2011-10-19

Kid's Cupcake Recipes

Cup cakes are a favorite treat for kids of all ages. Cupcakes can be decorated for all seasons and reasons. These are quick, easy cup cake recipe that kids can prepare with the help of an adult.

These cupcakes could always be made starting with a boxed cake mix. But where is the fun in that? With these recipes, you and the kids start from scratch and create memories as well as some delicious mouth watering treats.

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Lemon Cupcake Recipe

Kid's Cupcake Recipes

Ingredients:

3½ oz. softened butter 3½ oz. softened cream cheese 2 tsp. finely grated lemon rind 2/3-cup superfine sugar 2 eggs ½ cup all-purpose (plain) flour 1/3 cup self-raising flour
Instructions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 325F

2. Line a 12-cup muffin pan, with cupcake papers

3. Beat the butter, cheese, lemon rind, sugar and eggs until smooth and creamy

4. Sift the flours together

5. Add the flour gradually to the cheese mixture
6. Beat on a low speed, until just combined

7. Divide the mixture evenly between the 12 muffin tins

8. Bake for 25 minutes until firm to touch

9. Allow to cool for a few minutes and then transfer to a wire rack

Yields: 12 cupcakes

Frost with purchased lemon frosting. Enjoy

Basic Vanilla CupCake Recipe

Ingredients:
*5 oz. Butter - softened *5 oz. superfine sugar *6 oz. self-raising flour *3 eggs *1 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F

2. Line a 12-cupcake pan, with cup cake papers

3. Crack the eggs into a cup and beat lightly with a fork

4. Place all the ingredients in a large bowl

5. Beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes, until light and creamy

6. Divide the mixture in the muffin pan

7. Bake for 18-20 minutes until risen and firm to touch

8. Allow to cool for a few minutes and then transfer to a wire rack

9. Allow to cool fully before applying the frosting

Yields: 12 cupcakes

Frost with purchased vanilla frosting. Enjoy

Kid's Cupcake Recipes

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2011-10-17

The Qualities of Good Cutlery Sets

It seems that everyone is selling cutlery sets, from your friends to infomercial outlets. Some of the knife sets may be perfectly fine, while others are not worth the box they are packed in. To find out if the cutlery sets are all you want them to be, consider a few pointers.

First, the best cutlery sets have a nice variety of knives. A Chef's knife is very versatile, and can be used for a large variety of tasks, cutting up and slicing just about any type of food. Bread knives with a serrated edge work better at slicing loaves without crushing them. Santoku knives are similar to narrow bladed cleavers, and they are good for chopping, mincing, and slicing. A paring knife is handy for peeling fruits and vegetables. It also can be used to cut fruits and vegetables into smaller pieces. A filet or boning knife is good to have if you cut up whole chickens or fish. Do not forget the steak knives. Most good cutlery sets have 4 to 8 steak knives included.

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Second, good cutlery sets will be made with quality construction methods. Stainless steel is the metal of choice for most cutlery sets, with high carbon steel being the best. Full tang blades are nice to have because they are durable and cut smoothly. Full tang just means that the metal that forms the blade continues down through to the end of the handle. Metal rivets are sometimes used to hold the knives together securely. Ergonomic handles are preferable, especially if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

The Qualities of Good Cutlery Sets

Finally, consider the knife accessories that come with the cutlery sets. Kitchen shears come in handy not only for opening bags and containers, but also for cutting foods. Most cutlery sets will come with either a knife storage block or individual knife covers. While some knives are made to hold a constant edge, others need routine sharpening maintenance. Having a good sharpening steel for these sets is a good idea to keep the knives sharp between professional sharpenings.

When you have found good quality cutlery sets for your kitchen, you will be ready to handle any recipe. Your food will look better, and in some cases, even taste better. What is more, slicing, chopping and dicing will be a joy instead of drudgery. Look for the best cutlery sets, and you will be happy with your choice.

