The Inquisitive Chef » Thoughts and Ramblings

My favorites of the basic kitchen

an inquisitive chef — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:40:48 +0000

I think kitchen ‘toys’ are my weakness. There are gadgets for everything imaginable and then a few I would never have thought of. There are a few that I have determined make life so much easier they are a must-have for the kitchen.
1. Garlic Press-while some recipes I smash and dice, the garlic press is awesome. You don’t have to peel the garlic before pressing out all the juice and pulp. It keeps the fibrous part out, and is essential for salad dressing recipes. I only like one style though, after going through several types. We broke at least two before we got this one. It is a Zyliss and the squish mechanism swings, producing a little give when you squeeze. The two that we had that were rigid except the main mechanism-we broke the handles.

2. Zester-I can not find a way to bake without a real zester-size grater. The larger ones really don’t do the job.

3. Henkel knives-I am a firm believer in good quality knives. When I go to cut, I expect my knives to cut well or be able to do a quick edge sharpen job to get it up to par. Dull knives are more dangerous as they can slip when they should cut. I have a nice collection of about 5 different sizes, I use mainly 2 and the bread knife.

4. Measuring sets-this includes both a good set of measuring spoons and good measuring cups. Whatever kind you like, but it should be one you find easy and pleasant to use.

5. cast iron pan-this is the ultimate in cooking. You can sear, fry, bake, or anything you could possibly want with one good cast iron pan with a lid. It’s important to know how to care for it, but it can be your best friend. Slow cooked food in the oven or seared steaks, you can get a nice even hot pan that will hold it’s temperature even on an electric stove like my piece of junk.

6. Cooling rack-I have lived for years without a cooling rack for cakes, cookies, and breads. I got 2 for Christmas this year and can’t believe I did without. This lets cookies cool so fast you can get them put in the cookie jar and out of the way of the next batch. Breads won’t sweat on the bottom and get soggy, and cakes cool at least twice as fast as just setting it on the counter. Well worth the couple bucks.

Tagged: cooking, easy, favorite, gadgets, kitchen, supplies, utensils

Honey & Cinnamon

an inquisitive chef — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:31:22 +0000

I try whenever possible to use natural and safe healthy methods instead of modern-day synthetic drugs to handle illness. Not to say we never go to the dr. but luckily we rarely ever have to. I’m a big believer in preventative when possible. I was very interested a while ago when I learned honey is the ONLY food that does NOT spoil. How interesting. Now add cinnamon. At least it’s a tasty remedy, sure doesn’t hurt to try it!!

In addition, I have heard for allergies, using local honey can help. Apparently your body can get used to the local pollens and then have less of a reaction in springtime.

This site here: http://www3.telus.net/public/a7a55952/helpful-hints.htm had some great stuff. A lot of it I was familiar with, but there was a section on honey and cinnamon that was great. I don’t know if it works but I’m willing to give it a go! I think it sounds like a delicious way to be healthier. If anyone knows more, or has tried any of this, I would love to hear.

Honey & Cinnamon: from: http://www3.telus.net/public/a7a55952/helpful-hints.htm

97. Interesting FACTS ON HONEY AND CINNAMON It is found that mixture of honey and cinnamon cures most of the diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a “Ram Ban” (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases. Today’s science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, in its issue dated 17 January, 1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be helped by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists. It is found that Honey is the only food that doesn’t spoil.

98. HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, chappati, or other bread, instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who already had an attack, if they do this process daily, are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalizes the arteries and veins.

99. BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

100. TOOTHACHE: Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five tea spoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be applied three times a day until the tooth stops aching.

101. CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of cinnamon powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10% within 2 hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken 3 times a day, any chronic cholesterol is improved. As per information received in the said journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.top

102. COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder daily for 3 days. This process will help most chronic cough, cold and clear the sinuses.

103. UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder helps stomach ache and stomach ulcers.

104. GAS: According to the studies done in India & Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

105. IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases.bottom

106. INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food, relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

107. INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ingredient which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

108. LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take 4 teaspoons of honey, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder and 3 cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink ¼ cup, 3 to 4 times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft.

109. PIMPLES: Mix 3 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to make a powder paste. Apply this paste on pimples before sleeping & wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples.

