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Cooking

Sharpest Edge: Choosing the Best Steak Knives

July 24, 2020

Are you a new homeowner, or are you in the process of updating your cutlery? Are you looking for a new pair of steak knives?

Steak knives do a lot more than your average kitchen knives. That’s why they’ve been a staple in American households for almost a century.

Steak knives feature serrated blades and wooden handles. They are the only type of sharp knives you can find on a typical American kitchen table. Steak knives are used to easily cut through meats like steak, chicken, and beef.

What should you be looking for in a steak knife set?

Let’s take a look.

Straight Edge

A straight edge steak knife has a single long, smooth cutting edge. These knives are excellent for cutting through soft and hard foods such as meats, fruits, and veggies. A straight edge can also help you cut through a tenderloin or porterhouse cut perfectly.

A straight edge will cut through foods in a few strokes, requiring less work on the cutter’s part. Straight edge knives typically need to get sharpened often, although they are easier to sharpen than serrated knives.

Serrated Blades

Serrated steak blades are scalloped along the edges. They are designed to cut through foods that have a tough exterior. Serrated steak knives are great for slicing through crusty loaves of bread, although they won’t slice through steak as easily.

Serrated steak knives don’t need to get sharpened as often as straight-edge blades, but they are not as easy to sharpen. They won’t blunt as easily when they come in contact with ceramic plates.

Blade Size

Knife blades come in a variety of sizes, and they’re usually between five and seven inches long. Shorter blades may have a higher cutting quality. They also have more flexibility and tend to be easier to maintain.

Longer-blade knives are often used in high-end restaurants. They make for a nice presentation, but don’t always result in a cleaner cut.

Balance

You’ll want to think about balance when choosing a steak knife. For example, you’ll want the handle to be proportional to the blade, and you want the knife to be easy to pick up. The blade should be at a straight angle from the handle.

Before purchasing a knife at your local store, feel free to hold a few, and make sure the balance feels right. You won’t want to feel like either the blade or handle are too heavy. You’ll also want to look at the blade from the side of the handle and make sure it doesn’t seem to angle away.

Remember that, if you’re a regular steak eater, the balance of your knives will be critical to you creating and enjoying those perfect slices.

Blade Materials

A popular material for steak knives to get made from is high carbon blade steel. It’s able to hold sharpness for a long time. High carbon steel blades are also easy to open.

The high carbon content, however, can also make blades more prone to rusting. You can prevent this by hand-washing the blades often and drying them completely before putting them away.

Stainless steel blades are also popular. Restaurants use them often because they’re easy to maintain. High-quality stainless steel blades can dull faster than high carbon blade steel, so you need to shop carefully.

Handle Materials

Steel handles are sometimes used for steak knives. This turns the knife into one long piece of metal, so it will be less likely to break apart. Steel handles are, however, less common and more difficult to find.

Wood steak knife handles are quite popular. They are used in homes and restaurants and always look sophisticated.

Wood steak knife handles will rot if they’re not carefully cleaned and maintained. You should make sure to thoroughly dry them after washing them.

Resin wood handles are heavy and strong. They are also highly resistant to water, heat, and salt.

Some folks don’t like the look of resin handles. You will need to shop carefully to find one with a classic appearance.

Pakkawood is also used often for steak knives. It’s made from dense wood that’s stable and water-resistant.

Pakkawood handles are black or clear. The colors are designed to enhance the natural grains of the wood.

Caring for Your Steak Knives

It’s important not to store steak knives loosely in a drawer, as this will dull them quickly.

Many inexpensive knives come with sheaths, which can help you protect them. Knife blocks are also popular. These prevent the spread of dirt and keep knives from clashing against one another

Be sure to wash your knives by hand right after you use them. Otherwise, water, acid, and chemicals can destroy the blade. Dry them with a cloth immediately afterward to prevent rusting.

Be careful not to leave your knives in the sink as they can quickly rust and corrode. You also won’t want to put them in the dishwasher unless they are dishwasher safe. Otherwise, they can become chipped and useless.

Your steak knives should get sharpened once every 1-2 years. You can do this yourself using a sharpening iron or whetstone.

If you’re uncomfortable sharpening your knives by yourself, local cooking stores will do so for only a few dollars. They can help recreate your angle precisely. Professionals will also remove no more metal than is necessary, ensuring that you’re knife’s shape and life are preserved.

