Dining Solo — Who Says We Can’t Eat Alone?

There are those who assume that a person dining solo in a restaurant simply can’t find anyone to keep them company. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Dining Solo - Who Says We Can't Eat Alone?
Dining Solo – Who Says We Can’t Eat Alone?

Ever notice that people who are spied eating alone in public are vaguely frowned upon? They’re thought to be lonely people who, for whatever reason, can’t seem to find a partner or make friends. A hermit. A loser. Pathetic.

Dining solo is not for the faint of heart.

Many people will opt to stay home if they have no one to dine with but even that can’t help us to feel better about ourselves. How many times have you seen a TV or movie portrayal of a person happily enjoying a solitary meal at home? That’s right. Never.

Instead, it’s seen as the epitome of loneliness and is usually witnessed by an adversary peering through the window, realizing, at last, that someone they thought was bold, fearless, self-assured and confident is actually a desolate, empty and desperate recluse deserving of pity.

In the writing of this article, I researched the synonyms for “lonely person” and guess what I came up with? “Single person”.  I kid you not.

I don’t know about you but I’ve had enough. Who says we can’t eat alone?

We Ain’t Gonna Take It Anymore

We Ain’t Gonna Take It Anymore
We Ain’t Gonna Take It Anymore

I’d like to clear something up right here and now. I DO have friends, some single and some married or partnered (that I’m also friends with). I could eat dinner with any one of them, anytime I wanted to.

And, yes, I’m single but only because I choose to be. After the death of my husband, nearly 15 years ago, I decided to live my life by focusing on what’s important to me. I’ve helped to organize a number of fundraising campaigns, traveled, pursued some hobbies I’ve always been interested in and have spent as much time as I’ve wanted with my friends, children, grandchildren, parents and siblings. I’ve worked where I wanted and moved on when it no longer suited me. I can eat whatever I want, with whoever I want, wherever I want. Even all by myself.

I thoroughly enjoyed spending 25 years being married to a wonderful man and raising children. Now I’m thoroughly enjoying living my life for myself.

It’s Not You

It’s Not You
It’s Not You

The US census shows that single-person households have risen by nearly 30 million since 1960, while the number of married-couple households has only risen by just over 20 million.

In 1960, 69% of the total US households were headed by married couples while households headed by single people only accounted for 13% of the population. By 2019 the number of married couples had dropped to 48% while the number of single-person households had risen to 31%.

What does this mean? Why, in this world, where it’s easier than ever to meet people and find a mate, should the number of single people be rising? Is love dead? Is commitment a thing of the past? You may be pleased to know that studies show that love and marriage are still popular ideas among single people.

So what is it then? Is it simply because we can’t find that love we hold in such high esteem? Are single people destined to live a solitary life only to die alone and be eaten by their cats?

The fact is that both men and women alike, whether never married, divorced or widowed, are finding that there’s just no good reason to rush into things.

These days a woman can “safely” live alone and secure a job that allows her to support herself. Neither men nor women need marriage to lend them the respectability to advance in their careers, engage in social activities or even raise a family. We’re finding that we can live our lives while waiting to meet someone we truly connect with instead of feeling that we’re somehow not complete until we’re partnered.

So What’s The Problem?

So What’s The Problem?
So What’s The Problem?

Why does society still look at us with a raised eyebrow? Why do others assume we’re lonely? That we can’t possibly be happy without a partner? Maybe it’s simply because it’s happened so quickly that societal attitudes haven’t had a chance to catch up.

Or maybe it’s because we let them. Maybe some small part of us allows ourselves to be embarrassed by the simple fact that we want (and need) to eat.

Single people tend to be more socially connected and spend more time with friends and family members than their married peers, who tend to have a more contained existence that involves their own household. Singles often care more about their own personal growth and pursuing meaningful work, tending to follow their dreams while many married couples are more focused on expanding on their material growth. This leads more singles to report being happier, more fulfilled and less lonely than some married people.

And, more importantly, singles have the freedom to pursue these things. We also have the freedom to pull into a restaurant simply because we’re hungry. Isn’t that what they’re there for?

