Showing posts with label Cooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cooking. Show all posts

Friday, July 10, 2020

Lazy Girl's Potatoes

Recently I came across a GENIUS kitchen hack and I just have to share it with you!


You will need:

  1. Drain & rinse the Potatoes
  2. Lay Potato slices onto to grille
  3. Close lid and cook at 450 degrees until desired doneness is achieved (start checking around 10 minutes)
  4. Carefully remove & Eat!

This does require some organizational skills in order to get one full can of Potatoes onto one griddle. (You can do it!)

One can really only yields a light snack for two people.  I really could eat an entire can myself (even as a side dish to a main meal), but I fear one can would cool off before a second can would be ready. 

I really like this idea, however, because it eliminates the prep time/utensils needed to create sliced Potatoes.  I also found the end product to be light and crispy on the outside, but creamy on the inside.


Monday, June 29, 2015

Quick Cooking Corn On The Cob

Confused on how long to boil corn on the cob?

Skip the water and go for the microwave.

3 minutes per ear, husk left intact.

Use an Ove' Glvoe (or towel or oven mitt) to remove, and hack off the bottom.

Grab the top with the strings and shake until the cob comes out clean.


Thursday, December 5, 2013

Chestnuts Roasting On A...

If you're like me, you grew up listening to that song and can finish that lyric.

Yet, while a fond Christmas memory, I have never actually eaten chestnuts, let alone roasted chestnuts.  So, I did some digging and figured out how to do it, sans the open fire.  Bonus, it's quite simple!

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
  2. Using a sharp paring knife, press a large "X" into the flat side of the nut, make sure to cut through the shell, so it can split open
  3. Place nuts on a shallow baking pan
  4. Roast for 25-40 minutes, shaking the pan periodically
  5. Remove pan from oven to cool
  6. Once cool enough to handle, peel (cold nuts are hard to peel)
  7. Be sure to remove the outer papery skin
  8. Consume immediately

Helpful Tips:
  1. Don't hold the chestnut in your hand while scoring.  Hold against a cutting board instead.  Ove' Glove?!?!
  2. Cooking times vary depending on the age and size of the chestnut - older and larger will require more time
  3. Shaking the pan ensures even roasting
  4. Peel by squeezing the nut between your thumb & index finger
  5. If you can find frozen, pre-cut chestnuts, go for it!
  6. Fresh chestnuts are firm to the touch and heavy in the hand, with no space between the shell and the meat of the nut inside
  7. Uncut nuts will explode (trust me)
  8. Chestnut season runs from early October through late December

If you really get into this, check out the Chestnutter!

Now for you purest, you can eat chestnuts raw, unless you have the following conditions: severe intestinal problems, kidney problems, liver disease and those who are pregnant (sorry, you'll just have to wait).

Happy Holidays!

Friday, April 26, 2013

My New Spice Drawer!


My spices and I have been in a constant battle ever since I started cooking.  The more spices I would acquire the more brutal the war.  This has been going on for years!

I could never decide on the optimal way to store my spices.  At first, they were banned to a corner of a cabinet shelf.  Delicately stacked upon one another, waiting to collapse whenever called upon.  Once they outgrew that space, I began piling them into plastic shoe boxes - all smashed together and discombobulated.  Then I moved and was able to dedicate an entire kitchen drawer to my partners in crime.  While I was relieved to have a designated space, the different shapes and sizes made organization impossible.  What was a girl to do?!?

Finally - while acquiring supplies for my latest jamming & canning session, I discovered that my beloved canning jar came in a smaller 4 oz size!  For a brief moment, I raced through my long list of spices and pondered if this size could be the answer to my prayers.  With frenzy I snatched up every case of jars the store had!  I had no clue if this was going to work, but I had to try dammit!

With trusty label maker in hand, I began the arduous task of relocating each spice to its new home.

The result...

Sweet Victory!!!

