Helpful Kitchen Tips

I found a list of helpful kitchen tips on a website I came across the other day. Here are a few I found most interesting:

*To stop your plastic containers from staining spray the container first with a nonstick cooking spray.
*Coat your measuring spoons with cooking spray to keep your ingredients from sticking.
*To remove burned food easily from your skillet, add a drop or two of dish soap with enough water to cover the bottom of pan, bring to a boil and then clean.
*A root of the onion lasts longer, so when saving part of the onion for another use keep the root attached.
To prevent messy boil-overs on your stove, apply a thin coat of cooking oil around the top of the inside of your pot.

I hope these tips will help all of us with the dreaded clean up after preparing a fabolus meal!!

Washingtonian's 100 Very Best Restaurants

Wow!!! I did not realize how out of touch I have gotten when in comes to the DC areas top restaurants. I guess between a hectic catering schedule and the love of entertaining at home I have really gotten out of touch with the current fine eateries in my own back yard.
So I have decided , as one of my 2010 resolutions, I am going to work my way through, or I should say eat my way through this fabulous list of restaurants in 2010. In reading the reviews many of these fine places our relatively new to our area. I will keep you updated on my discoveries.

Grilled Tuna Rolls

The Barefoot Contessa on The Food Network has created the most incredible twist on a lobster roll. It is made with tuna with a major Asian influence. You must try it!!. Not only is it healthy it has so many complex flavors going on at one time. But still a simply recipe to prepare. If you love tuna and loads of flavor this is a must to try. Just look the recipe up on the food network web site. By the way I always prepare a first time recipe to the letter. If I need to make adjustments for my tastes or that of my guests I do it on the second preparation.
Enjoy!!

Taste of Home Appetizers for every occasion

If this magazine is still available for purchase you need to get it. The recipes are all from home cooks and they are basic ideas with a twist. Mostly assembly verses cooking. But very tasty. I made the recipe for Shrimp Wrapped in Bacon and my guests loved it. Pairing the store bought barbecue sauce with the fresh Basil leaves and goat cheese really makes this recipe a winner. It was a great and easy dish for my cocktail party.

Enjoy!

2009 Top Recipe for Mac and Cheese

Happy New Year,
I tried several new dishes over the holidays. There were a couple that really did stand out. The first was a Baked Macaroni and Cheese that was rated #1 for 2009 by the Food Network. I have made dozens of variations of Mac and Cheese over the years and have a few favorites. This is now at the top of my list. It is a recipe of Alton Brown's and it was so light and fluffy it literally melts in your mouth. Look it up it is worth trying. Pairing it with a simply green salad and you have a great meal.

Enjoy!!