There is no place in the house that is used more often than the kitchen. The kitchen is the nerve center of any family's operations; meals are created there, snacks prepared, often it is the area where the family will get together. It is also one of the most important rooms in the home in terms of determining the value, and is a vital area when company comes to visit on their impression of your lifestyle. It is very important, then, that kitchens be modeled not only for convenience and function but also for great visual appeal.
A good kitchen design will mean that everything, from the kitchen cabinets to the furniture, will complement the look of the kitchen as well as function in such a way that the flow of operations within the area is ensured. Any piece of equipment that sticks out too far or doors that do not close properly will prove highly annoying at the least, and at the worst may also prove to be dangerous.
When you are designing a kitchen, space is by far the key area to focus on. There needs to be adequate space for the storage of food and equipment, easy access to those spots, a good and functional sink, plenty of countertop workspace, and the whole thing should be easy to clean. One method that people use to determine the right amount of space within their kitchen area is known as the triangle of the kitchen, or the work triangle. This is the area in your kitchen where the most of work will take place; imagine a line that starts at the sink and extends to the stove top, then down to the refrigerator, and back to the sink. The sides of this triangle should be about 26 feet long when added together, and no one side should be less than four feet or more than nine feet.
Remember as you design your storage space that you will accumulate more tools in the kitchen as time goes by. Everyone inevitably realizes that there is something important in their kitchen that they do not possess, and when you get that new food processor or blender you will want to have somewhere to store it. So, don't just plan for what you have at the moment; plan for the future as well.
The measurements and the placing of the various crafted parts of the kitchen are also very important. Make sure that all the doors and drawers of your cabinets both open and shut without banging into each other or into pieces of equipment in the kitchen.
Open kitchens are the style these days, and with good reason. The less walls that are in the kitchen, the less potential there is for food stains. Also, easy access to the kitchen is good for any cook who also is responsible for monitoring the activities of children in the house. Any walls that you do put in, as well as the roof, need to be coated with a durable, stain-resistant paint. You should also make sure that the kitchen is well ventilated; windows are a must, and many will have a door nearby. Even the best cooks sometimes leave a pot on too long!
Paying careful attention when designing your kitchen is a big step in making sure that you love your work space for years to come.
Blendtec Home Total Blender | Blendtec Blender
Thursday, August 5, 2010
More on Bar Equipment
An electric blender is useful, especially for drinks like frozen daiquiris and those with ingredients that are not easily combined, but it is not essential To puree fruit, whip cream, or prepare frozen drinks, frappes and milk shakes, you need a blender with continuous speed adjustment or you can use an everyday food processor. If drinks with crushed ice become a regular request at your bar or you host many cocktail parties, consider investing in an electric ice shaver.
Use a standard ice bucket, widely available in various sizes and materials, to keep frozen ice cubes conveniently at hand for the duration of any party or cocktail session. Ice tongs or an ice shovel are ideal to remove the ice from the bucket (do not use your fingers), but if you do not have either, use a large spoon.
Fresh fruit juices can be prepared using a lemon squeezer or juicer. (Electric juicers are not recommended because they squash the peel and seeds, too.) Many long drinks contain soda water, which is best added to the glass using a siphon. To use one, you simply fill the siphon with water from the faucet or use still mineral water. A carbon dioxide cartridge will make sure the water is always carbonated when you want it.
Another very useful tool is a pair of bar tongs, which can be used to loosen tight corks in champagne and other sparkling wines. A bitters or dash bottle has a doser cap and is good for storing ingredients that are only used in small dashes.
The other pieces of equipment that help to make your job behind the bar enjoyable are standard in most kitchens. These include a lemon squeezer and a nutmeg grater. No doubt your kitchen also contains a chopping board (preferably with a drainage channel), a finely serrated knife, similar to a cheese knife, with two points for spearing pieces of fruit, and a citrus zester, also called a cannelle knife, for removing fine strips of citrus peel that make attractive garnishes.
Small dishes for holding pieces of fruit and garnishes are also useful, as is a cork with a pouring spout, which can be inserted into any bottle to make pouring out measures easier. Of course you also need a can opener, a bottle opener, and a (orkscrew. A champagne or bottle cooler is indispensable. Toothpicks are an absolute must for spearing olives, cherries, and pearl onions, as well as for creating other garnishes.
You might also want to stock up on brightly colored drinking straws in varying lengths if you plan to serve some of the more exotic cocktails. (Be sure to avoid straws which are too thin, otherwise pieces of ice or fruit can block them.)
Blendtec Home Total Blender | Blendtec Blender
Use a standard ice bucket, widely available in various sizes and materials, to keep frozen ice cubes conveniently at hand for the duration of any party or cocktail session. Ice tongs or an ice shovel are ideal to remove the ice from the bucket (do not use your fingers), but if you do not have either, use a large spoon.
Fresh fruit juices can be prepared using a lemon squeezer or juicer. (Electric juicers are not recommended because they squash the peel and seeds, too.) Many long drinks contain soda water, which is best added to the glass using a siphon. To use one, you simply fill the siphon with water from the faucet or use still mineral water. A carbon dioxide cartridge will make sure the water is always carbonated when you want it.
