How to Cook Dried Beans
https://ift.tt/2DKDJSi Home-cooked dried beans are an easy way to stretch a dollar, boost the nutritional value of dinner, and round out a meal. Canned beans also have a place in my home, but the flavor, texture, and versatility of dried beans can’t be beaten. The key to cooking a delicious batch of from-scratch beans on the stovetop depends on two things: the age of your beans and knowing when to salt them. The rest is up to you. WHICH DRIED BEANS TO COOKI use this simple stovetop method for small, medium, or large beans such as the following:
Note: This method will not work for lentils or split peas, which are not really beans per se but still in the legume family. Lentils cook much quicker than the aforementioned beans and don’t require pre-cooking. HOW OLD ARE YOUR BEANS?If you’ve ever spent hours on end cooking beans and they are still too firm to enjoy, the culprit probably isn’t the recipe or your cooking technique, but rather the bean itself. If you happen to get to the point where you’ve cooked these beans and come to this unfortunate end, unfortunately, your best bet is to pitch them. For the most part, dry beans are best used within two years of harvest. Knowing a harvest date isn’t always the easiest, but most dry beans at the supermarket have a best buy date printed on the bag. Check it before you buy or, barring that, if you’ve got a random bag lying around in the pantry, before you cook it. If the beans are past their prime, save them for pie weights and replace them with something fresher. To ensure freshness when shopping for beans at the supermarket look for the best buy date on the bag and have a general idea of when want to cook them. Alternatively, look for local producers at your farmers market and ask them about harvest dates. The best part about beans that they are a relatively low maintenance and low cost nutritional powerhouse. You don’t need to overthink them. SHOULD YOU SOAK YOUR BEANS?The Internet debate on soaking will go on until the end of time. Overnight soak, quick soak, or no soak at all—these are all hotly contended! The biggest benefit to soaking beans the night before you want to use them is that it will reduce your cooking time. Look at your schedule for the day and the time you have on your hands, and make the best choice for you. If that is a priority for you, then by all means soak away. I tested both Great Northern Beans and garbanzo beans (chickpeas). I found that the unsoaked beans took only 30 minutes longer than the soaked beans to reach peak tenderness, and I didn’t notice a discernible difference in texture when it came to the finished bean. Like many things when it comes to home cooking, your desire to soak or not soak is a personal choice. You will not destroy your beans, your dinner, or your gastrointestinal system by choosing one method over the other. Ready to soak (or not)?! See below for the scoop on each method. OPTION 1: SOAK YOUR BEANS OVERNIGHTThis method is for you because:
What to do: Put the beans in a bowl. Cover with water. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap. Leave overnight on the countertop. Drain, rinse, cook, and eat. OPTION 2: QUICK-SOAKING YOUR BEANSThis method is for you because:
What to do: Put beans in a pot. Cover with water. Bring them to a boil. Cover. Remove from heat and let rest in the warm water for an hour depending upon the bean. Proceed with recipe. OPTION 3: DON’T SOAK YOUR BEANSThis method is for you because:
What to do: Put beans in a pot. Cover with water. Cook. Eat. HOW LONG TO COOK DRIED BEANSSince cooking time depends on the age of your beans and whether your soaked them, there’s just no way of providing specific cook times when it comes to beans, but in general:
Want really fast beans? Make them in the pressure cooker! How to Make Fast, No-Soak Beans in the Pressure Cooker WHEN TO SALT YOUR BEANSThis debate about salt is as endless and contested as the soaking debate. In my tests, salting the beans at the beginning of the cook time resulted in a firm-textured bean that took longer to cook. However, salting the beans in the middle of the cooking process gave the beans enough time to season properly and resulted in a creamy texture. The latter is definitely better. In short, season the beans with salt when they are tender enough to taste (meaning you can bite through them), but not completely cooked through (still a little toothsome). This may be anywhere from half to three quarters of the way through the cooking process. A NOTE ON ADDING SUGAR TO BEANSIf you want to make sweet beans, such as Boston Baked Beans, prepare yourself for the long haul. Sugar, like salt, makes it difficult for the beans to soften. They will eventually cook, but it can take five hours or better. HOW TO MAKE A POT OF BEANSHere’s the run-down of how to make a basic pot of beans, bringing together everything we’ve talked about so far:
A few extra notes:
WAYS TO FLAVOR A POT OF BEANSFrom the start of cooking:
After the beans have been cooked and drained:
