Flirty Aprons Make Fun Gifts!

What fun these aprons are for your foodie loved ones!!

Here's one for the guys...

Archives

I decided to look at when I started this blog, it was back in 2007. Wow hadn't realized it had been 3 years. I hope that you will browse through my past recipe's and try some of them out!

Beautiful Cookware!

KITCHEN CLEANING TIPS

Cleaning up the kitchen is part of cooking. Not only is it easier to cook and bake in a clean kitchen, but clean surfaces and storage containers will keep your family healthier and safer. Take some time to learn these easy tips and preventative measures and before you know it your kitchen will be automatically cleaner and less cluttered. Make cleaning second nature and you'll save time and money.

BASIC TIPS

Have a place for everything. It's much easier to use a utensil or appliance, clean it and put it away when it has a home. I use foil as an example in my kitchen. I have a special drawer that is used just for foil, plastic wrap and parchment paper. Those items are always easy to find, and are put away after each use because they have a special home.

Don't mix ammonia and bleach because it will create toxic fumes. Identify spots in your kitchen that accumulate clutter and take a few minutes every day to clear those spots and place objects in their correct homes. Try to end each day with a clean, empty kitchen sink. Run the dishwasher before you go to bed and unload it first thing in the morning. A sponge is actually a great way to spread germs. I prefer using paper towels, discarding them after cleaning each surface, to totally prevent cross-contamination.

QUICK FIXES

To quickly clean burned food on a pan, add some dish soap and 1/2" of water. Bring to a boil, and then let the liquid cool in the pan. The burned food will be easy to remove. When food spills over and burns on the oven floor, sprinkle a bit of salt on
the mess. The smoke will be reduced and the spill easier to clean after the oven
cools.

To clean your microwave oven, mix together 2 Tbsp. of lemon juice or vinegar and 2 cups of water in a 4 cup glass microwave safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH for two to three minutes. Carefully remove the bowl and wipe the microwave with paper towels. Repeat as necessary.

To clean sluggish drains, pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar and cover the drain. Let this mixture foam for a few minutes, then pour 8 cups of boiling water down the drain. to flush it. Do not use this combination after using any commercial drain opener or cleaner.

I like to put lemon or lime pieces through the garbage disposal every few days for a clean fresh smell.

Clean your coffee maker every few weeks by filling the water reservoir with equal parts white vinegar and water and putting it through the brew cycle. Then use clean fresh water and repeat the brew cycle to rinse the machine. Repeat with fresh water
two more times.

If you don't have a self-cleaning oven, scrape up any large spills, then spray cleaner inside the oven, close the door and let it sit overnight so the cleaner has time to work.
To clean a blender, squirt a few drops of liquid soap into it, fill halfway with warm water, cover and blend away the mess. Rinse and repeat if necessary.

MAKE YOUR OWN CLEANERS
For your own window washing solution, mix 1/3 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol in a 1 quart spray bottle. Fill up with water.

Dry baking soda cleans chrome perfectly.

Cream of tartar and water mixed to a paste will clean porcelain.

A paste of baking soda and water will clean coffee stains.

Plain liquid Ivory soap mixed with water is one of the best all-purpose cleaners. You can keep this solution in a spray bottle, but only use a bit of soap or the mixture
may become too foamy to spray.

Dissolve 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water for a good general cleaner.

PREVENTATIVE TIPS

Clean up spills as they occur so you won't be faced with one huge cleaning session.
Did you know that you use 20% of your utensils 80% of the time? Any tool or appliance which doesn't get used during a week of cooking should be cleaned and stored to save counter and cupboard space and cleaning time. It's easier to clean a
grill if you do it after each use. Also oil the grill rack before each use to make cleanup easier.

Wash as you go. Fill one half of a double sink or a separate waterproof tub with hot soapy water and drop in utensils as you use them. Food won't dry on the utensils and cleanup will be a breeze.

Once every 7-10 days, remove all the food from your refrigerator, wipe
down the inside with warm soapy water, clean all the shelves and trays, then
replace the food. As you work, check expiration dates and discard food past
those dates. Place an open box of baking soda in the back of the fridge.
Once a month, remove all the food from your pantry, wipe down with a clean
damp cloth, check for spoilage and expiration dates, then replace items in their
designated places.

Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker!

Fall is soon upon us and is the season to dig out that slow cooker or purchase one. Slow cooking is great for anyone, whether you work outside the home or are an at home domestic diva!

I decided to highlight a great book called "Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker" and a couple slow cookers that I like. I have been searching for a new one so wanted to share the things I found.




So I've narrowed my choices between these two, so if you have experience with either I would love to have your comments!


Hamilton Beach 6-qt. Stay or Go Slow Cooker
Make the most of your evening by having dinner ready when you step in the door. The Stay or Go slow cooker has ample room for roast chicken and veggies, savory soup or a delicious pot roast and comes with a clip-tight lid that locks on to contain
flavor and prevent messy spills. The lid rest lets you stir and serve without having anything in the way. Large, full-grip handles make carrying easier, whether you’re moving it from one counter to the next or taking it to a potluck party. Dishwasher-safe, removable stoneware insert and lid. Recipes included.

OR.....


West Bend 6-qt. Oval Versatility Slow Cooker
Imagine having all your meals ready when you come home each day! This 6-quart cooking pot goes from heating/serving to stovetop, oven, refrigerator, freezer or
dishwasher. It holds a whole chicken, ham or roast and offers low, medium and high settings for roasting or slow cooking, plus a keep warm setting for serving. The durable cooking pot has a premium nonstick (non-teflon) interior and stainless steel handles; a glass cover allows easy viewing as sauces simmer and meats sizzle. The handy lift-out rack lets you remove roasts and meat with ease. Cooking pot, cover and rack are all dishwasher-safe. Base is heat-resistant.

Handy Charts for your Kitchen

Click the image to enlarge and print to keep in your kitchen!

Jack Daniel's Grilling Sauce

1/2 cup pineapple juice
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1−1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup Jack Daniel's Whiskey

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Dip meat in sauce and place on grill
over hot coals. When meat is turned, brush with sauce. Grill to desired
degree of doneness. Just before meat is removed from grill, brush again
with sauce. Makes enough for 8 servings.