Get Sharp

Choosing steak knives involves doing a little shopping and homework. With the right balance, materials, and blades, your knives could be bringing you delicious meals for years to come.

For more great lifestyle advice, read our blog today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Cooking

Quickest and Cheapest Lunch Ideas

March 25, 2020

When lunchtime rolls around, you need to decide what you are going to eat. If you are like a lot of people, you want to find something that is convenient and affordable. You could make your own lunches but that can be time-consuming and isn’t always practical. Of course, a lot of restaurant food and takeout can be expensive. Fortunately, there are a few good options.

Pizza

Pizza is the classic option for when you need something inexpensive and delicious. You can order anything from vegan pizza to a meat lovers’ slice. There are options for everyone.

Ordering pizza for a group is an excellent option. Alternatively, save some of the pizza for lunch tomorrow. If you want a simple way to heat it up: microwave with a cup of water next to the plate. This will help keep the crust from getting chewy.

For something that is a little fresher tasting, consider getting spinach alfredo pizza delivery. Again, there is something to match every taste and the prices are almost always excellent.

Pizza Sandwich

This may sound like a copy of the previous suggestion, but it is its own thing. Pizza sandwiches are a combination of a flatbread sandwich and pizza. They are absolutely delicious and very affordable. With options such as meatball pepperoni and Philly cheesesteak, you’ll be able to find one you love. Plus, it will come quickly.

Wings

Buffalo wings are another good option. They aren’t exactly a full lunch by themselves, but they can be very filling and tasty. Plus, you can often score a good deal on wings, especially if you check the restaurant’s specials.

Consider adding these to your pizza order to get some extra protein and spicy goodness. If you don’t like the heat, you may consider barbecue or other options such as honey chipotle

Getting a Great Deal

One of the best ways to bring down the cost of your lunch is by taking advantage of the restaurant’s specials and promotions. For example, you can usually get a deal on pizza. For example, if you are ordering as a group, you may be able to get four pizzas for the price of three. You may also be able to get some sides, such as wings or garlic knots.

Make sure that you sign up for rewards also. While this won’t cut down the cost of your first order, the savings will start flowing right away. Rewards programs give you some money back to spend on future orders. That means that you can keep saving the more you order from your favorite restaurants. You need to eat either way. You may as well save some money while you do it.

Order Today

Do you want to get pizza for your next lunch? It is the ultimate quick and cheap option. Before you pick the first place after searching for “pizza delivery near me,” make sure to check the specials. Ordering from the right restaurant will mean that you can get a better deal. Check out some of the options now and place your order on a delicious lunch.

Filed Under: Cooking

How to Easily Cook Meat in an Instant Pot

March 16, 2020

Cooking meat in the Instant Pot is super easy and delicious. It is actually one of the quickest ways to end up with a perfectly cooked meat center for dinner. Because the meat is cooked under pressure, the cooking time is drastically reduced. Also, when it is cooked this way, you end up with tender and juicy meat.

No matter what type of meats you love, cooking them in the Instant Pot is one of the best ways to go. In addition, the beauty of the Instant Pot or electronic pressure cooker is that you can use frozen meat in it. Therefore, if you have a busy schedule, and want a quick and easy dinner, using the Instant Pot is the perfect option.

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I have been using the Instant Pot for the past 5 years and can say with certainty that it is my favorite way to cook any type of meat in it. Usually, I have dinner ready in about 30 minutes. My family loves Instant Pot meals, and it is also a great way to rotate between your weekly menus. In my kitchen, I have well over 100 Instant Pot recipes, that you can pick from. They are all delicious and easy to make, especially for busy families.

In this post, I will share with you how to cook meat in the Instant Pot -frozen pork tenderloin. This is an ideal dinner idea for busy families, and I hope you will enjoy it just as much as I do.

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What is an Instant Pot?

An Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker is a multi-functional cooker that does the job of a slow cooker, electric pressure cooker, steamer, and yogurt maker. It is a great kitchen gadget to have as you can cook pretty much anything in it. Also, you can steam veggies or cook desserts, such as cheesecakes in the Instant Pot.

The main benefit of it is that you can cook meals at a fraction of the time compared to the traditional, stovetop or oven method. Because the meals are cooked under HIGH pressure, the cooking time is drastically reduced!

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What meats can you cook in the Instant Pot?

