Al Fresco Picnic
Tucked away in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, you’ll find the Aden Country Park – the ideal venue for a beautiful Al Fresco Picnic. This former mansion, now a ruin, belonged to the Russell family and was apparently quite beautiful before its demise. Its saving grace is that as the house was built with true Scottish grey granite, […]
All about Indian spices
‘ Cumin is a pungent, aromatic spice that complements the natural sweetness of dishes. It’s popular in Indian, Mexican and Middle Eastern cuisines. Fennel adds a sweet aniseed flavour to curries and sauces that becomes more subtle once roasted. Turmeric is bright yellow with an earthy, slightly bitter flavour. It adds balance, depth and colour […]
Getting to Know Your Herbs
Becoming a “Herb Connoisseur” can take your cooking to an entirely new level, and make you a better cook. And the best part is, it’s not difficult! Adding the right herbs can make all the difference between a meal that is filling but bland and one that is exceptionally delicious. In addition, herbs offer a […]
Save Those Cheese Rinds
‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘Save the rinds from your wedges of Parmesan cheese! Stash them in the freezer until you’re cooking a batch of soup or stew. Just add them to your simmering pot, for an unbelievable depth of flavor. (Remove rind before serving) Some gourmet grocery stores even sell their cheese rinds, just for […]
Tip for Stuffed Peppers, Baked Apples, or Stuffed Tomatoes
When cooking a batch of Stuffed Peppers, Baked Apples, or Roasted Tomatoes, place them in a well-greased muffin tin! They will keep their shape better, and the muffin tin catches any drips. Makes lovely presentation, and clean-up is a breeze.
Allspice. . . or All Spice?
Maybe I’m the only one who ever thought that Allspice was actually a blend of several sweet spices! But lo and behold, it’s actually a wonderful aromatic spice with impressive health benefits, all its own! Who knew? ‘Allspice (one word!) is a superb spice, used most often in savory West Indian cooking. It is made […]
Keep Your Cauliflower White
Want to be sure you serve the whitest cauliflower? Just add a splash of lemon juice to the water in which it is steamed or simmered! Keeps the colour clean and white.
“Dot” your butter . . . . . better!
When a recipe calls for “dotting” with butter, such as a fruit crisp, or bread-crumb covered casserole (it adds richness, and helps browning). grate chilled butter on the large holes of a flat grater to create uniform pieces that are easier to distribute. No more random butter chunks!
Make The Best Roast Veggies
‘ ‘ Place your pan in the oven as it preheats! When the vegetables hit that hot surface, they get a delicious jump-start on browning. So simple, so delicious!
Make Wine Cubes!
Have a bottle of wine that you just can’t finish up, and don’t want to waste that last little bit? Pour the wine into ice cube trays, and freeze! Pull a couple out to de-glaze a pan, or add flavor to a sauce. Or. . .pop a few into your next spritzer or sangria!
