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]]>Beef Stew
If you’re planning a slow-cooked hearty beef stew, then adding red wine to the recipe is almost essential. When added to the liquid of the stew early on, then the beef and the vegetables you use end up soaking up all the rich, tart, and smooth flavors that are released during the cooking.
Nut Roast
This is another example where opting to slow-cook at a low temperature allows the ingredients and flavors you use to slowly soak into each other. Adding a dash of red wine before you bake this dish means the nuts and vegetables become super tender and tasty.
Homemade Gravy
If you’re going to the effort to make gravy from scratch for a hearty winter meal, then adding red wine helps the flavors blend much better and means all the food on your plate can be covered in the delicious mixture of ingredients.
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]]>The post Fun Methods for Teaching Kids How to Cook appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Make a “Cooking Show”
One exciting idea is to turn mealtime into a cooking show. Set up a camera or a smartphone and let your children take on the role of a celebrity chef. Encourage them to explain their cooking process, share interesting facts about the ingredients, and demonstrate their culinary expertise. This playful activity boosts their communication skills, builds their confidence, and allows them to showcase their culinary creations.
The Mini-Restaurant Approach
Another fantastic approach is to transform your kitchen into a mini-restaurant. Assign different roles to your kids, such as head chef, sous chef, and waiter/waitress. Create a menu together, complete with appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Let them take turns preparing the dishes, setting the table, and serving the meals. This immersive restaurant experience not only teaches them about cooking but also instills a sense of responsibility and hospitality.
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]]>The post 3 Ways To Upgrade Your Fruit Salad appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Citrus Zest and Fresh Mint
Adding a burst of citrus flavor to your fruit salad can instantly elevate its taste. Start by grating the zest of an orange or a lemon and sprinkle it over your mixed fruit. Not only will this add some color, but it will also give a tangy kick to the salad. To balance the citrusy notes, chop up some fresh mint leaves and toss them in.
Toasted Coconut and Almonds
For a textural contrast and a hint of nutty flavor, toast some coconut flakes and sliced almonds. Sprinkle these over your fruit salad just before serving so that they stay crisp. Your guests won’t be able to resist the tropical touch and satisfying crunch.
(@coconutbowls)Balsamic Glaze
Yes, you read that right – balsamic glaze isn’t just for savory dishes. Drizzling a balsamic glaze over your fruit salad can create an unexpected and intriguing blend of sweet and tangy flavors. The syrupy consistency of the glaze will also add a new touch to your fruit salad.
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]]>The post Wanna Make Mexican Food? Here Are the Staple Ingredients appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Tortillas
Mexican cuisine wouldn’t be the same without tortillas. They are used for tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and more. There are different types of tortillas and it’s crucial to choose the right one if you want your dish to be a success.
Spices
Just like any other cuisine, Mexican cuisine has its own set of spices that help complete the flavor. Among them are cumin, coriander, garlic powder, cinnamon, chili powder, etc.
Chili Peppers
Most dishes from Mexican cuisine use at least one type of chili pepper, and some use more of them. Varieties include jalapenos, habaneros, serranos, etc. They can go into virtually any Mexican dish and only improve it.
Beans
Beans provide a great protein base for many dishes. You can use black or pinto beans and always get the right flavor. Beans are especially great for side dishes. Try dishes like refined beans or frijoles de olla (Mexican pinto beans).
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]]>Ask For Help
Before even beginning, don’t just assume that you have to everything yourself. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help. While it might seem like a deviation from the initial plan, seeking assistance can significantly ease the burden. Asking friends or family members to lend a hand with chopping vegetables, stirring pots, or setting the table can really make things a lot easier.
Write Down Every Step
A few days ahead of your cooking marathon, put your thoughts and ideas down on paper. Create a detailed plan for the entire cooking process. Start by listing every dish you intend to make and all the ingredients you’ll need. Then, take it a step further by mapping out when you’ll be preparing each dish and how long each step will take. This will give you a lot of peace of mind for your process.
