Say Goodbye to Mystery Flavors

Tap water can be a wildcard. Depending on where you live, it might contain chlorine, minerals, or even traces of metals. These elements can subtly (or not-so-subtly) alter the taste of whatever you’re preparing. Distilled water, by contrast, is completely free of contaminants. That means you can focus on the flavors you want, not the ones sneaking in from your water source.

Crystal-Clear Soups and Broths

Nobody loves a cloudy soup, especially if you went all out making it from scratch. Minerals and impurities in regular water cause that unappetizing haze, which can ruin the appearance of dishes such as consommés or clear broths. Using distilled water ensures your creations stay as clear as your culinary vision.

Perfect Textures Every Time

Whether it’s a fluffy loaf of bread or perfectly soft rice, water quality directly impacts the texture of your food. Hard water, rich in minerals, can interfere with how yeast works in baking or affect the consistency of grains as they cook. Distilled water ensures smooth, consistent results so your loaf doesn’t flop.

Avoid Unnecessary Wear and Tear

Cooking isn’t just about food; it’s also about your gear! Minerals from hard water can build up on cookware over time, causing discoloration or even damage. Similarly, coffee makers and kettles appreciate the lack of buildup from distilled water. This water keeps your tools in top shape and makes your meals taste great.

A Handy Problem Solver

Kitchen disasters don’t wait for convenient moments. For example, one of the signs that you might need to repair your water heater is rusty water from the tap. These plumbing issues can appear at inconvenient times, whether you’re washing vegetables or in the midst of preparing a full meal. Having distilled water on hand makes it much easier to keep your cooking on track without unwanted interruptions or unpleasant surprises.

Cooking Success Starts With Great Ingredients

Water is a key ingredient in many recipes, but the importance of water quality is something many home cooks overlook. Why many recipes recommend preparing food with distilled water comes down to this simple truth: It helps you control taste, texture, and clarity for consistently delicious results. Whether you’re perfecting a soup or troubleshooting tap issues, distilled water has you covered.

Next time you’re at the store, grab a jug of distilled water and see the difference for yourself!

Recommended Reading: Superfoods for Gut Health: 7 Ways to Boost Digestion and Wellness

The post Why Recipes Recommend Cooking With Distilled Water appeared first on Weekly Living.

I absolutely adore cooking with my littles and I loved cooking with my bigs when they were little! So this experienced chef has provided a little guide to get you and your kitchen fully equipped to accommodate a toddler chef. First we will go over some small dos and don’ts, the proper attire of course as well as some great equipment you’ll need to survive in style when cooking with kids! Then once you’re done prepping your kitchen for a mini chef, check out some of our kid friendly baking recipes!

A “DO” FOR COOKING WITH KIDS

Be honest with your little. Let them know that there are rules and why each rule is there when it comes up. Kids are much more responsive when they understand the reason that they are being told no versus a simple “no, because I said so.” Let them know that there are some jobs that are grown-up only jobs and some jobs that will be just for them. *Rule example: Always wash your hands when entering or leaving the kitchen. *Grown-Up Job: Operating the stove top, oven, electric mixer (etc.). *Tot-Job: Stirring, kneading, handing and pouring ingredients, etc.!

Do set either some or all of the ingredients out ahead of time, just to keep you a little more sane, especially if your co-chef is in the 2-3 range. 3-4 is a bit easier but it is still nice to have some of the prep done.

A “DON’T” FOR COOKING WITH KIDS

Start until they understand what their job is and what is expected of them. Don’t let a tantrum happen in the kitchen. If your tot won’t cooperate then remove them from the situation (and room) until they are ready to use proper baking etiquette. Kitchen is not a playground and can be dangerous. Only happy, fun, responsible baking…no tantrums or monkey behavior allowed.

FUN TOOLS FOR TOTS!

I am a huge lover of all things Melissa & Doug but today we aren’t playing so set aside the toys and get out the real cooking utensils for kids!

A real-looking, handmade cotton child’s apron from ForSmallHands.com.

Baking hat from ForSmallHands.com.