I am relieved to declare that the battle has ended!  Look at them all neatly aligned, clearly labeled and awaiting all my flavoring needs.  It almost brings a tear to one's eye.

While it may have taken years, with patience and perseverance, in the battle of the spices, Healthy Hoff wins!

Keep Calm & Spice On!
The Hoff


Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Spaghetti Sauce: Don't Burn My Heart!

I love spaghetti, but the tomato-based, acid-rich sauce doesn't always love me back.

To dodge the heartburn or acid reflux, add a whole Carrot to the sauce while simmering/cooking.  The Carrot will soak up the acid in the sauce like a sponge, the same way a whole Potato will soak up salt in a soup.

Just remember to pitch the Carrot as it will taste like vinegar...yuck!


Saturday, March 23, 2013

Cooking Greens

Here are four easy ways in which to cook Greens.  Each require little time & effort on your part.  All will give you the nutritional power punch that Greens provide.

No matter the cooking method, store Greens in a plastic bag in the fridge for no more than 3-4 days.  Just before cooking, thoroughly wash or Rehydrate Your Greens, an easy method is to fill your salad spinner with water, soak Greens for a few minutes and then rinse the Greens via the strainer.

Help Greens go down easier with Hoff's Greens Sauce or hit them with some Bragg Liquid Aminos or Lemon/Lime juice & a little Sea Salt!


Pan Steaming
  • Thoroughly rinse Greens, don't bother drying as water will aid in steaming
  • Tear or chop into bite size pieces
  • In a large frying pan, sautee Onions & Garlic (optional)
  • Pile Greens into pan and cover
  • Greens will cook down within about 1-8 minutes (depends on the type of Green)

Blanching

  • Drop whole Greens (minimize nutrient loss) into a large pot of salted boiling water for 30 seconds to 5 minutes (depends on the type of Green) until desired texture is achieved
  • Drain, spin dry & chop into bite size pieces
  • Give the leftover water to your plants

Stir-Fry
  • Add a handful of chopped Greens to a Stir-fry and cook along with other veggies

Simmer

  • Add chopped Greens directly to any broth-based soup or stew - try adding Spinach or Collards to a minestrone


No matter how you cook them, you can never get enough greens in your diet. 


Get Your Greens On!
The Hoff


Sunday, December 30, 2012

New Plant-Based Show: How To Live To 100!!!



I'm super excited to check out the Cooking Channel's new Plant-Based show,
"How To Live To 100", premiering January 6, 2013 at 8pm ET/5pm PT)!!!

"Detroit-born chef, Jason Wrobel, dishes up a sublime fusion of food and humor as host of the new Cooking Channel special, How To Live To 100. Known as the "King of Superfoods," which are powerful ingredients proven to increase your longevity, Jason turns up the heat and whips them up into culinary masterpieces."

It's about time these food networks put something together for us veggie lovers!

My DVR is already set!

Check it out!
The Hoff


Monday, December 10, 2012

Bite Size Spaghetti

I think Rachel Ray turned me onto this handy, dandy trick.

If you're just not into long strands of spaghetti or have a recipe better suited for smaller pieces, follow these super, simple steps:


Start with Whole Wheat Spaghetti & a clean Dish Towel

Lay spaghetti lengthwise with the towel


Wrap the spaghetti in the towel, twisting the ends, so nothing escapes


 Drag the towel along the edge of a counter or table until
desired sized pieces are accomplished
You will need to apply pressure to get the pasta to break


That's it - takes mere seconds to accomplish!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Baking Soda To The Rescue!

So the other day I made Split Pea soup in the crock pot and while I thought it was impossible to burn anything in a crock pot, I learned the hard way that that it is very, very possible.

To my defense, I had to make an impromptu run to the emergency vet with Morticia (my cat) after an incident with Hawkeye (my other cat) in which I feared she had torn a ligament or dislocated her hip.  I'm happy to report it was just a sprain and she is good as new!