You can cook basically any meat in it. Also, as stated above, feel free to cook frozen meat. All you have to do is simply increase the time a bit, depending on how much you are trying to cook. The most important thing to remember when cooking meats in it is to use thicker cuts and avoid thinly sliced cuts. This way you will be rewarded with juicy and tender meat. The best meats to cook are:

Pork Chops – One of my favorite ways to cook the chops is in the Instant Pot. They are tender and mouth-watering.  Also, you can cook loin, ribs, tenderloin, or pork roast.

Chicken – You can cook fresh or frozen chicken. Similarly, you can cook any cuts as well. Whether you are craving drumsticks, breasts, or even looking to cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot, it is easily doable.

Beef – Similar to pork, beef is the perfect meat to cook. You can cook anything from the beef roast, corned beef, all the way to short ribs.

Lamb – A great way to end up with a tender lamb meal is by cooking it in the Instant Pot. Lamb stew is a great recipe because the meat ends up tender and super flavorful. Also, it is a great dish to make for St. Patrick’s Day or Easter.

How to cook frozen pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot?

Now that you have your Instant Pot ready, I will share with you a super easy, yet delicious pork tenderloin recipe. The beauty of this recipe is that you can cook it fresh or frozen. The main difference would be to adjust the time by a few minutes.

To cook pork tenderloin in the Instant Pot, you will need the following ingredients:

  • About 1-2lbs pork tenderloin
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 3 bay leaves

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce, low sodium
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger root
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Once you have the ingredients ready, the rest is pretty simple.

  1. Start by adding 2 cups of chicken broth and bay leaves to the pressure cooker pot.
  2. Then, insert the trivet inside the pot, and add the fresh or frozen tenderloin piece. If the tenderloin is too large, you can cut it in two separate pieces.
  3. Next, close the lid and cook on HGH pressure. The cooking time should be 20 minutes per pound for fresh tenderloin or 30 minutes per pound for frozen tenderloin.
  4. Once cooked, let the pressure to release naturally.
  5. Open the lid and remove the tenderloin.
  6. Then, prepare the sauce, and brush it over the tenderloin.
  7. Lastly, I like to broil the meat for a few minutes to give it a nice golden color.
  8. Garnish with freshly chopped green onion, and serve warm over some rice or mashed potatoes.

Filed Under: Cooking

3 ways meal prepping can change your life

December 4, 2019

Do you find it all too easy to close the fridge door, put your chopping board away and order in a takeaway? Even with the best of intentions, meal prepping can be difficult to stick to. From your physical and mental health to your finances however, the benefits could well change your life.

A recent study found that almost a third of British adults eat alone ‘most of the time’. As a result, many feel as if it’s not worth cooking just for themselves. Here are three compelling arguments as to why that’s not the case.

You’ll improve your diet

Let’s face it, you don’t eat out or stock your fridge with ready meals because it’s good for your health. Whether you’re doing so because you’re short on time or you feel like indulging in a treat, you’re probably taking on far more fats, sugars and salt than you otherwise would if you were cooking yourself.

Everything is okay in moderation, of course, but by planning out a week of healthy meals you’re far likelier to get more of what’s good for you. Controlling exactly what you’re eating is also a huge plus if you have any intolerances or allergies.

You’ll save money

Are you a sucker for a lunchtime meal deal? How about a post-gym snack? Those sandwiches and shakes all add up, however.

Cooking in bulk, on the other hand, often works out far cheaper than buying ingredients in single-meal quantities or picking up something pre-made. Everyday items such as grains, pulses, nuts and oats are often inexpensive when sold by the kilo and will last you for weeks on end.

It may require some upfront costs, like a larger fridge and other nifty appliances, and you’ll have to consider if and how you can afford it, but soon, both your body and your bank balance will be reaping the rewards.

You’ll better balance your day

Modern life is hectic. Amongst a busy weekday schedule of meetings, parenting duties and gym classes, it can be near impossible to cobble a decent meal together. Finding one you’ve pre-made, ready and waiting, can be a blessing. You’re doing your future a favour.

Putting a few hours’ work in on a Sunday saves you being late for your appointments or skipping eating altogether. Try it for yourself to see if you can lower your stress levels and keep your hangriness at bay.

Do you feel ready to give meal prepping a go? With these three benefits firmly in mind, you’ll be better placed to make a go of it for good.

