how-to | make grilled cheese sandwiches

April 7th is National Grilled Cheese Day so I thought I would make a week of it and explore the wonderful world of grilled cheese because (let me be honest) who doesn't love to eat a grilled cheese sandwich?!

The most important part of a grilled cheese sandwich is how you make it.  There are three ways to make a grilled cheese, and I have broken down each into some simple steps!

 {the pan method before and after}

the pan method

1. Heat a non-stick pan to medium-high.
2. Thinly spread mayo on the OUTSIDE of the sandwich.
3. Place sandwich in pan and press down with a spatula.  You don't need to keep constant pressure (unless you want to), but I alternated about 15 seconds between each sandwich.
4. Check after 1 minute; if sandwich is browned to your liking, then flip and repeat the pressing.
5. Serve!

 

 {the panini press/electric grill method before and after}

the panini press/electric grill method

1. Plug in grill and heat to medium-high.
2. Thinly spread mayo on the OUTSIDE of the sandwich.
3. Place sandwich on grill and close.
4. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until desired doneness is reach.
5. Serve!

 {the toaster oven method before and after}

the toaster oven method

1. Heat toaster oven to broil.
2. Place each slice of the sandwich in toaster oven (open as in the the above before picture).
3. Toast until cheese melts/browns.
4. Allow sandwich to cool for about 5 minutes then press together.
5. Serve!

I loved the toaster oven method for years, but I must confess that I really love the pan or panini method much better!

How do you prefer your grilled cheese sandwich?  Is there a method that you use that I didn't mention?  I'd love to hear it!


Pin It

how-to | make quick oats

Have you ever been in the midst of making a recipe when you realize that you have no quick-cooking oats, only old-fashioned rolled oats?  Yeah me too!  I panicked, and then I thought, there must be a solution!  So I looked online, and who would have guessed?  You can make quick-cooking oats out of the old-fashioned rolled oats, and it's so easy!

 {Step 1:  Grab a box of old-fashioned oats}

 {Step 2:  Place oats in a food processor}

 {Step 3:  Pulse until oats are cut into chunks.  Don't go too far or you'll have oat flour!}

How easy is that?  The internet saved my behind!  Has it ever saved yours in a situation like this?

Pin It

how-to | freeze cookie dough

During this Christmas season, lots and lots of cookies will be made and consumed.  If your family is like mine, we make our more difficult cookies around this time of year (the ones you have to chill, roll out, etc).  Why not freeze that cookie dough so you can have those cookies throughout the month or over the the next few months?  Exactly!  So here's a short tutorial on how to freeze cookie dough

Step 1:  Make dough according to directions.

Step 2:  Line a platter or baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.

Step 3:  Scoop dough out with cookie scoop onto lined sheet.

Step 4:  Allow to freeze overnight.

Step 5:  Label a storage bag with cookie dough type and date.

Step 6:  Store up to 3 months in the freezer.

BONUS!!!  Give out cookie dough as a Christmas gift (especially to those who don't like to bake)!  Just get some nice gift bags and make tags for the temperature and time to bake them.

Pin It

How-To | Have a Stress-Free Thanksgivng

Do you dread Thanksgiving?  Are you just completely stressed out just thinking about it?  Do you wake up at 3 AM and make the entire meal?  If you answered YES to any of these questions, read on for some tips on making Thanksgiving as stress-free as possible!

 {Brined Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, and Stuffing}

I told several of my co-workers that I was going to spend a Saturday making Thanksgiving, and they all gave me such sympathetic looks.  I asked them why, and they said "you'll be in the kitchen ALL day!".  I'm happy to say that I spent only about 3 hours in the kitchen making the Thanksgiving pictured above because I followed the tips below for a stress-free Thanksgiving:

Plan the Basics:  This doesn't have to be a five course dinner with 4 dishes for each course.  How many guests will you have?  What time will dinner be?  Where will everyone eat?  Will tables and chairs need to be rented?  Get the basics written down and confirmed.

Decide on a Menu:  What are some traditional family dishes?  Make a list.  Gather everyone who will be there and decide on a menu.

Delegate:  My family has a rule that whenever we have family meals, everyone brings something.  So take the menu and ask people what they are willing to bring.  Even if they cannot boil water, they can buy rolls.  You are a wonderful cook, and you can do anything!  Don't do everything. 

Confirm:  Confirm a few days before Thanksgiving that 1) the person is coming and 2) that they are still bringing the dish they volunteered to bring.