Lastly, we have the freedom to take downtime, to decide that we’d like some quiet time to ourselves, to eat what we want and not have to entertain anyone. I, for one, treasure my quiet evenings with a good meal, a book and the utter silence that allows me to rest my mind, body and spirit. That doesn’t make me lonely, desperate or sad. On the contrary, it makes me quite happy.

No Pity Zone

No Pity Zone
No Pity Zone

Hold your head up. Be proud that you’re living your life on your terms without settling, without compromise, without bending to the opinions of those who don’t know you well enough to know that you’re perfect just the way you are.

Because there’s no shame in being single.

All my best,

Cynthia
cynthia@cynthiaeats.com

 

 

Easy Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

Sometimes referred to as apple crumble, this easy old fashioned apple crisp is a classic dessert that’s always a crowd-pleaser! Try it with caramel sauce!

Easy Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

Easy Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

Course Dessert
Servings 2
Calories 295 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 apple, peeled and sliced
  • ¼ tsp vanilla
  • 3 tbsp cold butter, cut into chunks
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar 
  • 3 tbsp old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350℉.
  • Grease a 2-cup, oven-safe dish and put the apples in it. Sprinkle apples with vanilla.
  • In a small bowl, mix butter, brown sugar, rolled oats, flour and cinnamon. Top the apples with this mixture.
  • Bake until the apples are soft, about 20 minutes*.   Place under the broiler for a few moments if additional browning of the top is desired.
  • Drizzle with caramel sauce if desired.
  • *It’s fine to use whatever type of apple you have on-hand but different apples have different textures and therefore require slightly different cooking times.
  • Hack: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Hack: Make some extra streusel topping to keep in the refrigerator to make a quick apple crisp whenever you want one!
  • Hack: Level up your crisp by adding raisins or dried cranberries to the apple mixture. Or add some chopped nuts to the topping!
Keyword apple, apple crisp, apple crumble, baked dessert, crisp, crumble, fruit dessert, oats, rolled oats, streusel

While many assume that cooking fruits destroy nutrition, there are many health benefits to eating baked apples!

Suggestion: Leftover apples?  Make some applesauce!

Creamy Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

Creamy blue cheese salad dressing is my absolute favorite and this homemade version is so good and easy to make, that you’ll buy it in the store again!

Creamy Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

Creamy Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

Course Salad
Servings 4
Calories 118 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 oz blue cheese, crumbled
  • 3 tbsp milk or buttermilk
  • 2 tbsp sour cream
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp)
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ tsp ground mustard
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Whisk together blue cheese, buttermilk, sour cream, garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, mustard powder, and salt. Use an immersion blender if a smoother dressing is desired.
  • Allow to sit for 30 minutes to blend flavors. The dressing will thicken as it sits.
  • Store leftovers, tightly sealed, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Hack: Many grocery store delis cut and wrap blue cheese for the shelf. If you can’t find the size you’re looking for, ask a clerk to cut it for you.
  • Hack: Blue cheese can be frozen but it will lose some of its creaminess and flavor.
Keyword blue cheese, easy, fast and easy, homemade salad dressing, quick and easy, salad, salad dressing

Did you know?  Cheese is generally thought to be bad for your health but eating blue cheese actually has some awesome health benefits!  Check it out!

Suggestion:  Serve this dressing over a classic wedge salad!

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Chicken

Jalapeno Popper Chicken is a spicy, cheesy decadent delight…all wrapped up in bacon!  It’s perfect all by itself…or tucked away in a sub or sandwich wrap!

