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How to Deep-Fry a Turkey

brock — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:48:37 +0000

Deep-frying a turkey is serious business and has led to more than one fire. That’s definitely not how you want your Thanksgiving remembered. You are using a whole lot of oil, adding fire and throwing a giant bird into the mix, so for the love of Pete, don’t start drinking until AFTER the bird is cooked.

You are going to need the tools of the trade to properly fry a turkey. The easiest thing to do is actually purchase a turkey fryer. These self-contained fryers contain everything you need to fry the turkey, but for the sake those who don’t want to shell out the bucks for a one-time turkey fry, we’ll go the basic route.

You will need a LARGE cooking pot (one that can hold a turkey and several gallons of oil). You will need a thermometer for the meat and the oil, a propane tank and burner, a small turkey (less than 15 pounds) and seasoning or marinade. You will also need a frying basket or hook big enough to handle the turkey. You might also want to keep a fire extinguisher nearby. If a fire does erupt, DO NOT use water. It’s an oil fire, so water will just spread it around.

Take the pot, stick in the turkey and add water until it’s about two inches above the turkey. Take out the turkey and measure how much water is in the pot. This is how much oil you will need to cook the turkey. Pour out the water and dry the inside of the pot thoroughly.

Frying should be done outside in a flat, open area, preferably nowhere near anything flammable. Put the oil in the pot, place the burner under it and begin heating the oil. While the oil is heating, you should be patting down the bird to remove any moisture. Moisture + hot oil = fire. Inject the marinade into the meat and add any outside seasoning rub that you want.

When the oil reaches 325 degrees Fahrenheit, place the turkey in the basket or on the hook and lower it into the oil. Any moisture on or even in the turkey will cause the oil to splatter, and that can cause injury. So, be very careful lowering the turkey into the fryer.

It takes about three minutes per pound to fry a turkey, and the internal turkey temperature should be about 180 degrees. Once again, be careful taking out the turkey, and enjoy a perfectly fried and juicy bird.

Frying a turkey can be a fun and enjoyable experience, but only if it is done safely. I cannot stress how important it is to take turkey frying seriously. If you don’t, it could end with a trip to the emergency room.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/nukeit1/66530600

Head Chefs Create Fun Kitchen Tools for Kids

brock — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:05:58 +0000

I love my children, but they have an innate ability to get into any drawer or cabinet despite the Mission Impossible level security I have put into place. One of their favorite spots is the drawer that house all our kitchen utensils. Parental note: These are the non-lethal cooking utensils. Items with pointy hurty things are locked away in a high place guarded by a three-headed dog that I got cheap from a guy named Hades.

There is nothing funnier than watching your 4-year-old come into the living room with a mixing bowl on his head, but the cuteness wears off when you walk into the kitchen and see every cooking utensil from the spatula to the meat thermometer lying on the floor. Suddenly, you have about two loads of dishes to do before you can bake that apple pie.

Perusing the Internet, I came upon a company that creates children’s cooking utensils that are not only useful but safe as well. There are no sharp pointy things to impale themselves on. Head Chef kids cooking utensils are real cooking instruments that are covered in a rubber coating to lessen the impact and have arms and legs.

They are basically little kitchen people. My favorite is the pastry brush because it looks like a guy with really spiky hair. No, I will never grow up. The utensils come in a variety of colors and includes a whisk, a couple of spoons, measuring cup, spatula and, of course, the pastry brush.

These tools have suction cup feet to stick to countertops, bendable arms and are just freaking cool. They can be purchased separately or in a set. Individual items can be bought for about $10 a piece or about $50 for the entire set.

The reasons these stuck out in my mind is these could be the children’s personal cooking utensils. When we are baking and they want to join in, I can give them their Head Chef whisk or measuring cup. It gives them a sense of ownership and just maybe next time they decide to raid the utensil cabinet, they will pick their utensils over ours.

