Cooking is a delicate art and one that requires a lot of care and attention. If you find that you're not very good at it, the problem may not be you or your ability. In some cases, this is far from the truth. The fact of the matter is, you're only as good as the cookware that you cook with and if you buy the first thing you see in the store, you could be getting something that is substandard in quality. What you're looking for in cookware is even cooking, non-stick quality, quick heating, and durable equipment. It's no wonder they made a television show out of it.
Masterchef has been known as one of the premier cookware companies ever. They are a line produced by the Tefal company, which has produced the finest cookware today. You simply can't go wrong with any kind of Masterchef cookware.
You can buy it for yourself or you can buy it as a gift for a friend's wedding, but it you did that, you wouldn't get to experience it for yourself, which would essentially rob you of that joy. You can find several types of Masterchef cookware at your disposal.
It doesn't matter whether you're a baker, griller or sautee master, there's a Masterchef cookware for you. You don't need to be bothered by the other cookware out there. None will compare to what you can get with Masterchef. If you've seen the show, you've undoubtedly seen the chefs that go on there. Part of their success wasn't because many of them were classically trained. Most of them got that way because of the cookware they used.
Masterchef - Premier Cookware
Before the invention of refrigeration and preservatives, the only way to preserve meat for long periods of time was to dry it into jerky. Drying meat into jerky is possibly the oldest way of preserving meat and jerky dates back to the earliest civilizations.
Traditionally, jerky was made from long, thin strips of meat that was salted and dried in the sun or over a small smokey fire. Although jerky can still be made in this way, techniques have become more sophisticated in our day. Jerky is still an extremely popular food and millions of people still enjoy jerky as a delicious, convenient, and healthy source of protein. Jerky is perfect for hikers, campers, or just an easy, non-messy snack.
Today, jerky is most commonly made from beef, but jerky can also be made from poultry, fish, and wild game such as deer (venison), elk, buffalo, bison, moose, caribou, antelope, and other game. Many varieties of seasonings can be used to make different flavors of jerky. Salt is traditionally used as the main preservative for jerky, but acids such as vinegar and citrus juice in marinades can also help to kill bacteria. Jerky can be made without salt, but its shelf life will be drastically reduced.
Store-bought jerky comes in many flavors with any number of chemicals, additives, and preservatives and can be surprisingly expensive. However, you can make your own jerky at home very easily. Most people are surprised at just how easy it is to make delicious jerky that is much cheaper and healthier than mass-produced jerky available in stores. So by making your own jerky, you not only control the ingredients, you also save money.
Jerky Making: Step-by-Step Instructions
Select a cut of meat. Choosing a lean cut will save time later. For beef jerky, cuts like like sirloin, top round, eye of round, etc. are good choices. You can also use venison or virtually any other type of meat to make jerky.
Trim all of the noticeable fat from your cut of meat because any fat will cause the jerky to spoil much faster.
Slice your meat into very thin strips from 1/8" to 1/4" thick. Cutting the meat into thin slices dramatically shortens drying time. You can cut jerky with just a knife and cutting board, but there are some convenient tools you can use for slicing meat, such as a Jerky Slicing Tray, a Hand-Crank Manual Jerky Slicer, or an electric meat slicer. Tip: Slicing meat is easier if you freeze the meat for about 30 to 60 minutes before slicing. You can cut with or against the grain, but some find that strips cut against the grain are easier to chew.
Marinate the meat in a marinade or solution of your choice. You can follow a recipe to make your own marinade or purchase any number of ready-made marinades. Marinating is optional because the additional moisture can make dehydration take longer, and the resulting jerky might be stickier. Soaking in soy sauce or teriyaki sauce is a favorite. Place in the refrigerator for 4 - 24 hours to allow the meat absorb the flavor.
Season the meat with the dry seasonings of your choice. You can follow a jerky recipe or choose from a wide variety of available dry jerky seasoning mixes. A mixture of salt, pepper, oregano, marjoram, basil and thyme is tasty. You will find that many seasonings work well and it is a personal preference. I personally enjoy jerky with a lot of pepper. You will need to experiment to find your favorites. Just sprinkle and rub the dry seasonings onto both sides of the sliced meat.