My crock pot  on the other hand bared the brunt of the debacle.  When I returned the sides were thickly coated in burnt on split pea soup.  Sigh.  

I did what I could, but it was late and I was tired so I decided to let the pot soak overnight with a warm water & baking soda solution.

To my delight, the baking soda lifted almost everything up, just a tiny bit of elbow grease was required to get some very stubborn bits.

So next time your pots/pans have a disagreement with your cooking, try soaking in a some baking soda & warm water to mediate the situation and allow a few hours for the two parties to simmer down.

Happy Cleaning!
The Hoff

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Most Awesome Garlic Peeler!

I just got The Ultimate Garlic Peeler and I am in love!

The only thing that keeps me from using more garlic is all the work that goes into peeling that damn skin off!  It seriously slows me down when I'm in the cooking groove.

I kid you not, this Garlic Peeler removes ALL the peel within seconds with just some light pressure and the roll of your hand!

At $4.50, this may be the cheapest, most satisfying investment you ever make for your cooking experience!

Pair this with Garlic Press and you will be in garlic heaven!

And if you're in need of some serious amounts of garlic, check out this YouTube video for some heavy duty garlic peeling in 10 seconds flat!



Check it Out!
The Hoff

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Washing & Storing Greens

I'm on the greens bandwagon because of the mega wattage of micronutrients they provide and those are really, really important. But a pain point is getting them prepped for use.  The key is to do it all at once as soon as or close to when you bring them in the door.

So, this is what I do to prep my greens:
  1. Soak cut or shredded greens in a cold water bath in your kitchen sink for 20 minutes (any dirt and debris will sink to the bottom), I like to add ground sea salt or baking soda to the water to aid in the cleaning
  2. Spin dry greens in a salad spinner
  3. Lay out a line of paper towels to accommodate the amount of greens
  4. Spread greens out for additional drying time (timing will vary)
  5. Gently roll up paper towels like a giant sushi roll, keep it lose
  6. Put "sushi roll" into a plastic zip lock bag, push out all the air and seal
  7. Place in the frig
This should give you at least 7 days with your greens - ready to go when you are!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Cooking Without Oil - Yes It Can Be Done!

Can't cook without oil?  Think again. 

One tablespoon (do you really use just one tablespoon, be honest) of oil contains 120 calories and 100% of those calories come from fat!

Contrary to popular belief, oil, even olive oil, has little nutritional value and is not an essential part of a healthy diet.  You can get all the oil your body needs from the trace amounts found in whole foods and you don't need nearly the amount you think you do.

To learn more, check out this quick video from The Plant-Based Dietician(Julieanna Hever MS, RD) & Chef AJ on making Saucy Glazed Mushrooms, featuring sauteing onions without oil (it's easier than you think).

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Cutting Boards: Glass vs. Wood

My perfectly uniform cucumber chunks!
I am a germaphobe and I am not ashamed to admit that, in fact I proclaim it to all those around!

So it was never surprising to me that I had an extreme aversion to salmonella and other  bacteria leading to food borne illnesses. See, once upon a time, The Healthy Hoff did eat meat, well chicken, turkey, etc. to be exact.  And I took extreme precautions when bringing said items into my home - always double bagging at the store, never packing with other food at the check-out, dedicating a shelf in the refrigerator and always, always using a glass cutting board for preparation!

Aside from an aversion to wood (an issue for another time), I felt that wood cutting boards were a bacteria trap!  Just by nature, cutting results in cut marks in the wood, which inevitably turns your cutting board into a salmonella breeding ground!  So, I only used glass - no crevasses for meat juices to seep into and easy to clean.  In fact, I have five of them in various sizes.

One problem, I suffered from "dull knife syndrome" or so I thought...  I would cut my produce exactly as the Food TV people did and I never had the same results!  My food would slide around, eluding my knife, flying off the cutting board.  "Knife must be dull," I always thought.  Yet sharpening never solved the problem.

