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]]>Baked Beans and Cheese
This is a classic comfort meal but is such a good choice. It’s also so easy to do – just open a tin of beans and heat them then pour over the baked potato and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Despite coming from a tin, baked beans are still an excellent source of veg and protein, so this is a well-rounded and tasty meal choice.
Tuna and Sweetcorn
The salty tuna paired with the fresh sweet corn is a match made in heaven. This works best when mixed with mayonnaise to bind it and add some indulgent creaminess. This perfect balance of flavors is delicious when piled on top of a crispy baked potato.
Black Bean Chili and Avocado
This requires more effort than the above two but is well worth it. It’s perfect if you have leftover chili. If your chili is vegan, then this is an ideal choice for a balanced and delicious plant-based meal.
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]]>The post Have You Made Fondant Potatoes Before? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
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Ingredients:
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- Salt
- Black pepper
- 1 cup of vegetable or chicken broth
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Heat butter and olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Season the potato cylinders with salt and pepper, then place them in the skillet. Sear until golden brown on both sides.
- Add smashed garlic cloves and fresh thyme sprigs to the skillet, infusing the butter with aromatic flavors. Carefully pour in the broth, allowing it to simmer.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, basting the potatoes with the buttery broth every 10 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and golden.
- Remove from the oven and let your potatoes rest for a few minutes before serving. Spoon the flavorful pan juices over the potatoes and garnish with additional fresh thyme if desired.
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]]>The post Innovative Uses For Tea Bags Beyond Making Tea appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Make Tea Eggs
If you love eggs but are curious to try some new flavors, then consider soaking your eggs in tea. This recipe for Classic Chinese tea eggs will give your eggs an intriguing, tasty exterior along with the usual taste on the inside that you know and love.
Cold Brew Tea Leaves
Rather than spending an excessive amount of money on iced teas from cafes, you can use your old tea bags to make your own iced tea. Simply take a reusable water bottle and fill it with water before submerging the tea bag. Leave the bottle in the fridge overnight and enjoy in the morning.
Tea Bag Masks
In addition to tasting good, tea can also prove soothing on your eyes. Soak green or herbal tea bags in warm water and place over your eyelids. This can work as an effective anti-inflammatory, reducing puffiness around your eyes and refreshing your skin.
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]]>The post 3 Times When Cooking With Butter is a Game Changer appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Scrambled Eggs
This super quick and easy meal is transformed when butter is entered into the equation. Instead of starting with oil, melt some butter in the pan in which you’ll be scrambling the eggs. Having the eggs cooked in this way produces some seriously creamy and smooth results.
Steak
Steak is already very luxurious, so maybe you’re thinking there’s no need to add butter as well. But once you try the difference you won’t think twice in the future. You’ll want to start with a bit of oil in the pan for the steak to begin frying in, as the butter would likely burn at this stage. However, once the steak has been cooking for a few minutes and is starting to brown, this is when the butter should be added – just rub a small amount into the steak and let it melt into it.
Mushrooms and Garlic
Mushrooms and garlic is a dream pairing, and works as part of many meals, from big breakfasts to pasta dishes. As perfect as these two are together, the combo reaches new levels when butter joins the picture. Just use it to fry instead of oil.
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]]>The post 3 Ways to Do Slaw That Accompanies Any Dish appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>White Cabbage, Carrot, and White Onion
This one is a classic and it’s popular for a good reason – the three are a perfect combination. Finely shred each one and then mix with some seasoning and mayonnaise. This is delicious with burgers or as a side to lasagna.
Red Onion, Cheese, and Carrot
A slight twist on the above, with cheese for extra tastiness. Finely shred the onion and carrot and mix with some grated cheese. Stir through some Greek yogurt and some seasoning. This is ideal for a cheese-board meal, with various pickles and some crusty bread.
Red Cabbage, Apple, and Beetroot
Finely slice the apple and beetroot, and finely shred the cabbage. Be warned that both the cabbage and the beetroot will color everything pink, so don’t wear white while you prepare this! Mix them with some extra virgin olive oil, some balsamic vinegar, and some seasoning. This would be great paired with falafels, houmous, and pita bread.
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]]>The post 3 Salad Leaves to Try appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Lambs Lettuce
This mild yet tangy leaf is a great base for a huge range of salads. It’s easy to find and works in many contexts. Try roasted butternut squash with feta, lambs lettuce, and toasted pumpkin seeds for a warming and hearty salad.
Pea Shoots
As the name suggests, this delicious leaf comes from the pea plant. Its fresh and pea-like taste will bring so much life to your salads. Try this dressing with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and some sea salt as a side to a hearty lasagne or pasta bake.