Children like thinking they own items and the Head Chef kids cooking utensils provide them that ownership, but also a safe and functional way for them to help in the kitchen.

Tips for Organizing Your Kitchen

brendan — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:52:18 +0000

Whatever room you want to talk about, there is probably a more efficient and/or attractive way to store your stuff than the way you’re doing it now. Today we’re talking about that dreaded room, the kitchen (Cue Beethoven’s Fifth). So many ways to be disorganized. Food storage, utensil storage, spice storage, and the motherlode: the refrigerator. Start tackling these huge problems with these space-saving tips:

Wherever you’re storing things, store based on use. If you’re organizing your cabinets, maybe organize spices by country of origin, or have the everyday essentials like salt and pepper in an easy to grab spot and put other things you rarely use, like cream of tartar, in a place that you don’t need to use.

Tip dos: Recognize that your shelf space is real estate, and the easiest to access shelves are the most valuable. Put your most used items in the most valuable real estate.

Tip Three: Organize by use. This method, such all the things you need for baking are in one spot, and all the things you need for frying are in another, is really helpful and fairly popular. You may be able to take this further than you already are, though. Do you really need your muffin tin to be stored with your pots and pans? Put it next to your cookie mix. Organizing your storage this way makes it way easier to find stuff.

The most important thing is to pick one method and stick to it. If you mix and match, finding things will be a nightmare. Also, share your method with your family and/or housemates. It sucks to make an organization method, just to have it ignored. If you don’t believe me, ask my mom.

When it comes to the refrigerator, many of the same rules apply. Just organize by sections, and stick to it. Also, make sure you’re not refrigerating things that do not need refrigeration. The biggest offender: peanut butter. A close second: soy sauce. (although if you have an oily peanut butter, keeping it cool does keep the light oil from rising to the top). You probably will have a lot more room if you just take the stuff out of the refrigerator that doesn’t need to be there. Also, when you are putting away leftovers, put stuff in square containers, don’t just cover a serving platter with cellophane wrap. Platters have low stack-ability.

Finally, throw stuff out that you won’t eat. Yes, this is simple, but it frees up a surprising amount of space. Are you really going to eat that tepid leftover Chinese food? I would too. So eat it, and get it out of the way! That old salad? Toss it and make a new one. This also works with condiments. You probably don’t need so many packets of instant noodles or minute rice. Give it to the local food shelter.

Let me know what you think of these tips, and feel free to post your own! Happy organizing!

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/33636891@N00/4314819373/

Create Your Own Valentine’s Date: Fondue Sets

colleen — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:31:26 +0000

Last week we talked about creative at-home dates for Valentine’s Day. But why reserve creative dating to the holidays? Think a little outside the box every week, and plan a fun dining event or activity for you and your loved one. Maybe create a delicious stew for two or make some fun and festive drinks. Eating out can always be an expensive affair, with the extensive overpriced wine list at most fancy fondue or hibachi restaurants and the expectation that you will be tipping the waitress at least 20% so as not to seem cheap to your date. Waiters aren’t the only ones that need tips, so here are a few suggestions for how to have creative meals without the restaurant pricing.

To stay on a budget, consider cooking some eclectic meals that would cost a lot at a fancy restaurant but require much less spending when created at home. Maybe buy a little burner or chocolate fountain, so you can roast marshmallows and make S’mores with your significant other, or break out the cute fondue sets for some tasty treats.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/kubina/957806470

Seasonal Highlight: Slow Cookers

colleen — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:48:50 +0000

As the temperatures begin to drop and the leaves begin to fall, it’s time to start enjoying all the tastes and trends that the season has to offer. Pumpkin picking, apple orchards, homemade soups and chilis, this season is filled with delicious tastes and smells. Ever wonder how you can make the perfect soup or slow roast? Look into buying a slow cooker or pressure roaster!

