Tag: Cooking

Posted in #allrecipes

These 12 Simple Mistakes Are Ruining Your Casseroles

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Casseroles have long been the savior of weeknight dinners, the champion of do-ahead dishes, the perfect way to stretch leftovers deliciously into a second meal, sometimes even more satisfying than the first. They are staunchly comforting, easy enough for both kids and harried parents to pull off, and even the fussiest of gourmands will cop to loving a classic casserole or two. And if they claim they don’t, just say the words cassoulet or tian Provençale and their denials will go silent. But simple-to-prepare doesn’t mean without pitfalls. Here are a dozen of the places you can go wrong with your casserole cookery.

1. Choosing the wrong baking dish.

Casserole dishes need, first and foremost, to be ovenproof. Glass, ceramic, cast iron, enameled — whatever you choose be sure you know it is designed to go into the oven. There’s nothing worse than assembling a perfect casserole in that lovely piece of pottery you bought at the art fair and have it crack in half mid-bake.

2. Using the wrong size dish.

Once you have ascertained that your dish is oven safe, make sure it is the right size for what you want it to contain. Recipes should specify size and shape (an oval 10-inch dish will contain less volume than a rectangle), and depth. Casserole dishes should be filled no more than three-quarters of the height of the dish to prevent overflow when cooking. And it is always a good idea to place the casserole dish on a sheet pan to catch spatters, or to place a sheet pan on the rack just below. You don’t win on convenience with a casserole if you then have to clean your oven!

Allrecipes

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”

Posted in From My Kitchen

The Essential Cuban Cookbook: 50 Classic Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Create authentic Cuban flavors right at home 

Cuban cuisine is as dynamic and alluring as the island itself. Transport your taste buds to Havana with classic recipes that show you how to capture the incredible flavors of beloved Cuban dishes without leaving the comfort of your kitchen.

What sets this Cuban cookbook apart:

  • A taste of history—Learn about the fascinating evolution of Cuban cuisine; the influence of Spanish, African, and Caribbean cultures; and the enduring culinary traditions.
  • 50 authentic recipes—Whip up a range of traditional Cuban dishes such as aromatic Arroz con Pollo a la Chorrera (Yellow Rice with Chicken), Ropa Vieja (Braised Shredded Beef), and Lechon Asado (Pork Roast), just like abuela used to make.
  • Tips and techniques—Get expert insight into everything from the art of frying the perfect tostones to the essential street food you must try on a visit to Cuba.

Celebrate the flavors, foods, and traditions of Cuba with this essential cookbook.

Amazon 

kratzy
5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to enjoy Cuban food at home at reasonable prices.
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2022
More than 50 traditional, but well known recipes, for the lover of Cuban food and presented in an easy to stand manner, with clear ingredient lists and easy to follow instructions. After a brief introduction there are five chapters split up for breakfast and lunch recipes followed by side dishes and then seafood poultry and finally beef and pork. The final chapter is one of the greatest interests for me - beverages and desserts. I am familiar with the many sandwiches and all the small dishes that you get at many US Cuban food places, but the desserts and beverages had the most interest to me because I have never sampled these items.The dessert list did not disappoint, from cream cheese flan to rice pudding and cinnamon custard - the selection was a milky rich as I had hoped and I will now work my way through the recipes. The beverages unfortunately are all alcoholic; I had hoped for some non-alcoholic options. But the deserts make up for it. The rice pudding in particular may now finally enable me to totally forget about weight, diet, and health and just enjoy life - let’s face it, any recipe that combines sweet condensed milk, whipping cream and evaporated milk with just a smidgen of lime peel and cinnamon and vanilla must be good. Looking forward to sampling this concoction.

I received a free copy of the book from the publisher

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”

Posted in From My Kitchen

Meal Prep for Two: 8 Weekly Plans & 75 Recipes to Get Healthier Together

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Spend less money and more time together—easy, healthy meal prep for two

Convenience doesn’t have to come with a cost to your wallet, health, or sanity! Now you can prepare delicious, nourishing dishes for two ahead of time—and savor them throughout the week, stress-free. Whether you’re prepping food with a partner, family member, or roommate, Meal Prep for Two will help you build simple and balanced meals together.

Jump right into eight flavor-packed, week-long meal plans for two people. Follow along with detailed shopping lists and step-by-step meal prep instructions for either one or two nights a week. The breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks—perfectly portioned for two—include nutritional info and food storage guidelines. Let’s get cooking!

Inside Meal Prep for Two, you’ll find:

  • 8 weekly plans—Enjoy a variety of uniquely-themed meal prep plans: Mediterranean Staycation, Better Than Takeout, Beat the Heat, and more.
  • 75 tasty recipes—Try Zucchini Cheddar Scones, Turkey Club Salad Jars, Sheet Pan Ratatouille with Roasted Salmon, and more.
  • Prep smarter—Get advice on adjustments for dietary needs, smart ingredient reuse, and sequence and division of meal prep tasks.

Amazon

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”

Posted in About Me, From My Kitchen

Candida Cookbook for Beginners: 85 Recipes to Alleviate Symptoms and Restore Gut Health

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Beginner-friendly guidance and recipes so you can start feeling better with a candida-free diet

Changing the way you eat can help improve your gut health and bring balance to your life. This introductory action plan and cookbook teaches you everything you need to know about candida overgrowth and how it affects your health. You’ll get a three-phase action plan as well as recipes that will help you restore your digestive system.

  • Beginner-focused guidance—Learn about the physical and mental health issues candida can cause as well as how your diet can promote or inhibit its growth.
  • A three-phase plan for wellness—Discover a practical plan that helps you repair your gut conditions, rebuild beneficial flora, and revitalize yourself.
  • Satisfying recovery recipes—Enjoy the healing process with a range of flavorful dishes, including Baked French Toast, Lemon-Poached Salmon, Ratatouille, and Angel Food Cake.

Amazon

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”

Posted in From My Kitchen

The Joy Fit Club: Cookbook, Diet Plan & Inspiration

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

The Today show nutrition expert shares over 75 recipes, dramatic weight-loss success stories, and ten simple rules for healthy everyday eating.

Joy Bauer, the long-time on-air diet and nutrition expert for the Today show, regularly tells the inspiring personal stories of people who have lost one hundred pounds or more using her weight-loss plan. Joy’s diet plan not only works, it really works.

Now, you can take the Joy Fit challenge and use these delicious, bountiful recipes and meal plans at home to start losing weight today. The Joy Fit Club is the one tool you’ll need to succeed! Featuring more than 75 recipes, detailed meal plans, and motivational before-and-after photographs of real people, this book is ideal for anyone who wants to join the Joy Fit Club.

Amazon