110. SKIN INFECTIONS: Apply honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts to help eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

111. WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning ½ hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping, drink 1 tsp of honey and a little less than ¼ tsp cinnamon powder boiled in one cup water (NOTE: you may adjust this mixture for your own taste buds). If taken regularly, it can reduce weight. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet. top

112. CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been improved successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month 3 times a day.

113. FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon power in equal parts are more alert and flexible.

114. BAD BREATH: People of South America first thing in the morning gargle with 1 teaspoon of honey & cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day. Dr. Milton who has done research says that a half tablespoon honey taken in a glass of water & sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing your teeth & in the afternoon at about 3:00 pm when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

115. INSECT BITES: Take one part honey to two parts of lukewarm water and add a small teaspoon of cinnamon powder, make a paste and massage it on the itching part of the body slowly. It is noticed that the pain recedes within a minute or two.

116. ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. It is believed that if taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured.

In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week out of the 200 people so treated practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

117. HAIR LOSS: Those suffering from hair loss or baldness, may apply a paste of hot olive oil, one tablespoon of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath and keep it for approx. 15 min. and then wash the hair. It was found to be effective even if kept on for 5 minutes.

Tagged: Add new tag, allergies, arthritis, bad breath, bladder infection, cancer, cholesterol, cinnamon, colds, fatigue, gas, hair loss, heart disease, home, honey, immune system, indigestion, influenza, insect bites, longevity, pimples, remedy, skin infections, toothache, upset stomach, weight loss

Adventures with Ducks

an inquisitive chef — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 20:01:25 +0000

I started a new adventure. To give you some history, I grew up with what I consider the true hippies-parents that wanted to live off the land, up in the mountains, away from society. We did that for a while, we moved to town when I was 5 because my mom felt strongly that we need a good education and 30 miles to town was a bit much. What I take from them though is beautiful. Not a crazy tree-hugging attitude, but a respect for the land, animals, and survival without waste. I think waste is out of control in this country. I think of this as I realized I throw away a half cup of milk my son didnt finish. Why don’t I just put a lid on it and put it in the fridge? I’m trying to be more concious of those kinds of things.

So back to my topic, because I do love to ride the tangets; I invested in raising ducks. I got interested by a local farm that sells duck eggs to the local co-op. Turns out ducks are easy keepers. They eat grass supplemented by high protein pellets. We have a well shaded back yard with flood irrigation that sounded (and proved) to be perfect to make ducks happy. We made a small pen for night-time, let them range the yard all day, and make sure they have a pool of water. They are quieter than chickens and don’t scratch when they eat-they graze. The manure is great for the grass, we just hose it into the ground once in a while and it will be organic fertilizer.

The eggs were a big draw for me. They really didn’t taste much different than the organic chicken eggs I’ve been buying for 3.50/doz. They are about the size of 1 1/2 eggs, a little higher fat content, and as a result have a much smoother textured yolk. So to get my little backyard egg production going I found an ad on craigslist (I love that place) that someone had 3 ducks for $10. Thats about the cost of one duck-that’s why I love ‘adopting’. I got 2 females that will lay about 300 days/year. The male protects the girls, although they were hand raised so he doesn’t chase US. He did chase off the starlings that got too close to his feeding grounds. So anyway, then I bought a 50# bag of organic feed for $12 that should last me about 3 months. I bought a plastic roll of chicken fencing for $15 and some friends gave me a wire dog kennel I would like to use as their night-time nest box-haven’t shut them in that yet. Today I bought a kiddie pool for $8 to make sure they have water when they are penned up. So my total expenses are about $60 for 3 months, and then about $4 every month after. I figure thats a pretty good deal considering.

The other side is the joy of kids and ducks. My kids love to watch and feed them. They waddle around talking in their low quacky voices. They waggle their tails, and duck and splash when they bathe. I really like the fact that can do this and I live in downtown of a town of about 55k. My lot is .19 acres, my 1950’s brick house is less than 1200 sq. ft. My back yard has a nice garden area, and now ducks waddle around or rest under the shade of the oak, apple, cherry and peach trees crammed back there.

It’s all an adventure, I have been less creative in the kitchen because I’ve been gardening and preparing for the ducks. I’m loving it. I found a new favorite quote recently to leave you with

“Live life like you really mean it”