The Qualities of Good Cutlery Sets

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2011-10-16

Pros and Cons of a Stand Mixer

A kitchen stand mixer is a machine used in the kitchen to reduce the time you spend cooking. When you decide to purchase a kitchen mixer, you are going to have rough time at first because there are so many varieties in the market that have great reviews you will be at a loss of which one to choose from. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of a Kitchen Aid Artisan stand mixers that will help you chooser the right machine for your kitchen.

One quality of this stand mixer that makes it stand out from the rest of the stand mixers is its size. Its big size of five quart steel bowl makes it possible to mix several batches in one go. This is a great characteristic that saves you cooking time unlike those with a smaller bowl which you will have to use one at a time.

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The Kitchen Aid Artisan stand mixer is designed with a very powerful motor with three hundred and twenty five Watts. This quality enables it to handle not only several recipes at ago but also batches that contain nine cups of all purpose flour. It also has a slide that has ten speeds so that easily adjusts whipping, mixing and stirring. The beaters inside the mixer contact the bowl at sixty seven different points so that all the ingredients are mixed well without leaving any lumps.

Pros and Cons of a Stand Mixer

Another great quality of the stand mixer is that it can perform several functions such as making pasta, slicing vegetables and opening cans. This is because it has several useful attachments that will come in handy in the kitchen. The Kitchen Aid Mixer Artisan also comes in different colors that provide a range of colors you can choose from according to your preference or the theme color of your kitchen.

It is manufactured with a great capacity tilt head that allows for easy access to the ingredients, beaters and also the bowl. The appliance also offers a one year warranty, so that incase it becomes ineffective or any problems that may arise with the stand mixer, you can have it replaced without any problems. This is done by the company, all you have to do is report it and they will send an Artisan to your home with a new one and pick up the defective one.

One of the disadvantages of the Kitchen Aid Mixer artisan is that it is tall and it may fail to fit under the kitchen cabinet while it running. This is because the lid so the mixer swings upwards. Therefore you will have toe ensure that you have adequate pace before you start working with it.

At times, the bowl may not be strong enough to fit the requirements when you prepare using whole grain flour or multiple batches. The mixer also is not an s stable for mixing heavy ingredients when mixing several batches unlike the tilt head ones.

Pros and Cons of a Stand Mixer

Recommend : Kitchenaid Stand Mixers

2011-10-15

Food Gift Boxes

A Great Way To Tease The Palate

There's nothing like giving home-baked fresh foods and goodies during the holidays, birthdays and any other occasion. If you are a great cook yourself, you can really save a lot instead of buying these food items.

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Then again, if cooking isn't exactly second nature to you, you can just order the food item from your local deli or food store. The thing is, these food items do not very often come in presentable food gift boxes. Most likely, they will come in boring plain white cardboard boxes or brown packages or something else that isn't the least bit presentable.

Food Gift Boxes

Thus, you can do either of two things: one, embellish the food boxes the goodies came in with ribbons, beads, and so on; second, buy ready made food gift boxes from the department store.

Option one is highly recommended, that is if you are creative to begin with, because then you can cut cost and come up with something that is totally unique. If you have even just a bit sense of artistry in your body, there are many ways you can actually dress up the plain white carton to make it just as appealing as the food item inside it. However, if you think this takes up a lot of work, then going for the second option, buying ready made gift boxes, will suit you better.

Ready-made food gift boxes come in many designs, shapes, sizes, and materials, like cardboard and tin. They look so attractive already that all you probably need to add is just a card to complete the look.

Alternatively, you can check some bakeshops and stores in your area if they are selling gift boxes that already have food items inside them, because there are some stores that offer this service. The chocolates galore gift set is a particular favorite, along with coffee, brownies, and other sweet temptations.

Food Gift Boxes

Thanks To : Kitchenaid Stand Mixers

Not Just Five But Ten Good Points Why Secura Turbo Oven Is The Oven of Choice

You must be pretty aware already of the technology employed by new generation tabletop infrared ovens. For sure, you knew about the convection fan technology that allows infrared heat to circulate the food and makes cooking balance and more efficient. Of course the infrared heat technology that allows the use of infrared light converted to heat energy for faster cooking.