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Chicken

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Chicken

Course Main Course
Servings 1
Calories 556 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp cream cheese (1 oz)
  • 3 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, diced
  • 1 boneless skinless chicken breast (6 oz)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 slices bacon

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375℉.
  • Place the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and jalapenos in a bowl; stir to combine.
  • Cut a deep pocket into the chicken breast, taking care not to cut all the way through to the other side. Fill the pocket of chicken breast with the cream cheese mixture. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
  • Wrap chicken breast tightly with bacon, securing with toothpicks. Place it in a greased baking pan.
  • Cook for 30 minutes, or until bacon is crisp and chicken has an internal temperature of 160℉. You can broil the chicken for 3-4 minutes to further crisp the bacon if needed.
  • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Keyword bacon, baked chicken, chicken, cooking for singles, cream cheese, jalapeno popper, meal for one, single serving meal, spicy

 

Handle chicken with care!  Click here for some tips to avoid foodborne illnesses that can be associated with raw poultry.

For a sweeter take on this same theme, try brown sugar bacon-wrapped chicken!

Magic Bullet Scams: 6 Healthly Hacks That Weren’t

Looking for a magic bullet for staying healthy? Unfortunately, there are some hucksters out there who are willing to give you one…often with tragic results.

Magic Bullet Scams
Magic Bullet Scams

Throughout history, the human race has always been known for our desire for a quick fix, our tendency to leap before we look. Unfortunately, there have also always been people who are perfectly happy to take advantage of that inclination, often with tragic results.

If we’re lucky, the tragedy we suffer is to our wallet but, far too often, the damage comes at the expense of our physical or emotional well-being.

I’ve compiled a shortlist of trickster scams that have taken place in the past. Some are silly and others decidedly dark but all appear to be designed by con artists intent on separating John Q. Public from his hard-earned dollar.

So light up your chamomile candle, pour yourself a glass of something green and enjoy these magic bullet scams.

Beans, Beans, The Magical Fruit

Bile Beans
Bile Beans

Candian salesman Charles E Fulford invented a product called Bile Beans to cure the condition of “biliousness” which was (apparently) caused by overconsumption and high living.  So, instead of cutting back on rich, fatty meals, it was possible to solve the problem with these coated pills made from laxatives, menthol and licorice.  It was later touted as a cure for influenza and headaches.  Amazingly, this product continued to be sold through the 1980s.

Charles came up with the idea in the 1890s when he was in Australia hawking a newly patented medicine invented by his uncle–Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills for Pale People.  Made from iron sulfate and Epsom salts, they claimed to cure pale and sallow complexions, as well as rheumatism, nervous headache and heart palpitations.  I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Another Round Of Radium, Anyone?

Radium
Radium

Radium was discovered by Pierre and Marie Curie in 1898.  Shortly after, an entrepreneur by the name of William J. A. Bailey (who possessed zero medical or scientific degrees) sold America on the idea that it was a cure for, well, just about anything.  Radium-infused lotions, blankets, suppositories and even injections were marketed with vague claims of aiding in the improvement of bodily health, manly courage, vigor, joyous vitality and female troubles.

In 1925, what might be the first energy drink was marketed.  Radithor was sold in 2-oz bottles and claimed to contain triple distilled water instilled at least 1 microcurie each of the radium 226 and 228 isotopes.  It was marketed as “Pure Sunshine In A Bottle”. This product finally came off the market in 1931 after the high-profile radiation poisoning death of industrialist Eben Byers due to consuming the drink daily for 2 ½ years. 

Please Pass The Grass

Ann Wigmore
Ann Wigmore

These days wheatgrass claims to be a superfood with all kinds of benefits such as lowering your blood pressure, stabilizing blood sugars, improving cognitive function and boosting your immune system.  The idea of wheatgrass being the holy grail of natural medicine was the brainchild of Ann Wigmore.

Born in 1909, she was raised by her grandmother, a self-taught naturalist, who restored Ann’s health after beginning life as a sickly baby.  At some point, Ann began to believe that grass and weeds were the paths to good health. She even credited eating grass for healing her two broken and gangrenous legs after a car crash when she was 18.

Soon enough, she began to refer to herself as Reverend Ann Wigmore and was preaching that grass and weeds were the manna referred to in the bible.

She opened the Hippocrates Health Institute to promote the controversial claims that grass and weeds could cure everything from cancer to AIDS.