HOW LONG DO COOKED BEANS KEEP?Once cooked, beans will keep in the fridge for up to four days and can be frozen for months. Whether you store the beans in their cooking liquid or drain them first is depends on how you intend to use them. If I know I’m probably going to use the beans as a side dish on their own or in a soup, then I want the creamy liquid full of starchy goodness. If I will probably use them in a salad or possibly a mashed filling in my child’s black bean quesadillas, then I will likely drain them. HOW TO FREEZE COOKED BEANSIf you’re looking for a great way to maximize space and get ahead of the cooking game, check out Emma’s post on How to Freeze Beans and Broth. Save your Cooking Liquid!If you don’t store the bean in their liquid save it anyway. Depending upon how you season the beans the cooking liquid can be frozen and added to soups or chilis to add body. You can also reduce the liquid until it becomes Aquafaba (bean water). It’s ready when the consistency of the cooking liquid is similar to egg whites. Then use it as an egg replacer in any number of recipes. Vegans have been doing it for years. GREAT RECIPES TO USE A POT OF BEANSRecipes via Simply Recipes https://ift.tt/2F9fkDA November 26, 2018 at 09:05AM
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Self Care is Essential (Especially During the Holidays)
https://ift.tt/2QmspCD Self care has almost become a buzzword in the health community and while I’m happy that it’s getting more attention, I have mixed feelings about it. Self care is essential for each and every one of us, but self care doesn’t need to be trendy. It’s not about treating yourself to a fancy green smoothie, a luxurious spa day or having the perfect bathtub set up with candles and eucalyptus. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes self care does look like that, but it’s not about the Instagram shot. It’s about what your body needs to bring your best self into this world. It’s about taking care of ourselves so we can be our best (for us) and for everyone around us. True self care takes conscious thought and some self reflection. Asking yourself, “What do I really need in this moment. . . what will serve me best right now?” I think this is especially important to keep in mind throughout the holiday season. Stress tends to peak from Halloween to New Years as our to-do lists become a mile long and our calendars fill up. And this is on top of our normal, everyday obligations. So naturally I see the holidays as a time to really lean in to self care and start incorporating more daily practices that have you feeling loved, relaxed and bit more balanced. Starting now means that you’ll be able to carry these habits through to the new year. Carve out some time for y-o-u right now and the next few months won’t feel quite as overwhelming… promise. Self care looks different for everyone, but I thought it’d be helpful to share some of my favorite ways I care for myself. Just remember that what I do for my self care might look totally different from what you do for self care so take these as ideas, not as a to-do list. And as always, I would love to hear how you practice self care. Leave a comment and let me know! Journaling. I find when I’m feeling the most drained, stressed, anxious, exhausted (#allthefeels) journaling helps immensely. I brain dump on paper to get my swirling thoughts out and remind myself of who I am and what I bring to this world. I especially love my 5 Minute Journal which helps me really focus on gratitude and all the things I have to be thankful for in my life. Reading. I love escaping in a good book! I often tell myself I “don’t have time” to read but when I step back and realize what I actually spend my time on *cough Instagram cough*, I realize I have plenty of time to read. Last November I bought a Kindle Paperwhite before our trip to Israel so it’s been almost a full year and guess what? Until last month I hadn’t read a single book on it. Needless to say, I realized that I really need to start reading again so I purchased Girl Wash Your Face and flew through it (such a good read) and now I’m reading Push by Chalene Johnson. I’ve actually found that I can read from my Kindle while walking on the treadmill and it’s been a game-changer. Quality time. There’s really no replacement for good ol’ human interaction. True human interaction… not through a screen. I make it a point to set aside time during the week for quality time with Isaac and quality time with my girlfriends. I am a better person after I hang with my people! Unplugging. I truly love what I do and feel so lucky that this is my job…but as an influencer sometimes I feel like I’m always “on” and constantly having to share. That said, I think it’s really important for me to set boundaries around technology and disconnect from my work at times. Last week Isaac and I went to see a Aziz Anaziz perform and as part of the event we were required to put our phones in a little pouch (called a Yondr pouch) that was locked during the show. It was actually amazing and made for an experience where everyone in the audience was truly present and not pulling their phone out to check a notification or take a photo. It’s moments like this where I realize how truly distracting technology can be and how our phones can often create this scenario where we’re not really enjoying the present moment. And don’t get me started social media because I feel like the comparison trap goes to another level during the holidays and fuels the urge to buy buy buy. Just another reason to disconnect