Tag: #Allrecipes

Posted in Kitchen Tips

3 Ways to Instantly Tell If Your Broccoli Has Gone Bad

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Broccoli is one of the most common vegetables on the dinner table. And for good reason; it’s a versatile staple vegetable that’s available in abundance in almost every grocery store and is a delicious way to pack in your daily vitamins and fiber. But if you’ve found yourself with a head that was bought a little too long ago, you may be wondering how to tell if broccoli is bad.

How to Store Broccoli 

The best broccoli has tender florets and firm, slightly crunchy stalks. But if you store it incorrectly, those florets can become shriveled, and the stalks can get soft and rubbery. Broccoli lasts the longest stored in the fridge, so skip the counter or pantry. Once you bring your head of broccoli home from the store, loosely wrap it in a plastic bag, produce bag, or another perforated bag, keeping the stalk end out.

How to Cook Broccoli Right

In the crisper drawer, broccoli will keep l for 3 to 5 days. You can also wrap the stalk end in a slightly damp paper towel to extend the broccoli’s life a bit further, about 4 to 7 days.

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Posted in Kitchen Tips

Stop Making This Dangerous Mistake With Your Slow Cooker

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Slow cookers are almost fool-proof. If you don’t have the energy or the time to spend hours cooking dinner, this kitchen appliance can save the day. Whether you’re making a dump dinner, a stew, or a roast, slow cookers can nearly do it all. 

Slow cookers tend to be very durable, too. My family bought one decades ago and we’ve never replaced it. While all appliances experience some wear and tear over time, proper care can prevent damage and lengthen their lifespans. One mistake you might be making with your slow cooker involves the lid’s locking mechanism, which some models have. Here’s what you need to know.

Avoid This Slow Cooker Mistake 

Clamping your slow cooker’s lid shut while it’s cooking can cause pressure to build up inside the stoneware, which could affect its performance and the taste of your food, according to Crock-Pot. Most importantly, the excess pressure could also cause the lid of your slow cooker to crack, which will ruin your appliance and upend your dinner.. 

That’s because slow cookers don’t work the same way as pressure cookers. While the former uses low heat to cook ingredients over a long stretch of time, the latter uses higher temperatures and pressure from steam to get the job done. Steam escapes from slow cookers through the small vents and the edges of the lid—so if you secure the lid with a lock, a dangerous amount could build up.

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Posted in #Recipes

15 Southern Grandma Desserts That Taste Like Home

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Recreate the memories of your grandmother’s kitchen with these tried-and-true Southern desserts. Regional favorites like peaches, rhubarb, and Hubbard squash are baked into pies, cobblers, coffee cake, and more. You’ll find classic Southern desserts that every grandmother can make—apple pie, of course — but a few Southern grandmothers have shared some of their more unique recipes here, too. These Southern desserts are grandma-approved and sure to be family favorites for another generation or two.

Allrecipes

Posted in Kitchen Tips

Egg Beaters vs. Whole Eggs: What’s the Difference?

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

While most people are used to buying shell-on eggs, you’ve probably noticed cartons of Egg Beaters stocked in the same grocery store aisle. There are several varieties of these pasteurized eggs available, including whole eggs, egg whites, and types with spices or veggies added. If you’ve ever wondered about Egg Beaters and how to use them, read on for the full scoop.

What Are Egg Beaters? 

Original Egg Beaters contain 99 percent egg whites, according to the product’s website. The other 1 percent includes natural color, vitamins, and minerals designed to mimic the nutrition of whole eggs, as well as thickening agents (xanthan gum and guar gum) to help the texture replicate regular scrambled eggs. Most people enjoy Egg Beaters because they have the flavor and texture of scrambled eggs—but with fewer calories, less fat, and less cholesterol.

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Posted in #Recipes

Sick of Marry Me Chicken? Meet Divorce Chicken

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

It’s spicy, sassy, and might just inspire you to break up with those viral “engagement” and “marry me” chicken recipes.

But before we get into our new favorite dish, some background. Let’s transport back to 1982. A fashion editor at Glamour shared her favorite roast chicken recipe with an assistant at the magazine, who proceeded to cook it for her boyfriend at the time. Within a month, the boyfriend had proposed. Their relationship’s success was about so much more than a single meal, true. But when that assistant shared the chicken dinner idea with three other staff members, they too added “fiancée” to their resumes soon after. Enter: The “Engagement Chicken” era.

Continue reading “Sick of Marry Me Chicken? Meet Divorce Chicken” →
Posted in Kitchen Tips

Toss Your Bacon Immediately If You Notice These Signs

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

I’ve always joked that adding bacon to a recipe is just plain cheating. Its mixture of saltiness, smokiness, and flavorful fat can take an ordinary dish from ho-hum to holy moly! (This Brussels sprouts recipe is a good example.) Of course, it’s also delicious on its own, whether for breakfast or as a crunchy snack. 