Dehydrate the meat. Meat is dehydrated by applying heat and continuous air flow. The control of both the temperature and the airflow is very important. If the humidity is too high and the temperature is too low, the jerky will dry too slowly and it could spoil. If the temperature is too high, the jerky will cook too fast, harden on the outside but still be too moist on the inside, and once again, it could spoil.
There are two common methods for drying jerky; in a conventional oven or in a food dehydrator. Whichever method you use, be sure to leave enough room between pieces to allow air to flow around the meat. Avoid letting the meat touch if possible.
Making Jerky in a Conventional Oven
Preheat your oven to 140 degrees. Remember you are not cooking the meat; you are simply removing the moisture. Spray all the racks you will use with a non stick cooking spray. Without this non-stick spray, you will be left with jerky that cannot be removed from the racks and that will essentially be inedible. Spread the meat evenly on wire racks in the oven. You can also use metal racks other than the oven racks with a drip pan underneath to make cleanup much faster.
Leave the oven door open slightly to permit moisture to escape. Since temperatures, humidity levels, and slice thickness will vary, there can be no set time for the process to complete. Usually jerky takes from 6 to 12 hours. Check the consistency of the jerky regularly after 6 hours until it meets your satisfaction. You might have to cut into the jerky to ensure that it is not raw inside. You want the jerky to be a deep brown or burgundy color and still be flexible. As jerky cools, it will get more stiff and brittle so you don't want to over dry.
Making Jerky in a Food Dehydrator
Food Dehydrators are excellent for making jerky. Dehydrators are inexpensive to buy and are safer and cheaper to use than the kitchen oven. Additionally dehydrators make less of a mess and are easier to clean up.
Spray the dehydrator trays with a non-stick cooking spray before placing on the strips of meat. This keeps the meat from sticking and helps in the clean up of the trays. Season the jerky strips just as above and drain them well before placing them on the dehydrator trays.
A full dehydrator can usually process a large batch of jerky in 6 to 12 hours. Just like with drying in a conventional oven, temperatures, humidity levels, and slice thickness will vary, so the drying time will vary. You will want to check the jerky regularly after 6 hours to see if its done. You want the jerky to be a deep brown or burgundy color and still be flexible. As jerky cools, it will get more stiff and brittle so you don't want to over dry. The thicker cuts will take more time, so as the thin pieces are done, just remove them. Tip: A rule of thumb is that 4 pounds of raw meat makes about one pound of jerky.
Store the finished jerky in plastic bags and store in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to eat. To be safe, it's best to enjoy the fresh homemade jerky within one week of its preparation. If you make it right, it's delicious!Tip: If you wish to store your jerky for longer, use a vacuum sealer to store the jerky in vacuum bags. Other storage methods allow exposure to oxygen and moisture, which encourages the growth of bacteria. In vacuum sealed bags, jerky can be kept for months. Vacuum sealed jerky stored in a freezer can last even longer.
Alternative: Jerky Snack Strips & Sticks
Instead of making jerky from sliced meat, a popular form of jerky is the jerky snack stick or snack strip, which is made from seasoned ground meat formed into strips or round sticks. To make this jerky snack, you first need to purchase extra lean ground meat or grind lean cuts of meat with a meat grinder. The next step is to mix the seasonings into the ground meat by hand or with a meat mixer. The seasoned ground meat can then be extruded into the snack sticks or strips using a Jerky Gun or Jerky Cannon. Finally, these jerky snacks are dehydrated on trays in a conventional oven or food dehydrator as described above.
Who knew it was so easy to make your own jerky? Enjoy!
How to Make Jerky - Step-by-Step InstructionsEvery kitchen has a place for the KitchenAid food processor. It has so many uses, and is so easy to have around the kitchen. It's very simple to operate, and is very effective in all of its tasks. You can use it to make delicious shakes and smoothies, and even make preparing your meals easier. You can puree, chop, liquefy and many more! However, not all processors are made the same. The quality of the machine will depend highly on the brand you're using. If you're looking for a food processor that can really deliver the tasks you need, this article will help you learn more about the machine basics.