and focus on being grateful for what you have in life and making real life connections and memories. Moving. I feel my best when I move my body. This looks different depending on the day. Sometimes it’s a treadmill walk, sometimes it’s a strength session at the gym. When I set aside time to move, my body feels amazing and my mind is clearer. Lately I’ve started a new challenge to get in 10,000 steps every day. I know this might not seem like a ton to some people, but it’s a doable goal for me. When it comes to moving — set a goal that’s a bit challenging but doable and stick with it. I bet you’ll be surprised by good it makes you feel. Mediating or yoga. This kind of goes hand and hand with moving more if you think of yoga as a workout, but I find the mental benefits of yoga (and mediation) are even more powerful than the physical benefits. I’m somewhat of a newbie when it comes to mediating so I still use an app to guide me and I usually don’t meditate for more than a few minutes, but every little bit helps. Even deep breathing can be so beneficial. Evening elixir. I know this sounds so bougie, but as part of my evening routine I’ve been closing the kitchen after dinner and making myself something hot to drink — either herbal tea or a Four Sigmatic mushroom elixir. The drinks are something I look forward to every night. They’re relaxing and they keep me from snacking after dinner. My current favs are the regular reishi, the reishi hot cocoa, the reishi chai and the golden milk latte. If I’m going to have tea I really like this candy cane lane tea that’s a decaf green tea with peppermint and spices and ginger aid which is great for digestion. Saying no. This one is kind of tough, but it can be so liberating once you start doing it. I love this Zen Habits article about saying no so that you can say yes to things you really want to do. I feel like this one is especially important around the holidays. You don’t HAVE to commit yourself to things you don’t want to do! Just find a nice way to politely decline. Your friends and family will understand. Does self care look like a bubble bath or a massage some days? Sure, but it’s not the whole picture. Anyone can practice self care wherever they are, whenever they need. Self care is not an indulgence, it’s essential. What does self care look like for you? The post Self Care is Essential (Especially During the Holidays) appeared first on Eating Bird Food. Recipes via Eating Bird Food https://ift.tt/1L45wsH November 26, 2018 at 08:31AM
Kitchen Gift Guide + Our (New!) Shop Section
https://ift.tt/2Am5Yn0 Happy post-Thanksgiving! I hope you all had a great meal and also a relaxing long weekend. Me? I’ve been a busy bee putting the finishing touches on this new “Shop” section of our website so that we could launch it before Black Sunday or Cyber Monday or whatever-the-heck these gift-crazy days are called. I typically write some sort of gift guide post around this time of year, but this time I’m doing things a little bit different. Here’s why! I get tons and tons of emails about my recommendations for cookware, kitchen tools, storage containers, pretty dishes, what camera we use, etc, etc. I usually write long emails back to each and every person, but NOW I have organized nearly everything that I own and love here on this page in one spot. This way, you can conveniently browse by categories including cookware, kitchen tools, prep/storage, tabletop, hostess gifts, and more. I’ll keep the shop section updated throughout the year, so consider it your kitchen resource whether you’re looking to upgrade your pots and pans, you’re wondering what glass storage containers I like to freeze soups in, or you just want to know what tahini I think is best. This section might as well be called “a peek into Jeanine’s kitchen” because everything I’ve put in here are things that I literally own. That means that the cookware has stood the test of time and the kitchen tools are tried and true. I also get a lot of questions about what camera we use, so there’s a photography category over there as well. I hope this is helpful! The images in this post are just a few items that I’ve included, click here to go to the SHOP section and see the rest! If you have any requests for items that I might have missed, please let me know! The post Kitchen Gift Guide + Our (New!) Shop Section appeared first on Love and Lemons. Recipes via Love and Lemons https://ift.tt/2h2Uz32 November 25, 2018 at 02:44PM
Peanut Butter Blossoms
https://ift.tt/2KuzMT7 Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies! When was the last time you made these favorite childhood cookies? Don't know? Let's remedy that. Chocolate and peanut butter belong together, and these easy cookies prove it. Photography Credit: Aaron Hutcherson A soft peanut butter cookie with a gooey chocolate kiss in the middle. What more could you ask for from a cookie? WHAT IS A PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOM?The peanut butter blossom is a fairly straightforward cookie that has been beloved for decades. It was invented by Freda Smith of Gibsonburg, Ohio for the 1957 Pillsbury Bake-Off. It didn’t win the competition, but it won the hearts of America and has been a national favorite ever since. The ideal version of this treat starts with a thick, soft