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Cooking With Teflon
Setting the Table for Romance
Men and women have used food to aid in romance since the beginning of time; of course a caveman set his rock a little differently than a modern man would set the table!
This is something that women seem to know instinctively, while for men it can be a major problem.
A romantic meal can be any type of meal, from a picnic on the beach, (watch out for the sand) to a candle light dinner at home, choose wisely, it can set the tone for the entire relationship!
Perhaps your partner likes to be out doors? If so the picnic can be a wonderful idea, if it is at the beach, plan a bonfire (make sure this is legal) in the evening when there are less people around, the beach can be very romantic on a moon lit night.
A picnic at a favorite spot in the country can also be very romantic, just be prepared for any contingency, remember the saying the best laid plans of mice and men.
The weather can be the biggest problem when it comes to picnics, have a backup plan in case of rain. Assuming the relationship has gone from dinner and a movie, to dinner at your house, how do I get ready for that?
Being able to cook is a really good beginning, even though there are many places that you can buy food, and take it home.
Whatever direction you take, make sure it is food that your partner would like to eat.
While hamburgers or fried chicken are great, they arent necessarily the most romantic of foods! However, atmosphere, including candlelight, music and real dishes (instead of paper plates) can make any meal romantic.
Use your imagination, be aware of your partners likes and dislikes, make a plan, and be prepared to change that plan if necessary.
Your romantic dinner for two can be a great way to take the relationship to the next level.
See Also:
Pastas
Preparing More Than One Meal at a Time
Thanksgiving Day Feasts
Halloween is the start of the holiday seasons for many, but Thanksgiving is the beginning of the marathon cooking binges that many of us go on during the year.
This time can be one of two things, either an enjoyable family time, or a nightmare for one, you decide!
Thanksgiving and Christmas usually mean family get togethers, and lots of food, call a family conference in advance, include all of the cooks (men and women) that will be attending and decide on your menu.
After the menu is decided on, each family member chooses what they would like to bring. This allows each family to provide what they can afford without feeling like they must go into debt!
Of course, you can always bring more than you choose, a favorite pie (if it hasnt already been included in the menu), but this method guarantees that all of the basics are there.
Without any one person being responsible for everything, and without having 6 different green bean casseroles!
Different families have different basics for their holiday meals; some have turkey, while others prefer ham, some large families like both!
Many families have traditions that they follow year after year, these are important to continue generation to generation.
However some of the basics for a Thanksgiving feast are:
*Turkey and stuffing
*Honey glazed ham
*Green bean casserole
*Pies, pumpkin pie (remember the jack-o-lantern), mince meat, apple, pecan, the varieties are endless
*Mashed potatoes and gravy
*Corn on the cob
*Salads
*Cranberry sauce or whole cranberries
*Jell-O molds
*Fruit cake, (they arent all used as doorstops)
*Drinks, sodas, spiced drinks, milk, tea, again, the choices are endless
*Rolls and breads
*Cakes
There are as many different foods at a Thanksgiving dinner as there are types of people, enjoy and keep the traditions alive, maybe create a few new ones this year! |
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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: Planning Food for a Party,
Easy Treats For After School, Stir Frying
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