Despite having no science to back up her claims and having been sued twice, her institute (now renamed Ann Wigmore Natural Health Institute) continues to operate,  bringing in a net profit of over a million dollars in 2019, all of which is tax-exempt due to their non-profit status.

Honorable Mention

More Health Scams
More Health Scams

In the early 1900s, La Parle Obesity Soap promised to wash away fat, tone skin and firm up flabby muscles “without dieting or gymnastics”.  Turns out it was just soap.

The Molby Revolving Hammock claimed that laying facedown on their hammock was the secret to a long life, health and vitality.  “All the keen relish of a healthful existence comes to the man or woman whose spine is straight, strong and supple, with no tension on the sympathetic nervous system and with every spinal nerve relaxed.”

Upton Sinclair wrote “The Fasting Cure” in 1898, which promoted fasting as a healthy practice to improve health and cure disease.  Fasting has been promoted throughout history as a beneficial practice and still continues to have its advocates even today. The problem with Sinclair’s fasting ideas?  He claimed that fasting for 40-50 days uninterrupted could cure tuberculosis, syphilis, epilepsy, heart disease and cancer, among other ailments. And, no, he wasn’t a doctor.  He didn’t even play one on TV.

Do Me A Favor

Do Me A Favor
Do Me A Favor

We’re fortunate in this day and age that we have the ability to investigate the many miraculous claims that seem to come at us a mile a minute.  We literally have the information at our fingertips so do me a favor, would you?

As good as it sounds, take a minute to investigate before you dive into any new thing.  No, not just foods or health gadgets but anything that seems too good to be true. Keep in mind that there’s never a hurry.

Only six left?  Trust me, they’ll make more.  (Unless it’s a dud and then you can be thankful you didn’t waste your money!).  Offer only good for the next 15 minutes? Check back in 14 minutes and I’ll bet you’ll still have 15 minutes. And why would they give you 15 minutes to make a decision?

Who does this?  Shysters, of course.  Shysters do this.

Anyone with a great product to offer welcomes the feedback you’re likely to find if you research it so give them the opportunity to show you that they’re the real deal.

To check out some magic bullet scams that are currently on the market, check out this list from the FDA.

You can also check out my article on how to identify these scams!

What about you?  What “deals” have you seen or fallen for in the past?  Let me know in the comments below!

All my best,

Cynthia
Cynthia@cynthiaeats.com

 

Slow Cooker Chicken and Bean Stew

This chicken and bean stew is full of healthy goodness and it’s easy peasy. Toss it in the slow cooker before you leave for work and let it cook dinner for you!

Slow Cooker Chicken and Bean Stew

Slow Cooker Chicken and Bean Stew

Course Main Course
Servings 6
Calories 285 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup dried pinto beans
  • ½ cup dried navy beans
  • cup vegetable broth
  • ½ sweet onion, chopped
  • 1 green pepper, chopped
  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup honey

Instructions
 

  • Place beans in a bowl and cover with water. Cover the bowl and allow to soak overnight.
  • Place beans in the slow cooker and add vegetable broth. Put chopped onions and green pepper on top of the beans. Add chicken, salt, black pepper, ketchup and honey.
  • Cook on low for 9 hours.
  • Hack: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze in serving-sized portions for up to 3 months.
Keyword chicken, crockpot, easy, easy dinner, easy prep, healthy, make ahead, navy beans, pinto beans, quick prep, slow cooker, stew

Did you know?  Pinto and navy beans are a member of the legume family.  Legumes come in many options, are inexpensive and they’re packed with nutrition!!

Want another slow cooker bean recipe?  Try this pork and bean one…it’ll remind you of the canned version you loved to eat as a kid!

Traditional Homemade Wonton Soup

This traditional homemade wonton soup is a traditional Asian dish that’s meant to be warm and comforting. Wontons can be made in large quantities and frozen for later use!