Filed Under: Cooking

Taipei’s Tasty Treats: 5 Must-Try Street Food

November 14, 2019

If all you know about Taiwan’s food culture are its bubble milk tea and stinky tofu, you’ll be in for a treat once you’ve actually set foot in the country. This is especially true if you’re visiting its capital city of Taipei, where hardly anyone cooks a meal at home. With their fast-paced city lifestyles, people living here have indeed found it more practical to eat out. And what makes this an even easier choice for them is the plethora of affordable and delicious street food to choose from.

If you find yourself hungry in Taipei, the city’s night markets are always a good place to find good food. Whether it’s something uniquely Taiwanese or a traditional dish with a twist, there will be a lot to try while you’re staying in this vibrant city. So once you’ve booked a Taipei tour package, you should start planning out how to visit these must-try street food delights during your stay.

Pork Pepper Bun (Hu Jiao Bing)

Hu Jiao Bing is Taiwan’s version of the more-familiar Chinese steamed buns. Brought to the country by immigrants from Fuzhou, the main difference is that these Pork Pepper Buns are baked instead of steamed. As a result, you get a crunchy bun with the spicy, minced pork and scallion filling inside. It’s a definite favourite among the locals, so be prepared to line up if you’re looking to grab a bite.

Pork Intestine & Oyster Noodle (Orh Ah Mee Sua)

Orh Ah Mee Sua is one of those traditional Chinese dishes that were given a twist. In this case, it’s been spiced up with the addition of oysters. It’s also so popular that you can easily find this popular soup anywhere in the city. Indeed, a simple way to search for the nearest place to try it might be to just follow the sound of people slurping away at their bowls!

In general, Mee Sua is a rice flour noodle that’s incredibly delicate and light. But with the smoky pork intestine and tasty oyster combo added into the mix, it makes for a hearty meal that’s perfect for any time of the day. Here’s a pro tip: add a bit of garlic and chili sauce to amp up the soup’s flavour profile.

Taiwanese Fried Chicken

Taiwan’s take on the traditional fried chicken comes in 2 forms: steak and popcorn. The Fried Chicken Steak is pounded breast meat that can be as wide as your face. Unlike other types of fried chicken, they are marinated in Asian spices, coated in potato flour, and double fried for guaranteed crispiness. Next, the popcorn version is basically the same, but the chicken is cut-up into nuggets before frying to make for an easy meal on the go. As a final touch, you also get to choose a flavoured powder coating for added taste. Some flavours you might encounter include seaweed, basil, and chili powder.

Pork Ribs Medical Herbs Soup

Head over to the Raohe Night Market for some pork bone soup that’s not only good for you but delicious too. While there are plenty of vendors selling the same dish, go ahead and visit Chen Tung Pork Ribs Medicinal Herbs Soup for something that’s good enough to get included on the Michelin Guide.

The meat is falls-off-the-bone tender, while the savoury broth smells and tastes of mouth-watering Chinese medicinal herbs and spices. For a complete meal, it’s best to pair the soup with a serving of braised pork rice.

Beef Noodle Soup (Niu Rou Mian)

One of Taipei’s signature dishes is the Beef Noodle Soup (or Niu Rou Mian). The name may not sound much but the taste and texture will speak for itself.

As with all great noodle soups, everything starts with the broth. The Niu Rou Mian is no exception with a rich broth from beef shanks, chicken, and pork bones. More flavour is then added thanks to a selection of aromatic herbs and spices such as fennel, cumin, and star anise. Combined with chewy noodles and tender beef tendons, you have a complete and satisfying meal in one bowl. One last thing: add a dollop of chili butter to add some kick to your soup or try out the various condiments that come with almost every Taiwanese dish.

Taiwan’s food culture is constantly evolving with creative cooks and chefs freely drawing inspiration from different countries. With this penchant for culinary innovation, it’s only a matter a time before they give the world a new food craze. Who knows? They might even make a stinky tofu dish that everyone would want to try.

 

Filed Under: Cooking

The Growing Popularity of Veganism

October 13, 2019

In the past few years veganism has enjoyed a surge in popularity. There are various factors which have led countless individuals to give up meat and animal products for good. To discover some of the key factors which have directly influenced the growing popularity of veganism, simply continue reading to understand why veganism is a result of societal changes.