A baking bundle from CuriousChef.com that includes a frosting spreader, cookie turner, and a rolling pin.

A baking set from KitchenKapers.com that includes spatula, a whisk, and a mixing spoon.

A measuring set that includes measuring cups and measuring spoons, large easy grip mixing spoon, a kitchen timer, ingredient bowls that come with lids and this set even comes with a cute grocery list and stickers.

Have so much fun with your awesome lil’ chef!

The post COOKING WITH KIDS appeared first on Weekly Living.

When you always seem to be busy, like most shoppers these days, there isn’t always time to spend cooking a meal from scratch. After a long day in the office or a hectic weekend at home, there are some go-to frozen products that are always a great choice. The benefits of frozen foods are abundant. They’re quick, easy, and freezing locks in those nutrients and vitamins that are found in fresh foods.

One of the morning favorites are Delights by Jimmy Dean. Hillshire makes quite a few varieties of these sandwiches, even vegetarian options. They are fast, delicious and keep you satisfied for hours. Perfect for when I’m running out the door to work and have a day full of meetings! These sandwiches are all under 300 calories and take just a few minutes in the microwave, a wise choice for those watching portion control or calories.

Another healthy option is Smart Ones frozen meals by Heinz. There are many choices in this line of products for any palate. The Three Cheese Ziti Marinara is always a big hit in my house. With zesty tomato sauce and gooey cheese, you’d never guess it’s only 8 Weight Watcher’s points! There are many fantastic points covered in fresh vs frozen, and frozen options are great for busy families. It becomes a speedy, healthy and filling meal in just minutes.

When it’s time for lunch, sometimes you just want a sweet treat. At only 100 calories, Healthy Choice Greek Frozen Yogurt is a scrumptious summer option. Made with real fruit, ConAgra conveniently makes these single-serve cups a staple for at home or the office. And with 3 servings per package, it makes sharing with co-workers a no-brainer. The strawberry frozen yogurt tastes fresh, like a perfectly ripe piece of fruit. Freezing is like a natural pause button that keeps this just-picked flavor at its peak of freshness. Yum!

Dinner time, and this pasta dish tastes just like a recipe I would make at home -because it is made from real, fresh veggies. Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers by ConAgra keep the pasta perfectly al dente and the veggies crisp with its steaming basket. I really enjoy the Portabella Spinach Parmesan. This frozen delight takes just 5 minutes to prepare, is vegetarian and only 230 calories. Plated, you would never know it was actually a frozen meal.

No cooking or packing the night before. No messes to clean up. Just delicious, frozen choices that give variety of cuisine and bring satisfaction to a hungry tummy. Even on the healthy side of the spectrum, there are plenty of fantastic dishes to keep in the freezer at home or work. Frozen. How Fresh Stays Fresh. 

 Bon appetit!

The post Fantastically Frozen Fast & Fresh appeared first on Weekly Living.

Whether you are looking at the next gift for a family member or just want to surprise that special someone, Chicago Steak Company has some awesome gift sets to choose from:

Corporate Gifts

Gifts for Him

Gifts For Her

Gifts Under $100

Steak Gift Clubs

History:

Chicago’s tradition of Delivering the World’s Finest Beef started in 1864 – with the birth of the Chicago Union Stockyards. Some of America’s largest beef companies such as Swift, Morris, and Hammond at the turn of the century produced 82% of the meat consumed in the United States. In 1882 Gustavus Swift created the first refrigerated car making it possible to ship the best cuts of steak coast to coast. Today, Chicago Steak Company is the premier provider of gourmet steaks, seafood and desserts. We are proud to continue the long and rich tradition of Delivering Mid-Western Corn-Fed USDA Prime, Black Angus, and Premium USDA Choice steaks to homes and businesses across America.

Learn More / Watch:

Learn what makes a steak from Chicago Steak Company the Ultimate Steak Experience: Grade, Artisan Aging, Hand Selection & Hand Cut, and Individual Registration.