Make Ahead:  Make as much of Thanksgiving recipes that you can ahead of time.  Even some of the sauces that will be pour on vegetables and such will save a tremendous amount of time and sanity!

Enjoy! Enjoy a stress-free holiday because this year, you had help and were actually able to enjoy your holiday rather than waking up at 3 AM and spending all day in the kitchen.

So there you have it!  My 5 tips on how to have a stress-free Thanksgiving!

Pin It

How-To | Roast a Pumpkin

I have received several questions on how to roast a pumpkin this year so here it is!  It's super easy!

 {Pureed pumpkin}

 {Pumpkin courtesy of my in-laws}

{Step 1: Preheat oven to 350}

 {Step 2: Cut pumpkin open and scoop out the seeds.  You can roast the seeds if you would like.}

 {Step 3: Place pumpkin in casserole dishes and roast until tender, about 1 hour}

{Step 4: Allow pumpkin to cool}

{Step 5: Peel off the waxy part of the pumpkin}

{Step 6: Using a blender or food processor, puree the pumpkin}

{Step 7: Use or store in the fridge for up to 1 month}

So there you have it!  Really easy right?  So now what?  You can use it like any other pumpkin puree!  Some ideas:  pumpkin juice or pumpkin bacon sauce!

Mine happens to be more watery than I would like especially for baking so I will be putting it in a strainer overnight before using it to bake some Pumpkin-Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies for my in-law's Thanksgiving.

PS-Don't forget to enter my crock-pot giveaway!

Pin It

Tuesday Tip: How to Frost or Decorate Cupcakes

I will confess--I am no master baker!  I can get by though.  For my brother's wedding, I bit the bullet and took my time to decorate and frost cupcakes.  A first for me (since culinary school at least!).  I watched YouTube videos and everything!

This is another first for me--I videotaped me decorating these cupcakes!  I know!  I'm moving up in this blogging world by leaps and bounds!  I didn't narrate, but I'll type out directions.

Frosting Cupcakes

I wanted a simple, flat frosting job for the base.  You start in the center and work your way out in a spiral.  To finish, dip your tip back into the frosting and pull off to the side.  Easy!

Decorating Cupcakes

These were chocolate overload so what was a little more chocolate drizzle?  No much.  Below you can see my drizzling technique.  Note--the best part is the chocolate paper!  Yes, I shamelessly ate the chocolate off the paper.  Don't judge.

Sorry for being MIA, but I started a new job yesterday! Plus, I'm having to figure out a new posting schedule because Blogger, Facebook, and Pinterest are blocked at work! LOL It's a very small trade-off so I'll be figuring out how to post over the next few days so please be patient with me!

PS--I'm really, really loving my new job!  They are in the midst of change and revamping so my organizational side is in overdrive!  YAY!!! 

PPS--Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway!

Pin It

Tuesday Tip: Curry Powder

Some of the best recipes come in dire need.  For instance, this curry powder recipe is a perfect example.  I was making Indian Chicken Stew and realized that I short a very large amount of curry the recipe called for.  Not one to panic, I googled how to make curry powder and adapted it to what I had.  I used the curry powder several other times before declaring it delicious and my only curry powder from now on.  Sometimes out of dire circumstances comes beauty and new recipes!

{Homemade curry powder}

Curry Powder

Makes 2 oz

4 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1. Mix together until well combined.
2. Store in an airtight container.

If you want more spice mixes, check out my taco, fajita, and Cajun recipes!

Pin It

Tuesday Tip: Zucchini Noodles

I try to eat gluten-free, but sometimes, a girl just wants to eat pasta.  I saw the idea of making zucchini noodles on Pinterest, and it intrigued me so I had to try it!

 {Zucchini Noodles}

 {This is a type of zester which can be found at kitchen gadget stores.  If you have a mandolin, that would work too!}

Step 1: Cut zucchini in half lengthwise.

{Raw zucchini noodles}

Step 2:  Drag the zester down the length of the zucchini making long strings of "spaghetti".  If using a mandolin, set the blades to a 1/8 inch by 1/8 inch and run the zucchini along the mandolin.

 {Boiling zucchini noodles}

Step 3:  Boil the zucchini noodles in hot water for 3-5 minutes.  This is just to get the noodles warm.

 {Cooked zucchini noodles}

Step 4:  Drain the zucchini noodles and then plate.

