Great Tips When It Comes To Cooking

August 31, 2013 by

Want to know the secrets of a cooking pro in Amherst?

Read the guest post below.

Specialty Cakes in Bedford and Amherst, NHMany people have a natural inclination to be a cooking pro but are intimidated by the skill set required. The thing with cooking is that progress can be charted in baby steps, and if you follow the advice below, you will be cooking with the best of them in no time.

Prepare as much as possible.It is essential to have all prep work done before it’s time to begin cooking. You can help lessen the potential stress by getting all your prep work in advance.

Then when it comes to cooking it might be a good idea to get the right oil for your cooking. Why not Give GringoCool’s organic extra virgin olive oil a try or another type of oil. Depending on the oils you use this might give your food a slightly different taste.

Cut meat thinly across the grain when you are stir-frying. This ensures that your meat comes out tender.

Often, the trouble with cooking meat is the tendency to either undercook or overcook it. To avoid that, try getting an idea of the approximate temperatures at which to cook different meats; for example, the temperature to cook pork loin might be different from the temperature to cook chicken breast. You might not get it fully right at the beginning, but you should slowly get the hang of it as your cooking journey progresses.

If you wish to have crispy French fries, then soak the potatoes in a bowl of cold water for a period of at least half an hour before frying.

Mushrooms will absorb a large amount of water. Wipe them off with a cloth that is damp.

Plan to make a big pot of stock which can be frozen and stored for future use. Good homemade chicken stock is a wonderful base in soups, casseroles, stews and other dishes.

Beans and tofu contain a lot of protein if you need to add some to your diet. Both beans and tofu are readily available in most grocery store. Try frying tofu with some interesting seasonings and adding seasoning to replace meat. Beans can always be cooked with some spices and herbs for a meal full of flavor and protein. Specialty Cakes in Bedford and Amherst, NH

Sauteing vegetables in a small amount of chicken broth is a healthy and delicious way you can prepare them. This makes for a delicious and healthy way to cook vegetables.

This will keep fruits fresh throughout the year. This process also a good way to have access to fruits at times when they would not normally be available.

If the recipe has called for water, switch it up by using a broth, juice, or juice when suitable. Instead of using milk, try sour cream, yogurt or buttermilk. Using different liquids can increase nutrition and improve their flavor.

Always make certain to measure any cooking oil you use. This will help you reduce fat in your cooking. This helps you to better monitor the amount of oil you are cooking with.

It is necessary for all cooking supplies to be well-organized. If you don’t organize your supplies, you’ll be spending a lot of time trying to remember where everything is. Try to keep similar purposes in proximity to one another. For example, place parsley and basil in one cabinet, since both are spices.

One of the best cooking tips you can find is to use your own thing. You do not have to follow a recipe exactly. That is really a true cook!

Whether you seek to cook dinner for the family or to create something special for a date, being able to cook terrific meals is a stellar quality to have. In all cultures from around the world, we sit down to meals with friend and family. This article will put you in the right path to becoming a great cook.

Words from the Author:

It’s not often that you can find a kosher bakery in Amherst or Bedford. A kosher bakery requires the proper certification, which both Frederick’s Pastries locations hold. While not all of the Frederick’s Pastries products and desserts are kosher, we provide regular kosher selections as well as special order kosher products.

Filed Under: Eat-Outs

PAMORA FARM: Where Free-Range Chickens REALLY Roam Free and are Toxin-Free

May 21, 2013 by
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Mommies with the PA and MORA of PAMORA Farms, Mr. Gerard Papillon and Ms. Tina Morados. (photo courtesy of Mommy Jem of www.esupermommy.com)

A few weeks ago, we were treated to a fine lunch at Brasserie Ciçou in Annapolis Greenhills to sample the products of PAMORA Farm and to know more about their method of raising free-range chickens.  The pretty Sous Chef Summer prepared a menu that showcased the different products of PAMORA.

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Traditional Home-made Pâtés

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We started off with green salad drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette, pickles and mustard served with freshly baked bread and an assortment of PAMORA Pates.  These pates are manufactured the traditional way using old-fashioned recipes from the grandmother of Mr. Gerard Papillon.   Select parts of free-range chickens are seasoned with herbs, black pepper, and sea salt and blended into paste.  The paste is then sterilized in glass jars where it is preserved for a couple of years.  Pamora currently has six varieties of these home-made pates:  Chicken Liver Pâté, Chicken Breast & Liver Pâté, Chicken Gizzard Pâté, Chicken Liver & Gizzard Pâté, Chicken Breast Pâté, and Chicken Breast & Gizzard Pâté.  We were able to sample all six of them.  They all tasted great but, frankly, my untrained palate couldn’t distinguish the difference in their tastes.

The REAL Free-Range Chicken

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For our main course, we were served Roasted Coquelet with Mashed Potato.  The chicken meat was very tender and flavourful.  To preserve the natural taste of the PAMORA free-range spring chicken, Chef Summer used only rosemary, garlic, sea salt and pepper to season it.  The chicken was then slow-cooked for hours and then roasted to a perfect golden brown right before serving.  What’s great about this chicken dish is that it isn’t only delicious but is also very healthy with less fat content and absolutely none of the chemicals found in commercially raised chickens.

