Category: Food
How to Choose and Thaw Your Thanksgiving Turkey
Thanksgiving is almost here and if you’re hosting, you have a lot on your plate (literally!)
Choosing the right turkey is one of the most important parts of Thanksgiving prep along with thawing it. Don’t worry, we have you covered! Here’s how to tackle these tasks the best way possible.
1. Think about size. Count how many guests you are going to have and then allow for 1 to 1 1/2 lbs per guest. This will ensure you have plenty to eat and some leftovers too!
2. Choose fresh or frozen. If you are buying your turkey soon before Thanksgiving you can purchase a fresh one (although it will cost you more.) If you want to be prepared well-ahead of time, pick up a frozen bird.
3. Thaw in the refrigerator. You’ll need to thaw your turkey one day for every five pounds. Have a ten pounder? It will take two days to thaw so keep this in mind.
5 Tips for Cooking in a Crock Pot
The weather is cooling down and it’s the perfect time of year to bust out the crock pot and make some comfort food! We’ve all used a crock pot for convenience-cooking, but here are some tips to bring your meals to the next level.
1. Make sure you are using the right size crock pot. Most recipes will tell you the size of the slow cooker you should be using when preparing a specific meal. Using the right size crock pot will ensure your food is cooked properly.
2. Try not to overfill. If a recipe says a meal will be ready in 4 hours in your slow cooker, try not to over fill or add too many extra ingredients so you can be sure your meal is done on time.
3. Use crock pot liners. These easy to use plastic inserts make cleaning up after a crock pot meal a breeze. No more soaking the pot and scrubbing it down when you’re done.
4. Fight the urge to open up your lid and peek in at your meal. When you do this several times, a lot of the heat and moisture will escape and your meal won’t be cooked properly.
5. Plan your meal the night before. If you’re making a soup that needs to simmer all day, chop your veggies and thaw your meat or poultry the night before to ensure your meal has ample time to cook and settle before serving.
What To Look For When Buying Produce
We all browse the produce aisle at the supermarket and squeeze a piece of fruit or hold a veggie in the air to inspect it, but do we really know what to look for? Here’s a guide to help you know what to look for when buying popular produce.
Oranges- Heavy with a firm, smooth texture
Grapes – Tender and plump; firmly attached to the stem
Bell Peppers – Thick, glossy skin and firm
Broccoli Crowns- Firm, deep green color with closed florets
Potatoes- Firm with a smooth texture and oval shape
Tomatoes- Plump with a rich, red color and cushiony to the touch
Onions- Dry, papery-smooth skin
How to Clean Your Keurig Coffee Maker
Keurig coffee makers have certainly made our lives easier! They make a single cup in seconds and we no longer have to wait for hot coffee to perk before we can enjoy it. If you have a Keurig at home, do you clean it often? Do you know the proper way to clean it? Here are the steps to follow!
1.Disassemble the brewer. Open the cover of the brewer by lifting the handle and remove the K-Cup holder inside.
2. Wash the holder, drip tray, funnel and drip plate in the dishwasher. These parts are all dishwasher safe!
3. Clean the exit needle. The bottom and upper portions of the K-Cup holder both have exit needles with three holes. You can use a small, sharp object like a needle or paper clip to ensure there isn’t any leftover buildup inside.
4. Use hot water and soap to clean out the plastic water reservoir and cover in the sink. Make sure to get all of the soap out and then let it dry.
5. Use a sponge to wipe down the exterior of the machine to remove any dirt or dust that might have been floating around your kitchen.
6. Reassemble your Keurig and enjoy a hot cup of coffee in your freshly, cleaned machine!
5 Halloween Safety Tips
We’re only just in the beginning of October but the Halloween festivities are upon us! Here are 5 Halloween safety tips to help you and your family enjoy this spooky holiday in the best way possible.
1. Make sure your children are seen at night. Whether you are at a haunted house or just trick or treating, make sure your kids are either carrying flashlights or wearing reflectors on their clothing if they’ll be walking in the dark.
2. Stick with familiar neighborhoods. It’s best to go door to door in a neighborhood that you are comfortable in. You will most likely know the neighbors and you won’t risk getting lost.
3. Watch for welcoming signs and signals. If a house is dark and the lights are turned off, chances are the owners don’t want visitors on Halloween. Stick to the houses that are bright and friendly.
4. If you’re attending a local fair, make sure to decide on a meeting spot in case your group gets separated.
5. If candy or food handed out on Halloween or at parties you attend looks suspicious, throw it out! There’s no sense in risking it. If wrappers are partially open or torn or something just doesn’t look right toss it in the trash. There’s plenty more candy to be had!
10 Family-Friendly Fall Activities
We’re still a couple weeks away from the first official day of fall but the temperatures have certainly made it feel like it’s already here! With the season change comes a lot of great family-friendly activities for you to try! Here’s a list of ideas to try between now and winter to get in the fall spirit!
1. Go apple picking
2. Visit a corn maze
3. Go leaf peeping
4. Go to a pumpkin patch
5. Carve pumpkins
6. Go on a hayride
7. Visit your local fair
8. Build a scarecrow
9. Go to a haunted house
10. Bake pumpkin and apple-flavored treats
5 Great Recipes for Football Season!
Football officially kicked off last night and in some households Sundays are football days! Whether you are hosting a crowd or just feeding your family while watching games, we have some great recipes to fit the season!
5 Things to Do Before Summer is Over
We’re already in August…can you believe it? It always seems like the summer flies by and we don’t get a chance to enjoy the warmth and everything this season brings. Before September hits, try checking these things off your list to get the most out of August!
1. Pick your own fruit! Many local farm stands offer pick your own options and now is the time to take advantage before cold weather hits! You can pick your own blueberries, raspberries and strawberries for a delicious, fresh fruit salad!
2. Put your toes in the ocean! If you haven’t had a chance to hit the beach yet this summer, now is the time to start planning! You don’t want the end of September to hit and you realized you never got to feel the salty water and sand on your feet!
3. Visit your local farmer’s market! Many towns have farmer’s markets weekly throughout the summer but they close up shop once the fall hits. Take advantage now and buy some fresh produce, plants and other goodies from your local vendors.
4. Relax by the pool! There’s nothing like putting your feet up and reading a good book while sitting by the pool. Make sure you get in all the pool time you can in the next several weeks before yours gets covered up.
5. Go to an outdoor concert! Concerts in the summer are always a great time! Whether you purchase tickets online for a famous act or attend a free show locally, get out there after work and listen to some music in the company of great friends!
5 Festive 4th of July Desserts!
Hurricane Arthur may be on his way but that isn’t going to stop us from celebrating the 4th of July up here in New England! Whether you are celebrating on the 4th or the weekend after, there will be plenty of cookouts and parties to attend! Want to bring a festive dessert with you? Check out these 5 Patriotic recipes!
3. Rice Krispie Treat Cheesecake bars
