Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
© Chef LaLa
Cooking with wine is a great way to concentrate intricate flavors and tenderize meat without adding extra fat. Depending on how you prepare your food, some or all of the alcohol in the wine will evaporate, leaving behind a sophisticated blend of flavors. The key to great flavor is to cook with wine that you would use for drinking – not the expensive bottle you’ve been saving for a special occasion - not something labeled “cooking wine” either. Cooking wine just cooks down adding a saltier flavor while drinking wines have more complex flavors, so a wine with a fruity flavor, for example, will add a concentrated fruitier flavor to your meal. If you aren’t sure what type of wine to use, keep in mind what you are cooking and the overall flavor you want it to have – sweet, dry, spicy, etc. Wine should be added toward the end of the cooking process unless used as a marinade and if you want the flavor of wine without the alcohol, be sure to reduce your sauce until no liquid remains, keeping in mind that white wine alcohol evaporates more quickly than red.
Tags: alcohol, blend, Celebrity Chef, Chef LaLa, Chef LaLa Food Network, cooking, cooking wine, flavor, marinade, red wine, sophisticated, tenderize, tv chef, white wine, wine
Posted in Ingredients and Flavors, Main Course, Dessert, Sauces, Cooking Techniques, check this out •
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Thursday, May 7th, 2009
© Chef LaLa
Any way you slice it, dice it or shred it, eat well to live well! Having the right tools to help you prepare meals and snacks will make cooking fun, easy, nutritious and delicious. You only need a few basic food preparation items to get started on your path to eating well, feeling great and even saving money by preparing food at home. As you become more comfortable cooking, you can add other items, depending on your needs but here are the 15 basics…
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Kitchen Tool
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Purpose
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Non-slip Plastic Cutting board
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Prevents slipping and protects food and counters. Be sure to prep meats last and wash well before using again
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Chef’s Knife
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Used for chopping everything from herbs to vegetables
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Paring Knife
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Good for delicate tasks such as peeling, coring, or trimming
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Serrated Knife
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Best for foods that have a different texture inside versus outside such as breads, tomatoes, and meats
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Knife Sharpening Steel
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All knives work best when sharpened briefly prior to use
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Strainer
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Choose a stand-alone for washing fruits and vegetables and straining pastas
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Grater
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Use for veggies, cheeses and more as toppings, and in salads, and slaws
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Large Skillet with Lid
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Great for browning, sautéing, frying, omelets, pancakes, and stir-fries
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Saucepan with Lid
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Great for rice, smaller servings, and sauces
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Large Cooking Pot with Lid
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Best for soups, pastas, and steamed veggies
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Mixing Bowls, Measuring Spoons and Cup
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Essential for preparation and when clean bowls can also be used for serving
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Large Spoon and Spatula
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Use plastic or rubber for non-stick surfaces and remove quickly so they don’t melt
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Pot Holders
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Hot steam and handles on pots and pans can easily burn
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Meat Thermometer
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To be sure meat is safely cooked, test the internal temperature with a meat thermometer
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Jellyroll Pan
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Used for baking meats, veggies or cookies
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Tags: Celebrity Chef, chef knife, Chef LaLa, Chef LaLa Food Network, cooking, cutting board, eat well, food preparation, food safety, jellyroll pan, kichen basics, kitchen tools, meals, meat thermometer, paring knife, saucepan, save money, sharpening steel, skillet, tv, utencils
Posted in FAMILY, Daddy's Zone, Mommy's Zone, check this out •
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