peanut butter cookie. I don’t have the fond memories of peanut butter blossoms from my childhood that some of you might have—I wasn’t introduced to these beloved treats until later in life—but I do have a longstanding love for peanut butter cookies. They’re my dad’s favorite, so I’ve definitely made a few different versions of the nutty treat over the years. The addition of the chocolate kiss provides a salty-sweet flavor combo (a perennial favorite!) and really takes this cookie over the top. BUTTER OR SHORTENING TO MAKE PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMS?Many recipes for this cookie call for vegetable shortening, but I prefer to use butter for a better flavor. Shortening yields a thicker cookie with less spreading, but my recipe does just that without sacrificing the rich depth of butter. However, this recipe will still work with shortening if that’s all you have on hand. WHICH PEANUT BUTTER TO USE?When it comes to the peanut butter, feel free to use your favorite. I’m a smooth and creamy guy, but chunky peanut butter is fine, too. I even tested this recipe with an all-natural spread and the cookies turned out great—just be sure to mix the peanut butter thoroughly before adding it to the batter to get rid of any separation. HOW TO STORE PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMSThe peanut butter blossom is a classic for cookie platters, cookie swaps, and bake sales. They are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature, which will help keep the chocolate kiss nice and soft. They will keep for several days before they start to dry out. They hold up well in shipping, too! Just chill them for a bit in the fridge first so the chocolate can harden and retain its shape in transport. HOW TO FREEZE PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMSPlanning ahead? You can freeze the cookie dough after it’s been rolled in sugar, or you can freeze the finished cookies after baking and cooling. MORE IDEAS FOR PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE!Peanut Butter Blossoms RecipePrintIngredients
Method1 Preheat the oven to 350˚F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. 2 Mix the wet and dry ingredients separately: Mix together the butter, peanut butter, and both sugars in a bowl with a wooden spoon (or you can use an electric or stand mixer) until smooth and combined; add in the egg and mix until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. 3 Make the cookie dough: Slowly, in a couple of additions, add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture and combine to form the cookie dough. 4 Shape the cookie: Add a few tablespoons of sugar to a small bowl. Scoop into balls with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough. Roll between your hands to form a ball, and then coat it with sugar. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet a couple of inches apart. 5 Bake the cookies: Bake the cookies on the middle rack about 12 minutes, until slightly spread out, domed on the top, and golden on the bottom. Immediately press a chocolate kiss in the center of each cookie. 5 Cool and store: Let the cookies cool for a couple of minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a rack to finish cooling completely. These cookies will keep for a few days stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Hello! All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish this recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words and link back to Peanut Butter Blossoms on Simply Recipes. Thank you! PrintProducts We LoveThis post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; your purchases via these links can benefit Simply Recipes. Read more about our affiliate linking policy. Aaron Hutcherson Aaron or “Hutch” is the blogger behind The Hungry Hutch, which features a delicious variety of savory and sweet recipes. He grew up in the Midwest, but has called New York City home for nearly a decade. Recipes via Simply Recipes https://ift.tt/2F9fkDA November 25, 2018 at 09:03AM
Skinnytaste Meal Plan (November 26-December 2)
https://ift.tt/2BtD8TE Skinnytaste Meal Plan (November 26-December 2)posted November 24, 2018 by Gina A free 7-day flexible meal plan including breakfast, lunch and dinner and a shopping list. All recipes include calories and Weight Watchers Freestyle™ SmartPoints®. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! A few notes, I will be doing a book signing in Long Island, Sunday, December 9, 2018 from Noon – 2:00 p.m. at Stew Leonard’s, 1897 Front Street, East Meadow, NY. Hope to see some of you there! If you’re new to my meal plans, I’ve been sharing these free, 7-day flexible healthy meal plans (you can see my previous meal plans here) that are meant as a guide, with plenty of wiggle room for you to add more food, coffee, beverages, fruits, snacks, dessert, wine, etc or swap recipes out for meals you prefer, you can search for recipes by course in the index. You should aim for around 1500 calories* per day. There’s also a precise, organized grocery list that will make grocery shopping so much easier and much less stressful. Save you money and time. You’ll dine out less often, waste less food and you’ll have everything you need on hand to help keep you on track. Lastly, if you’re