PAMORA prides itself in being the home of REAL FREE-RANGE chickens.  By REAL we mean that chickens roam freely in their natural environment and feed only milled yellow corn and whatever organic food they find in the field.  Unlike commercial broilers which are grown abnormally fast in 28-35 days, PAMORA free-range chickens are grown at a minimum of 70 days to optimize taste and meat quality.  To keep the chickens healthy, PAMORA farm uses herbal medicines formulated from oregano, chilli, garlic, ginger, guava leaves and other herbs.  Expert veterinary and technical consultants also regularly visit to ensure that farming methods are at par with international standards.

REAL Free-Range Chicken Eggs

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To cap off our lunch, we were served with a Trio of Creme Brulee consisting of Vanilla, Chocolate, and Green Tea.  I was about to dive into the Chocolate Creme Brulee when Mr. Papillon told us to start with the Green Tea, then the Vanilla, and save the Chocolate for last.  The Chocolate’s very strong taste would have drowned the taste of the other flavours.  The crème brulees were made from PAMORA’s free-range chicken eggs. These are REAL brown eggs laid by REAL free-range chickens.  I’m highlighting the word REAL due to the fact that some brown eggs sold by big brands are actually laid by commercial broilers whose feeds were infused with carotene to give their eggs that brown tinge.  Tsk, tsk!

With everything I learned over lunch about the difference between commercial broilers and free-range chickens, I’ll be feeding my family a lot less of the commercial ones and more of the chemical-free free-range ones.  Now I understand why my kids’ pediatrician recommends native chicken and brown eggs. Next time you go to the grocery, opt for the healthier choice and get free-range chicken instead.

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My own home-cooked meals using PAMORA Free-range Chicken: Chicken Tinola, Chicken Burger Steak with Mashed Potato, and Roasted Rosemary Chicken. (Recipes and cooking tips to be posted soon on www.foodiemomster.com.)

ABOUT PAMORA FARM

PAMORA Farm is a free-range chicken farm located in Barangay Garreta, Pidigan, Abra.  Established by the husband and wife team of Gerard PApillon and Tina MORAdos in March 2000, Pamora Farm now produces thousands of dressed free-range chicken each month to meet the demand of the growing market.  It has also become an Eco-Agri Tourism Destination that gives guests an authentic farm experience and that promotes Abra’s tourist sites.  Visit http://www.pamorafarm.com to know more about what PAMORA offers.

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WHERE TO BUY PAMORA PRODUCTS

Pamora Chickens, Eggs, & Pates are available at Santis delicatessen, Terry Selections, Rustan’s Supermarket, Shopwise, Metro Market!Market!, RFI Farm Outlet (Holy Spirit QC), Joji Berry (Crossroad 77 Mother Ignacia QC), NCCC – Davao, Champetre Restaurant (BGC), Brasserie Cicou (Greenhills), Resorts World Manila, Ilustrado Restaurant (Intramuros), El Nido Resorts, Amanpulo, Saturday Market, Ayala Alabang Village, and Golden Acres Farm, Inc.

Filed Under: Eat-Outs, Family Fun, for DAD & MOM, for the KIDS, Products We Love Tagged With: , , ,

Have A GOLDI-GOOD Mother’s Day Celebration

May 7, 2013 by

Our fave bakeshop, Goldilocks, has a special treat for all moms to make Mother’s Day a Goldi-Good one!

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PRESS RELEASE

Mother’s day is not just another celebration. It is one of the most important days of the year, simply because it’s a way for us to show our appreciation to one of the most important women in our lives.

True to the very nature of mothers, the thing they value most are moments of bonding with their family, children, family, and friends. Given this, what better way to celebrate mom’s special day than to organize a fun and lively get-together? Goldilocks offers two meal packages – appropriately named the ‘Oh My Mama’ set and the ‘Love You Mom’ set – which includes a yummy noodle dish, two delectable appetizers, a 1.5 liter bottle of Coke, and an amazing half roll of signature black forest for dessert. The best part is that both meal sets are surprisingly affordable at only P799. That leaves more room in the budget for extra mother’s day treats, which can include a heart-shaped Choco Caramel or Double Dutch cake, where a special greeting for mom can be written.

Create sweet moments by heading to the nearest Goldilocks Bakeshop, or call 888-1-999 Go-Delivery to make this Mother’s Day a Goldi-Good one!

Filed Under: Eat-Outs, Family Fun, for DAD & MOM, Products We Love Tagged With: ,

Homecooked Meals Made UMAMI-licious with Ajinomoto Umami Seasoning

January 30, 2013 by

For some people, cooking comes naturally and preparing sumptuous meals is easy even without taking culinary lessons. However, there are those who find preparing homecooked meals a real challenge. I am one of those culinary-challenged moms who got married with nary a kitchen skill then found themselves having to whip up nutritious food for the entire family. And it’s not even enough for the meals to be nutritious; they have to be delicious as well.

