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Setting the Table for Romance
Setting/Cleaning Up Your Kitchen
Having your kitchen organized can save you time and money when shopping, and at every meal as you prepare them for your family. Here are a few tips from the professionals to help you accomplish this task:
*Items should be stored near the place they will be used, for instance pots and pans should be stored near the stove.
*When storing foods in your cupboard, put like items next to each other.
*Spices are easier to find when you alphabetize them in your spice rack.
*The front and door of your refrigerator should be used for the items you use the most.
*Having several sets of measuring cups and spoons eliminates the need to stop and wash them while cooking.
*Organize your shopping list the same way the isles in the market are set up.
*Keep a list of shopping needs, as you use something up, put it on the list.
*Only shop once a week, rather than making several trips to the store throughout the week, it is actually less expensive, and a real time saver.
Re-organizing and cleaning up your kitchen after each meal is just as important as the initial set up was, a well organized, clean kitchen is one that is a pleasure to cook in.
For clean up after each meal her are a few tips to follow:
*Keep a sink of hot soapy water for soaking dishes as you use them, if you have a few minutes while cooking you can even wash a few items.
*Casseroles and roasts, that dont contain tomato products, can be baked in a disposable, foil pan.
*Line your broiler pan with foil to take away the need to wash it later.
*Cleaning a grater can be a real mess, coating it with non-stick cooking spray can make the chore a lot easier.
*Marinating foods in reseal able plastic bags creates less dirty dishes for you to do later. They also work great for coating foods in flour, not as much mess on the counter.
These are all simple tips that make your cooking time more enjoyable and gives you more time to spend with your family.
See Also:
Gobi Matar
Setting the Table for Romance
Taking Control One Area at a Time
Standing in the middle of your kitchen and looking at all of the areas that food is stored can be intimidating!
Just pick one area at a time and start, put the trash can close by and start throwing out anything that hasnt been used in a while. Opened cereal boxes that no-one likes, open boxes of cookies etc. etc. etc.
You will be amazed at the amount of space these things take up in your cupboards and drawers. Here are some important rules to consider when cleaning out cupboards and drawers:
*All items must be visible, face all labels forward
*Put taller items in the back
*Put similar items together
*Clear plastic containers can keep small awkward shaped items together
*Pasta sauces should be near pasta
*Rice vinegar and soy sauce could be together
*Set up your cabinets for maximum usage, lazy susans can hold all of your bottled goods (labels out) rather than having to dig behind one to find another
*Shelf steps can be used to put things at different heights on the same shelf, this is especially helpful if all of the items are the same size, like canned soups
*Keep your herbs and spices alphabetized, it saves time
When cleaning out drawers, consider where you use the items most, and put them close to that area if at all possible.
The drawers closest to your work area should hold the items you use the most.
Try to avoid stacking pots and pans that you commonly use inside of each other. Limiting the size of a stack of pans to three makes them easier to get to; this may mean that you have to stack items you dont use very often higher.
Look at your counter tops, if you dont use and item at least a couple of times a week, put it in a cabinet out of the way.
This opens up the counter top for things you use more often. Organize your kitchen to best suit you and your needs, you will be in there more often than anyone else. |
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Pressure Canning
1Put 23 inches of hot water in the canner, using a jar lifter, place filled jars on a rack.
2.Fasten canner lid securely. Leave the weight off the vent or open the petcock, heat at the highest setting until the steam flows from the petcock or vent.
3.Maintain high heat and exhaust the steam for 10 minutes, place weight on vent or close petcock. In the next 3-5 minutes the canner will pressurize.
4.Begin timing when the pressure is at the recommended pressure or the weight gauge begins to jiggle or rock.
5. Adjust the heat to maintain a steady pressure at or slightly above the correct pressure.
6.When the timed process is complete, turn off the heat, and remove the canner from the heat if possible, let the canner depressurize. Do not force cool a canner, it can result in spoiled foods or damage to the seal.
Cooling with cold water or opening the vent before it has depressurized will cause seal failures and loss of liquid from jars. It may also warp the lid of older canners causing steam leaks. Older models will require about 30-45 minutes for depressurizing.
7.After it is depressurized, remove the weight from the vent or open the petcock, wait about 2 minutes, unfasten the lid and carefully lift away from your face, this is to prevent burning.
8.Remove the jars with a lifter and place on a towel or cooling rack. Do not retighten the lids when you remove the jars from a canner, this can cut the gasket and cause the seal to fail.
Cool the jars at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. Place jars on racks or towels to prevent damage to the counter top.
After 24 hours, remove the screw caps and test the lids for proper seal using one of these methods:
*Press the middle of the lid with your finger, if it springs up when released it is not sealed.
*Tap with the bottom of a teaspoon, a well sealed lid will make a high-pitched, ringing sound.
*Hold at eye level and look across the lid, it should be slightly concave in the center, if flat or bulging, it is not sealed.
If a seal fails, the jar may be reprocessed and resealed.
Related Topics: Crock Pot Cooking,
About Beef Jerky, Tender Ribs
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