on Facebook join my Skinnytaste Facebook Community where everyone’s sharing photos of recipes they are making, you can join here. I’m loving all the ideas everyone’s sharing! THE DETAILS:Breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday, are designed to serve 1 while dinners and all meals on Saturday and Sunday are designed to serve a family of 4. Some recipes make enough leftovers for two nights or lunch the next day. While we truly believe there is no one size fits all meal plan, we did our best to come up with something that appeals to a wide range of individuals. Everything is Weight Watchers friendly, I included the updated Weight Watcher Freestyle Points for your convenience, feel free to swap out any recipes you wish or just use this for inspiration! The grocery list is comprehensive and includes everything you need to make all meals on the plan. I’ve even included brand recommendations of products I love and use often. Cross check your cabinets because many condiments you’ll notice I use often, so you may already have a lot of them. And last, but certainly not least, this meal plan is flexible and realistic. There’s plenty of wiggle room for cocktails, healthy snacks, dessert and dinner out. And if necessary, you can move some things around to make it work with your schedule. Please let me know if you’re using these plans, this will help me decide if I should continue sharing them! MONDAY (11/26) TUESDAY (11/27) WEDNESDAY (11/28) THURSDAY (11/29) FRIDAY (11/30) SATURDAY (11/1) SUNDAY (11/2) *Prep Mon-Thurs lunch on Sunday, if desired **Green salad includes 6 cups romaine, ½ cup each: carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, and 2 scallions. ***This is just a guide, women should aim for around 1500 calories per day. Here’s a helpful calculator to estimate your calorie needs. I’ve left plenty of wiggle room for you to add more food such as coffee, beverages, fruits, snacks, dessert, wine, etc
Shopping List: Produce
Meat, Poultry and Fish
Grains
Condiments and Spices
Dairy & Misc. Refrigerated Items
Frozen
Canned and Jarred
Misc. Dry Goods
*Can sub gluten-free, if desired. posted November 24, 2018 by Gina Recipes via Skinnytaste https://ift.tt/2ix3Luq November 24, 2018 at 09:58AM
Sheet-Pan Harissa Chicken with Carrots and Cauliflower
https://ift.tt/2AjDBpH Sheet Pan Harissa Chicken! If you're not familiar with harissa, it's a blend of chiles, spices, garlic, and olive oil. It livens up simple chicken and veggies in this sheet-pan dinner! Photography Credit: Sheryl Julian The star ingredient here isn’t the chicken or the vegetables, but a warm, bright, red pepper paste from North Africa that is both hot and smoky called harissa. WHAT IS HARISSA?Harissa is a red-colored paste blended from chilies, spices, garlic, and olive oil. Nearly every family in its region of origin has its own formula. Think of harissa as a cross between your favorite hot sauce (especially if that hot sauce is sriracha) and ketchup (if ketchup were made with peppers instead of tomatoes). A little goes a long way, so I like to stir olive oil and a little cumin and coriander into harissa to stretch it. In this sheet-pan of chicken, carrots, and cauliflower, I put dabs of the harissa on everything; it mixes with the cooking juices to make the dish warm and mildly hot. WHERE TO BUY HARISSAYou can buy harissa in a tube or jar, and they’re all different. It can be lipstick red or so dark that it’s almost burgundy. It also comes in powdered form, and in that case, follow the label instructions to rehydrate. Look for it in the condiment aisle of a store that carries a lot of specialty ingredients, such as Whole Foods, or order it online. HOW TO MAKE THIS SHEET PAN CHICKEN
This seems like a lot of time for roasting vegetables, I understand! But by the end of cooking, these slow-cooked vegetables have become incredibly juicy and charred in spots. The lemon and onions become very soft, so their sweet and tart flavors mingle in the dish, and the chicken skin is crisp with a pleasing heat. MAKE-AHEAD TIPThere is no way to shorten the vegetable roasting time, but you can make them a day ahead, refrigerate, and let the pan come to room temperature before adding the chicken and finishing the recipe. To prepare the dish partially in advance, cook the vegetables with the foil, and then with the foil off (through step 4). Cool, cover with the foil, and refrigerate. Before serving, remove the foil and let the vegetables come to room temperature. Then add the chicken and finish roasting. MORE SHEET PAN RECIPES TO TRY!Sheet-Pan Harissa Chicken with Carrots and Cauliflower RecipePrintIf you can only find the powdered harissa, add 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and ground coriander (skip the salt if your blend already includes salt) and then reconstitute using 2 tablespoons of harissa powder and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Ingredients
