I Like My Knives Dull 

Sharp knives scare me. I know that they are the safest to use, but I much prefer my familiar (and very old) paring knife. I have often thought of picking up a brand new shiny paring knife, but the idea scares me. I like the way my old knife feels in my hand. Is that nuts?? Any words of wisdom to share here?

The Niftie Fifties 

We rely on this little gadget so much that we now take it for granted. Once upon a time, this little toaster didn't exist!!






Buy at AllPosters.com

When the House Smells 

Mom's Pie Crust Tip 

I brought my Mom home for a visit on Mother's Day and while she was here for the week, she shared a little tip which has made her rather famous for her pies at the local church. Apparently instead of cutting the shortening into the ingredients, she rubs the shortening into the flour. I haven't been around to sample one of her pies lately, but I'm definitely putting in an order for when I visit again on her birthday. I want to see if it's as good as she says it is.

Me... I buy frozen, but if it's easy, I just might try my hand at making my own!

Photo Credit: Amazon

Betty Crocker Christmas Goodies 

Betty Crocker Christmas Cookbook (Betty Crocker Books)

by Betty Crocker Editors

Amazon Price: $15.10 (as of 10/07/2008)

I don't have this particular one, but the Betty Crocker cookbook that I do own is quite literally falling to bits. It has the best recipes and you can tell how often I have used it by the splatters on the pages.

I might not do a lot of cooking, but I do love to bake. I'm going to add this one to my collection and I'm not even going to wait until Christmas to start trying out the recipes!

Alton Brown to the Rescue 

Today's Cooking Poll 

Tasteless Herbs and Spices 

It might simply be a case of them being too old and being stored incorrectly. I buy small amounts of herbs and spices at the bulk food store (when the bins are full) and immediately transfer them out the plastic bags and into to glass spice jars that have been dated. If there is still anything in the jar after 6 months, it goes into the composter and replaced with a fresh supply. Spices can last up to a year but no more than that. The faster you use them up the better.

Photo Credit: Amazon

Crock Pot 

Fix-it And Forget-it 5-ingredient Favorites

by Phyllis Pellman Good

Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 10/07/2008)

5 ingredients and dinner is ready. Works for me

How to Make Meringue 

How to Make Meringue

It's all in how you break the eggs.

Making Perfect Meringue

So how much sugar should you use? Is there a rule of thumb??

What Kind of Bowl Should You Use?

That's covered but even more importantly, what kind of bowl shouldn't you use and why?

How To Make a Pie Crust 

Hot Water Pie Crust

1 cup minus 2 Tbsp.
shortening
1/4 hot water
1 Tbsp. milk
2-1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt

The No Roll Crust

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup peanut or vegetable oil
1/4 cup ice water
1/2 teaspoon salt

All Butter Crust

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very-cold, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
3 to 6 Tbsp ice water

Basic Dough

1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/3 cup vegetable shortening
2-3 tablespoons ice water

Light Tart Crust

5 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons Splenda sugar substitute
1 pinch kosher salt (1/8 tsp.)
1 large egg
1 cup all-purpose flour

How To Make Rice 

4 cups water
2 cups uncooked white rice
*salt is optional

That's the amount of rice that we generally cook, but the ratio is always 2:1... which is easy to remember.

In a medium sized pot, bring 4 cups of water to boil. Add rice, stir with a fork to loosen. Don't ask me why you have to loosen it. That's just the way my husband does it.

Cover and reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for about 20 minutes with the lid on. No peeking either! When the 20 minutes is up, remove from the heat source and let stand about another 10 minutes... lid still in place!

After all that time has elapsed, you can bring it to the table and fluff with a fork.

5 Super Easy Homemade Soup Recipes 

Emergency Soup Recipe

I just checked the ingredients. I don't think that anyone WOULDN'T have these ingredients on hand...carrot, potato cubes, water or broth
celery slices, onion, butter, salt and pepper,
Stock or broth. That's the entire list of ingredients so if you are in a rush, this should work.

Basic Blender Soup

Here's another easy recipe and I would imagine that increasing the regular milk for the cream would still work if you were in a pinch. Here's the ingredients...
1 cup milk
1/2 cup cream
1 cup chicken bouillon
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon dry sherry

Visit the link for the directions.

Broccoli Soup for the Crockpot

For those of you who have a crockpot, this broccoli soup has possibilities. Here's what you are going to need...
4 c. water
4 chicken bouillon cubes
1/4 c. chopped onion
2 c. diced potatoes
1 bag frozen, chopped broccoli
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2-1 lb. Velveeta cheese, cubed

Quick, Easy -N- Fast Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

You might have to make a run to the supermarket for the canned goods, but once you have all the ingredients, you are good to go. Here's your shopping list.

