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Carrot Chips Recipe

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Ingredients
  • 2 large carrots (at least 1 inch in diameter), peeled
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1/4 plus 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Basic Ranch Dressing for dipping (optional)
Preparation
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange the racks to divide the oven into thirds.
  2. Holding the stem end, shave the carrots lengthwise into thin strips using a Y-shaped vegetable peeler. Place the carrot strips in a medium bowl, add the oil, salt, and pepper to taste and toss with your hands until thoroughly coated.
  3. Place the strips in a single layer on 2 baking sheets—the strips can be touching but should not overlap. (Discard or save any remaining carrot slices for another use.)
  4. Bake for 6 minutes, then rotate the pans between the racks. Bake until the edges of the chips are just starting to turn golden brown, about 6 to 8 minutes more. Place the baking sheets on wire racks and let the chips cool until crisp, about 3 minutes. Using your hands, carefully transfer the chips to a serving dish and serve with ranch dressing, if desired. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Serves 2 servings

Compliments Of:chow.com




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Basque Vegetable Rice Recipe

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Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 small dried red chile pepper, such as chile de arbol, broken
  • 1 medium onion, quartered and thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 large ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced
  • 1 medium zucchini, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon paprika, preferably Spanish
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 1/4 cups short-grain white rice, preferably Valencia (see Tip)
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
  • 6 lemon wedges, for garnish
Preparation
  1. Heat oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add chile pepper, onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until the onion is soft but not browned, about 6 minutes.
  2. Add tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, paprika, thyme, salt and pepper; cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.
  3. Add rice; stir to coat well with the tomato mixture. Add broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until the rice is tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve hot directly from the pan, garnished with parsley and lemon wedges, if desired.

TIPS & NOTES
Tip: Valencia rice (sometimes called paella rice) is Spanish-grown, short-grain rice classically used when making paella. It differs from other short-grain rice because of its ability to absorb moisture without breaking down. When fully cooked, the individual grains of rice remain whole. 'Bomba' is the best variety. Find it in specialty markets or online at tienda.com. Arborio rice can be used as a substitute, but yields a creamier dish.
Serves 6

Compliments Of: eatingwell.com




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Holiday Scents Take You Back

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  • Evoke the senses
    through scent From the sweet fragrance of rich vanilla or the blend of winter berries and greenery, walking into a room with a seasonal scent instantly sets the mood, whether it’s comfort and relaxation from warm vanilla or invigoration from wintry greens. A lit candle on a side table is always a lovely touch to your holiday décor, though there are other options for enjoying your favorite fragrances such as Glade Wax Melts or Glade PlugIns Scented Oil Customizables Warmers. You and your guests will love the many options available in the Glade Winter Collection, which includes scents like Sparkling Spruce, a fresh balsam and crisp cypress fragrance that may evoke nostalgic memories of decorating your first tree or perhaps sledding in the woods after the first winter snow.
  • Turn up memorable melodies
    Like scent, music has a way of evoking feelings and memories. When looking for a playlist, choose music that speaks to childhood holidays. Or, delight older relatives with holiday classics they’ll enjoy. If you have musicians in the mix, encourage them to bring their instrument and favorite holiday songbooks.
  • DIY décor
    Adding a cheery look to your home can be done without a trip to the craft or home decorating store. Simply fill large glass vases, metallic serving bowls or lanterns with brightly colored glass ornaments for gorgeous centerpieces that will illuminate the room. Add a sentimental touch by using decorations that have been passed down through generations.
  • Let it glowHaving the right amount of light is a must for any gathering. Be sure to have a room that is properly lit for guests to enjoy activities, while maintaining an inviting atmosphere. Everyone will love cozying up to a burning fireplace. If you don’t have a fireplace, place candles around your space for an intimate feel.
  • Serve treats that please the sensesGive guests a trip back in time to grandma’s kitchen and bake up special treats that evoke the sense of nostalgia. Time your baking so the goodies are done right before the guests arrive to thoroughly enjoy lingering baking smells. Freshly baked gingerbread cookies, cinnamon apple cake or pumpkin pie are always sure to please.

Connections between happiness and smell

According to the study, the following scents were listed as those that most inspire happiness among the respondents questioned:
  • Freshly baked bread (72%)
  • Freshly laundered clothing (70%)
  • Briny smell of the seashore (66%)
  • Tang of a fresh-cut orange (63%)
  • Sweet bouquet of apple cinnamon (62%)
  • Warm scent of vanilla (60%)
  • Decadent smell of chocolate (59%)

(baking photo) - Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Compliments Of:Glade




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Are Your Pots Past Their Prime?

