Really Good Kitchen Ideas Part One

Kitchen Gadgets that Really Work!

I've spent more time in the kitchen in the past six months that I have in the last 10 years. I've learned that if you want to eat healthy on a budget, you're gonna have to prepare your own food 90% of the time. I wouldn't consider myself lazy, but if there is an easier way to to do something I'm all for it. It's all about efficiency!

Today's really good idea is to share the kitchen gadgets that have become invaluable to me this year so you might get some great gift ideas for the efficient person in your life.

Immersion Blender: You can likely replace that big bulky normal blender with one of these (unless you like to chop ice a lot- wouldn't recommend it with the stick blenders). I got mine at Kohl's. It came with a wisk attachment that I never use and a tall container to blend in which I couldn't photograph because it's dirty. I make a batch of smoothies every day and so far my stick blender has held up to the task.

Citrus Squeezer: Yes, these really work and they are actually quite fun to use. You will get so much more juice out of your citrus! It's a very quick way to lightly season your fresh veggies, and add that essential lime juice to your guacamole. I've discovered that I have a knack for making very good guac, and I don't ever want to put ketchup or mustard on my veggie burgers again. The citrus squeezer has changed my life in many ways. Can't tell you where my model came from; it was a gift from the very smart friend of course. These things are everywhere.

Silicone Egg Cup Thing: My mom makes great eggs, and recently gave me her original set of egg coddlers. I used them for a bit but couldn't ever get the egg just right, never just like mom's.  Always watery or over-cooked, not qualities I was seeking in my morning egg. So I came across these modern versions which really work great!

Simply spray the inside of the cup with just a bit of your oil of choice, crack the egg in, and set in a shallow pan of boiling water. You will have to experiment with the amount of cooking time. If you like your whites cooked and your yolks a bit "loose", cook your first egg for as long as it takes your sprouted bread to toast and get "buttered".  That's my recipe for the perfect egg.  I found my silicone egg cups at my favorite local kitchen shop that I can't remember the name of but they are now dead to me anyway because they moved from their convenient location on Willy St. to the Capitol Square.

What's the best way to spray the inside of your egg cup? With a Misto of course! I have two of them, one for olive oil and one for the inevitable canola oil. I could use two more as my sister gave me some much-coveted avocado oil and a few flavored oils from Fustini's. Oil misters are great because they don't need propellents to spread just a light mist of oil on your pan or baking sheet. Plus, you will use a lot less oil. When you are shopping for one you will see some negative reviews about clogging. Those negative people did not read the instructions or just don't care; if you clean your mister out every once in a while you won't have a problem. Get a multi-pack; trust me.

Originally I thought I had just a few good ideas of kitchen gadgets, but as I was grabbing my citrus squeezer for tonight's guacamole batch I came across a few more 2011 acquisitions that just can't be overlooked. I probably should have done the Twelve Days of Kitchen Gadgets, but that really good idea will have to wait until next year... oh dear Lord someone has already done it.

Got a kitchen gadget that has changed your life?  Share it with the rest of us!

The Recipe for "Who Hash" Revealed?!?

You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch.  But I would still touch you with a thirty-nine-and-a-half-foot-pole for the inspiration.  Today's really good idea is to make sure you have some fun with your recipe mistakes!

I was looking for a good way to use up my leftover turkey and remembered this awesome recipe:
Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf
Ingredients

• 1/4 cup quinoa
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 large clove garlic, chopped
• 1 (20 ounce) package ground turkey- I used cooked leftovers
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 egg- nah, just a can of black beans
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar- for the topping (I skipped this part)
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce- for the topping (I skipped this part)
• 1 teaspoon water- for the topping (I skipped this part)

Directions

1. Bring the quinoa and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender, and the water has been absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
2. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute; remove from heat to cool.
4. Stir the turkey, cooked quinoa, onions, tomato paste, hot sauce, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire, egg, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until well combined. The mixture will be very moist. Shape into a loaf on a foil lined baking sheet. Combine the brown sugar, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire, and 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl. Rub the paste over the top of the meatloaf, if you are in the mood.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink (for uncooked turkey) in the center, about 50 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Let the meatloaf cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

My turkey was already cooked and therefore I would not achieve "the mixture will be very moist". I just chopped it up into small bits. I also didn't want to add an egg but as luck would have it, I had a can of organic black beans for added protein and moisture. I followed the recipe other than those modifications, and doubled the hot sauce for an extra kick. It really seemed to be moist enough so I shaped into two loaves and cooked and cooked, and cooked.  An hour and 10 minutes later I had a nice crumbly pile of Turkey Loaf Stuff, which my very smart friend promptly named "Who Hash"!  The flavor is great and I will likely serve it over cauliflower (like I did with my polenta-gone-wrong!).  Cauliflower fixes everything, and I will most likely make Who Hash again. As an added benefit, Who Hash is so dry it makes you crave water!

Dining "Out" on a Budget

Are you having a craving for your favorite local restaurant but you want to stay home? Think of one of your go-to favorites and google it, you will likely find the actual recipe or something very close!  Try the Great Dane's Inner Warmth Peanut Stew and Panera's Black Bean Soup to get started; both of these recipes have been sampled at home by my very smart friend and they are very good!

The next time I'm craving cheese but simply can't drive to Chicago, I'll try this Pizza Pot Pie from the Chicago Pizza Oven.  Naughty, indeed. Now if only there was a recipe for the entire menu at Shaw's Crab House....

Lastly, try this great site if you want to browse for ideas.

Happy eating!