Easy Homemade Wonton Soup

Easy Homemade Wonton Soup

(Courtesy Yuhong Sun)
Course Soup
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 3
Calories 375 kcal

Ingredients
  

Wontons:

  • ½ lb ground pork
  • 2 scallions, chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, chopped
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar
  • ½ tsp sesame oil
  • 1 egg
  • 40 wonton wrappers
  • 6 cups water

Soup:

  • cups vegetable broth
  • cups water
  • 1 tomato, chopped

Instructions
 

  • Mix pork, scallions, ginger, cornstarch, vinegar, sesame oil and egg in a bowl.
  • Place 1 tsp mixture in the center of a wonton wrapper. Wet edges of wonton and fold to form a triangle shape. Seal edges. Press two corners of folded wonton together to form a hat and seal.
  • Bring six cups of water to a simmer in a large pot.
  • Gently place 12 wontons into boiling water. Add ½ cold water and allow water to return to a simmer. Add more cold water as needed, ½ cup at a time, to maintain a gentle simmer.
  • When wontons float to the surface of the water (about 5 minutes), scoop from the pot and lay on a plate in a single layer.
  • In the meantime, mix broth and water in a pan. Add tomato and bring to simmer.
  • To serve, place one cup of soup in a bowl with 4 wontons.
  • Hack: Freeze remaining uncooked wontons in a single layer on a baking sheet. When solid, transfer to a freezer-safe container. Cook from a frozen state, allowing 2 extra minutes to cook. Any leftover wonton wrappers can be wrapped tightly and frozen as well.
Keyword asian cooking video, Asian cuisine, Asian food, Chinese cooking video, Chinese cuisine, Chinese food, cooking tutorial, cooking video, homemade Asian cuisine, Homemade Chinese food, soup, Traditional Asian Food, Traditional Chinese Food

For a short tutorial on folding wontons, check out this video!

For more instructional videos for making traditional Chinese cuisine at home, visit Yuhong’s Country Kitchen on YouTube!

Suggestion:  If you love Asian-style soup, check out Yuhongs homemade hot and sour soup!

Low Carb Broccoli Cheese Fritters

These low-carb broccoli cheese fritters, made with eggs, Parmesan and garlic, make a great snack or side dish! Make a double batch and freeze some for later!

Broccoli Cheese Fritters

Broccoli Cheese Fritters

(Courtesy Amanda Buswell)
Course Snack
Servings 2
Calories 240 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ ib broccoli florets
  • 1 ` egg
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • ½ clove garlic, minced (½ tsp)
  • tsp salt
  • tsp black pepper
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions
 

  • Bring a medium-sized pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook them just until they are fork-tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Drain the broccoli well, allow to cool and rice in a blender/food processor. Alternately, use a large, sharp knife and cutting board to cut them into very small pieces
  • In a medium-sized bowl, combine the riced/chopped broccoli, egg, Parmesan, flour, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir until well combined.
  • Place a cast iron or non-stick pan over medium heat until hot. Add the oil and swirl to coat the pan (a non-stick pan needs less oil).
  • Scoop out 2- to 3-tablespoon mounds of the broccoli mixture into the pan, flattening the mounds slightly with a spatula and spacing them about one inch apart.
  • Cook the fritters for 2 to 3 minutes, flip and cook them for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until they’re golden brown and cooked through.
  • If you prefer, fritters can be baked at 425℉ for 10-12 minutes.
  • Hack: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
  • Hack: Riced broccoli can be found in the freezer section of your grocery store. Steam according to package instructions.
  • Broccoli Hack: Check the produce department of your local grocery store for pre-cut broccoli florets to avoid having to buy an entire head. If you don't see them, ask a clerk if they're available.
Keyword broccoli, fritter, homemade, low calorie, low carb, ranch salad dressing, snack

 

Did you know?  Broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse!  Check it out here!!

Suggestion: Serve these fritters warm with ranch dressing.

17 Affordable Essential Kitchen Tools

Think you need fancy expensive tools to cook a great dinner? Nope! Here are 17 essential kitchen tools that won’t break your budget!