Another very useful tool is a pair of bar tongs, which can be used to loosen tight corks in champagne and other sparkling wines. A bitters or dash bottle has a doser cap and is good for storing ingredients that are only used in small dashes.
The other pieces of equipment that help to make your job behind the bar enjoyable are standard in most kitchens. These include a lemon squeezer and a nutmeg grater. No doubt your kitchen also contains a chopping board (preferably with a drainage channel), a finely serrated knife, similar to a cheese knife, with two points for spearing pieces of fruit, and a citrus zester, also called a cannelle knife, for removing fine strips of citrus peel that make attractive garnishes.
Small dishes for holding pieces of fruit and garnishes are also useful, as is a cork with a pouring spout, which can be inserted into any bottle to make pouring out measures easier. Of course you also need a can opener, a bottle opener, and a (orkscrew. A champagne or bottle cooler is indispensable. Toothpicks are an absolute must for spearing olives, cherries, and pearl onions, as well as for creating other garnishes.
You might also want to stock up on brightly colored drinking straws in varying lengths if you plan to serve some of the more exotic cocktails. (Be sure to avoid straws which are too thin, otherwise pieces of ice or fruit can block them.)
Blendtec Home Total Blender | Blendtec Blender
One Ingredient Can Make For Many Marvelous Meals
Save time and improve your health by going a little nuts-with almonds. Enjoy them for:
• Breakfast. Sprinkle chopped almonds on granola or oatmeal. Stir them into yogurt. Use almond milk in a breakfast smoothie-it can be found in an unrefrigerated box at the supermarket, near soy milk.
• Lunch. Include crunchy al-monds in a green salad or creamy soup. Make an almond butter and jelly sandwich.
• Dinner. Add slivered almonds to rice, pasta, couscous or steamed vegetables. Grind roasted almonds and use them as a nutritious "breading" for fish or poultry.
• Snacks. Choose a handful of almonds and a piece of fruit.
• Dessert. Make fruit, caramel and chocolate desserts special with almonds.
Almonds can also be used in a range of cuisines. Try them in this authentic Mexican soup.
CREAMY ALMOND
AND HERB SOUP
3/4 cup slivered almonds, roasted*, plus 2 tablespoons for garnish
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided
3 cups packed fresh cilantro, divided, plus a few sprigs for garnish
2 cups packed fresh parsley, divided
6 ounces cream cheese
1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves
1 tablespoon fresh marjoram leaves
8 ounces cooked and deveined (51-60 count) shrimp
Grind 3/4 cup almonds finely in a food processor or blender. Add 2 cups broth, 11/2 cups cilantro, 1 cup parsley and cream cheese; blend until smooth. Transfer mixture to a medium pot, and gradually stir in remaining 4 cups broth. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Transfer 1 cup soup, remaining cilantro and parsley, and oregano and marjoram to blender; puree until smooth. Whisk puree into soup in pan. Add shrimp and simmer just until warm throughout, about 3 minutes. Divide among bowls and serve, garnishing each bowl with a few slivered almonds and a cilantro sprig. Serves 8.
*To roast whole, slivered, chopped or sliced almonds: Spread in an ungreased baking pan. Place in a 350ºF oven and bake 10 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant; stir once or twice to ensure even browning. Note that almonds will continue to roast slightly after removing from oven.
Blendtec Home Total Blender | Blendtec Blender
• Breakfast. Sprinkle chopped almonds on granola or oatmeal. Stir them into yogurt. Use almond milk in a breakfast smoothie-it can be found in an unrefrigerated box at the supermarket, near soy milk.
• Lunch. Include crunchy al-monds in a green salad or creamy soup. Make an almond butter and jelly sandwich.
• Dinner. Add slivered almonds to rice, pasta, couscous or steamed vegetables. Grind roasted almonds and use them as a nutritious "breading" for fish or poultry.
• Snacks. Choose a handful of almonds and a piece of fruit.
• Dessert. Make fruit, caramel and chocolate desserts special with almonds.
Almonds can also be used in a range of cuisines. Try them in this authentic Mexican soup.
CREAMY ALMOND
AND HERB SOUP
3/4 cup slivered almonds, roasted*, plus 2 tablespoons for garnish
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided
3 cups packed fresh cilantro, divided, plus a few sprigs for garnish
2 cups packed fresh parsley, divided
6 ounces cream cheese
1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves
1 tablespoon fresh marjoram leaves
8 ounces cooked and deveined (51-60 count) shrimp
Grind 3/4 cup almonds finely in a food processor or blender. Add 2 cups broth, 11/2 cups cilantro, 1 cup parsley and cream cheese; blend until smooth. Transfer mixture to a medium pot, and gradually stir in remaining 4 cups broth. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Transfer 1 cup soup, remaining cilantro and parsley, and oregano and marjoram to blender; puree until smooth. Whisk puree into soup in pan. Add shrimp and simmer just until warm throughout, about 3 minutes. Divide among bowls and serve, garnishing each bowl with a few slivered almonds and a cilantro sprig. Serves 8.
*To roast whole, slivered, chopped or sliced almonds: Spread in an ungreased baking pan. Place in a 350ºF oven and bake 10 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant; stir once or twice to ensure even browning. Note that almonds will continue to roast slightly after removing from oven.
Blendtec Home Total Blender | Blendtec Blender
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