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]]>The post 3 Tips For Successfully Plating Your Dishes appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Be An Artist
Like a painter with a blank canvas, a chef’s plate becomes a work of art waiting to be composed. It’s all about creating a visual symphony that entices the viewer to savor each bite. Play with colors, textures, and shapes to add dimension to your dish.
Focus On Balance
Balance is the key to a harmonious plate. Consider the interplay of elements such as sweet and savory, crispy and creamy, or hot and cold. Contrasting flavors and textures can ignite the palate and elevate the dining experience to new heights.
Less Is More
Don’t forget the power of negative space either. Embrace the elegance of simplicity by allowing empty spaces on the plate. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also provides a sense of balance and allows the focal points to shine.
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]]>The post What Does it Mean to Put Love Into Your Cooking? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The Bare Minimum
In all the different things we do in life, a person is given a choice. Are they going to do the bare minimum, or are they going to go above and beyond? The spirit behind doing the bare minimum means that a person followed the rules. They did everything they were supposed to do, right? No one can fault a person for doing the bare minimum, because they can always point to the rulebook, or the recipe book, and claim that they did their job.
Going Above and Beyond
However, while doing the bare minimum can technically produce good results, these results are fake and devoid of love and passion. When you do a task out of love and not out of requirement, you go above and beyond. You take an interest in the little things. You put in the extra hours to ensure that the final result is exactly how you want it to be. In conclusion, putting love into a recipe isn’t something that can be quantifiably measured—and yet it’s also the very thing that makes a good recipe great.
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]]>The post Martha Stewart Has a Simple Method For Avoiding Tears While Cutting Onions appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>You have probably heard about various different methods for avoiding tears from onions, like freezing them or cutting them under running water. But while some of them actually work, they don’t work all the time. This is why it doesn’t hurt to add one more method to your cooking arsenal.
Television personality Martha Stewart recently shared a vintage video on her TikTok that features an “easy solution to prevent crying” while chopping onions. According to the clip, all you need to do is get your cutting board close to a source of open flame “as you possibly can arrange.”
Stewart claims that this method helped her cut up to 30 pounds of onion while working in the catering business.
Many TikTok users who watched the video seemed unfamiliar with the method and resolved to try it. However, there were also those who thought that cutting onions this way was quite dangerous. We say keep it as an emergency plan if nothing else helps. Other than that, stay away from open flames.
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]]>The post Viral Video Shows How Chill Time and Temperature Can Change How Cookies Look appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Chill time and temperature can completely change the way your cookie looks, even if you are using the same dough. You only need to check out a viral video from TikTok user @bromabakery to learn all about it.
In order to help home bakers get the cookie they want at all times, @bromabakery decided to bake several variations of cookies with the same dough but using different chill times and temperatures.
Baking the cookies at 350F without chilling the dough leads to “crackling” cookies, while dough that has been chilled for 30 minutes and baked at 350F leads to “thicker, chewier cookies.” Frozen dough, on the other hand, doesn’t spread and results in a thicker cookie.
If you like thinner cookies, you will want to use smooshed dough. For crunchier and crispier cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes and bake at 375F. Finally, chilling the dough for two hours and baking the cookies at 350F results in “chewy cookies with just the right amount of spread.”
Check out @bromabakery’s clip below to find out all about the way the chill time and temperature affect the look of your cookies.
@bromabakery cookie science
♬ original sound – Broma Bakery#cookiedough #bakersoftiktok chocolatechipcookies. (inspired by @Tastemade’s recent cookie vid!)
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]]>Do Batch Cooking
Find a quiet time during your weekend to set aside to do some bulk cooking for the week ahead. Not only does this save you time during your week, but it also makes it far easier to meal plan. You’ll also be able to free up some space in your freezer for the next batch.
Don’t Waste Your Leftovers
While you may feel tempted to throw out your leftovers, don’t. You could always repurpose your old ingredients in new dishes. If you have any leftover chicken, beef, or vegetables, then consider tossing them in a salad or perhaps throw them in a pan for a stir fry.
Use Your Microwave
Not every meal requires you to slave away at your oven or stove. If you’re short on time or perhaps don’t feel the desire to try a complicated recipe, then there’s no shame in using your microwave to heat up a quick and tasty meal.
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