Then not too long ago, I asked a professional chef, Chef Robin of Cooking with C.A.R.E. what type of cutting board she preferred.  Her reply, "wood," because it provided the best knife control.  Knife control!  Never heard of that before, now I was intrigued.  So I hit the Walmart for a cheap wooden cutting board (because I still wasn't sold on the concept), which I found for around $13 bucks.

Guess what.  I never did suffer from "dull knife syndrome."  I had "faulty knife control" due to a poor cutting surface.  Now thanks to the right cutting board, I am emulating my Food TV idols!   I am cutting onions and potatoes and peppers with ease!  My cuts are precise and my food is uniform.  I can't tell you how fantastic it is to cook when you have the proper tools.  I now look forward to all my choppy chopping!

Why was I so easy to persuade into a wooden cutting board, now?  Well, now I'm vegan, no meat in this house and no more meat juices - less chance of salmonella poisoning!  I still thoroughly wash all veggies, even the tripled washed kinds, because you can never be too careful.

Choppy Choppy!
The Hoff

Monday, January 30, 2012

Sucking The Water From Food!

That's Kale!
That's my subtle way of saying I just got into the art of dehydrating food!

I was inspired to do so recently after reading a very, very short chapter on the subject in a book called, "Raw Foods For Busy People" by Jordan Maerin.  

Now, I am not a raw foodist, so why was I reading this book?  Well, for one I received it as a gift from a friend and all things happen for a reason...  Second, I'm open to all things healthy and as I suspected, this book taught me a thing or two, as well as inspired me - inspired me to include more raw foods in my diet and inspired me to get into drying foods!

So, I hit the internet, asked friends who I thought might be into this practice and collected data until I was comfortable in my decision to buy a dehydrator.

Selecting a dehydrator

I did not go with the Cadillac of dehydrators, which seems to be the Excalibur; even the name sounds grand!

Instead, I was realistic in my newbie efforts and went with the second best kid on the block, a Nesco.  To be exact, the Nesco/American Harvest FD-80 Square-Shaped Dehydrator!

After many hours of research, I figured out some key characteristics that would yield the best experience for me:

  • Square shape: to maximize drying area and aid in storage
  • Top down heating: top mounted fan eliminates liquids dripping into the heating chamber and making clean-up a pain in the ass
  • High wattage: 700 watts of drying power, cuts down drying time
  • Adjustable Thermostat: enables drying of different foods at the right temperature (95-160º F); taking the guess work out
  • Downward Air Flow: hot air forced downward and horizontally across each tray (not through trays), eliminating the need to rotate trays and prevent flavor mixing when drying different things
  • Expandable trays: ability to add additional drying trays should I become obsessed!
The Nesco FD-80, nailed all these characteristics as well as had hundreds and hundreds of positive consumer reviews!

Two things that I and everybody else wished this unit had is a timer and a on/off switch, but it doesn't seem like any unit out on the market has these features.  So, I "MacGyvered" my way around this with an outlet timer and surge protector with an on/off switch.

One more thing, contrary to the box label, this machine is not made in the U.S.A. - parts may be, but the main heating element is made in China. (sigh)

What to make with it?

As I type, my machine is busy making Kale Chips, Banana Chips, dried Kiwi and Clementines!

I plan to make fruit leather, crackers, cookies and experiment with a wide range of produce. And of course, I keep researching for more ways to use it!  My immediate goal is just to get some healthy, all-natural snack foods going, as my recent conversion to a whole foods, plant-based diet has left a void in this area.

I'll let you know how things go!

Eat Well!
The Hoff

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Cool Tool: Little Coconut Noodler Tool

Check out the Little Coconut Noodler Tool from UBRaw.com!

This neat little device creates "noodle" shapes out of raw coconut or zucchini in seconds!  I imagine it could make a noodle out of anything with the right consistency!

A cool way to put a new spin on any meal!

