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Grating vs. Shredding

April 25, 2019 by Dinner Tonight

Recipes can be confusing, especially for those who are just starting to cook.  Cooking terminology is not as easy to comprehend or implement. Thus, learning a few new cooking terms can help improve your cooking skills.  In many recipes, grating and shredding will pop-up.  Even though, both words appear to be the same; they look entirely different.  Grating looks like choppy short fragments while shredding looks like long strips; however, both use the same kitchen equipment/tools.  So no worries, no need to buy another kitchen appliance/utensil. You can use what you have! Plus, knowing the difference between these two cooking skills will help you be more proficient in the kitchen.

Shred Away with These Nifty Tools

Anyway you shred it – gets the job done! A box grater, hand grater, or food processor can shred the vegetables that you need. These tools are best used on root based and non-leafy veggies.

Before shredding,

  • Wash vegetables.
  • Pell vegetables, if needed.
  • Push the veggies along the holes, if using a box or hand grater.
  • Make a top-down notion – starting from the top and moving down.
  • Be careful with your fingers!

When vegetables get too small to shred, simply cut the piece with a knife to prevent your fingers from getting scraped.




Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: grating, shredding, tip, tips, tips and tricks, tips&tricks

Juicing Citrus Fruits

February 8, 2019 by Dinner Tonight

Juicing a citrus fruit can be challenging without a juicing tool, but did you know that your average kitchen utensils are all you really need? Materials: a dinner fork! View this quick video for a quick tutorial for juicing with ease.

 

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Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: citrus, grapefruit, lemon, lemon juice, lime, orange, oranges, tip, tips and tricks, tips&tricks, trick, tricks, winter

Make the Most of Lunchtime

November 8, 2018 by Dinner Tonight

Is lunchtime the only break in your busy day? Make the most of your lunchtime by packing a healthy lunch and making time for exercise! Here are our tips for incorporating exercise into your day to compliment your healthy lunch choices.

Is lunchtime the only break in your busy day?

  • Schedule your lunchtime walk in your work calendar. Think of it as an important appointment.
  • Keep everything you need for walking at work. This way you won’t find yourself saying “I forgot my shoes. I can’t go.”
  • Recruit some coworkers to join you. You can keep each other on track.
  • Depending on your walking pace, the weather and how much you sweat, you may be able to wear your work clothes and just put on athletic shoes. Or you may prefer to change into a t-shirt.
  • In cooler weather, you might need a jacket, hat or gloves. If you’re walking briskly, you’ll heat up in about 10 minutes, so don’t overdress.
  • Bring your lunch or pick a route where you can grab a quick healthy meal at the end of your walk.

 

Read the full article from the American Heart Association here. 

 

Make small changes to your usual lunch options to find a healthy eating style that works for you. The #MyPlateMyWins at Lunch video features small changes you can make to improve your food choices at lunchtime. For example, cut down on saturated fat in an entrée salad by using a vinaigrette, rather than creamy dressing and choosing protein foods that are prepared in healthier ways, such as grilled or baked, instead of fried.

 

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Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: lunch, lunchtime, tip, tips

Corn

September 10, 2018 by Dinner Tonight

Learn to shuck corn like a boss in four easy steps.

This method will ensure that you will have no more silk strings on your kitchen floor! Enjoy!

1. With a sharp knife, remove the fat end, cut through husk and corn. 2. Place cut corn in the microwave for 2-4 min. 3. Remove from microwave using potholders and squeeze the opposite end. Shake out the corn. 4. Voila! A perfect clean ear of corn, ZERO silk attached!

 

Learn more about corn production in Texas with the Westerfeld Family

Faith, Family, Farming | The Westerfelds from Texas Farm Bureau on Vimeo.

 

Sweet Corn | Field Corn | White Corn

Did you know there are different types of Corn? Each type has a purpose. According to Texas Corn Producers (@TexasCorn), corn is used for several different bi-products including food for human and animal consumption,  medicine, and crafting supplies.

  • Sweet Corn, the most common type of corn grown for human consumption, only makes up for 1% of corn production.
  • Field Corn, the most common type of corn produced, is used for livestock feed, and other bi-products including cornstarch.
  • White and Specialty Corn is used for different types of food products including corn oil and chips.

You can visit Texas Corn Producers webpage to learn more about corn types and uses.

Resource: https://texascorn.org/education/corn-types-uses/

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Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: How To, tip, tips and tricks

Pecans

August 13, 2018 by Dinner Tonight

Pecans are staples in Texas and can be found in lots of favorites like pies! But they are also filled with healthy fats and can be incorporated into your diet in healthy ways, like in side dishes, salads, and healthy desserts. Learn more about these nuts below!

See our favorite pecan recipes!

  • Coconut Pecan Cranberry Bites
  • Cranberry Crunch Salad
  • Kiwi Mandarin Salad
  • Parmesan Celery Salad
  • Pecan Apple Spice Cookies
  • Pecan Coffee Cake
  • Pecans

Cracking pecans cans be tough but following these simple steps will truly change your perception.

STEP 1- BOIL PECANS FOR 10 MINUTES STEP 2- DRAIN AND LET THEM COOL FOR 10 MINUTES STEP 3- CRACK WITH EASE AND ENJOY!

 

Check out this Texas family that is passionate about Pecans!

Pecan Passion | Hajovsky Pecan Farm from Texas Farm Bureau on Vimeo.

Learn from the expert. Larry Stein is a pecan expert who works for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service as a Horticulture specialist and gives some good points to consider when looking at pecans.

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Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: nut, nuts, pecan, pecans, snack, tip, trick

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