1 (15 oz.) can whole-kernel corn, drained, or 2 C. frozen
2 (14.5 oz.) cans chicken broth
1 (15 oz.) can black beans
1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained
1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies
1 t. cumin
salt to taste
1 lb. boneless chicken breasts, cooked and chopped (in a real crunch you can use one 10-ounce can chunk chicken)

Debdoozie's Blue Ribbon Chili

And prep time takes just 10 minutes! Cooking time one hour. Here's your list.
* 2 pounds ground beef
* 1/2 onion, chopped
* 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
* 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce
* 1 (8 ounce) jar salsa
* 4 tablespoons chili seasoning mix
* 1 (15 ounce) can light red kidney beans
* 1 (15 ounce) can dark red kidney beans

In Need Of an Apron 

Now Designs Tuscan Harvest Apron

Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 10/07/2008)

We have a hardwood floor in our kitchen and you can just imagine how dirty it gets... especially with wet hands dripping. Problem solved with an apron. And if you splash something on this one... you won't even see it!

Let Alton Show You How It's Done 

5 Easy Dinners to Prepare 

• Spaghetti (serve with loaf of crusty bread thanks to your breadmaker)
  
  Eggs, Beans and Sausages (English background)Serve with toast and you are done.
  
  Fish and Chips and Beans (English staple again)
  
  Soup (from a can or packet. Just serve with bread from your breadmaker or if you mastered baking soda biscuits... go for it.
  
  Okay, I can't think of a fifth. I really don't do a lot of cooking around here. Can't you tell. But if push comes to shove, I can feed myself!! ;)
  
  Oh wait... I forgot about the crockpot. We used it tonight and everyone was impressed. And everything but the chunks of chicken came out of a packet. I particularly like recipes where you just add water and plug it in. ;)

Amazon Spotlight - Marshmallow Shooter 

Marshmallow Twin Shooter in Blue and Red

Amazon Price: $38.95 (as of 10/07/2008)

Did you notice that you get two marshmallow shooters!! You might not find me doing a whole lot of cooking in my kitchen, but there's no reason why you still can't have fun!!

The Joys of a Crockpot 

Hamilton Beach 33141 4-Quart Oval Slow Cooker

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 10/07/2008)

Britt and I spent the day shopping for stuff for the house. It was so nice to put everything into a crockpot, go out for the day and come home to find dinner ready to be served. Only wish that I had started using it earlier. Certainly makes dinner easy!

People Actually Like Cooking?? 

Okay, some of these dishes do look good... but who cleans up the mess when you're done?? I think that's the part I hate the most.

finished product

Jars of Renewal: the...

Jars of Renewal: the...

Jars of Renewal: the...

Jars of Renewal: the...

Take a Look 

Nigella by BigGirlBlue

You just never know what you are going to find here on Squidoo. I found Nigella just this morning.

Cooking Gadgets on Amazon 

Emsa Perfect Beaker Measuring Beaker

Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 10/07/2008)

Polder Original Cooking Timer and Thermometer

Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 10/07/2008)

Oxo Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless-Steel Locking Tongs

Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 10/07/2008)

The As Seen on TV Cookbook: Healthy, Low-Calorie Recipes for Cooking with America's Favorite Kitchen Gizmos and Gadgets

by Lori Baird

Amazon Price: $16.95 (as of 10/07/2008)

KitchenAid 6-Piece Gadget Set, White

Amazon Price: $39.95 (as of 10/07/2008)

Supposed To Live Like This?? 

They Touched My Food??

"It's so beautifully arranged on the plate - you know someone's fingers have been all over it."

Julia Child

*now that just grosses me out... or maybe it's just me. I love going out to dinner, but I certainly don't want to think about who has actually touched my food!!

Great Stuff on eBay 

Buying the stuff isn't the problem ;)

Every once in a while I like to go perusing at what gadgets I have that just might be fun to try out.

Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by

New Top Chef Blogs 

Stop By and Say Hello :) 

chefkeem This is a useful lens to come back to and brush up on those basic skills we think we have mastered already. I really love your catchy title. 5*s Posted April 26, 2008

New Table of Contents 

• I Like My Knives Dull
• The Niftie Fifties
• When the House Smells
• Mom's Pie Crust Tip
• Betty Crocker Christmas Goodies
• Alton Brown to the Rescue
• Today's Cooking Poll
• Tasteless Herbs and Spices
• Crock Pot
• How to Make Meringue
• How To Make a Pie Crust
• How To Make Rice
• 5 Super Easy Homemade Soup Recipes
• In Need Of an Apron
• If Julia Child says it... it must be true
• Don't Know How To make Oatmeal?
• Let Alton Show You How It's Done
• The Lasagna Secret
• 5 Easy Dinners to Prepare
• Amazon Spotlight - Marshmallow Shooter
• The Joys of a Crockpot
• New StickyNote
• People Actually Like Cooking??
• Take a Look
• Cooking Gadgets on Amazon
• Supposed To Live Like This??
• Great Stuff on eBay
• New Top Chef Blogs
• Hate 2 Cook Senior ;)
• Stop By and Say Hello :)