Below details the rise and fall of veganism in each state. This informative image has been brought to you by OWYN. If you want to discuss this topic, use #VeggieVsVegan when sharing on social media!

The Growing Popularity of Veganism: Why More Individuals Are Choosing to Follow a Vegan Diet

More individuals are becoming health conscious:

Many individuals choose to become vegans as they want to lead a healthy lifestyle and to consume a balanced, nutritious diet which is jam packed full of vitamins and nutrients. If you start following a vegan diet within a couple of weeks you should start to notice that you have more energy to get through each day and that it’s easier to maintain a healthy weight. You may even discover that your hair, skin and nails will become healthier as a result of following a vegan diet.

You can decrease your chances of developing cardiovascular dieases:

By following a vegan diet you can significantly decrease your chances of developing a serious cardiovascular disease such as heart disease. If you’d love to enjoy a long, healthy life and to be around to witness all of your kids milestones, it’s a great idea to consider following a nutritious vegan diet.

Individuals who follow a vegan diet typically consume more fresh food than meat eaters:

You shouldn’t be surprised to find out that the average vegan consumes a lot more fresh organic food such as legumes, fruits and vegetables than the average meat eater. So if you’d like to clean up your diet, you may find it worthwhile following a vegan diet. As you may be inspired to start growing your own fruits and vegetables or to visit your local farmers market on a weekly basis, in order to pick up locally grown, organic produce.

Becoming vegan is a eco-friendly choice:

As livestock such as cows are responsible for much of the world’s methane which contributes to the world’s carbon emissions, if you choose to become a vegetarian, you’ll also be making an eco-friendly choice.

Becoming a vegan is a great choice if you’re an animal lover:

If you’re a self confessed animal lover you may find becoming a vegan fits in with your individual morals and ethics.

Is there a viable option if the transition to becoming a vegan is too difficult?

Yes, if you’ve been an avid meat eater for the majority of your life, you may find it difficult to transition over night from being a meat eater to being a vegan. As vegans do not consume animal by products such as milk, cheese, yoghurt or eggs. However, more and more vegan companies are beginning to offer vegan friendly substitutes than taste similar to the real thing. Alternatively, you may want to test out becoming a vegetarian, for a month or two, before making the decision to fully commit to becoming a fully fledged vegan.

So if you’re curious about following a vegan lifestyle, it’s well worth looking up scrumptious vegan recipes and testing out becoming a vegan for a week or two. As you should find that you’ll start to lead a healthier lifestyle than when you were a meat eater.

 

 

Filed Under: Cooking

How To Host The Perfect Dinner Party

March 4, 2019

If it’s been a while since you’ve hosted a cozy dinner party, it’s well worth continuing reading in order to discover a few tips which will help you host the perfect dinner party. As an example, you’ll learn how to impress your guests by serving tasty appetizing dishes.

How to host the perfect dinner party:

1. Find a quick recipe for a make ahead apple crisp

If you’re looking for a tasty treat to serve your guests for dessert, you can’t go wrong choosing to prepare a crunchy yet sweet apple crisp. What exactly is an apple crisp? An apple crisp contains an apple strudel crust, freshly chopped apples, brown sugar and a mixture of oats.

If the vast majority of your dinner guests have sweet tooths, you may want to surprise your dinner guests by placing a scoop of vanilla ice cream on each apple crisp and drizzling high-quality caramel sauce over each serving of apple crisp.

2. When it comes to selecting mains for your dinner party, make sure to offer 2-3 different options

While your parents and parents generation may have served all of their guests the same exact dish, in today’s day and age it’s a far wiser idea to offer 2-3 different options. As not all of your guests may enjoy the same dishes and some of your guests may have special dietary requirements.

As examples, some of your guests may not eat meat, while some of your guests may have an intolerance to nuts, gluten or dairy products.

If you’re unsure of what types of mains you should offer, you may want to offer one white meat option such as grilled chicken or salmon, as well as a red meat option such as steak and a vegetarian option such as a mushroom risotto.

3. Prepare your guests favorite meals as a surprise

If you know the guests who you plan to invite to your dinner party well, you can’t go wrong making the effort to prepare some of your guests’ favorite meals as a surprise. As your guests will be impressed that at your thoughtfulness and your ability to remember some of their personal preferences.

4. Make sure to select your guests carefully

Think carefully about which of your friends and family members are likely to get on well before you start finalizing a guest list for your dinner party.

