how to cook

One of my coworkers was talking about how she couldn't melt chocolate without burning it and would like to learn how to cook.  I put this together for her and realized, I know more about it than I thought. 

Computer is still being fixed so this will be short.

Here is a good place to start.  Honestly, just reading about how to cook, you gain a lot of info.  http://www.wikihow.com/Cook
A good cookbook -- or several -- is important.
I have the traditional standby by Betty Crocker (for that I seriously double all the spices, but that was after learning how to make things from it).
Silver Palate Cookbooks really kick things up in taste and variety.  A friend gave me their cookbook as a gift and it's a much better option once you have a bit more comfort.
Another tip:  WRITE IN YOUR COOKBOOK.  Did it come out OK?  Did you drop an ingredient you don't care for?  Make notes so you know what you liked or didn't like for next time.

Spice Charts:  (I used these for a long time, and could probably stand an update.  Helped me learn what to use for what and together)

http://www.spiceadvice.com/newsa/usage/chart.html

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art1431.asp

Find a website you like with recipes or come up with things you like to eat and I am willing to help you.  There are lots of short cuts you can learn.

Things I've learned over the years:

• Don't leave the kitchen.  the fastest way for dinner to be ruined in my home is for me to walk out of the kitchen.  I now bring my tablet in to half watch something or I listen to the radio or a podcast.
• Read the entire recipe all the way through and make sure you understand it all
• Have all ingredients ready before starting (ex:  chopped, washed, measured)
• Don't cook everything on high (I know it seems faster, but it cooks food uneven and often burns food)
• Remember that food continues to cook after you remove it from the heat.  Especially important in baking.
• Always let meat "rest" before cutting it (10 mins, to allow the juice to reabsorb)
• Start with only what the recipe calls for. (as you learn how to cook and what you like, you can change things up, but you don't want to "break" the rules until you understand them. 
• Baking is chemistry.  What you use is important.  There is a balance of oil, sugar, flour, etc.  And know that baking soda and baking powder are not the same thing!
• Most cookbooks have a "how to" section.  Read it.  They actually know what they are talking about.  (imagine that!)
• Have at least one good sharp knife.  Know how to use it.
• Personally, I don't cook using much oil, I prefer cooking spray just because it cuts on the grease.

computer virus edition: Williams & Sonoma Haters

Nothing says I'm trying to write a blog like reblogging what somebody else wrote. 
Still... I chuckled.

http://deadspin.com/5959212/the-haters-guide-to-the-williams+sonoma-catalog

computer virus edition: $1m vacuum?

Go to www.Google.com
Type in "million dollar vacuum"
Choose a link.
Laugh with me.

Or to save time... click here.

I was going to say... man, that thing better be made of GOLD... but, well, it is. 

computer virus edition: stuff you didn't know you need

My computer has been very ill for a very long time and while I plot the evil demise of all who write and distribute computer viruses (oh and try to figure out how to pay for fixing my computer), I will quickly post this...

Stuff You Didn't Know You Need

Merry KISSmas?

KISS Christmas Lights

KISS Nutcracker

Starboot Stocking

Dragonboot Stocking

Should these be items you desperately need for your Christmas (or Hanukkah) Shopping...
here is the link

MerryKissmas Shopping List

computer virus imposed "vacation"

My computer has been very ill for a very long time and while I plot the evil demise of all who write and distribute computer viruses (oh and try to figure out how to pay for fixing my computer), I will quickly post this...

Most Inappropriate Pumpkin Carving

Things you didn't know you need

oh no, not boys!

As a parent, there are a lot of areas that you know are coming and part of you want to prepare to do everything perfectly.  To be calm and collected, to know your stand is solid regardless of the emotional madness that will be send your way should said offspring choose to disagree with you.  Listen to that part of you.  Prepare.  Read, talk with other parents, pray.  Then sit back and practice some laughing because there will always be a little fun thrown into the mix and a sense of humor is often the only thing standing between your kids and a future jail sentence for you.

I hit this danger zone many (many) times with my son (going into High School this year).  He is a precocious child (meaning he thinks he's smarter than me -- sometimes he even is, plus he has more energy than me and can often just out wait me to win.  We have our battles, but we have some good discussions along the way.  Discussions I often walk away from with the understanding that I should write about that dialog there and by the next morning I find myself wondering if I've just been played by a boy who knows what I want to hear and knows that is the easiest way to end the conversation.  Hmmm.

My daughter is the newest danger zone.  It just -poof- happened the past few weeks of this summer.  A few jr high nights at school, a few community pool parties and suddenly my 12 year old is texting more boys that I even know!  She mature physically, has a good head on her shoulders for the most part.  I have seen her take a stand on things she was passionate about and walk away from friends who were behaving poorly.  So this isn't just a snotty, pms'ing, I wanna grow up and do all that fun stuff -- without my parents around -- girl. But she is talking to that girl inside of her and I find myself wanting to do anything to stop the conversation.  

I like that I can trust my daughter.
I like that basically she's always been a good girl.  (granted, she hates to do her chores, but that and some mouthing off have been the worst of our issues until now.)
Now, she has boys wanting to go to the movies, and buy her candy and drinks. Now she has them texting her ad nausea.  When they are together in groups, the boys are high-fiving each other that my daughter and her trusty friend "M" are hanging out with one boy they saw at the park and talking.  (I mean, why can't they just be seen as hanging out because the live near the park and happened to run into one another??  Why does it have to be characterized as the boy "picked up 2 babes and hey, way to go dude."  (do kids still say dude?  I still hear it, but I'm sure they will accuse me of being way out of date for having that in here.)

So, Mommy is freaking out.  Daddy isn't happy but seems to have it under control.

Some new guidelines...
No boys without a group (3 or more) and a chaperon over 18 (with some standards of behavior agreed to).
(Oh, the perfect chaperon just came to mind! -- insert evil parental smile!)
No boys alone (obviously).
Reiteration that texts are not private and will be read randomly.  (note to parents:  you can learn a lot with this one)

I'm also rethinking the Burka.  Maybe I was hasty in shunning the idea of it's repressive nature.  Perhaps they just want to keep their women safe!  I wonder if they come in other colors/patterns.  (wink)