17 Essential Kitchen Tools That Won't Break Your Budget
17 Essential Kitchen Tools That Won’t Break Your Budget
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It’s no secret that I love to cook. I think the reason that some people shy away from it is that they don’t have the proper tools which make the job hard and the outcome uncertain.

But let’s say that you decide to give it a go. If you watch cooking shows or hit up a kitchen supply store, it’s likely that you’ll be presented with a plethora of great gadgets for every purpose under the sun. They’re all sleek, clever and cute items that insist you NEED them in your kitchen.

Does anybody want to shell out $20 (each) for a butter warming knife, cheese gun or garlic roaster? $30 for a breakfast sandwich maker? How about $15 for some finger tongs so you don’t have to actually touch the food you’re eating? (No, I’m not kidding.  I even posted some of the crazier ones I came across!)

This just makes me chuckle. I have a kitchen full of very basic and inexpensive tools that I use all the time. Stash your credit card for just a sec while I show how economical it can be to outfit your kitchen with my list of 17 essential kitchen tools that won’t break your budget.

Take Time To Appreciate The Little Things

These are the true unsung heroes of the kitchen! Every single one is under $30 (most are under $15) and they make everything run more smoothly.

                                        Linden Sweden Original Jonas Vegetable Peeler
Original Jonas Vegetable Peeler
Original Jonas Vegetable Peeler

Call me crazy but this is my favorite vegetable peeler. It’s simple and basic but has many uses. Peeling fruits and vegetables, of course, but also use it to shave chocolate, Parmesan or soap, peel the zest off citrus fruits and de-string celery.

Any peeler can do all that but the reason I stick with this particular style is because of the pointy end. Use it to dig out potato eyes and bruised spots or hull strawberries. After cutting the top off a pepper, you can easily slide the end of this peeler inside to remove the seeds and pith while leaving the pepper intact, which is especially useful for smaller peppers such as jalapeño.

                                        MSC Joie Slicey, Egg Slicer
MSC Joie Slicey, Egg Slicer
MSC Joie Slicey, Egg Slicer

I know a lot of you will disagree with me about this one. I’ve even seen plenty of articles that mock this item as a waste of money and space but I do not care. Trying to hang onto that slippery egg to cut it into any sort of uniform shape adds unnecessary stress to my life.

With this handy-dandy egg cutter, you just pop it on and lower the lid, using the stainless steel wires to cut through the hard-boiled egg. A quick 90° rotation and one more snap of the cover will give you perfect, tiny, egg squares that you can simply dump into the bowl straight from the cutter. And it just rinses clean.

Joie Roundy Silicone Egg Ring

Jo!e Roundy Egg Ring
Jo!e Roundy Egg Ring

I love egg sandwiches and make them in dozens of combinations. These little egg rings make perfect egg rounds to fit on an English muffin, bagel or biscuit.

The silicone design makes a tight seal to the pan to prevent leakage and will not scratch. When the egg is cooked, you can pick the ring up by its little head without the fear of heat transference.

And it matches my egg slicer. That counts as coordinating my kitchen, right?

                                               Sunrise Kitchen Supply 5″ x 1.75″ Pastry and Cake Ring

Stainless Steel Round Cake & Pastry Ring
Stainless Steel Round Cake & Pastry Ring

Despite the name, I don’t ever use these to make cakes or pastries (although you certainly could!) I use them for making sandwich rolls from homemade bread dough.

I originally got them to make brioche rolls (which has thinner dough and actually does need a mold) but now I use them for shaping whatever breads I make. The rolls come out perfectly shaped and in matching portions, which is something I’m never able to achieve when shaping rolls by hand.

I did learn that the rings should be greased well before each use (I use cooking spray) to avoid sticking. I portion my dough out into 8 rings per loaf-sized dough ball on the final rise but you could make more or fewer rolls as you see fit. When they’re done baking, I simply use kitchen tongs to lift the rings off the (perfectly shaped and totally even) rolls.

These rings are also a perfect size for cutting dough to line a standard muffin tin. This comes in handy when making recipes like Mini Pork Pies or Chicken Pot Pie.