When it comes to cooking, much of the time spent is on preparation. This means cutting up all the ingredients, getting them ready, and chopping the things that need to be chopped. If you need something fine, this can take some time. However, with a good processor, you'll be able to do all of those things and more. A KitchenAid processor can help you do all of your preparation in less the time. There are so many things this machine can do, it's amazing. For your spices, you'll be able to grind them in the food processor easily. You can also slice and chop meat and vegetables without spending too much time. If you want, you can turn other food into powder. This allows you to make homemade breadcrumbs. You can also puree and liquefy fruits and vegetables for homemade baby food and cereals. If you have the appropriate attachment, you can even juice fruits and vegetables.
The most important part of choosing the right blender is making sure that you get your money's worth. Make sure that you're paying for something that is high quality, won't break easily, and can perform a lot of different tasks. If you plan to order online, also consider if you'll be shouldering the shipping or not, and how much the shipping is going to cost. It's best to choose between the most popular and trusted brands in food processors. Hamilton Beach, Braun, Bosch, Cuisinart, Haier, Cuisinart, oster, Viking, Black and Decker, and Krups are have all topped the list of the best brands for processors.
A few of the most popular models come from Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach and KitchenAid were the best of the best; Four Cuisinart models (DLC-10S, 11-Cup Pro Custom, BFP-703CH, Pro Custom 11). Hamilton Beach's 70610 and KitchenAid's Onyx Black Ultra also made it on the favorites list.
Mini KitchenAid food processor are another thing completely. You want something that can do it all and yet be small and compact. For this, you should choose one with a very powerful motor. Hamilton, Cuisinart, Back to Basics, KitchenAid, and Black and Decker are all great brands for mini food processors. These were the brands chosen by many of you. They have been tried, tested, and proven to give high quality mini food processors, with no compromises whatsoever.
KitchenAid Food Processor ReviewsIf you have been looking for a new mixer, and you want to have the best kind that is going to last, there is one brand that you should look at. KitchenAid mixers are one of the oldest and most well known brands of mixers that are found in homes. For many years, the brand has been making mixers that are built to last and work great. There are a lot of options that you can choose when you are going to purchase a Kitchen aid mixer, and one of the most popular kinds are the stand mixers.
The KitchenAid stand mixers are some of the most popular mixers because they are easily used in your kitchen and are ready to use when you want to use them. There are a lot of colors available to choose from, and they also have a lot of features that you can enjoy. The settings on the KitchenAid mixers vary and provide you with any level and speed that you need for what you are making. You can also find that the KitchenAid mixers are very reliable and you can keep using yours for a long time.
The KitchenAid stand mixer is available with many features, and you can choose the model and the color that are going to work the best for your kitchen. You can also choose the right features that you need that are going to allow you to make whatever you want. The prices on the KitchenAid stand mixers range depending on the model that you get, and the speeds that you want to use for the mixer. There are also different models available that have a variety of different looks that you may like.
One of the popular models of the mixers is the KitchenAid artisan mixer. This mixer has a variety of features that allows you to blend and mix a number of different items and variable speeds. This allows you to easily adjust the mixer to the type of food that you are using. When you want to find the best deals on Kitchen aid mixers and stand mixers, you can go online to the web site and discover all of the best models that are available. You can also compare each of the models to see which ones are going to give you the options that you need. There are a lot of great choices available with any of the KitchenAid stand mixers and you can find the one that is best for what you are going to be using it for in your kitchen
KitchenAid Stand MixerGetting a mixer and KitchenAid Mixer accessories is like getting several kitchen appliances in one. It includes a food grinder to mince, crush or pound meat, breadcrumbs and more. It has a slicer to easily cut potatoes to make perfect chips or shred them to make hash browns. It also comes with a shredder that can help whip up apple butter in a jiffy and a strainer to use for fruits and vegetables. The accessories are different tools that aid any chef to try new methods in the kitchen.
1. Cook Home-Made Sausages
Cooking home-made pasta that is made more delicious by adding home-made sausages is easy. One of the KitchenAid Mixer accessories that are truly remarkable is the sausage stuffer. This is one way of assuring that what the family eats is made with love and only of pure ingredients.
2. Prepare Tasty Baked Goodies
For the discriminating baker who wants a fresh-milled grain, there is an attachment that can mill grains like corn, oats or rice. Making a tasty cookie or bread with preferred consistency can be done at home courtesy of the mixer and its accessories.