Bacon’s high fat content is what makes it so irresistible, but it’s also the reason it can quickly turn rancid. Spoiled bacon will ruin not only your meal, but possibly your day if you get a case of food poisoning. Here’s how you can tell if your bacon is safe to eat and also how long you should expect it to last.

How to Tell If Bacon Has Gone Bad 

  • Appearance: Fresh bacon should be a vibrant pink with marbled white fat streaks. Any significant color change is a red flag. If you see a noticeable discoloration, like a grayish, greenish, or brownish tint, throw it out immediately. In some cases, you might be able to see mold spots that are either white or black. Don’t be tempted to cut off the visibly molded parts and use the rest. Even if you can’t see mold, it could be lurking there. When in doubt, throw it out.
  • Texture: A slimy texture or stickiness on the bacon indicates bacteria is present. Slime occurs when bacteria begins to break down the meat. If your bacon is slimy or sticky to the touch, discard immediately.
  • Smell: While fresh bacon has a subtle meaty smell, bacon that has gone bad will emit a strong, unpleasant odor. A sour or sulfuric smell means that bacteria, yeast, or fungi are growing on the meat, and it needs to be tossed out.

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Posted in #Recipes

Easy Air Fryer Pork Chops

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Use your trusty air fryer (or air fryer toaster oven) to make the best (and easiest) pork chops of your life. Trust us — once you try this air fryer pork chop recipe, you’ll never go back to your old method again.

Why Cook Pork Chops In the Air Fryer?

The air fryer’s rapid air circulation yields pork chops that are crispy on the outside, yet flavorful and juicy on the inside. What more could you want in an easy pork chop recipe?

How to Make Air Fryer Pork Chops

Mix Parmesan, paprika, garlic powder, salt, parsley, and pepper in a shallow dish. Coat each pork chop in olive oil, then dredge in seasoned cheese mixture. Cook the pork chops, two at a time, in the preheated air fryer. Flip the pork chops halfway through cooking. Let the chops rest for a few minutes before serving.

How Long to Cook Pork Chops In the Air Fryer

This recipe should completely cook medium-sized pork chops in about 10 minutes in an air fryer set to 380 degrees F. Of course, since pork chops vary in thickness, it’s best to test the temperature before you dig in. An instant read food thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chop should read at least 145 degrees F.

What to Serve With Pork Chops

These delicious pork chops deserve an equally delicious side dish. Looking for some tasty inspiration? Explore our collection of 15 Best Side Dishes for Pork Chops. Here are a few of the recipes you’ll find:

Green Beans and Mushroom Medley
Awesome and Easy Creamy Corn Casserole
Roasted Beet and Kale Salad

How to Store Air Fryer Pork Chops

Store leftover pork chops in an airtight storage container or tightly wrapped in foil in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in an oven set to 350 degrees F (with a few drops of broth or water to prevent dryness) until the pork is heated through.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“This recipe was very good, quick, and easy,” raves laurieb2508. “I added smoked paprika to add more flavor and a small amount of Panko breadcrumbs and it turned out great!”

“Super easy, delicious, and made with items that I have in my pantry,” according to Lala.

“Delicious!” says Sabrina. “I used 1-inch thick boneless pork chops and air fried for 17 minutes. They came out golden brown with a perfect crust. Will definitely make again!”

Allrecipes

Easy Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Soup with Ham

This rich, thick, and creamy soup is a great way to use up leftover holiday ham! Made in your slow cooker, and using shortcuts like frozen hash brown potatoes, this delicious soup requires very little effort on your part.

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The One Ingredient You’re Probably Not Washing—and Why You Should

There are a lot of rules when it comes to cleaning your food. So many that it can become impossible to know exactly which ingredients you’re supposed to wash and how you’re supposed to do it correctly. That’s why we’re here to answer the food questions that you may have not thought about until you find yourself peeling an onion and thinking, should I be washing this?

Onions are one of the most used ingredients in the kitchen, due to their versatility and rich flavor. Think soups, stir-fries, pasta, and even hamburgers. No matter if you’re whipping up French onion dip from scratch or garnishing roasted potatoes with onions there’s one thing that we know for sure—you should be washing them before cooking.  

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12 Cheap Recipes From Grandma’s Recipe Box

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to make something delicious. Don’t believe us? Try one of these budget-friendly recipes that come straight from grandma’s recipe box, from crowd-pleasing casseroles and soups to basic breads and baked goods made with pantry staples. These tried-and-true, grandma-approved recipes are easy on the wallet, but big on flavor.

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