 {I topped mine with homemade spaghetti sauce}

Step 5:  Use like you would regular pasta by adding it to a dish and making sauce or topping it with a sauce that was already made, like spaghetti sauce.

Step 6:  Enjoy!

If you are gluten-free, how else do you satisfy a craving for pasta?  I've tried quinoa pasta, and just plain gluten-free pasta.  I love the idea that this gives you another veggie!  I'd love to hear how you do gluten-free!

Pin It

Tuesday Tip: Cleaning a Crock-Pot

After grabbing a cleaned crock-pot (the hubby so graciously washed), I was hit by this smell.  The crock-pot was clean, but it smelled like there was still food inside!  Not good!

{Better Homes and Gardens Skinny Slow Cooker is on stands now!}

I bought a Better Homes and Garden Slow Cooker cookbook (so many helpful hints and tips PLUS I want to make about 75% of the recipes--so go get one!).  As fate would have it, that afternoon, I read about how to clean your crock-pot from smells and hard stains.   So I've tried it a couple of times, and it actually works!  It's easy and simple, and the cleaning supplies are in your kitchen right now!

Smells

Mix 2 cups baking soda with 1 cup water (should be a thick paste that can easily be spread).  Spread along all inside surfaces of your crock-pot and allow to sit for 20 minutes.  Rinse, wash, and use!

 {Mixing the paste on the left and applying it on the right}

Stains/Discoloration

In a clean crock-pot, fill it halfway full of warm water.  Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the water.  Turn the crock-pot on low.  Leave the vinegar water in the crock-pot for 8-10 hours (or overnight).  Cool. Wash before next use.

 {Use vinegar to get rid of stains and discolorations from minerals in your food and/or water}

What did all of this result in?  A good-smelling, almost-brand-new-looking crock-pot!!!  I do have to say that I have been cooking in it about 4 days a week for the last year, so she needed some TLC!

{Clean crock-pot}

Now I bet you are itching to go home and make your crock-pot look as awesome as mine came out!  How often have I cleaned it like this?  Only when it was needed.  Otherwise, soap and warm water does the trick!

Pin It

Tuesday Tip: Bake with Yogurt

Yes you read that right--bake with yogurt.  I saw it on Pinterest a while ago, and I just had never gotten around to actually doing it.  Why?  Because I was worried that it wouldn't work!  LOL  Good news is that it did!  Not only that, I tried it twice with muffins and cupcakes, and it worked both times!  It's really easy--just follow the recipes below!

 {Healthy Cupcakes}

 {Just three ingredients!  The batter will not be as runny as you are used to, but it does work out!}

Healthy Cupcakes

Makes 18 cupcakes

1 box cake mix (whatever you like!)
6 oz vanilla Greek yogurt (your favorite)
1 cup water

1. Preheat oven to temperature specified on the cake mix package.
2. Line a muffin tin with liners.
3. Mix cake mix, water and yogurt together until well combined.
4. Spoon into liner until 2/3 full.
5. Bake according to cake mix directions.
6. Cool.
7. Enjoy!

I didn't ice the cupcakes because I didn't have any, and I am not a frosting fan.  Besides, if you leave it without frosting, it would technically count as a muffin!  Right? Speaking of muffins...

 {Healthy Muffins}

 {Just three ingredients!  Only fill liners up 2/3 because they will rise!}

Healthy Muffins

Makes 12 muffins

2 packages muffin mix (whatever you like!)
6 oz vanilla Greek yogurt (your favorite)
2 oz milk

1. Preheat oven to temperature specified on the muffin mix package.
2. Line a muffin tin with liners.
3. Mix muffin mix, milk  and yogurt together until well combined.
4. Spoon into liner until 2/3 full.
5. Bake according to muffin mix directions.
6. Cool.
7. Enjoy!

How much "healthier" are these baked goods?  Well, first of all, they are baked goods so not the healthiest, but adding 6 oz of Greek which only has 120 calories compared to 3 eggs and 1/2 cup oil (one egg alone has about 100 calories!) is definitely better.

Everyone loved how moist the baked goods were!  The hubby claimed all of the blueberry muffins as his own so I had to smuggle some out for co-workers to try!  They loved them too, and the muffins got the same reviews as the cupcakes.  I'm definitely making them this way from now on.

So tell me--will you try baking with yogurt?