3. Drink Healthier, Freshly-Squeezed Fruit Juices
Who does not enjoy a freshly-squeezed lemon or orange juice? With the juicer, another great attachment included in a set of KitchenAid Mixer accessories, drinking a daily dose of fresh fruit juices is easy and can be made in as little as two minutes.
4. Enjoy Creamy Ice Cream
Ice cream that comes straight from the kitchen is something any kid will enjoy and something to look forward to when coming home from school. This is another wonderful treat that can be made right in the kitchen with an ice cream maker attachment.
That is why it is a joy for any homemaker to have this kitchen tool that serves like a Swiss Army knife because it is truly an assortment of appliances in one. Another thing that makes this chef's buddy a real delight to any homemaker is that it does not take up so much space in the kitchen yet functions like it is several appliances.
Using any attachment that comes with KitchenAid Mixer accessories is simply a matter of careful following of instructions to ensure that it is attached securely and properly. This helps in making the accessory function correctly and be able to come up with the desired result such as perfect dough consistency.
Enduring the Test of Time
For those who have loved and continue to love baking and cooking, they know that such an appliance from a trusted company is what they can rely on. After all, the name has endured the test of time and continues to prove itself in the kitchen. Chances are, many of the cooks out there already own a mixer and KitchenAid Mixer accessories that may have been handed down to them by their mothers.
All the accessories may be used in any KitchenAid mixer that has a hub which works simultaneously when the mixer is switched on. This helps the attachments work accordingly. The company has been producing quality products for the satisfaction of users. Still, KitchenAid may be contacted anytime for product-related assistance.
KitchenAid Mixer Accessories - The Kitchen Swiss KnifeFor a refrigerator to pass the test with my family, it must have a few specific features before I will purchase it. Now, I am not obsessive about these must have items, I simply have a family that I have to feed. One fridge that did pass the test with our family, was the KitchenAid KSCS25FVMS refrigerator. This unit has managed to satisfy all refrigerator needs for our family thus far.
The first feature, which is actually not a vital one, but it just makes you appreciate the product even more, is that is simply looks great. It is a counter-depth, side-by-side, freestanding model that is so handy, just in case I decide to remodel the kitchen I know I'll be able to move it with minimal hassle. The doors are non-textured with a flat finish, making them easy to clean, and they look really smart. The counter-depth option actually frees up more space in your kitchen than you would realize, so that was really just a bonus I feel.
The ice and water dispenser, once plumbed in, works a treat. We did have to purchase a few little extra plumbing items, but no major obstacles there, that's for sure. We now have water and ice on tap 24 hours a day. Its like wondering what did we do before we have mobile phones? I think we'd be lost without our cold water on tap if it was taken away now!
All of the draws and baskets are so easy to pull out and push in. I remember kicking my vegetable crisper drawer back in many times on my old refrigerator. I don't think we'll be doing that here. There is so much room and great little extra storage spots, that I believe its really hats off to the designers of this KitchenAid refrigerator.
Being Energy Star qualified, I know I'll save money in the long run. With all of its features, and sturdy construction, the KitchenAid KSCS25FVMS is truly highly recommended.
KitchenAid KSCS25FVMS Refrigerator ReviewI've been looking at stand mixers lately, and there's quite a lot on the market. They range from small to large, weak to powerful, white to tangerine. With so much out there, I've had to step back and figure out how to choose a good stand mixer. Obviously, it would be foolish to rely only on the look of the mixer. So after much thought and consideration, I've realized that choosing a good stand mixer required me to answer some important where, what, and how questions.
Where will it go in my kitchen?
While this might not be the first question that comes to mind when deciding how to choose a good a stand mixer, it is very important. I had to take a step back and look at my kitchen carefully.
Do I have counter space to store the mixer?
Will I need to move it forward and backward on the counter?
Will I need to keep it in a cabinet when not in use?
Some of the stand mixers on the market today are very heavy, especially the ones with larger capacities. But even the smaller ones require room to be stored and room to operate. Many stand mixers have tilt-back heads. If the mixer will be used on a counter with an overhead cabinet, there needs to be clearance to raise the head. It would be awful to choose a stand mixer that was difficult to fit or use in the kitchen space you have available.
What will I use it for?