                                                     Homwe Silicone Oven Mitts and Potholders

Silicone Oven Mitts and Pot Holders
Silicone Oven Mitts and Pot Holders

These are far superior to quilted oven mitts or potholders. They can withstand much higher heat without it penetrating through to your hands and they don’t wear thin as the quilted ones do. You can use either the mitt or potholder to protect countertops when setting down hot items.

I do have one caveat, however. There’s definitely a learning curve as these do not flex or mold to surfaces as well as cloth. I recommend a practice run before attempting to pull a hot pan out of the oven!

              Original Popco Silicone Tipped Tongs

Original Popco Tongs
Original Popco Tongs

I have this exact set and I love them! These tongs are made from 1mm stainless steel which makes them sturdy without being too cumbersome. They have a unique pull ring on the top to ensure that your tongs will never be locked closed when you want them opened and vice versa. The best part is the silicone tips and grips which provide a non-slip surface for your fingers and the item you’re picking up. whether it be a delicate wonton or one of the heavy gauge steel molds I mentioned above.

3-Piece Grater Set
3-Piece Grater Set

  Farberware Colourworks 3-Piece Grater Set

This colorful grater set makes short work of anything you have to grate. I find that the 13” length makes it easy to use when grating or zesting. It comes with 3 separate graters (held together with a silicone band) which will ensure you have the right size for any job!

Prepworks Adjust-A-Slice Mandoline

Adjust-A-Slice Mandoline
Adjust-A-Slice Mandoline

Use this once and you’ll never look back! It makes prep work ridiculously easy and mess-free. It has three thicknesses for perfectly even and precise slices every time!

The non-skid base and ridges allow you to put this right on top of a bowl or (cool) pan and drop all the ingredients right where they need to be.

Non-slip Silicone Pastry Mat

Non-slip Silicone Pastry Mat
Non-slip Silicone Pastry Mat

This just makes my life easier. I like the fact that it contains the mess when I’m working with dough (just pick it up and dump the “remains” in the trash!).

It’s easy to peel your pastry off, takes the guesswork out of measuring it to fit in a pan and cleans up easily.

Because it’s silicone, it also doubles as a baking sheet and oven liner which is a great way to reduce one-use items such as parchment paper and aluminum foil. It won’t be long before you recoup your cost by reducing your purchase of throw-away kitchen lining products!

                                 Extra Large Organic Bamboo Cutting Board

Organic Bamboo Cutting Board
Organic Bamboo Cutting Board

I love this gigantic 18” x 12” board because it’s big enough for any job. It’s easier on your knives than plastic and, because bamboo is a grass, it’s more sustainable than wood.

 

Feel The Power!

Time to get plugged in with some awesome electric appliances. Again, I’ve listed the less expensive, basic models here but they do the job as advertised!

       Black and Decker Mini Food Chopper

Mini Food Chopper
Mini Food Chopper

This gem is great for chopping just about anything. I’ve had mine for well over 20 years (yes, this exact brand) and I use it all the time.

It’s especially handy chopping onions into little tiny pieces to hide in food, (don’t tell my kids ;-)) but it can also be used for any vegetable, nuts, salsa, salad dressing, herbs, bread or cracker crumbs.

The pulsing action gives you plenty of control while the bi-level stainless steel blades stay sharp, providing long-lasting performance.

                                                 BLACK+DECKER PowerCrush Multi-Function Blender with 6-Cup Glass Jar

PowerCrush Multi-Function Blender
PowerCrush Multi-Function Blender

I know there are fancier models out there but I have this basic blender in my kitchen.

There’s a very real possibility that I just don’t know what I’m missing but this baby has always done everything I’ve asked of it. Smoothies, salad dressings, sauces, shredding cooked meat, ricing cauliflower and broccoli.

I like the glass jar because it won’t get scratched or hold flavors.

KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

KitchenAid Mixer
KitchenAid Mixer

I finally got a KitchenAid Mixer when a total stranger gave it to me at his company Christmas party. (He had won it) While I’d love to give this a rom-com ending and say we lived happily ever after, it ain’t true. I never saw him again. I’m happy to report, however, that my KitchenAid and I have never had a cross word between us!

