Category: Cooking

Cooking, Family, Holidays

Gift Giving Made Simple

Lora Knows...

Back in November a few friends and I were discussing the holidays. The talk of writing seasonal cards, decorations, travel and more gave way to gifts. None of us seemed excited about shopping and we all said the same thing, that there isn’t one thing we want for Christmas.

Later that evening, during dinner, I was sharing the story with Dean – and he agreed that there is nothing he wants for Christmas. We decided then that we would set an amount and stick to it, and we would get each other something meaningful to open on Christmas morning.

Having a set amount, and promising not to exceed it, made me put a lot of thought into the perfect gift for Dean. I’m pretty excited about the three little things I got for him, and cannot wait for him to open them on Christmas morning. He will be so happy.

I just glanced over at our tree, it is usually stuffed with gifts underneath, but instead there are 5 beautifully wrapped presents – and it truly feels like Christmas.

Feeling that others may feel this way too, I thought I would share a few gift ideas – but the list was so endless I cut it down to a few kitchen gadget ideas that will fit under the tree or in a stocking.

Digital Food Thermometer

Cooking meat to the right temperature can be a bit of a guessing game. Help your recipient avoid this stress with an instant-read or digital thermometer from Cuisinart or Kizen that gives a fast, accurate read of internal temperatures. They’ll be able to quickly check the temperature of steaks, chicken breasts, or whole turkeys, gaining peace of mind that these meats have reached the right level of doneness.

Beeswax Food Wraps

Plastic wrap can serve many purposes, but it’s also a single-use item that soon finds its way into the trash. This holiday season, consider gifting beeswax food wraps, the reusable alternative to plastic wrap that can seal jars and bowls and protect half-used fruits and veggies. You can find ones in different shapes and sizes from companies such as Bee’s Wrap and Goldilocks Goods.

Garlic Press

From pasta to wings to potatoes, garlic adds a wonderful flavor that enhances any dish. And a garlic press like Zulay’s two-in-one version, which can mince and slice the cloves, makes using the staple ingredient that much easier.

Meat Chopper

You may be scratching your head wondering what this chopper is for, but it’ll soon become your loved one’s new favorite kitchen gadget. This spatula-like tool from brands like GoodCook, OXO, and Farberware has multiple blades that easily chop, blend, or mash meat or vegetables while they cook in a pan on the stove.

Electric Spice Grinder

Preground spices are very convenient, but nothing compares to a fresh grind since it makes the flavors and aroma more powerful. Gift an electric spice grinder like Cuisinart’s electric spice-and-nut grinder, and your loved one may never go back to preground again.

Take gift giving back to what it was – a little gift that will mean something to ones you love.

Cooking, Entertainment, Family, Holidays

Brining That Bird

Lora Knows...

There are plenty of ways to cook a turkey, but brining seems to give me the most flavorful and delicious results. The process is more simple than you think:

Ingredients

  • 2 cups apple-cranberry juice
  • 1 apple, diced
  • 3 large sprigs rosemary
  • 1 small bunch fresh thyme
  • 4 bay leaves
  • ½ cup fresh cranberries
  • ½ cup kosher salt
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon peppercorns
  • 2 oranges, sliced

Instructions:

  1. Place 1 quart of water and salt in large pot. Bring to simmer, and then add in all the other ingredients. Continue to simmer on low for a half hour. Set the mixture aside, and let cool completely.
  2. Put the uncooked turkey into the pot, brining bag, or container of your choice. Cover and place back in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours until it’s time to prepare and cook the turkey. Make sure to turn the turkey over a few times during the brining period.

Tip: the brine is salty, so there’s no need to salt the turkey when you prepare for baking.

Cooking, Entertainment, Family, Holidays

Carving Meat

Lora Knows...

Some family traditions have relatives sharing ham, while others opt for turkey, prime rib or a meatless main course. Regardless of the choice, mastering the art of carving is important.

A few decades ago, the first Thanksgiving Dean and I shared, I wanted to show off my skills. I watched Martha Stewart carve the most beautiful roast turkey. I recorded her artistic carving on a VHS tape from a television show. I watched it, rewind, play, pause, rewind – I definitely felt ready, however that poor turkey didn’t stand a chance against me and our dull butcher knife. The following year we had purchased our first few professional knives, and Dean took over the carving.

Turkey Carving:
Cover the turkey loosely with foil and let it rest for a minimum of 30 minutes before carving. Employ a specialized carving knife designed for slicing. Maintain the bird’s tenderness by cutting the meat against the grain.

Bone-in Ham Carving:
Create a stable base by trimming one to two slices from the ham’s bottom. Employ a carving fork alongside a knife to ensure stability during the cutting process. Craft thick, uniform slices down to the bone, using the knife skillfully to release slices from the bone.

Beef Roast Carving:
Secure the carving fork beneath the top rib, and initiate horizontal slices. Glide through each slice with one or two smooth motions to prevent meat shredding. Utilize the knife’s tip to cut along the rib bone, freeing each slice with precision.