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Having the right cookware


A recent survey concludes that most Americans own a piece of cookware that is approximately 17 years old. This survey also reveals that three out of 10 Americans admits to not knowing how to properly gauge the wear and tear of their cookware. When you know how to properly evaluate your cookware, you'll have confidence in your supplies, making the process of cooking even more rewarding.

Step One: Check Your Cookware

Look at your pots and pans to assess the wear and tear of each. Check for signs of chipping, rusting, or warping that may affect the performance. Flip it over and look at the bottom to see if it is burned, which could affect how the pot or pan heats. Also, check the handles and lids to see if they are bent or missing.

Step Two: Test It Out

Once you've checked the condition of your cookware, it's time to test it out. Chipping, rusting, and warping can affect the cooking or cleanup performance of your pots and pans. Be sure to test your cookware to ensure these flaws are only cosmetic. If your cookware is nonstick, a good test is to fry an egg - if it sticks to your pan then it is likely time to buy yourself a replacement.

Step Three: Reevaluate Your Needs


Once you've reviewed and tested your cookware, you can decide what you should keep, what to reinvest in and what you need to recycle. Start by asking yourself how often you cook, how much do you cook, and do you find yourself needing different sizes and shapes of pans while cooking?

Finally,it's important to feel the cookware in your own hands. Visit your local retail store and pick them up. Find out if the handles feel comfortable, the weight is good - and if you love the color and style. Most of your favorite retail stores have great selections to meet your needs.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Compliments Of: DuPont




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Roasted Green Beans with Lemon Vinaigrette Drizzle Recipe

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Ingredients
  • lb. green beans, trimmed
  • 1 medium sweet onion, halved and sliced into thin wedges
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 4 Tbsp. Country Crock® Spread, melted and divided
  • 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp. finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 425°. Toss green beans, onion, garlic and 2 tablespoons melted Country Crock® Spread in 13 x 9-inch baking or roasting pan. Roast, stirring once, until beans are tender, about 25 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, combine remaining 2 tablespoons melted Spread, lemon juice, honey, mustard and black pepper in small bowl with wire whisk. Stir in parsley.
  3. Meanwhile, combine remaining 2 tablespoons melted Spread, lemon juice, honey, mustard and black pepper in small bowl with wire whisk. Stir in parsley.
Serves 4
Compliments Of: countrycrock.com




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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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Ingredients
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 cups (12-ounce bag) milk chocolate chips, not semisweet
  • Nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper
Preparation
  1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray cookie sheets with nonstick spray or line them with parchment paper.
  2. Using a mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Beat in the white and brown sugars, a little at a time, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the white and brown sugars, a little at a time, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time, then mix in the vanilla and pumpkin puree. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
  4. Slowly beat the flour mixture into the batter in thirds. Stir in the chips. Scoop the cookie dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cookies are browned around the edges.
  5. Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let them rest for 2 minutes. Take the cookies off with a spatula and cool them on wire racks.
  6. Slowly beat the flour mixture into the batter in thirds. Stir in the chips. Scoop the cookie dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cookies are browned around the edges.
Serves 60 (PER COOKIE)
Compliments Of: foodnetwork.com




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General Cooking Tips

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Tips and Techniques for Cooking


1. Add a little zest. When a recipe calls for a “zest” of a citrus fruit, it’s referring to the colorful outer part of the skin, not the inner white part, which is known as the pith. The zest contains all of the aromatic citrus oils and provides a hint of citrus tang to the recipe. A simple method of obtaining a fine zest is by rubbing the fruit against the smallest holes of a cheese grater.

2. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Good cooks are never afraid to deviate from a recipe and add their own flair. Whenever you make a substitution or addition be sure to make a note on the recipe so you remember next time whether you liked the change or not.

3. Keep your recipes organized. Nothing is more frustrating when you’re ready to start cooking then not being able to find your recipe. Keep things organized by finding a system for filing your recipes that you can keep close at hand in the kitchen. A great option is to buy one of those photo albums where you peel back a plastic sheet and underneath is a sticky surface. This makes recipes easy to find and at any time you can remove or replace them!

Compliments Of: 101 Cooking Tips




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