Radicchio
This one is quite bitter by itself, so works best paired with something sharp and zingy. For example, try a salad with goat’s cheese, figs, and a balsamic vinegar dressing for a rich and fresh-tasting meal. The beautiful pink leaves will add some photo-worthy aesthetic to your dish too.
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]]>The post Why You Need to Try Using Pine Needles in Your Cooking appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Before you start pulling pine needles off trees in your local park, read up on which types of needles are safe to eat. Avoid any that are too sharp, or hard and dry, and if you are foraging your own, try and work out if the trees have been recently sprayed with pesticides.
Once you’ve got your pine needles (from the wild or from a specialist store), you’re ready to start incorporating this distinct, herbal flavor into your food.
Pine Muffins
Ingredients (to make 12):
- 1 cup of plain flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 cup of caster sugar
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon of milk
- 3 tablespoons of icing sugar
- 5 – 10 pine needles
- Water
Instructions:
- Heat the oven to 330°F and grease and line a muffin tray.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.
- Sift in the flour and baking powder, then whisk in the eggs and milk.
- Pour the batter into the muffin cases and cook for 15 – 20 minutes.
- Heat the icing sugar and 2 tablespoons of water in a pan. As it starts to heat, add the pine needles to the icing sugar.
- Cook on a medium heat for 10 – 15 minutes, stirring regularly. Remove from the heat, and once the mix has cooled, remove the needles from the icing sugar.
- Once the muffins and icing are cool, ice the cakes with the pine-infused icing.
Pine Needle Soda
Ingredients (to serve 4):
- 2 cups of pine needles, woody ends removed
- 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons of sugar
- 2 1/2 cups of water
Instructions:
- Fill a glass jar with a sealable lid with the water, sugar, pine needles and the juice of the lemon.
- Shake vigorously, leave for 10 minutes, then shake again.
- Leave the infusion to steep for 12 hours.
- Strain the liquid, and then pour over sparkling water or lemonade for some pine flavored fizz.
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]]>The post 4 Ways to Use Leftover Pickle Juice appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Instead of Vinegar
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that pickle juice is a great replacement for vinegar and other acidic liquids such as lemon juice. That’s why you can easily add pickle juice to salad dressings, cocktails, hummus, mayonnaise, and other condiments.
Reuse it for Pickling
In case you didn’t know, pickle juice can easily be reused for more pickling. This is great news for people who enjoy pickled food like onions, avocadoes, cherry tomatoes, and more.
Marinate Meat
Pickle juice is an excellent marinade that will help you prepare the most delicious and tender steak, chicken, pork chops, and more. There’s no need to prepare marinade, just leave your meat in pickle juice for a few hours before frying.
Pickleback
Following a shot of whiskey with a shot of pickle juice seems odd, yet it’s one of the most popular ways to neutralize alcohol and prevent a hangover.
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]]>The post All the Tasty Ways to Eat Pumpkin Seeds This Fall appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Add to Chili
Chances are many of you still haven’t tried adding some pumpkin seeds to chili, which is a huge mistake, since they can give this dish a nice, crunchy texture.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
In case you’re not willing to experiment too much, you can still enjoy pumpkin seeds as a healthy and crunchy snack. To prepare this delicious snack, simply bake pumpkin seeds in the oven with some olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and paprika for 10 to 15 minutes.
Top Your Baked Goods
Pumpkin seeds are very versatile and can be used for making a variety of delicious recipes. The easiest way to add them to your diet this fall is to use them as a topping for baked goods such as muffins, crackers, cookies, or even bread.
Dress Up Your Breakfast
Pumpkin seeds are high in antioxidants, fiber, and other nutrients—which is exactly what we need for breakfast. That’s why you shouldn’t miss out on adding them to your oatmeal, pancakes, toast, and/or even smoothies.
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]]>The post 4 Sumptuous Smoked Salmon Recipes appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Smoked Salmon Scrambled Eggs
Perfect for starting any morning, this delicious breakfast dish can be whisked up in a matter of minutes. Simply work shreds of smoked salmon into your fresh, steaming scrambled eggs and add a sprig of coriander on top.
Smoked Salmon Spaghetti
Add a sprinkle of olive oil to a pot of spaghetti and season with salt and pepper. Next, mix in some parmesan cheese and an Italian herb mix. Finally, cut your smoked salmon into strips and mix it into the pasta before serving.
Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese
These smoked salmon bites are the perfect food for dinner parties. Spread some cream cheese and chives onto a cracker or thin wafer, and stick a small piece of smoked salmon on top. Voila! The perfect party bites.
Smoked Salmon and Lemon Salad
If you’re looking for a refreshing summer salad, this will do the trick. All you have to do is mix up salad leaves with some parsley, tomato, mozzarella, pesto, and shreds of smoked salmon. Squeeze on fresh lemon juice before serving.
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