When trying to choose a stand mixer, it's important to stop and think about the different things the stand mixer will be asked to do. In my home we use it to whip cream and butter. We make treats of granola, cakes, brownies, and cookies. But we also give it a work out with pizza dough and homemade bread. I use it for other cooking jobs too, such as mashing potatoes and mixing up ground meat dishes. As I thought about these things, I realized that an entry-line machine wouldn't last long in our house. I would be dissatisfied every time I used it and would probably wear out the motor very quickly. I also liked the idea of being able to add attachments to the mixer to widen the amount of jobs it would help me accomplish.
What about your uses for the mixer? A stand mixer that will only be used occasionally doesn't need to be very powerful. And single batches of cookies don't take much room in the mixing bowl. Take careful thought of what you will use it for when deciding how to choose a good stand mixer.
How much will I make with it?
At first glance, this may seem identical to the last question. And while it is related, it really goes a step further. I stopped to think how large the batches would need to be when I used the stand mixer. With my family, 3 dozen cookies just don't cut it (unless I want to make more in a few days!). When I make cookies I make them in large quantities and then freeze some for future treats. I never make just one pie at a time since it's gone too fast. And forget mashing a pound or two of potatoes. I make at least 6 pounds at a time. When I thought about how much I make, I realized that I needed a machine with a large capacity AND a strong enough motor to handle that work.
Thankfully, many of the mixers on the market are rated by how many cups of flour they can handle. I pulled out my recipes and began to compare what I needed to accomplish with what the machines could handle. But I did notice one very important thing. Most machines are listed according to cups of all purpose flour. If you use whole grain or bread flours like I do, the number of cups the machine can handle must be reduced to compensate for the heaviness of the flours. You definitely want to choose a good stand mixer that can handle whatever type of flour you use.
How is the machine built?
This one was very important to me and encompasses many things. I was concerned with the company's reputation and the satisfaction of the product owners. What was the warranty period and how does the company handle problems? We never like to think about bad things happening, but they sometimes do. The more I thought about machine construction, I became concerned about the type of motor used. Was it all-metal and durable? Were there belts that could wear out and break? I decided I wanted a machine that would last for many years, and a company that would stand behind that machine as well.
Kitchenaid is a good name when it comes to all your major appliances, but when all of a sudden something no longer wants to work you hit panic stations because you do not have the spare parts for it. That is no reason to stress; there are many places where Kitchenaid appliance parts can be found. If you cannot get the part from the store you bought the appliance from you can look online. The first thing you should do though is go back to the store and see if the appliance can be repaired at their expense. Maybe it is still under guarantee.
If you are unable to have the appliance repaired at no cost, you can search for stores or ask the store where you bought it where you can get Kitchenaid appliance parts. If they do not sell them they should be able to direct you to a store that does. If you don't have time to run from store to store, you will be happy to know that there are many websites online that allow you to search for parts. When you find what you are looking for, you can purchase it. It might take some time for you to find the part if it is a really technical one.
Every Kitchenaid appliance you own comes from the same place, therefore there have to be parts for it. So even if it takes you a while to find, know that the part you are in search of is available. You just have to look for it. Kitchenaid is a popular name brand so you shouldn't have too much trouble getting the part. Kitchenaid specialize in many different appliances some of which include Stand Mixers, Dishwashers, Counter Appliances, Cooking Appliances, Refrigeration, Outdoor Appliances and more. Kitchenaid is known for their excellent quality appliances, and those who have used their name before will know why. Their equipment works well, and the best part is that it looks great too. There's nothing better than having an elegant looking kitchen with beautiful appliances that people compliment you on when in your kitchen.
Kitchenaid appliance parts are easy to get your hands on; you just need to know where to look. It doesn't matter if your fridge has packed up or it's your dishwasher, there are parts for every appliance. If your appliance is no longer under its warranty then you will have to pay for the part yourself, but it should not be expensive. However, it will depend on where you buy it from. Whether the part you are looking for is big or small, if you are buying it online it will be sent to you. If the part is going to work out to be very expensive, make sure it is the right part first of all, and also consider buying a whole new appliance if the problem occurs more than once. Don't make the mistake of repeatedly spending money on parts when you could have bought a whole new item for the same price.
Kitchenaid Appliance Parts