Slow cookers are perfect for homemade chili or stew because they maintain a relatively low temperature over a long time. When looking to buy a crock-pot or pressure cooker/ slow cooker, think about how big you will need the pot to be (how many servings will you need, in general, for your family and a little extra in case of guests or leftovers). Other than that, crock-pots usually vary in price depending on how many settings they have for the temperature, which is all based on preference.

Some of the top slow cookers on the market:

Cuisinart Pressure Cooker: $99.95 (market price of $270.00)

Slow Cooker 2.5Q White: $12.82 (market price of $24.99)

5.5 QT Slow Cooker: $51.04 (market price $59.99)

Shop through a variety of affordable crock pots and slow cookers.

Special Sales: College Shopping 2.0

colleen — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:30:59 +0000

Walmart’s newest dedication to using social networking tools and Web 2.0 interfaces may be rooted in capitalism and greedy corporations, but there are some great user benefits that save the college-bound a few hundred in shipping, packaging, or unnecessary double and triple trips back and forth to the local department store. Walmart.com’s new College 09 site has a wonderful selection of thrifty and stylish supplies for the young and the educated, including some “Value Bundles” that should be checked out for their super thrifty status. Featured on their top selling value bundles are:

Kalorik Sunny Morning Basic Kitchen Appliance Set, Tangerine and White: $85.00 Coming with a toaster, a blender, a coffee maker and a kettle, this is a cute set that will brighten any freshman’s smile when they wake up for that first 8 a.m. class.

Another great steal is the Girl’s Twin Bedding and Towel Set at $45.00, with a bright lively pattern for the comforter and sham and 6-piece towel set for all your bathroom needs.

Now what about the boys? While the girls have their bright orange kettles and striped comforters keeping them colorful and hydrated during finals, what will the boys use?

I won’t lie, I’ll suggest the Mainstays Tall Corner TV Stand and Viore 26” Class LCD HDTV Bundle for $349.00 out of experience and necessity. 26″ HDTV with digital tuner and the stand makes this a complete package, and perfect for the Xbox hookup. No joke, these things are a necessity! Video games are a growing market, the boys are doing “research” into a prospective career field. No lie!!

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more kitchen appliances and tv stands.
Discounts on towels and twin bedding.

Seasonal Highlight: Bender Blender

colleen — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:03:56 +0000

It’s summertime, and the drinks are sweating more than you are. What do you do to chill off? Consider buying a blender to make some fun fruity drinks that are nutritious and–perhaps?–alcoholic. Fresh margs, pineapple juice, maybe event your own blended beverage for the next pool party or summer grill. You want to make sure you’ve got a solid, working blender, especially with an ice crushing function that is sturdy and reliable–I’ve been there, when the blender breaks, smashing ice in a plastic bag with a sledge hammer in the backyard. It’s fun, but not practical or delicious, especially when you get grass or dirt in the uneven ice chips that scatter across the driveway when the bag breaks (and believe me, it always does!).

Some tips for blender shopping:

1. Ice crushing function. Already been described above.
2. Long cord/ functionality outdoors. You want to be part of the barbeque and picnic! It’s so much more fun than making the drinks in the kitchen while everyone’s outdoors enjoying the fun and the sun.
3. Removeable top pitcher for easy pouring and handling. You want to make sure the bottom is securely fastened, too, or else your yummy beverage is going to fall all over the place!

Some of our top picks for blenders for the summer season:

1. Back to Basics 3-Speed Brushed Chrome Personal Blender Express , BPE3BR : $22.00

The thriftiest of all designs, this is for the college kid on a major budget crunch with a sweet tooth.

2. Oster 14-Speed Blender from Kmart.com: $24.99, marked down from $29.99

Beautiful standard design with many speeds to play around with. Much sturdier top than the Back to Basics blender above.

3. Cuisinart SmartPower Premier 600W Blender: $99.95

With a 600-watt motor, this is the best blender on the market, with the price to match. Buy this if you’re looking for a real lifetime investment in partying and happy drinking.

Shop for through a wide selection of affordable blenders.

