The post Try These Tips for the Best Homemade Pizza Ever appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Taste The Tomato Sauce
All too often, an unexciting tomato sauce is the cause of lackluster homemade pizza. Follow a recipe, rather than just using tomato purée or store-bought sauce. There are some incredibly simple ones out there, that will only take 15 minutes, but the difference in flavor will be noticeable.
Less Is More
Most fancier pizza places offer pizzas with a maximum of five toppings, and a lot of care is taken to ensure that these flavors work together. If you’re cooking with kids, don’t let them throw everything in your store cupboard over the pizza base. Check out the menus at your favorite pizza restaurant and think about which flavors will go well.
Don’t Forget The Oil
The finishing touch of every homemade pizza should be a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil over the toppings. Not only will this intensify the flavor, it will also help stop the pizza from drying out. If you forget to drizzle just before it goes in the oven, you can always do it when it’s fresh from the oven and about to go onto your plate.
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]]>The post Try These Tips for the Best Porridge Ever appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Soak The Oats
Soaking the oats before you cook them will reduce cooking time, and ensure that the oats are soft and creamy. You can use a mix of water and milk to soak them in, and it’s fine to cook the oats in this liquid rather than draining it away.
(@pigletsinwiglets)Whisk The Milk
If you cook your oats in milk (or a water-milk mix), try frothing or whisking the milk before hand. This makes the milk light and foamy, and lends a real creamy smoothness to the finished porridge which is hard to resist!
Salt and Sugar
It’s traditional to cook porridge with a pinch of salt, but combining a teaspoon of sugar and salt and stirring this into your oats will ensure a rich, creamy, ever so slightly sweet taste which is utterly delicious.
These tips and tricks will elevate your porridge into a bowl of pure creamy deliciousness, so give them a go next time you’re making breakfast.
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]]>The post Cottage Cheese Will Make Your Lasagna Even Lovelier appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups full fat cottage cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 cups baby Swiss cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
Instructions:
- Pre-heat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, and onion in a large, deep sauce pan. Cook over medium high heat, breaking apart the meat with a spatula, until no pink remains.
- Drain any excess fat off the pan, then stir in the garlic, marinara sauce, oregano, salt and pepper. Heat through, then then reduce the heat to low, allowing the sauce to simmer.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt and swirl of oil. Add the noodles to the pot and cook for about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain noodles, then lay them out on aluminum foil.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the cottage cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the pan and top with 4 noodles laid lengthwise. Spread half the cheese on top, followed by 4 more noodles. Spread half of the remaining sauce over the noodles, and then spread all of the cottage cheese mixture on top of the sauce, followed by 3 more noodles. Finish with the remaining sauce and cheese.
- Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes or until the cheese is melted and browned.
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]]>The post Have Your Veggies Seen Better Days? Here’s How to Revive Them appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Lettuce
Lettuce is the one vegetable in the world that cannot be eaten fried, boiled, or frozen. And let’s be honest—there’s nothing sadder than limp lettuce in a salad. In order to reclaim that crispiness, try plunging your leaves in an ice bath with some lemon juice or vinegar.
Carrots
Here’s the thing: carrots shouldn’t bend. If you find your orange sticks are doing just that, it’s time to revive. Slice a thin piece off the bottom of your veggie and submerge them in a bowl of water which should then be placed in the fridge. You should begin to see results after about an hour.
Celery
Celery is all about the crunch factor. Shock therapy is needed to revive stalks that have seen better days, so place them in a bowl of ice water and let them sit in the fridge for at least an hour.
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]]>The post 3 Tips to Ensure Your Berries Won’t Be Moldy by Monday appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The little jewels are also excellent on their own as a snack, but, like most fruit, they are prone to spoil. Here are the best tips to ensure your berries go the distance.
Pick Your Players
When selecting your berries, look for ones that are plump and firm with high shine. Avoid punnets that have juice pooling at the bottom, and remove any berries that are bruised, slimy, or spoiled to prevent them from turning the rest of the bunch to the dark side.
Bathe Those Berry Babies
Want to know the secret to keeping your berries longer and ridding them of any mold spores? Vinegar. Combine two tablespoons of the sour solution with three cups of water and give your berries a bath once you’ve brought them back from the store. Rinse with clear water to remove the vinegary taste and gently pat dry.
