Food
A brief introduction to canning
Do you have more produce on hand than you know what to do with? If so, canning is a great way to make sure your food keeps all winter long.
Preparing food for canning
Here are some ways of preparing produce before it goes bad.
• Cooking. Turn your fruit into jam, make tomato sauce or blanch your vegetables before canning them.
• Pickling. Vinegar helps produce become acidic enough to be canned in a water bath. Try cucumbers, carrots, green beans or even peaches in a brine of vinegar and water.
Methods of canning
Home canning involves using sealed glass jars to conserve your food. There are a couple of ways to do this.
• Water bath canning. This method uses boiling water to heat jars and seal them. Only foods with high acidity like berries, pickles and tomatoes can be safely canned this way.
• Pressure canning. This technique involves using high temperatures to can meat and vegetables that aren’t acidic enough to be safely water canned. You’ll need a pressure canner, which is similar to a pressure cooker.
No matter what canning method you use, make sure to sterilize your jars and always use rings that are free of rust and lids that are brand new.
Food
Make a Memorable Meshwi: What You Need to Know
Summer is in full swing! It’s time for a vacation, and you want to celebrate with the family in the backyard. You’ve thought about it, scoured magazines, and paced the floor; what’s the best way to ensure your guests have a good time and are well-fed? Organize a Meshwi: a Middle Eastern-style barbecue where a whole animal is skewered and roasted to perfection. Here’s everything you need to know to make your gourmet project a success (and to make the neighbors jealous!).
Buy the Right Tools
Since you’ll be roasting an entire animal, you must use sturdy equipment to handle the weight. Many companies offer rental services. A quick online search will turn up various rental sets of metal vats and roasting spits at reasonable prices. Ensure you have a strong spit that can support the weight of the animal and rotate smoothly for even cooking.
Choose the Meat
Meshwi is traditionally made with lamb or mutton, but you can also opt for pork, piglet, wild boar, or goat. For the highest-quality meat, buy from your local butcher or directly from the farmer. Pro tip: allow between 11 and 14 ounces of meat per guest. This ensures everyone is well-fed and has enough leftovers for the next day.
Skewer the Meat
You don’t want the meat falling into the fire while cooking, do you? Ensure the spit comes out evenly on both sides of the meat to distribute the weight evenly. The legs can also be secured with wire or string to keep everything in place. If you’re uncomfortable with this step, ask your butcher for help. Properly securing the meat is crucial for even cooking and avoiding any mishaps.
Season and Baste
Once the meat has been skewered, coat it with a dry rub of your favorite spices. As the spit rotates over the fire, baste it periodically. Take inspiration from Moroccan vinaigrettes, or let your imagination run wild by using beer or soft drinks. Avoid using too much butter or oil, which could burn the Meshwi. A well-seasoned and basted meat will have a delicious, flavorful crust and remain juicy.
Cooking and Serving
The charcoal you use should weigh twice as much as the animal’s weight. Allow 15 minutes of cooking time per two pounds of meat. Ensure the meat turns continuously so it cooks evenly. An electric spit is excellent for this! Carefully remove the spit once the meat is cooked (it will be very hot!) and carve the delicious meat. Serve the salads brought by your guests, get out the good bottle of wine you’ve reserved for the occasion, and enjoy the sunshine!
With these steps, you’ll be well on your way to hosting a fantastic Meshwi that will impress your guests and create lasting memories.
Food
Dalgona-Style Iced Matcha Latte
Spoil your taste buds and enjoy energy with this easy-to-make, cool, and creamy drink!
Ingredients (Servings: 1)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons matcha (green tea powder)
- 1 cup cold milk
- 1 mint leaf (optional)
Directions
- Whip the Cream: In a small bowl, use a whisk or handheld mixer to blend the sugar, cream, and matcha until it becomes a light and silky whipped cream. This should take a few minutes until it forms soft peaks.
- Prepare the Drink: Pour the cold milk into a glass. Gently spoon the whipped matcha mixture over the milk, creating a beautiful layered effect.
- Garnish: Garnish with a mint leaf for freshness and extra flair.
Enjoy your refreshing and energizing Dalgona-style iced matcha latte!
Food
Seasonal Berries: A Guaranteed Delight – 5 Mouth-Watering Recipe Ideas
Do you have an abundance of summer berries just waiting to be eaten? Use them in various ways to keep things exciting and preserve your harvest. Here are a few suggestions to inspire you:
1. Pie
You can, of course, make a pie with just one fruit, like blackberries. But why not combine them? For example, strawberries, cherries, and blueberries go wonderfully together. The mix of flavors and colors makes for a beautiful and delicious dessert.
2. Pizza
Place some fresh berries on a pizza crust, a slice of watermelon, and top with honey or whipped cream and chocolate shavings. This unique take on pizza is refreshing and sweet, perfect for a light summer treat.
3. Crumble
Stock up on rhubarb and combine it with a different fruit each time, such as strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries, to create a host of mouth-watering desserts. The tangy rhubarb pairs perfectly with sweet berries, topped with a crunchy, buttery crumble.
4. Mimosa
Swap the traditional orange juice for fruit juice from your berry harvest. Cherries, strawberries, and grapes lend themselves particularly well to sparkling wine. This berry mimosa is a colorful and refreshing twist on a classic brunch drink.