See for yourself!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Vegan No Oil Egg Substitutes

Re-post courtesy of: No Oil Vegan, Dr. Esselstyn's & Rip's E2 Diet NE Ohio

VEGAN NO OIL Egg Substitutes

There are plenty of egg substitutes available for baking or preparing a dish that calls for eggs. Ener-G Egg Replacer is a reliable egg substitute for use in baking. It is available at health food stores and most grocery stores.

Tofu: Tofu is great for egg substitutions in recipes that call for a lot of eggs, like quiches or custards. To replace one egg in a recipe, purée 1/4 cup soft tofu. It is important to keep in mind that although tofu doesn't fluff up like eggs, it does create a texture that is perfect for "eggy" dishes.

Tofu is also a great substitute for eggs in eggless egg salad and breakfast scrambles.

In Desserts and Sweet, Baked Goods: Try substituting one banana or 1/4 cup applesauce for each egg called for in a recipe for sweet, baked desserts. These will add some flavor to the recipe, so make sure bananas or apples are compatible with the other flavors in the dessert.

Other Egg Replacement Options

• 1 egg = 2 tbsp potato starch
• 1 egg = 1/4 cup mashed potatoes
• 1 egg = 1/4 cup canned pumpkin or squash
• 1 egg = 1/4 cup puréed prunes
• 1 egg = 1 tbsp Chia Seeds + 3 tbsp water (let stand for 5 minutes)
• 1 egg = 1 tbsp ground flax seed + 3 tbsp hot water (let stand for 5 minutes)
• 1 egg = 2 tbsp lemon juice (add to wet ingredients) +12 tsp baking soda (add to dry ingredients) (use for baking mix)
• 1 egg white = 1 tbsp plain agar powder dissolved in 1 tbsp water, whipped, chilled, and whipped again


Egg Replacement Tips

• If a recipe calls for three or more eggs, it is important to choose a replacer that will perform the same function (i.e., binding or leavening).

• Trying to replicate airy baked goods that call for a lot of eggs, such as angel food cake, can be very difficult. Instead, look for a recipe with a similar taste but fewer eggs, which will be easier to replicate.

• When adding tofu to a recipe as an egg replacer, be sure to purée it first to avoid chunks in the finished product.

• Be sure to use plain tofu, not seasoned or baked, as a replacer.

• Powdered egg replacers cannot be used to create egg recipes such as scrambles or omelets. Tofu is the perfect substitute for eggs in these applications.

• If you want a lighter texture and you're using fruit purées as an egg substitute, add an extra 1/2 tsp. baking powder. Fruit purées tend to make the final product denser than the original recipe.

• If you're looking for an egg replacer that binds, try adding 2 to 3 Tbsp. of any of the following for each egg: tomato paste, potato starch, arrowroot powder, whole wheat flour, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, instant potato flakes, or 1/4 cup tofu puréed with 1 Tbsp. flour.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Preparation Tip

I hate washing dishes, so anything I can do to minimize my time at the sink, puts a smile on my face!

Utilizing a pair of kitchen scissors only to be used for food to cut up small, soft food items such as herbs, scallions, greens, etc. not only eliminates the need to drag out the cutting board and knife, but is also quicker.  (Kitchen scissors can also be used on meat such as chicken and bacon, but you didn't hear that from me.)

Try this method with Hoff's Super Quick Udon Noodle Soup - everything requiring a choppy chop can be done using the scissors, which adds to the super quickness of this recipe!

Happy Shearing!
The Hoff

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Rockin' Garlic Press!

I came across this little gadget recently and I absolutely love it!  In fact, I use it almost daily!

Instead of trying to mince garlic, which I am never successful at - I use the Joseph Joseph Rocker, Garlic Crusher!

All you need to do is remove the garlic peel, press down on the clove in a seesaw motion and the little square holes create perfect minced garlic in seconds!  I don't even bother to do a clove at a time as the garlic will just build up on top, awaiting it's final destination.

Plus, it's much easier to clean than a traditional garlic press!

