all be marinated.
– Marinating frozen chicken wings adds flavor, and popular ingredients include soy sauce, garlic, honey, and spices.
– For frozen chicken breasts, it is more effective to marinate them after they have thawed completely.
– Marinating frozen chicken thighs might take longer compared to fresh or thawed ones.
– Frozen chicken tenders can also be marinated, and the marinating time will depend on their thickness and desired flavor.
– The ability to marinate frozen chicken depends on the desired outcome and time available.
– It is generally recommended to marinate chicken after it has fully thawed for better flavor absorption.
– Marinating frozen chicken can make it difficult for the marinade to penetrate the skin and may result in weaker flavor.
– Marinating frozen chicken is safe to consume as long as it is prepared and cooked properly.
– Thawing the chicken before marinating is recommended to avoid diluting the flavor and potential health risks.
– There are different methods for defrosting frozen chicken, including using cold water, a microwave, or the fridge.
– It is important to ensure that there are no gaps or holes in the packaging when using the water defrosting method.
– Defrosting chicken in the fridge is the most widely used method but takes the longest time.
– The article recommends defrosting the chicken before applying the marinade for the best results in terms of taste and texture.

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Can You Microwave Cardboard Safely? Practical Tips Explained

Ricardo Davis

– Microwave-safe cardboard can be microwaved for short periods of time (60-120 seconds) on a low power setting.
– It is important to check the container for any glue, ink, or lining, as these may release chemicals into the food.
– Pizza boxes can be microwaved as long as they are microwave-safe and have no plastic or metal components. They should be microwaved for less than a minute.
– Cardboard with metal handles or adhesive should not be microwaved.
– It is recommended to transfer food to a microwave-safe container if longer reheating is needed.

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Lard vs Shortening: Decoding the Health and Culinary Myths

Ricardo Davis

– Lard is made from melted pork fat and can be rendered, leaf, or processed.
– Lard has a creamy white color and semi-soft texture.
– Lard melts at temperatures between 95°F to 115°F.
– Processed lard, also known as hydrogenated lard, is shelf stable and solid with a slightly porky flavor and scent.
– Leaf lard, made from the visceral fat around the pig’s kidneys, has a neutral flavor and is favored for creating a flaky and delicate dough.
– Bacon grease is not the same as lard and is better suited for savory preparations.
– Shortening is made from hydrogenated vegetable oils.
– Shortening was popularized by Procter & Gamble in 1911 with the creation of Crisco.
– Shortening is made from soybean, cottonseed, palm oil, or a combination.
– Shortening is 100% fat and comes in four types: solid, liquid, all-purpose, and cake.
– Shortening does not require refrigeration and is shelf stable.
– Margarine is made from vegetable oil and contains unsaturated fat.
– Butter adds moisture, richness, and flavor to baked goods.
– Butter contains 80% fat and can be used interchangeably with margarine.
– Home cooks often combine butter with lard or shortening for a flaky crust with rich flavor.

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Can You Use a Blender as a Food Processor? Understanding the Differences for Optimal Kitchen Efficiency

Ricardo Davis

– Can you use a blender as a substitute for a food processor?
– Differences between blenders and food processors
– The shapes and functions of blenders and food processors
– Foods that are best made in a food processor
– Functions that blenders can perform
– Factors to consider when buying a blender (size, speed, power, attachments, and price)
– Factors to consider when buying a food processor (capacity, functions, attachments, and price)
– The versatility of blenders in the kitchen
– The prevalence of blenders in households
– Comparison of blades in blenders and food processors
– Tasks that blenders are better suited for (smoothies, soups, milkshakes)
– Tasks that food processors are better suited for (doughs, slicing, grinding)
– The option of a hybrid blender and food processor appliance (Nutribullet Magic Bullet Kitchen Express)
– Comparison of lid features in blenders and food processors

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Bacon Cooker: Unleashing Delicious Flavors and Healthier Options

Ricardo Davis

– bacon cooker product
– does not come with instructions
– flat with a flat thing on top, with an arrow visible
– arrow needs to be turned
– sticks need to be removed from under the arrow
– flat thing starts to come up when yanked on
– washing the product
– hanging bacon over the sticks and placing a paper towel on top
– no information on how long to cook bacon
– frustration about lack of directions
– assumption that inventor or producer knew how to use the product well
– difficulties figuring out how to open the product and how long to cook bacon
– first attempt with the product resulted in bacon being stuck folded over
– making BLT sandwiches is a little difficult
– testing of microwave bacon cookers in 2021
– top picks: Presto – Power Crisp and Nordic Ware 2-Sided Bacon and Meat Grill
– Presto – Power Crisp can hold up to 12 slices of bacon, cooks into a V-shape, recommended to cook for five minutes, allows bacon fat to drip off into a cool-to-the-touch tray
– Nordic Ware 2-Sided Bacon and Meat Grill is made of heavy-duty BPA-free and melamine-free plastic, has a ridged side for cooking bacon and meats and a smooth side for pizza and nachos, can hold four pieces of bacon, cooks bacon in about one minute per slice, visually appetizing bacon with good texture and minimal grease, easy to clean with sponge and sudsy water, requires potholders to remove from microwave

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Cooking Spoon: An Essential Tool for Every Kitchen

Ricardo Davis

List of Cooking Spoons:

1. Wooden Cooking Spoon
2. Bamboo Cooking Spoon
3. Silicone Cooking Spoon
4. Stainless Steel Cooking Spoon
5. Nylon Cooking Spoon
6. Slotted Cooking Spoon
7. Solid Cooking Spoon
8. Angled Cooking Spoon
9. Perforated Cooking Spoon
10. Long-Handled Cooking Spoon
11. Short-Handled Cooking Spoon
12. Flat Cooking Spoon
13. Deep-Ladle Cooking Spoon
14. Serving Cooking Spoon
15. Mixing Cooking Spoon
16. Tasting Cooking Spoon
17. Soup Ladle Cooking Spoon
18. Skimmer Cooking Spoon
19. Pasta Server Cooking Spoon
20. Slotted Spatula Spoon

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