Kitchen Tips

We are always looking for little helps or short cuts in the kitchen, aren't you?  Whatever makes like easier or things that stick in the back of your mind until you need them.

Like this.  I am always either cutting or burning myself.  I'm dependable in that way.  So I was intrigued when I read on this list of kitchen tips at Lifehackery.com that you should use mustard on a burn.  I will definitely have to remember that.

It also mentions that a celery stalk will freshen up bread that has started to go stale.  I've never heard of that one before.

The list was posted in 2008 but as with all useful information, it is still good today.

Take a look at their site and here's my top ten from their list.

1.  Use mustard on the affected area of a burn.

2.  Place a celery stalk in the bag with bread that has started to go stale.

3.  Rubbing a stainless steel spoon on your hands will absorb odors, like onions or garlic.

4.   Don't chop chili peppers without rubbing a little vegetable oil into your hands. Your skin won’t absorb the spicy chili oil.

5.  Ants in your kitchen? Find out where they are coming in and cover the hole with petroleum jelly. If they are coming under a door, draw a line on the floor with chalk.

6.  Use an apple in your bag of potatoes to keep them from budding.

7.  After boiling pasta or potatoes, cool the water and use it to water your house plants. The water contains nutrients that your plants will love.  I never in a million years would have thought of this.  I am kind of afraid that it might bring gnats but hey, I'll try anything once.

8.   When defrosting meat from the freezer, pour some vinegar over it. Not only does it tenderize the meat; it will also bring down the freezing temperature of the meat and cause it to thaw quicker.  This is one that I will have to try before believing.  And does it leave a vinegar taste???

9.  Nick your finger while cutting veggies?  Let the bleeding stop and paint on a layer of clear nail polish. It will keep juices out of the wound and won’t fall off into the spaghetti sauce like a bandage.  Love this...and am going to try it next time.

10.  A cotton ball soaked in white vinegar and applied to a fresh bruise will reduce the darkness of the bruise and help it disappear sooner.  Do you get the impression that I am clumsy?

I hope you find something on this list that you didn't already know and can use too.

Live, Laugh, Love,

Karen and Charlie

The Chew and Clinton's Potato Salad

I love The Chew.  I have watched every show and have even protected some of them on the DVR so Charlie doesn't erase them.  If you watch, you would know the ones.  Jo Beth Williams, the relay race, Momma T and most recently Olivia Newton John.

I laugh so much while watching it that I can't help but be in a good mood.  And I generally watch it at 4:00 in the morning.  It makes my day!

I try so many of their recipes and we have loved them all.  I will admit that I don't usually try Daphne's although she has had one or two that looked good.  And I wish her the very best as she moves back home.  If I had to tell her anything, it would be focus on the goal and you can get through anything.

Here's my latest addition from The Chew:

Clinton Kelly's Potato Salad

You can find Clinton's recipe by clicking on the link above.  We didn't have any corn, which is absolutely unbelievable in this house but what can I say.  I can image how good it will be with the added crunch and sweetness of the corn.

This dish comes together to fast and is so good.  I even ate some for breakfast yesterday.

We made sandwiches too. A little different than the one Clinton made.  Although I do plan on making his.  Mango chutney sounds so awesome.  Our sandwich was a mix of a panini and a club.  Once again we used artichoke pesto and cesar dressing on the bread.  A mix of ham, turkey, bacon and swiss cheese topped with tomato and onion.  Press it into a press and Yum.  Coupled with Clinton's potato salad and you have yourself a meal.  It was scrumptious.

Try it today.  You will love it!

And try watching The Chew.  You will love it too.

Live, Laugh, Love,

Karen and Charlie

Panini

I went through all of my recipes the other day and cleaned out my files.  You know how it is.  You see in a magazine and think about how good the picture looks.  You swear that you will make it during the coming week but the recipe just sits there....waiting...and waiting.

I promised myself that I would only keep the recipes that I thought I would truly try.  And this week, I've done pretty good.  If I do say so myself!

This one is from Pillsbury and we are definitely putting it in our sandwich rotation.

Bacon and Mozzarella Panini
(changed just a bit by Karen and Charlie)

1Classic Pillsbury Pizza Crust
1 tablespoon artichoke pesto
2 teaspoon ceasar salad dressing
2 slices fresh mozzarella
pinch of fresh ground pepper
3 slices bacon
1 slice ham
2 slices roma tomato
as many onions as you like
2 leaves of fresh basil

Spread the pizza crust into a 9 X 13 inch rectangle and bake per package directions.  Cut down the middle vertically and horizontal.  Then cut each of those pieces in half.  Now you have enough for 4 sandwiches.  The other ingredients above are for 1 sandwich.

Spread pesto on one piece of crust.  The original called for basil pesto so use it if you feel called to.  Then spread the other side with the ceasar dressing.  Start building your sandwich on this side.  Add the mozzarella, sprinkle with pepper. Then the ham, bacon, tomato, basil and onions.

Top with the artichoke pesto side and put in your panini press, Foreman Grill or a pan with a brick or second pan to weigh it down.  You choice....whatever you have handy.

What for the cheese to melt and the bread to brown just a bit more.  You really just want everything to heat and come together.  This sandwich is oh, so delicious.

You can thank me later! After you wipe the melted cheese off your chin.

We hope you have the best day ever!

Karen and Charlie