And triple score bonus, since this crafty gadget is made of stainless steel, you can rub your hands on it to remove an garlic smell that may be lingering (clean it first, of course)!

Go Garlic!
The Hoff

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Minimal Effort, One Pot Meal for One

This is more of a concept than a recipe.  Use what you have on hand and what you personally like.  Be adventurous!

I found myself cooking for one a few evenings ago.  I wanted a home cooked meal minus the processed foods (a typical go-to), but I didn't feel like pulling out the cutting boards and pots and I certainly didn't want to do any dishes.  So I thought about it and I turned to my trusty rice cooker and freezer and wondered if I could cook rice, while cooking a variety of frozen vegetables.  I'm pleased to say that my experiment was a success!

To get started pour in one cup of rice and two cups of water or vegetable broth into the rice cooker as the foundation of your meal.  Next, add any combination of frozen vegetables.  I had succotash, cauliflower and collard greens on hand.  Next, stir in seasonings.  I was going for an Asian Stir-Fry, so I added Bragg Liquid Aminos (soy sauce), ground ginger, kelp or sea salt and a bit of lime juice.  I set the rice cooker to "cook" and while it seemed to take longer than cooking just rice, everything turned out perfect!

This could easily be doubled for a meal for two or for leftover lunch the next day.  Depending on how big your rice cooker is, you could have a healthy, easy meal for the whole fam!

Keep it Healthy!
The Hoff

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Ohio Seasonal Produce Chart

Tip: Click on the produce in fuchsia for Nutrition, Selection, Storage & Preparation tips!

OHIO PRODUCE IN SEASON
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Apples



8/15-11/1
Asparagus
4/25-7/1




Beans (Hort.)


7/11-10/1

Beans (Lima)


7/11-10/1

Beans (Pole)

6/27-10/1

Beans (Snap)

6/13-10/1

Beets

6/6-10/15
Blackberries


7/15-9/9

Blueberries

6/24-9/15

Broccoli

6/8-6/30

9/14-9/30

Cabbage
5/19-11/1
Cantaloupe


7/25-10/1

Carrots


7/13-10/21
Cauliflower




9/12-11/1
Cilantro

6/1-11/1
Collards
5/23-10/21
Corn (Sweet)


7/1-10/21
Cucumbers


7/1-10/1

Currants


7/8-7/31



Dill (Dry)

6/10-10/1
Dill (Seed)


7/25-10/1

Eggplant


7/15-10/1

Endive and Escarole

6/5-10/10
Gooseberries

6/17-7/15



Grapes (Table)



8/20-10/15
Kale
5/15-10/15
Leeks


7/15-11/1
Leafy Lettuce

6/1-10/21
Mustard Greens
5/15-10/15
Okra


7/15-9/17

Onions (Dry)


7/23-10/21
Onions (Green)

6/11-10/15
Parsley (Herbs)

6/11-11/1
Parsnips




9/1-11/1
Peaches


7/15-9/15

Peas (Green)

6/15-7/15



Peppers (Bell)


7/1-10/21
Peppers (Hot)


7/25-10/15
Peppers (Sweet)


7/15-10/15
Potatoes


7/9-11/1
Pumpkins




9/15-10/31
Radishes
5/15-11/1
Raspberries (Black)

6/15-7/23



Raspberries (Purple)

6/18-8/1



Raspberries (Red)

6/18-8/1



Raspberries (Fall)



8/15-10/1

Rhubarb 4/23-7/1




Spinach
5/15-7/15 8/15-10/22
Squash (Summer/Zucchini)

6/15-10/1

Squash (Winter)



8/15-11/15
Strawberries
5/15-7/1




Strawberries (Everbearing)
5/21-7/16 8/15-10/8
Sweet Corn


7/1-10/21
Tomatoes


7/1-10/8
Turnip Greens
5/15-10/21
Turnips




9/1-11/5
Watermelon




9/1-10/8
*Source: http://ourohio.org/index.php?page=whats-in-season