Pin It

Tuesday Tip: Fajita Seasoning

Seeing as how I made taco seasoning, it only made sense to continue on with fajita seasoning.  Then I had to make fajitas.....  That's the natural progression of things around my house.

 {Fajita Seasoning}

 {Fajita seasoning's individual spices}

Fajita Seasoning

Makes 4 tablespoons spice mix or 2 fajita meals

1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne

1. Mix ingredients together until well combined.
2. Store in an air tight container until ready to use.

So go home and make the seasoning tonight so you can make fajitas tomorrow for dinner!  They are quick and easy--promise!

Pin It

Tuesday Tip: Season Wooden Spoons

Huh?  Season wooden spoons?  Why would anyone do that?

Those are the same questions I asked when my grandpa asked if I seasoned my wooden spoons.  He took that as a "no", and he taught me about why and how to season wooden spoons.  In a nutshell, wooden is an organic material that breaks down overtime.  Just like a cast iron skillet needs to be seasoned, so do wooden spoons!

Wooden spoons also have some rules:

1. Do not soak wooden spoons in any liquid at any time.
2. Do not use soap on wooden spoons.
3. Any time a wooden spoon touches raw meat or eggs, re-season it before using it again.

How do you season wooden spoons?  It's really easy and only took about 5 minutes!

{Step 1:  Lay out your unseasoned (and sad) wooden spoons}

 {Step 2:  Look over your spoons for dents, fuzziness, splinters, etc.  The spoon on the left is fuzzy while the one on the right is splintering}

 {Step 3:  Take fine grit sandpaper and sand the wooden spoons until smooth.  You can sand out burn marks, fuzziness, and even small splinters!}

 {Step 4:  Take olive oil (one used for frying or sauteing) and rub down the wooden spoons.  Make sure to give each groove a good massage!}

{Step 5:  Place the wooden spoons in the oven and turn it on to 350.}

{Step 6:  As soon as the oven reaches 350, turn the oven off and leave the wooden spoons in the oven to cool.}

{Step 7:  Take your cooled wooden spoons out of the oven and admire their shininess and softness!}

Then follow the rules mentioned above, and your wooden spoons will keep for YEARS!  The wooden spoon on the far left has been in my family for YEARS.  It needs to be seasoned really well a few more times.  The others were much newer and looked brand new after only seasoning them once.  The rubber spatula did fine in a 350 oven because it's heat proof to 450.  If you're not sure, I wouldn't risk it!

Since this is so easy, I'll definitely be doing this once a week to keep my spoons healthy!

Have you ever heard or done this?

Pin It

Tuesday Tip: Cajun Seasoning

Since I'm just loving the idea of making your own spice mixes, I decided to make my own Cajun Seasoning mainly because my local health food store stopped carrying it in bulk, and anything from the store has who-knows-what in it.  It took me a few tries, but here it is!

{Cajun Seasoning}

 {Mix the spices in a bowl or jar}

This is a bit spicy for me, but the hubby loves it!  He is OBSESSED with Cajun Garlic Bread, and this spice mix is the star of that recipe.

Cajun Seasoning

Makes 2 oz

2 teaspoons Kosher salt
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons paprika (1 teaspoon if you don't like it too spicy)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (1/2 teaspoon if you don't like it too spicy)
1 1/4 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/4 teaspoons dried thyme

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Store in an airtight container.

Do you make your own spice mixes?  I'd love to hear about them!

Pin It

Tuesday Tip: How to Brown Butter

Sorry for being MIA yesterday.  Mondays always seem to be super busy for me.  Today, we are talking about how to brown butter.  What do you brown butter for?  Not much in American cuisine.  India uses it more often, but consider browning butter to add flavor and depth.  Even if you only slightly brown it!

 

{Step 1:  Slowly melt the butter in a pan}

 

{Step 2:  Don't walk away!  This process only takes 3 minutes (approximately) and you don't want burned butter!}

 

{Step 3:  Butter fat should start to brown.  You should also start to smell something slightly nutty.  Don't walk away!}

 

{Step 4:  Pull butter off the heat as more butter fats get brown.  The butter will smell nice and nutty now!}

{Step 5:  Use as directed by the recipe} 

Some great recipes to try browned butter are Roasted Cauliflower with Brown Butter Bread Crumbs or Salted Brown Butter Crispy Treats!  I haven't tried it yet, but my favorite food blogger, smitten kitchen, suggests using it in mashed potatoes instead of regular butter.  It's on my list to try!

Pin It