The benefits actually of cooking in infrared ovens do not stop there. The following ten points are good to ponder:

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1. Easy to clean and maintain- Infrared ovens such as the Secura Turbo oven is designed to facilitate both hand and machine washing easily. It's circular bowl glass housing makes it sure that all areas are within reach. The extra pan designed for excess fat and oil collection is also a plus point as it facilitates the cleaning process and maintenance.

Not Just Five But Ten Good Points Why Secura Turbo Oven Is The Oven of Choice

2. Faster cooking and energy saving- With the combination of infrared light and convection fan technology, the food can be assured to cook in more or less 50% faster compared to conventional ovens. Also because of fast heating technology allowed by infrared, cooking may proceed without the need of prior de-frosting or pre-heating.

3. Flavorful- No wonder some ovens are named Flavorwave. Research and experience can assure us that the juice as well as the flavor of the meat after cooking is well-preserved.

4. Great for losing fat and weight loss too. Because of the ability and the ease allowed by infrared cooking, you yourself can choose which food is better for you and your health. Also, since excess fat draws away from the meat during cooking, you can be assured that you are eating not only healthy but delicious food as well.

5. Less costly. You may wonder how? Well, probably most of us have been hooked with ordering food from fast food chains and delivery meals. But not now anymore. With infrared oven, you will not only enjoy the food it cooks, you also will enjoy the process of cooking as well.

6. Cook and just cook anything you want with one device. Infrared ovens like Nuwave and Secura can broil, bake, fry, roast, steam, dehydrate and even barbeque!

7. Time saving not only for the electricity but with your leisure time. You can set and forget. By the time you come back the food will be ready to serve.

8. Why not try vegetables and get even much healthier. It's true, more and more users have found that cooking vegetables cannot only be fun but the result is delicious!

9. Cooking with pleasure. Do I need to explain this?

10. Affordable. Yeah, the price is always an issue. This might be true 3-5 years ago. Today, infrared ovens can be bought in just more than 0 with all the other things you would need for cooking just like the cooking manual, instructional video, free stuff and many others.

That's it about infrared ovens and if you ask me just for one, the Secura Turbo Oven is the best choice man!

Not Just Five But Ten Good Points Why Secura Turbo Oven Is The Oven of Choice

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2011-10-14

All-time Favorite Traditional Hispanic Recipes

Hispanic food covers the culinary traditions of Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, South and Central America. These countries have Spanish cultures and origins. Hispanic food varies from each town, family and region.

Hispanic groups usually like to eat their food with rice. Other Hispanics like to mix their meals with beans, potatoes, quinoa and wheat or cassava. These foods are not similar to your basic nachos, tacos, tamales and enchiladas. They have their individual mainstreams of menu items, from the main dishes, desserts and appetizers up to the beverages.

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Listed below are different types of Traditional Hispanic Recipes:
1. Picadillo Tacos
Ingredients:
o 1 large chopped onion
o 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
o 2 cloves garlic minced
o 2 pounds lean ground pork
o ¾ cup Sun-Maid Natural Raisins
o 1 can or 15 ounce tomato sauce
o ½ cup pimento-stuffed green olives sliced
o Salt and pepper
o 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
o 12 purchased taco or tostada shells
o 3 cups shredded lettuce
o 1 ½ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
o 1 ½ cups coarsely grated radish
o Lime wedges

All-time Favorite Traditional Hispanic Recipes

Directions:

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add garlic and onion, cook for about 3 minutes.

Cook until it becomes soft.

Add some pork.

Increase the heat and stir, breaking up the large pieces (cook until the pork is no longer pinkish in color).

Add tomato sauce, raisins, cinnamon, olives, pepper and salt to taste.

Simmer, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

Divide warm picadillos between its shells.

Serve this topped with radish, cheese, lettuce and a squeeze of lime.

