This guide to shallots vs onions will answer not only this question but will also show how shallots are different from other onion types. There are many onion varieties so it’s easy to get confused about them. A common question that I get asked is “are shallots and onions the same?” Shallots are somewhat of a trendy vegetable …
Cooking Tips
A steamer basket is a great way to cook a single vegetable or several of them at once by cooking them over boiling water. But to do this correctly, you need to have a good idea of vegetable steaming times. One of the joys of summer is cooking fresh vegetables from my vegetable garden. The …
These creative uses for parchment paper may give you some ideas you hadn’t thought of. We all know that parchment paper is great for easy clean up after kitchen but it has so many more uses. I love anything that makes my life easier in the kitchen or around the home. I’m always on the …
Many recipes call for shallots – a member of the onion family. But what can you do if you don’t have time to shop, or can’t find shallots for your recipe? Use these shallot substitutes, instead! Shallots are a small bulb like plant with a taste that is somewhere between garlic and onion. The flavor …
Shallots are starting to be seen in grocery stores more and often lately. What are shallots? Like onions and garlic, shallots are a member of the allium family. They are a cold hardy vegetable and, like onions, are easy to grow. Their flavor is richer and sweeter and they are very versatile in recipes. This …
A silicone baking mat can take high heat and replace parchment paper for baking & food preparation. I like to use them in lots of unusual ways in my kitchen. You can use them for cookies, of course, but there are lots of other creative Silpat baking mat uses, as well. With a silicone baking …
Crock Pots are a huge help in the kitchen. They make meal prep a cinch and give a wonderful aroma as the meal cooks, almost by itself. But be sure to avoid these slow cooker mistakes. If you open the lid, fill pot too full or add ingredients in the wrong order, you may end …
There are many healthy kitchen swaps that you can use all year round for weight loss success. Implementing these food swaps will make sure that those extra pounds won’t find themselves on your thighs and rear next year. For many of us, the start of the year means making a New Year’s resolution to lose …
There are dozens of vinegar uses in the home. From soaking your sponges to keeping your counters free of ants, this product is a must have. Vinegar is a versatile and effective household product that is more useful than just for making salad dressing. There are many vinegar uses around the house and garden. One of the …
If mealtime is stressful for you, these recipe substitutes and replacements will be a big help in getting your meals on the table in no time at all. Are there times when you are missing just one ingredient and can’t make a recipe? Perhaps you are following a meal plan or trying to lose weight …
This is hands down my favorite spice rub mix. I use it almost every time we grill steaks. It is a wonderful blend of some of my favorite spices. It keeps well and goes quickly. It is the perfect rub to use on all sorts meats for the grill. It’s barbecue time! Keep reading to …
Peeling onions is something that many cooks do on a daily basis but the job brings along tears. Do you know why onions make you cry? There are many types of this versatile vegetable and most will make you cry when you chop them. Find out about the onion varieties here. Onions are easy to grow …
Are you thinking more about your overall health and fitness? These 11 food and drink substitutes help me with my weight loss, and also have other beneficial effects for my general health. I had a scare late last year that had me in the hospital for a few weeks worrying about my heart and my …
Setting up a pretty festive table does not have to be stressful. Just follow these 15 easy holiday party ideas to make entertaining a joy. Entertaining this time of the year is so much fun. It is the time for trimming the tree and decorating the house (don’t forget to use Christmas plants!) It’s also …
Learn how to season cast iron cookware in just minutes with these easy tips! Cast iron cookware is my new best friend. My daughter has raved about the benefits of cooking with it for years and I only started using it recently. It is important to season cast iron cookware before using it, though. It’s …
Cooking in parchment paper is a method of cooking fish, chicken or other proteins in their own cooking bags. It is also called “en papillote” (French for “in parchment”) or “al cartoccio” (Italian for baked in foil or aluminum.) Typically, folded parchment paper is used but al foil, paper bags or other materials can also …
Coconut oil is not just used as a great cooking oil source. There are so many other uses for coconut oil that you not have thought of. There are few things that are more talked about right now than coconut oil. It seems as though every time I open a magazine or browse my timeline …
I have to admit it. I love a girls’ night in. It gives me a chance to have a few of my gal friends over, watch some chick flicks without the guys complaining about it, and enjoy some of our favorite foods. It is a no stress night that is filled with laughter and fun, …
Following a paleo diet is easy if you have the right products on hand. I’ve found 12 delicious ways to use hazelnut butter. Did you know that February 5 is considered Nutella day? If you love chocolate and hazelnuts, you have likely tried Nutella. But what happens in you wish to follow a Paleo diet? …
Today’s kitchen tip shows how to hull your strawberries with a drinking straw to save the waste that comes with cutting the top off, or the time that it takes to use a knife to hull each one properly. Hull Strawberries with a Straw to save waste. Our family eats strawberries year round. They are …
Follow these tips for cooking with mushrooms to ensure that every meal in which you use them as an ingredient will turn out perfectly. Mushrooms are one of my favorite vegetables. They are a member of the fungus family and have been used in recipes since the early Roman and Greek times. Mushrooms are very …
Turmeric is not just used for making Asian and Indian foods. There are also many health benefits of Turmeric. Turmeric is an often used spice in curry recipes and is a healthy way to add flavor and color to an Indian inspired home cooked meal like Tikka Masala. Turmeric is a tropical plant (it needs …
One of the more recent developments in the world of kitchen gadgets are silicone kitchen products. I first heard about them when I tried a silicone baking mat, but since then have heard of many other products. Some popular silicone products are oven mitts, pastry brushes, barbeque brushes, cupcake liners, spatulas, and a host of …
These tips to save money on food will show you how to get the most out of your shopping dollar while still enjoying great tasting meals. As with so many money saving tips, it’s best to start small and be sensible. If your household loves meat, swapping tofu for meat because it is cheaper won’t …
Did you know that there is quite a list of foods you should not keep in the fridge? The storage of foods is one the most-discussed topics in the food industry. After all, we want to make sure that the money spent is not wasted and that our food is as fresh and tasty as …
So many recipes that we prepare, almost on a daily basis require onions. And so many of us end up in tears the minute we try to slice one. But it is very easy to slice onions without crying if you follow just a few easy steps. It is easy to Slice Onions without Crying. …