Cooking Tips: How to Cook Rice

homegarden — Fri, 01 May 2009 21:09:47 +0000

Rice is really easy to cook, quite cheap, can be used like a garnish, and eaten cold or warm.

I’m going to give you next some tips to improve your rice cooking technique:

The first thing to do is reducing the amount of starch in the rice. How do we do that? Simply washing it over and over again until the water comes out clear. If you don’t want to wash it, another option is frying it for a few minutes in oil or butter and then throwing it into the boiling water.

If you liked the second option better, there is another great way to cook the rice. After it has fried in a pan for two or three minutes, pour boiling water with salt on it and stir it just once, so that the rice doesn’t get mushy. (Note: The water really needs to be boiling)

Now, how do we know how much water we should pour? The universal rule to cook rice is that the proportion of water should be double than the proportion of rice. If we use one cup of rice we must use two cups of water. If we use two cups of rice we must use four cups of water.

If we cook the rice like this there will be no need to strain it, which is much better since it helps to keep all the nutrients that would go away with the water.

If you see that the rice is not cooked yet and already dry, you can add a little bit more boiling water.

I recommend cooking it at first on high fire and turning it into low fire later. The amount cooking time the rice needs depends on what kind of rice it is. It could take from ten to twenty minutes. (Always check the instructions on the pack and try the rice to be sure is not raw.)

There are many kinds of pans that could be used to make rice, but my favorite will always be the wok pan. That’s why I’m showing you this great wok pan I found on Smarter.com.

I think woks are great to use when preparing rice because its shape keeps the heat uniform, guaranteeing even cooking.

Pictured: Pan Wok 14036K : ~~$132.00~~ $106.40

Now, if you really don’t feel you are going to succeed in the kitchen, don’t worry! I bring you the Electric Rice Cooker. It is really cute, compact and easy to use. By pressing only one button you will get your rice cooked and automatically kept warm for up to six hours. This is definitely a very practical choice.

Pictured: Electric Rice Cooker : $41.25

Image Source: Gallina Blanca

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more wok pans and electric rice cookers.
Discounts on rice.

Williams-Sonoma Whistling Platinum Teakettle

evette — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:03:54 +0000

Nothing is quite as soothing or as relaxing as a steaming cup of tea! If you are an adamant tea drinker take a look at the Chantal Whistling Teakettle from Williams-Sonoma.

When water comes to a boil, this teakettle’s Hohner harmonic whistle sounds off with all the resonance of a train whistle. The kettle’s flat base promotes fast heating while the wire-loop handle provides a cool, secure grip.

The teakettle is made of steel, it comes in your choice of colorful enamel finishes. (The stainless-steel version has a brushed finish.) The other colors are: blue, red and platinum.

The smooth enameled interior prevents mineral buildup.

Price $120.00

If you are interested in shopping or purchasing the Williams-Sonoma Chantal Teakettle, click here.

To shop for more Discount Teakettles, click here.

Primitive Thanksgiving Harvest Serving Bowls

homegarden — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:35:10 +0000

Let’s face it, the holidays are so exciting and yet sooo nerve wracking at the same time, aren’t they!?! These stunning terra cotta bowls from BLAIR can save anyone cooking a full Thanksgiving feast a lot of stress!

Terra cotta is famous for it’s ability to retain heat. Perfect for keeping your squash, mashers or applesauce warm while you set the table! These festive, primitive decor items are fully functional and a beautiful addition to your holiday table. Go straight from your counter top, to the oven or microwave, to your table! Phew! I know I’m wiping my brow in relief! Easy, tasteful, functional decor at your fingertips! Oven, microwave and dishwasher safe, they measure 3 inches in height by 10 inches in width. Each holds a generous 6-cup capacity AND at just $19.99 (on clearance) you need to get them NOW! They will not last long at this price!

I’m going to buy mine now… please comment on whether you do, too! This is MY VERY FIRST article for Smarter.com and I’d LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to hear from you all! Happy Harvest!!