5. British-Style Pudding
Redcurrants, blueberries, cherries, and other essential ingredients are perfect for making British-style puddings that will delight your taste buds. Serve with a scoop of ice cream for a truly indulgent treat. The pudding’s soft texture, sweet flavor, and cold ice cream will surely be a hit.
You can find various easy-to-prepare recipes online to bring these ideas and many more to life. Enjoy your delicious berry creations!
Food
It’s a Heatwave! What’s for Dinner?
Have you barely made it out the door and are already sweating profusely? If so, you don’t want to stand over the barbecue to cook supper. So, what can you eat when it’s too hot to fire up the grill? Here are a few inspiring no-cook meals to keep you cool and satisfied.
Tartars
A true gastronomic classic, tartars are the perfect treat when the mercury rises. You can stick to traditional options like salmon, tuna, or beef or try something different like bison. To prepare delicious tartar, keep the ingredients cool and thoroughly clean your tools and work surfaces to prevent cross-contamination. If you choose beef, buying a muscle cut instead of minced meat is best for safety and quality.
Gazpachos
These Spanish-style cold soups blend acidity and freshness, offering a bouquet of flavors perfect for a hot day. Jazz things up with seasonal ingredients like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and green onions. Gazpacho is super easy to make—put all the ingredients in a blender and turn it on! You’ll have a refreshing and nutritious meal that will cool you down in minutes.
Zucchini Noodles
Refreshing and easy to prepare, these vegetable “spaghetti” noodles will delight your guests. You only need a spiral cutter to turn zucchini into fun, spaghetti-like strands, often called “zoodles.” The ways to prepare these zoodles are only limited by your imagination. Try tossing them with a basil or sun-dried tomato pesto, adding pine nuts, a simple vinegar dressing, or sprinkling with a little Parmesan and pepper.
Pour Yourself a Cold Drink
While you prepare these no-cook meals, pour yourself a glass of your favorite cold drink. Remember to stay hydrated, especially during a heatwave. Drinking plenty of water is crucial—don’t wait until you’re thirsty. And a quick reminder: drinking alcoholic beverages can increase the risk of dehydration, so it’s best to exercise moderation.
Enjoy these easy, no-cook recipes to beat the heat and stay cool while having a delicious dinner!
Food
Strawberry Puff Pastry – Spectacularly Simple!
Are you looking for a delicious and eye-catching dessert that’s easy to make? Look no further!
Ingredients (Servings: 6 to 8)
- 1 box of store-bought puff pastry (10 inches x 10 inches)
- 1 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (Nutella style)
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, thinly sliced lengthwise
- A few mint leaves
- A small piece of chocolate
Directions
- Bake the Puff Pastry: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the puff pastry on a parchment-lined baking sheet per the package instructions, usually around 20 minutes. Let it cool completely before proceeding to the next step.
- Add the Spread: Once the pastry has cooled, gently smear the chocolate hazelnut spread over the entire surface of the pastry.
- Arrange the Strawberries: Neatly arrange the strawberry slices on top of the spread, covering the pastry evenly.
- Garnish: Garnish with a few mint leaves for a pop of color and freshness. Finally, grate a small piece of chocolate over the entire dessert for an extra touch of sweetness.
Enjoy your spectacularly simple and delicious strawberry puff pastry!
Food
3 Reasons to Visit Your Local Ice Cream Shop This Summer
The mercury’s rising, you’ve set your out-of-office reply for your vacation from work, and your favorite sunscreen is on sale tomorrow: holidays are just around the corner! If you enjoy gourmet tourism, you don’t have to get on a plane to discover new flavors. This summer, discover the pleasures of ice cream! Here are three reasons to visit your local ice cream shops.
1. High-Quality Local Products
The frozen treats in convenience store freezers certainly have their charms, but nothing beats homemade ice cream. Most local shops are committed to offering high-quality products made with natural ingredients. Keep your eyes open for seasonal flavors. Artisanal ice cream shops know how to put local berries to good use, creating unique and delicious treats you won’t find anywhere else.
2. A Fun Excursion
Whether with your kids, your partner, or alone, a summer drive isn’t complete without a visit to an ice cream shop. These establishments are often close to other tourist attractions, so you can easily make a day of it. Imagine admiring stunning views while savoring a strawberry sorbet or a maple milkshake. It’s a delightful way to spend a summer afternoon, making your trip fun and refreshing.
3. A Place to Meet and Talk
Why not recharge your batteries by having face-to-face conversations when turning off your email notifications? Try striking up a conversation with the customers at the ice cream shop. If you want to update your social media feed with pictures of your adventures, ask a friendly holidaymaker to take a photo of you with your decadent ice cream sundae. Sweets are a great way to break the ice and meet new people, making your visit even more enjoyable.
This summer, treat yourself and explore your local area, one frozen delight at a time!
What’s the Difference Between Ice Cream, Gelato, and Sorbet?
Not sure what to choose? Here’s what you need to know:
- Ice Cream: Made from heavy whipping cream, it contains a lot of air and can be kept at very cold temperatures.
- Gelato: Made from milk, it’s less fatty and contains less air than ice cream. It’s also served warmer, giving it a soft yet dense texture.
- Sorbet: Made exclusively from fruit and sugar, it’s generally light and vegan!
- Frozen Yogurt: Made with yogurt, it contains a fair amount of sugar but is lower in fat than ice cream.
- Ice Milk: Quite sweet, contains three to five percent fat, and has more protein and calcium than other frozen desserts.