2. Sweet Raisin Tamales
Ingredients:
o 35 pcs cork husks
o 1 ½ c butter
o 3 pounds corn masa (prepared, for tamales)
o 1 cup granulated sugar
o 2 teaspoons of baking powder
o 1 ½ cup of Sun-Maid Natural Raisins

Directions:

Soak the corn husks in hot water for about 30 minutes or until the corn husks are soft.

Combine the prepared masa with baking powder, sugar and butter using a large deep bowl.

Mix until it becomes smooth, using a heavy spoon or electric mixer.

Spoon about two teaspoons of raisin-masa mixture in a mound of about 1 x 3 inches, particularly on the length and center of corn husks.

Roll the long side of husks over some filling.

Fold the narrow the end of the husks up and tie it with a strip of corn husk, leaving the top end open or twisting both ends and tying it.

Steam the tamales for about 45 minutes.

The corn husks should pull away from the masa when it's done.

Serve warm.

3. Raisin Salsa
Ingredients:
o 1 medium tomato
o 1 medium red onion
o ½ bunch of cilantro
o 1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
o 1/3 cup ketchup
o 2 cloves garlic
o 2 jalapeno peppers stem and seeds removed
o Juice of 1 lime
o ¾ cup of Sun-Maid Natural Raisins
o Salt

Directions:

Beat all the ingredients, except for the raisins, inside the food processor for about 10 minutes or until it becomes coarsely chopped.

Transfer the mixture onto a large bowl.

Stir in the raisins.

Salt to taste.

Let this stand for about 15 minutes so that the flavor blends.

All-time Favorite Traditional Hispanic Recipes

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2011-10-12

Waterless Cooking Demystified - Part 5 - How to Cook With Waterless Cookware

Remember, there's really no trick to using waterless cookware. The basic idea of cooking with waterless cookware is easy:

Prepare food, with or without added water for cooking. Start cooking on medium heat. Wait for natural liquid to begin to turn to steam, preferably with the assistance of advanced knobs (see below). Turn the heat to low or off and simmer to finish cooking.
Add or not Add Water?

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If you are cooking dry foods like rice or spaghetti, you'll need a small amount of water, just enough to cover the bottom of the pot. If you are cooking food like vegetables, you don't generally need to add water. The vegetables will cook in their natural juices.
When to Turn down/off the Heat?

Waterless Cooking Demystified - Part 5 - How to Cook With Waterless Cookware

You turn down or off the heat when natural liquid of the food begin to turn to steam. How do you know? You can either manually watch it like you do with conventional cookware or you can use advanced knobs coming with some of the Waterless Cookware to assist you.

Knobs with Stream Control Valve: once the juices have sealed the lid and formed enough steam, a steam valve sounds a warning for you to close the value and turn the heat to low or off. Knobs with Thermo Control: a color coded thermometer on the knob helps you to regulate the cooking temperature quickly and easily. Once the desired temperature is reached you can turn the heat to low or off and simmer to finish cooking.
Personally, I prefer knobs with Steam Control Valve, a whistle will sound to let you know that the heat can be reduced or turned off completely, this reduces your effort of "pot-baby-sitting".

You Can Stack Cook With Waterless Cookware!

Some waterless cookware set also lends you the handy feature of stack-cook. For example, you can cook a roast or chicken with potatoes and carrots in the bottom and a vegetable in the middle pan and another one in the top pan. When stack cooking, remember to always start cooking each individual pan on a burner until natural liquid begins to turn to steam (for cookware with steam valve knob, you hear the steam valve whistle), then stack to finish cooking. Heat is transferred from the bottom pan to the top. This is a time saver if you have multiple items to cook. However, not all waterless cookware is suitable for stacked cooking. Review the production description carefully if this is desired feature for you.

Conclusion:

This method of waterless cooking takes some getting used to but once you get the hang of it, you will never go back to conventional cookware.

Read the remaining articles in the series: How does Waterless Cookware work? What are the 7 Advantages of Waterless Cooking?...

Waterless Cooking Demystified - Part 5 - How to Cook With Waterless Cookware

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