Items To Browse At My Chicago Steak:

• Premium Gold AngusFilet Mignon
• Bone-In Filet Mignon
• Ribeye
• Bone-In Ribeye
• Tomahawk Ribeye
• Boneless Strip Steaks
• Bone-In Strip Steaks
• Top Sirloin
• Baseball Cut Sirloins
• Flat Iron
• T Bone
• Porterhouse
• USDA Prime – Wet Aged
• USDA Prime – Dry Aged
• Wagyu Beef – Kobe-Style
• Coach Ditka’s Favorites
• Steak Assortments
• Steak Burgers
• Chicken – Pork – Ribs
• Roasts – Ham – Turkey
• Surf & Turf
• Fresh Fish Market
• Add On for Special Price
• Cheesecakes

See MyChicagoSteak.com for more!

The post Succulent Steaks and Holiday Gifts from Chicago Steak Company appeared first on Weekly Living.

There’s no bigger baking season than the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s the best time of year to celebrate traditional family recipes that are as nostalgic as they are delicious. Whether you are making pies or cookies, these recipes would not be the same without the traditional holiday assortment of spices. Here are just a few that no holiday chef should find himself or herself without.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg comes from the seed of an Indonesian evergreen tree and is a perennial favorite of holiday bakers. While it is most potent when freshly grated, most grocery stores also sell a powdered version that will work as a substitute. Nutmeg is a common ingredient in sweets like pumpkin pie or hot chocolate but also compliments savory cheese or potato dishes.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is perhaps the most common of all spices associated with the holidays and comes from the bark of an evergreen tree that is rolled and dried into sticks. Like nutmeg this spice works just as well with savory dishes like eggs and poultry as it does in more traditional recipes like apple pie.

Cloves

Cloves are derived from the flower buds of the clove tree and add a wonderful spiciness to a number of holiday dishes. They are commonly found in glazed ham, sweet potato, apple and pumpkin dishes, and in many homes are even used as holiday decorations.

Ginger

Ginger is available in both fresh and powdered form and adds a complex flavor to a variety of dishes. The fresh variety is a great addition to vegetable dishes such as squash, artichokes and sweet potatoes and provided the base for any gingerbread dish.

Star Anise

While its flavor is similar to regular anise, star anise has a unique flavor all its own. It is most commonly used to enhance poultry and seafood dishes but can also be used in sweet items, especially those made from tropical fruits or pumpkin.

The post 5 spices to include in holiday recipes appeared first on Weekly Living.

Whether you aspire to become a prestigious chef or simply to take up the culinary arts as a new hobby, online culinary courses can open up doors for many people. While opponents to online culinary programs may argue that obtaining such a degree necessitates hand- on experience with in person instruction, they fail to see how the world of technology has provided solutions to this concern. The following four benefits to taking online culinary courses should provide anyone reluctant to give them a shot the information necessary to make the right decision.

1. Cost Effectiveness

The first of these benefits involves the obvious cost difference of taking courses online. The tuition costs themselves can be immensely cheaper for students, and this doesn’t even account for the ability to use your own kitchen and the cooking utensils that you already own. For many people, the affordability of online classes alone may be their only hope of realizing their culinary aspirations. Furthermore, the advantages of learning in at home don’t stop at the economic benefits.

2. Learn at Your Own Pace

Studying and practicing at home allows you to learn at your own pace. This can be tremendously beneficial to beginners or those seeking to take up the culinary arts as a hobby. Developing basic skills is essential to future success in the industry, thus learning these rudimentary tasks at your own pace can have a significant impact on future success. Additionally, taking courses online also offers convenience.

3. Convenience
The third benefit to taking culinary courses online is the convenience of learning in your own home, when the time is right. The distractions and responsibilities of life can make learning a demanding syllabus at culinary school next to impossible. However, online courses allow students to learn when it is convenient for them, and therefore allows your learning experience to be nonintrusive to your daily responsibilities. Regardless of the intensity of your schedule, taking online culinary courses can provide you with the versatility to make learning fit smoothly into your own schedule.