Don’t Keep Them Too Cozy
Berries need to breathe. Avoid using airtight containers to store these guys as any moisture locked in will become a breeding ground for bacteria. Paper towels are a useful tool to prevent spoilage, so line your storage container with a couple of sheets and place your berries in the front of the fridge where it isn’t as cold.
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]]>The post 4 Lessons From the French About Enjoying Food appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Make Space For Cheese
Camembert, Brie, Gruyère, and Roquefort are just some of the glorious cheeses we have France to thank for (there are more than 1,000 kinds!) and there is no reason they shouldn’t be part of the meal. Traditionally, a cheese platter is served after the main course, prior to dessert.
Life is Short—Order Dessert
Speaking of dessert, the French believe in ending their meals with something sweet. This doesn’t always have to be a crème brûlée or soufflé (though we definitely won’t say no)—a piece of chocolate, biscuit, liqueur, or coffee all do well to wrap up the meal nicely.
Full Flavor
The French don’t believe in compromising on flavor, so it is common for most dishes to include full-fat versions of milk, cream, cheese, and the like. While such elements should be consumed in moderation, food is viewed among life’s simple pleasures, so enjoy!
Take Your Time
With dishes full of flavor, the French know that it is important to slow down and savor every bite. Eating slower is also better for your health as it gives the body time to realize that it is full and prevents over-eating. Meals can turn into long, leisurely affairs that don’t always align with workdays around the world, but hopefully, you’ll be inspired to give yourself some time to enjoy your food.
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]]>The post This Unconventional Ingredient is the Secret to Making Your Brownies Better appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Whether you prefer them squidgy and fudgy in the center (yes, please!) or cakey and light (we’re not turning these away either!), brownies are a morsel that screams moreish.
Most people have a trusted brownie recipe that they turn to when the craving strikes, but we’re here to share a little trick. Before turning up your nose, hear us out: soy sauce is the secret to making your brownies better.
Still with us?
The Asian condiment enhances the chocolate flavor by adding an earthy saltiness that regular salt just doesn’t achieve. And because it’s in liquid form, it makes the brownies slightly moister.
So how do you incorporate this magic ingredient?
The trick can be used with any brownie recipe you prefer. Simply substitute one teaspoon of kosher salt with two teaspoons of soy sauce and enjoy the results.
Don’t worry, your baked goods won’t taste like they need to be paired with sushi. Instead, the umami flavor from the soy sauce will add an extra element that makes it impossible to resist another piece!
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]]>The post Jamie Oliver’s Tips To Make Cooking Easier appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>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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]]>The post Nigella Lawson’s Essential Rules For Any Kitchen appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Buy Some Orzo Pasta
In Nigella’s eyes, orzo pasta is a highly-versatile ingredient that can work with a wide variety of dishes, from salads to quick and easy pasta dishes. Also, orzo makes for a decent filler if ever you forget to pick up some ingredients the next time you go grocery shopping.
Keep Tasting
While cooking often involves many steps (some even at once), plenty of concentration is necessary. Still, while following all these steps, you may end up forgetting to taste your food as you cook. Don’t forget this step, Nigella warns, as at the end of the day, it’s important that you enjoy the dish, no matter what the recipe says.
Never Waste Your Mashed Potatoes
Once you’ve finished preparing a dish that involves mashed potatoes, don’t let the remainders go to waste. Instead, put some of the leftovers in your waffle maker for some crispy potato waffles. You can also put them towards your next shepherd’s pie.
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]]>The post These Tips are the Secret to the Perfect Fish and Chips appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Pick the Perfect Potato
The ideal chip should be crispy, yet fluffy inside. And so, it all comes down to what potato you choose. Floury potatoes are best, so look for King Edward, Maris Piper, Sante, russet, and Yukon Gold.
Some Like it Hot
It’s super important to ensure that your oil is at the right temperature before frying your fish and chips. Make sure the oil is at 350 F as any lower will result in the oil being absorbed into the batter and potatoes, leaving you with greasy fish and chips that are on the soggy side. Overcrowding the pan during deep-frying can also cause the temperature to drop, so keep an eye on that oil!
Twice as Nice
The secret to incredible chips? Cooking them twice! Fry your potatoes for around two minutes before removing them from the oil and letting them sit. This ensures that the chips are cooked through. After a few minutes, return them to the hot oil for around five minutes and watch them go gloriously golden and crisp!
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