I love this thing so much I could write a whole article about it. Oh, wait…I did!! Take a gander at this to find out why I would never use another mixer.

                                             Aroma 8 Cup Rice Cooker

Aroma 8 Cup Rice Cooker
Aroma 8 Cup Rice Cooker

Yes, it cooks rice. But if you mix some cubed meat and chopped-up veggies in with the rice and water, you have a delicious one-pot meal in less than 30 minutes!

Suspend food in the steamer rack to cook separately (with or without rice on the bottom). It will even keep your meal warm until you’re ready to eat.

It makes oatmeal, mac and cheese, soups, chili and stewed fruit. You can even use it to bake bread and cakes. An important feature to me is that it’s compact, easy to use and easy to clean.

Thermometers

I’ve saved the most important for last. What good is having all the above-mentioned tools if your food is not cooked to perfection?  If you want to know when something is done, a thermometer will never do you wrong.

I think we all know that meat and poultry should be cooked to a certain temperature but when was the last time you took that leftover lasagna out of the microwave and sat down to have a good nosh only to find out it was still cold in the middle? A perfectly heated (or reheated) food should read 160℉ so next time stick a thermometer in it!

What about baked goods? Sure you can jiggle your puddings and poke your cake but did you know that you can have a better gauge by using a thermometer? Bread comes out of the oven at 190℉, while cake prefers to be around 205℉.

Bonus? Every single one of these thermometers is $10 or less.

                                        Taylor Precision Products Instant Read Analog Food/Meat Pocket Size Thermometer

Pocket Thermometer
Pocket Thermometer

This is a nice, light thermometer that can be used to monitor smaller or more delicate items such as bread, cake or meatballs.

It’s dishwasher safe and the stainless steel construction ensures that it will last for years to come. It can even be calibrated!

I’ve used this kind of thermometer in an industrial setting so I know that it will hold up for years!

                                            SINARDO Large Face Roasting Meat Thermometer

Oxo Large Face Roasting Meat Thermometer
Oxo Large Face Roasting Meat Thermometer

I like this one for larger items as well as meat and poultry.

I like that the recommended temperatures are right on the face and a moveable target temperature indicator can be placed at the desired temperature so I can easily know when the item is ready to be removed from the oven.

I will caution you to hand wash this particular thermometer.  I have not had good luck with putting these in the dishwasher as the steam penetrates the housing and the resulting condensation makes the face hard to read.

                                       Rubbermaid Commercial Products Stainless Steel Instant Read Oven/Grill/Smoker Monitoring Thermometer

Oven/Grill/Smoker Monitoring Thermometer
Oven/Grill/Smoker Monitoring Thermometer

I hate it when the bottoms of my biscuits burn before the tops brown!  Since I’ve placed one of these in my oven to make sure the temp is accurate, it’s never happened again.

 

 

Let The Adventure Begin!

While I know you’re going to want to get busy outfitting your kitchen,  I just wanted to take a minute to let you know that I use every single one of these items on a daily basis so I can vouch for how valuable they are.

What’s your favorite unsung kitchen hero?  Let me know in the comments below!

All my best,

Cynthia
cynthia@cynthiaeats.com

 

Creamy Coleslaw Dressing

Freshly made dressing makes all the difference in a salad. This creamy coleslaw dressing is so fast and easy, you’ll never buy a bottle off the shelf again!

Creamy Coleslaw Dressing

Creamy Coleslaw Dressing

Course Salad
Servings 4
Calories 140 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp white sugar
  • ½ tsp dried dill
  • tsp celery salt
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.  Store refrigerated in a tightly covered container.
Keyword coleslaw, creamy salad dressing, homemade salad dressing, salad

 

Did you know?  Coleslaw can be traced back to the ancient Romans but seems to have been introduced in its current form by the Dutch who settled New York state.

Suggestion: Try this dressing with some of my colorful and broccoli coleslaw!

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