4. Experience New Technology

Finally, taking culinary courses online makes use of some of today’s newest technologies to provide a superior educational experience. Through the use of webcams, instructors can communicate one on one with their students in a more casual environment. In this way the student feels less pressured to perform, and instead they can focus on learning the material at hand.

Considering these four benefits it would seem that choosing to take online culinary courses should be the best decision for many who aspire to enter the culinary arts.

Written by Mark Lynch, on behalf of Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Schools.

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Eating healthy is important, but sometimes, our schedules require that we order takeout or hit the drive-thru on our way home because it’s easier and less time consuming. And while it is more convenient, it can have damaging effects on our health.

Nobody said that cooking a healthy dinner had to take all night. So whether you have plans or simply hate wasting time in the kitchen, the following are five great—and very healthy—dinner recipes that can be prepared, cooked and ready to eat in 30 minutes or less.

Vegetable Gnocchi

The combination of hearty gnocchi with tasty vegetables will drive your palate crazy.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. gnocchi

• 2 shallots, chopped

• 2 tbsp. butter

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

• 3 zucchinis, sliced lengthwise

• ¼ tsp. nutmeg

• ½ cup parmesan cheese

• ½ cup parsley

Directions:

1.     Cook gnocchi according to package directions. Drain.

2.     In a large skillet, melt butter. Add shallots and zucchini. Cook until soft.

3.     Add tomatoes and nutmeg, stirring often.

4.     Add in parsley and parmesan.

5.     Add in the gnocchi and coat.

Moo Shoo Veggies

Get the luxury and flavor of Chinese takeout without leaving the comfort of your own home.

Ingredients:

• 3 tsp. sesame oil

• 2 tsp. ginger, minced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 eggs, beaten

• 12 oz. mixed vegetables

• 1 tbsp. rice vinegar

• 2 cups mung bean sprouts

• 1 bunch scallions

• 1 tbsp. soy sauce

Directions:

1.     Heat 1 tsp. oil in skillet.

2.     Add in the eggs, stirring gently.

3.     Place on a plate.

4.     Heat remaining 2 tsp. oil in skillet.

5.     Add in garlic and ginger, stirring until soft.

6.     Add in vegetables, sprouts, soy sauce, vinegar and scallions.

7.     Cover and cook until tender.

Spinach Salmon

Salmon is a great fish as it contains many health benefits.

Ingredients:

• 4 skinless salmon fillets

• 1 tbsp. olive oil

• ½ cup feta, crumbled

• 1/3 cup pine nuts

• 10 oz. baby spinach

• 2 tsp. lemon juice

Directions:

1.     Heat broiler.

2.     Place salmon on baking sheet. Broil for 7 minutes.

3.     In a large skillet, heat oil. Add in spinach, and cook until tender.

4.     Remove from heat and drain excess liquid.

5.     Add in the pine nuts, feta and lemon juice.

Glazed Pork Chops

This tasty dish will become a staple in your menu rotation.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless pork chops

• 1 tbsp. olive oil

• 1 tbsp. butter

• 1 shallot

• ¼ tsp. thyme

• ½ cup dry white wine

• 1 tsp sage

Directions:

1.     Heat oil and butter in a large skillet.

2.     Add in pork. Cook for 4 min per side.

3.     Transfer to a plate.

4.     Add shallot to the skillet. Stir until soft.

5.     Add thyme, sage and a bit of wine. Simmer for about 3 minutes.

6.     Add sauce on top of the pork chop.

Simple Steak

Yes, steak. It’s easy to prepare and healthy for you.

Ingredients:

• 4 shell steaks

• 4 tsp. olive oil

Directions:

1.     Heat oil in a skillet.

2.     Add in two of the steaks. Cook for about 2 min per side.

3.     Repeat process for remaining two steaks.

4.     Serve with a delicious salad.

Jessica Brown is a health expert.  She loves blogging about healthy eating and exercise in her spare time.  Jessica often shares recipes for quick and easy dinners.

The post 5 Healthy Dinners in 30 Minutes or Less appeared first on Weekly Living.