Thursday, 20 August 2009

Under Sink Water Filters

So let's talk not so much about cooking or cookery utensils, but on the main ingredient that all cooks use in abundance. Water! How pure is that stuff coming out of your tap and is it really fit for drinking? Well, most cities have pretty clean water, but plenty more do not and they don't exactly fall oevr themselves to tell you about it!

So what can we do to ensure a clean and pure water supply not just for drinking but also for cooking. The reason being that it may not be so well known or even thought about, but that the food you cook in water does absorb what's in that water. So if you live in an area where there is a lot of chlorine in your water, you don't want that being absorbed in your food, do you? What is the solution then?

Under Sink Water Filters



Under sink water filters solve a big part of the problem by taking out all the impurities that may be in your drinking water supply. That includes chlorine, excessive calcium and heavy metals such as aluminium, lead and other dangerous metals that are present in many municipal water supplies. It also includes many chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides and fungicides that are present in rural water supplies thanks to farmers spraying their crops with a cocktail of lethal chemicals. Not to mention a variety of bacteria that finds its way into your water supply!

So this is something that you may want to think quite seriously about if you are in any doubt as to the purity of your water supply. It solves a lot of problems and takes away many of the worries associated with what you are drinking and cooking with in your kitchen!

Saturday, 21 February 2009

Cookery

Here at Kitchen Cooks there's always room for some ramblings about the fine art of cookery, so without further ado, let's ramble!

If you thought that cooking and baking cakes etc for several people puts you between a rock and a hard place, you could be right. Frosting designs on cupcakes is a lot of fun, after all. But the first rule of every kitchen is:

"A clean kitchen is a happy kitchen."

So instead of scrambling for things and knocking over a load of stuff just because you never bothered top put it away and clean up after you, plan ahead of time. Get all the stuff you need for the current project and make sure all the rest of the paraphernalia is safely stowed away. You'll need measuring tools, non stick cookware such as pots, pans and trays as well as the necessary cleaning supplies for afterwards.

Always make sure your worktops are clear before you start preparing food. A love for the culinary arts will certainly last a lifetime. Avoid over-cooking pasta to prevent it sticking. For salads try slicing eggs, cabbage or even tofu. Choose good quality ingredients for the best results. Rice is better for being slightly underdone rather than overdone.

Making your own ginger bread house will keep you occupied for a while. Maybe this will fill in the blanks about the great ideas about grilling. Tomatoes are one of the most versatile ingredients in food. That was a good tip. Some cooking utensils need to be of the highest quality. If your workspace is too cluttered, accidents can happen. Cookery can be grouped into a few major categories.

This is sophisticated equipment we're talking about. First, identify the cookery you need. Know what you're up against before undertaking any food recipe. It's time for some desperate measures. Add a little vinegar to stir-fry vegetables for extra zing. It will guarantee that you'll get lots of creative cooking ideas. Cooking with quality tools is a real joy. Remember to keep an eye on water boiling in a pan. First, let's deal with frying. No cooking project should be undertaken until the rules are clear and understood.

When chopping vegetables make sure you use a sharp knife. Don't waste your money on cheap things for your kitchen . There are many simple cake and pie recipes that are easy to make. I'm not sure if it's in season. Get prepared by setting up the cooking zone. When you're up to your elbows in dough, you'll hardly have time for much else. Fresh garlic should always be chopped and never crushed.

You can bake a cake in the microwave these days. To prevent others from finding a used grilling that connects poorly with pots and pans. Always make sure that you use the right tool for the job. When you treat your stainless steel cookware with respect it will last for many years. Always wash your hands before preparing food. Use very hot olive oil to healthily stir-fry foods. To preserve their lifespan, never use metallic implements in non-stick pans. Are you a trifle bored with this. Follow the recipe as closely as possible.

Baking desserts can bring out the artist in anyone. You'll have plenty of opportunities to get creative with decorating cakes and treats. Take extra care when using very sharp knives. Make your mind up quickly when there is a choice of food that makes for easy cooking. Heavy cast iron pans disperse heat the best. Do you have a fussy eater in the family. Shop for the best quality meat and vegetables. Watch out for droplets of hot oil from a hot skillet. You should be aware of your culinary boundaries.

Spending time in the kitchen is actually quite relaxing when its something you enjoy doing. It should never be a chore, or feel like hard work, or you'll stop enjoying it and that would be a terrible shame. So make light of being in the kitchen and enjoy what you do in there!

Ok, that's it for today. See you again soon.

Terry

Tuesday, 16 December 2008

The Oven in the Kitchen

Hi everyone, back again after introducing this blog in the last post Kitchen Cooks, its time to get the oil hot and see what's cooking!

If you're wondering just what the oven in the kitchen has got to do with anything, its that I have this oven and it needs replacing, but that's something I'll get around to eventually. Why does it need replacing? Because its got a mind of its own and has a nasty mean streak to boot!

What's this? Well, being an electric oven and supposed to be a good one, you can set it to the temperature you want and then once it's pre-heated itself for several minutes, a cake should be able to bake consistently and come out pretty much perfect every time, right?

Wrong!

This damn oven has other ideas. Same cake, same recipe, same measures every time, but every time a different result, from being under-done to over-done to under-risen to over-risen and collapsed. You name it, that oven does not do it!

So it will have to be replaced with one that does what its supposed to as I'm getting tired of guessing how the next cake will turn out! That also goes with roasts and just about all the other things you need a good, stable, reliable oven for! You need to cook with ingredients that cost money, such as spices, herbs, condiments etc never mind the main ingredients that are likely to end up being thrown in the bin if the resulting dish is ruined because the oven didn't work properly!

So there, I just had a nice little rant about the bane of my current kitchen and really didn't say anything of much value - but them who said this blog was going to be a cookery lesson?

Catch you later!

Terry