Method1 Make the marinade: In a bowl, stir the harissa paste with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, coriander, and cumin. The mixture should form a paste that just drops off the spoon. Stir in the remaining olive oil, if needed, a little at a time. 2 Marinate the chicken: If using thighs or legs, trim the excess skin and fat; transfer the thighs or legs or breasts to a bowl. Add half the harissa mixture and turn the chicken until it is thinly coated all over. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or for up to 12 hours. Refrigerate the remaining marinade separately until needed. 3 Prep the vegetables: Remove the green leaves from the cauliflower but do not core it. Cut the cauliflower into florets and stalks, and transfer them to a large rimmed baking sheet. Peel and cut the carrots into 2-inch pieces. Cut the thinner pieces half down the length; cut the larger, thicker pieces into quarters. Peel and cut the onion in half and slice 1/4-inch thick. 4 Cook the vegetables: Heat the oven to 425°F. Combine the cauliflower, onions, carrots, and lemon slices on a sheet pan. Add dabs of the remaining harissa mixture here and there over the vegetables. Sprinkle evenly with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add the water to the edge of the pan. Cover the pan with foil and cook the vegetables and the sliced lemons for 20 minutes. Remove and toss gently. Continue cooking for about 15 minutes, uncovered, or until the vegetables are almost tender when pierced with a skewer. Remove from the oven and turn again gently. 5 Cook the chicken and vegetables: Increase the oven temperature to 450°F. Set the chicken, skin side up, on the vegetables. Sprinkle evenly with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Continue cooking, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (breasts will register 160°F on a meat thermometer; legs and thighs 180°F). The vegetables will be very tender and are meant to be served quite soft. 6 Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve with rice or spaghetti. Hello! All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish this recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words and link back to Sheet-Pan Harissa Chicken with Carrots and Cauliflower on Simply Recipes. Thank you! PrintProducts We LoveThis post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; your purchases via these links can benefit Simply Recipes. Read more about our affiliate linking policy. Sheryl Julian Sheryl Julian is an award-winning writer, editor, and food stylist. She is the former food editor of The Boston Globe, co-author of The Way We Cook, and editor of The New Boston Globe Cookbook. Her food sections won Best Newspaper Food Coverage from the Association of Food Journalists in 2015. Recipes via Simply Recipes https://ift.tt/2F9fkDA November 24, 2018 at 09:01AM
Simply Recipes 2018 Meal Plan: November Week 4
https://ift.tt/2THwsYV Simply Recipes 2018 Meal Plan: November Week 4Here's your meal plan for the last week of November! We've got a cozy ham and cheese pasta bake, Singapore noodles with shrimp, roast pork tenderloin, and more! This month, please welcome Aaron Hutcherson and his November meal plans! Aaron is a regular contributor here on Simply Recipes and the blogger behind The Hungry Hutch. Congratulations! You survived Thanksgiving! If your family is anything like mine, there are still some remnants of the big meal lingering about in the fridge. So to kick things off, I’ve started with a recipe to try to use up the last of those leftovers. Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it’s time to get ready for the December holidays. Though as a kid I used to be most excited about the gifts, now I anticipate the gatherings of family and friends. (Oh, and the holiday parties!) Whatever it is that you do or don’t celebrate, there’s something that’s so special about this time of year. The joy and revelry becomes almost palpable in the air. And as we get ready to enter December, just weeks away from the start of winter, be sure to prepare yourselves for the impending season’s weather! This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; your purchases via these links can benefit Simply Recipes. Read more about our affiliate linking policy. Recipes via Simply Recipes https://ift.tt/2F9fkDA November 24, 2018 at 09:01AM
Simply Recipes 2018 Gift Guide: Top Picks Under $30
https://ift.tt/2TDILFS Simply Recipes 2018 Gift Guide: Top Picks Under $30Let Simply Recipes help you make gift-giving a breeze this year with our Top Gifts Under $30! Featuring ten stellar gifts chosen by our editorial team, crossing people off your list has never been easier. Giving doesn’t always have to be a grand gesture; sometimes small and sweet is the way to go. So we’ve gathered together all of our favorite finds under $30 to help you ring in the season right. From the coolest reusable coffee cup to our favorite finishing salt, you’ll find something here for everyone on your list! This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; your purchases via these links can benefit Simply Recipes. Read more about our affiliate linking policy. Recipes via Simply Recipes https://ift.tt/2F9fkDA November 23, 2018 at 09:09AM
Ginger Almond Biscotti