5. Make sure to introduce each of your guests to one another

Part of the art of being a great host is to be able to make all of your friends feel comfortable. So it’s well worth introducing your friends to one another and encouraging friends who have similar interests to talk to each other. As an example, if you are aware that two of your guests love to travel, it’s well worth starting a conversation with both friends about travel.

So if it’s been a while since you’ve invited a few friends around for a cozy dinner party, it’s a great idea to use the tips listed above to throw a successful dinner party.

Filed Under: Blog, Cooking, Family

How To Refrigerate Pickles Using Pickling Spice

March 4, 2019

Can you pickle Armenian cucumbers? If you’re curious as to whether you can pickle Armenian cucumbers, the answer is yes. In order to pickle your Armenian cucumbers, simply use a homemade pickling spice in order to preserve your Armenian pickles.

If you’re interested, simply continue reading, to discover a simple easy to follow pickling spice recipe. Better yet, this particular recipe will only take you 10 minutes to complete from start to finish!

Refrigerator pickles using pickling spice recipe:

– 2 tablespoons of mustard seed
– 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
– 1 tablespoon of allspice
– 2 teaspoons of coriander seeds
– 2 cloves
– 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
– 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
– 1 crumbled bay leaf
– 2 inches of a cinnamon stick

How to create your pickling spice:

Simply place all of the ingredients listed above in medium sized mixing bowl and stir all of your ingredients until they are thoroughly mixed together. Once you’ve mixed all of your ingredients together, spoon your ready-made pickling spice into an airtight container and there you have it, your very own homemade pickling spice!

How to use your pickling spice to preserve pickles such as Armenian pickles:

If you’re unsure of how to use your pickling spice when it comes time to pickle your cucumbers and your place your cucumbers in a jar of vinegar, make sure to sprinkle a generous amount of your homemade pickling spice into each jar. As your pickling spice will contain natural preservatives, that will ensure that your pickles will stay fresh for several months.

So if you’re looking to pickle pickles, onions, jalapenos, beetroot or cauliflower, it’s well worth trying out the pickling spice recipe listed out above.

How to use your pickles:

1. Use your pickles in homemade burgers and hotdogs

If you often invite friends over to your home for barbecues, especially in the warm summer months, it’s a great idea to use pickles in homemade burgers and hotdogs.

2. To add a bit of flavor to your favorite salads

If you enjoy eating salad and are looking for a new way to add a bit of flavor to your everyday salads, it’s a great idea to place cut a few thin slices of your pickles in your salads. As an example, you may want to place your pickles in a salad with olives, feta cheese, beetroot, tomato, and egg.

3. In healthy wraps

If you’re looking to experiment with a new work-friendly lunch idea, you may want to have a go at using pickles in healthy wraps. As an example, you may want to use pickles in a delicious homemade wrap with a bit of shredded chicken, some spinach, some carrots and a bit of tomato.

4. On a pizza

While you may never have considered placing pickles on a pizza, if you’re looking to get creative with your pizza making, you may want to try adding pickles to your pizza toppings.

So if you are interested in adding pickles to your everyday meals, it’s well worth trying out the pickling spice recipe listed above.

Filed Under: Blog, Cooking, Home & Garden

How To Make Iced Tea Concentrate and Tazo Zen Iced Tea

March 4, 2019

If you’re interested in learning how to make your own home-made iced tea concentrate or are looking to find a Tazo Zen iced tea recipe, simply continue reading to discover a simple iced tea concentrate recipe and an easy to follow Tazo Zen iced tea recipe.

How to make iced tea concentrate:

If you drink iced tea on a regular basis and would appreciate being able to make iced tea at your home, on a frequent basis without having to complete a lot of prep work, it’s well worth learning how to make iced tea concentrate in advance.

Ingredients:

– 15 tea bags
– 8 cups of boiled water
– ice
– a large pitcher

Step by step instructions:

1. Take your 8 cups of boiled water and gently pour all 8 cups of your boiled water into a large pitcher.
2. Select 15 tea bags from your favorite brand and place them into your pitcher.
3. Let your 15 tea bags steep in your pitcher for around 5 minutes. To ensure that the flavor from your chosen tea bags infuses the water in your pitcher.
4. Remove your 15 tea bags and throw them away.
5. Let your pitcher of tea cool down.
6. Pour your pitcher of tea into refrigerator safe, resealable containers, which you’ll be able to use to store your iced tea in your fridge until you need it to create fresh iced tea. Which you’ll be able to dilute from your strong iced tea concentrate.