Fortunately, there are now a wide range of products available that help moms like me prepare meals that are tasty and packed with nutrients. One of our family’s favourite brands is Ajinomoto. From the popular AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning, the brand now has plenty of other products to make meals more delicious.

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Last night, our dinner was made UMAMI-licious with these products from Ajinomoto: Aji-Ginisa Flavor Seasoning Mix Shrimp Flavor, So Quick Marinade, Crispy Fry Original, and Fres-C Powder Drink Mix.  I’m really no expert in the kitchen so I’m proud to have been able to cook dinner in less than an hour. This already includes all the washing and chopping of vegetables and meat AND washing the pots and pans used to cook the meals.

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First off was the Budget Pinakbet. Budget because it didn’t include any shrimp or pork to add flavour to the vegetables. What I used instead was a pack of AJI-NO-MOTO® Aji-Ginisa Seasoning Mix Shrimp flavouring. I added just a tiny dash of  AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning for good measure. We already had tomatoes, okra and sigarilyas in our crisper so all I needed to buy from the nearby talipapa was a piece of eggplant and a slice of kalabasa. Since Aji-Ginisa is already a complete mix of panggisa spices, there was no need to use garlic and onions – saved me time chopping those two as well. 🙂 The cooked dish was good for 2-3 adults and the ingredients cost no more than 60 pesos. How’s that for a budget ulam?!

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Our other viand for dinner was the kids’ – and my – favorite Crispy Fried Chicken Wings. The chicken wings were marinated in AJI-NO-MOTO® So Quick Marinade for only 15 minutes. One tip I learned from watching a cooking show was to prick the meat before marinating it to ensure that the flavor seeps inside the meat. You can actually already cook the chicken after marinating it but my kids love breaded chicken so I used AJI-NO-MOTO® Crispy Fry Original breading mix to give our wings some crunch. I made sure to wipe off the marinade that sticks to the meat before coating it with the Crispy Fry so the chicken will not be too salty.  The six pieces of chicken wings, Ajinomoto So Quick Marinade, and Ajinomoto Crispy Fry breading mix all cost around 100 pesos.

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For dessert, we had Orange Pops and Jelly which I made while the kids were in school. It took me only about 10 minutes to turn Fres-C Orange, some sugar, and unflavored gelatine into this lip-smacking Fres-C Orange Jelly. All I did was boil a pack of unflavored gelatine in one liter of water, stir in one pack of Fres-C Orange powder and one-fourth cup of sugar, and pour the mixture into the molds. Once they were cool already, I placed them in the refrigerator. The kids couldn’t wait until dinner time to taste the Fres-C Orange Jelly and asked to have the small ones during snack time. Then they shared the big jelly with their Papa after our UMAMI-licious dinner.

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Last night’s dinner of pinakbet, crispy wings, and orange jelly cost us just a little over 200 pesos.   That’s just right within our budget.  Plus, it put smiles on the faces of my husband and two precious little kids.

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You really don’t have to be a chef to prepare meals that your family – especially the children – will enjoy eating. With the freshest ingredients and a little help from AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning, you can have UMAMI-licious meals every day.

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This bottle has already made many homecooked meals UMAMI-licious!

Filed Under: Eat-Outs, Family Fun, Products We Love Tagged With: ,

Share Christmas Cheer With GOLDILOCKS’ Treats

December 13, 2012 by

Goldilocks, the country’s number one bakeshop, makes the season of giving stress-free for us. Goldilocks has long been a part of Filipino Christmas tradition and will continue to make celebrating Christmas a sweet affair.   With their wide selection of delectable delights perfect for spreading the yuletide cheer,  giving holiday treats to friends and family is as easy as (egg)pie. 😀

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Bring out your creative side and make a pastry bouquet with Cherry Macaroons, Muffin Bites, Fruit Cake Bites, Brownie Bites, and Caramel tarts for your officemates and friends.

Show your loved ones how sweet you are by giving them Ensaymada and Cinnamon Hugs or one of the Season’s Best-themed Greeting cake baked fresh from Goldilocks ovens.

To complete your Noche Buena feast, bring home the Chocolate PB Banana Supreme Specialty Cake by JudyAnn Santos-Agoncillo.  It’ll be a perfect match for our family’s favorite native hot chocolate!

Oh, and don’t forget those li’l carolers.  I’m certain they’ll be delighted to have some Caramel Crunch Polvoron.  Have basketful of these and other Goldilocks treats for unexpected guests and all who’ll come visit you during the holidays will go home with smiles on their faces.

Visit the Goldilocks store nearest you today and start spreading some Christmas cheer.  Can’t go out?  Just call 888-1-999 G0-Delivery and have these delectable goodies delivered right at your doorstep.

Filed Under: Eat-Outs, Family Fun, for DAD & MOM, for the KIDS, Products We Love Tagged With: , ,
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