https://ift.tt/2AfqzJG Ginger almond biscotti cookie recipe with ginger and toasted almonds, as well as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and all spice. Perfect for dipping in coffee. Photography Credit: Elise Bauer These ginger almond biscotti are almost like gingersnaps in their crispiness and flavor! Fresh grated ginger goes into the batter, as well as toasted almonds and the usual suspects of fall spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. There are two camps of people when it comes to biscotti—those that like their biscotti super crispy and crunchy so the cookies hold up and are still crisp when dunked into coffee, and those that would prefer not to break their teeth biting into one and want their cookie to be a little more forgiving. Which camp do you fall in? Super crunchy coffee dipper? Or cakey enough to safely eat on their own? I’m sort of in-between. A biscotti should be crunchy, right? But it shouldn’t be so hard that it hurts. Crispy or Soft?The good news is that you as a baker can have a say in how you would like your biscotti to be. Biscotti are twice baked cookies. The cookie dough is first baked shaped as a flattened log. Then you cut it with a serrated knife into smaller individual cookies and bake those a second time. If you want softer cookies, just don’t bake them as long the second bake. If you want crisper cookies, bake them the second bake until they are well browned and crispy. Biscotti can either have butter or oil in the dough or not. Leaving out the fat will make for a much crispier cookie, but unless you are dunking them into liquid (coffee, tea, milk, wine), they might be a little hard and dry to eat. These biscotti include a full stick of butter, contributing to both the flavor and the texture. The best way to store biscotti
More Cookies to Serve with Coffee!Many thanks to my friends Nicky and Elise Targ for sharing this recipe with me decades ago! It was one of their favorites and is now one of mine. Updated November 23, 2018 : We spiffed up this post a little to make it sparkle! No changes to the recipe. Ginger Almond Biscotti RecipePrintIngredients
Method1 Bake the almonds: Spread the almonds out on a sheet pan and bake them at 350°F for 10 minutes. Let cool, then roughly chop. 2 Make the biscotti dough base: Beat together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy (about 3 to 4 minutes). Add the molasses and beat a minute more.
Add eggs one at a time, beating for 1 minute after each addition. Mix in the minced ginger. 3 Mix in the dry ingredients and the almonds: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves and allspice. Add the flour mixture into the butter and eggs mixture, one third at a time. Stir in the almonds.
4 Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour. 5 Shape into long rectangles: Turn the dough out onto a well-floured board, and divide in half. With floured hands, shape into long rectangles about 10-12 inches long, 2 1/2 inches wide and 1/2 inch high. Transfer to a parchment or silicone lined baking sheet.
6 Bake: Bake at 350°F until golden brown and firm to the touch in the center, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and let stand until cool enough to handle. 7 Cut diagonally: Transfer the rectangles to a cutting board. Using a serrated bread knife, cut the rectangles on the diagonal into 1/2-inch-thick slices. 8 Bake again: Return pieces cut side down to baking sheet. Re-bake 15-18 minutes, turning the biscotti over half way through baking.
Cool on wire rack. Store in airtight container. Dip in wine after dinner (classic Italian fashion) or coffee, tea, or hot cocoa. Hello! All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish this recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words and link back to Ginger Almond Biscotti on Simply Recipes. Thank you! PrintThis post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; your purchases via these links can benefit Simply Recipes. Read more about our affiliate linking policy. Elise Bauer Elise Bauer is the founder of Simply Recipes. Elise launched Simply Recipes in 2003 as a way to keep track of her family's recipes, and along the way grew it into one of the most popular cooking websites in the world. Elise is dedicated to helping home cooks be successful in the kitchen. Elise is a graduate of Stanford University, and lives in Sacramento, California. Recipes via Simply Recipes https://ift.tt/2F9fkDA November 23, 2018 at 09:09AM
Holiday Gift Guide 2018
https://ift.tt/2DTJbTW Holiday Gift Guide 2018posted November 23, 2018 by Camila With the holiday season fast approaching, I thought it’d be fun to put together a Holiday Gift Guide to help you find something for everyone on your list. This is a collection of some of my kitchen favorites, items my family loves, and some things I have my eye on for family, friends–and even myself! Here are my picks: I had to start this list with my latest cookbook: Skinnytaste One and Done. Inside you’ll find 140 delicious recipes all made in one pot, pan, slow cooker, skillet, etc. Easy to make, no-fuss recipes your family and friends will love. 2. Vremi 8-Piece Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set The best non-stick cookware! This set is perfect for any aspiring chef in your life that may be starting their cookware collection (or anyone who needs some color in their kitchen!) Dishwasher safe and nonstick, this 8 piece set is both fun and functional. My Inspiralizer is one of my go-to kitchen gadgets. There’s so much you can do with zoodles–casseroles, soups, salads, and more. I’ve found that this model by Inspiralized is the best one on the market. I’m trying to