How to make Tazo Zen iced tea:

Ingredients:

– 2 quarts of water
– 7 Tazo Zen tea bags
– your choice of sweetener as an example once cup of sugar dissolved in one cup of cold water

Step by step instructions:

1. Heat your 2 quarts of water in a saucepan on a medium heat. Bring your saucepan to a simmer.
2. Turn off your element and add your 7 tea bags to your water.
3. Cover your saucepan with a lid and let your tea bags infuse your water for 15 minutes.
4. Place your concentrate in a pitcher and place it in your fridge whilst you prepare your Tazo Zen iced tea’s syrup.
5. In a second saucepan mix once up of plain water with a cup of sugar or honey. Boil the contents of your pot until your sugar of honey has dissolved completely. Pour your mixture into a plastic squeezable ketchup bottle and place it in your fridge.
6. Fill a tall glass halfway up with your iced tea pitcher and add a bit of your syrup which you prepared into your glass. If you’re looking for a bigger drink simply fill 2/3 of your glass with your Tazo Zen iced tea.

After taking a sip of your Tao Zen iced tea you may be surprised at just how close your homemade iced tea tastes to Starbuck’s iced tea as Starbuck’s features Tazo Zen branded iced tea.

So if you love nothing more than quenching your thirst on a hot day with a tall glass of ice tea, you simply can’t go wrong trying out the two recipes listed above!

Filed Under: Blog, Cooking

Ice Cream Sundae Ideas: How To Make Homemade Magic Shell

March 4, 2019

If you love eating ice cream sundaes on sunny, warm days, simply continue reading to discover a few creative tips for how to create scrumptious homemade ice cream sundaes. As an example, if you continue reading you’ll discover how to make your very own homemade magic shell, which will harden on top of your ice cream. Just like the magic shell syrup, which you can request at a proper ice cream store.

Creative ice cream sundae ideas:

– Use your own homemade magic shell syrup in order to create a hard chocolate shell over your ice cream sundae

Magic shell recipe coconut oil:

1. 1 cup of chocolate chips
2. 3 teaspoons of solid coconut oil

Directions:

1. Pour 1 cup of chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons of solid coconut oil into a small bowl.

2. Microwave your bowl and its contents for 20 seconds. After which you should stop your microwave and stir the contents of your bowl. Once you’ve stirred the contents of your bowl, microwave your small bowl for an extra 20 seconds, before stopping your microwave to stir the ingredients of your small bowl again. Continue this process until your coconut oil and chocolate chips have melted completely.

3. Once your homemade magic shell syrup has cooled down place it on top of your ice cream so that it will set hard.

– Create a traditional banana split

Banana split ingredients:

– 1 medium-sized, ripe banana
– 2 tablespoons of fresh or canned pineapple
– 2 tablespoons of sliced strawberries
– 2 tablespoons of whipped cream
– 1 tablespoon of chopped peanuts
– 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup
– 2 cherries

Instructions:

1. Place your ripe banana in an oval dessert dish and place your two scoops of ice cream inside your banana. To do this you may need to cut a straight line through your banana.

2. Top off your banana and ice cream with all of the ingredients listed above such as your pineapple, strawberries, whipped cream, chopped peanuts, and chopped peanuts. Make sure to place your two decorative strawberries on the very top of your banana sundae, on top of your whipped cream. To ensure that your banana split sundae is decorative as well as delicious.

If you’re unsure of what flavor ice cream goes well with a traditional banana split sundae, you can’t go wrong opting for either vanilla ice cream or chocolate ice cream. Both of which compliment a banana sundae.

Create a Neopolitan ice cream sundae:

If you’re the type of individual who can never make up their mind, when it comes time to choose an ice cream flavor, you can go wrong choosing to make a fun Neopolitan ice cream.

Simply scoop a scoop of strawberry ice cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a scoop of chocolate ice cream into a dessert bowl and place a wafer on top of one of your ice cream scoops. Before drizzling a bit of chocolate sauce onto your Neopolitan ice cream sundae.

So if you love devouring ice cream and like the idea of making your own homemade sundaes, it’s well worth testing out all 3 homemade ice cream sundae ideas!

Filed Under: Blog, Cooking

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