incorporate more environmentally friendly habits in my routine and a reusable water bottle, like one from S’well, is the perfect way to do just that. They’re BPA-free, stainless steel and keep your drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12. They come in various different prints, sizes and designs–one for everyone on your list. 5. Thermos Stainless Steel Food Jar For packing leftovers, lunch, and meals on the go, I use this Thermos to keep my food warm for up to 9 hours. Tommy uses one for work and Madison has her own for warm, winter school lunches. Perfect for anyone you know that eats on the run. A well-seasoned cast iron skillet is a must for delicious skillet bakes, perfectly browned pancakes and the ultimate seared steak. I use mine multiple times a week. Another kitchen essential is my dutch oven. A heavy bottomed pot will take your soups, stews, and roasts to the next level. Some simmering pasta sauce cooking on my stove is my ideal cozy winter day. 8. Instant Pot Of all my kitchen appliances, my Instant Pot might be my favorite (although it’s probably a tie for first place with my air fryer!) As much as I love slow, stovetop cooking, the Instant Pot helps me whip up family favorites in no time at all. It’s been a total changer in my home. My Skinnytaste Meal Planner is the perfect gift for anyone on your list trying to keep their healthy habits on track. This planner will help you plan (and stick to) your diet and exercise goals on a weekly basis. 10. Glass Meal Prep Containers To go along with your Skinnytaste Meal Planner, a set of glass meal prep containers is crucial for planning and portioning healthy meals. I love these that come in a set of five–one for each day of the work week. They’re microwave and oven friendly so reheating your food is easy (and cleanup is minimal too.) A set of good quality sheet pans is a must for any kitchen. From holiday baking to sheet pan dinners, these are some of my most used kitchen tools; I practically use them every day! This Calphalon grill pan is another favorite of mine. It gives your food an amazing grilled flavor without the hassle of cooking on (and cleaning!) your outdoor grill. A marble cheese board is elegant and sophisticated and a great gift for anyone in your life that loves entertaining. I particularly like the combination of this board’s white marble and the warm wood accent. 14. Winter Mugs Mugs are my go-to stocking stuffers. Adding some hot chocolate mix, quality coffee beans or loose tea to a mug is an easy way to make it a more special and personalized gift. This wintery, holiday mug is the perfect base for a cozy holiday drink gift. 15. Funny Coffee Mug A funny gift is a good idea for those people on your list you just don’t know what to get. This mug has a super relatable message and is sure to get a laugh out of your friends and family. I got this hat for a recent camping trip and I’m obsessed. It kept me warm the entire time while keeping me stylish too. Also, it’s lined with fleece which makes it extra cozy. 17. Hygge Pillow I love gifting warm pillows, blankets and other homewares to my friends and family that love to make their homes comfy and cozy. A pillow like this one is perfect for the college dorm dwellers and new homeowners on your list. The five minute journal is perfect for anyone in your life that’s craving more ‘me time’. Each page has prompts to help you jot down your daily and nightly goals, reflections and affirmations encouraging you to take just five minutes of your day to think about what you’re grateful for. 19. A subscription to Headspace Headspace is an amazing mindfulness and meditation app with short guided meditations that will help anyone relax, unwind and center themselves. I recently came across this book (full title: “Superpowers! A great big collection of awesome activities, quirky questions, and wonderful ways to see just how super you already are”) and instantly loved it. Similar to the Five Minute Journal, this kid and teen-friendly book is filled with fun prompts and exercises to help kids build their self-esteem and uncover the unique superpowers that make them who they are. One of Madison’s favorites of the year is her Kiwi Crate, a monthly subscription box of creative, hands-on, science projects. I love watching her play and explore with each month’s box and she loves putting the pieces together to create her finished product. There are boxes for kids of all age groups so you can share the gift of creativity with all the children in your family. 22. Amazon Alexa I had to put my Alexa on the list as she’s made my life so much easier. I use my Alexa to keep track of all my appointments, play music while I’m cooking or writing and build my shopping list as the day goes on. This is the perfect gift for anyone you know who’s trying to keep together a busy household and life. 23. Away Suitcase I’m obsessed with these Away suitcases. Simple, modern and super functional (they come with a built in phone charger!) they’re perfect for any traveler on your list. They come in a variety of colors and can be monogrammed to add a special and personal touch.
posted November 23, 2018 by Camila Recipes via Skinnytaste https://ift.tt/2ix3Luq November 23, 2018 at 07:42AM |
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