4 Things A Beginner Baker Needs To Know

March 15, 2022 by Leave a Comment

If you’ve always wanted to give baking a try or are looking into a new hobby, it’s great that you’re taking the time to learn a little about it beforehand. There are some things that you need to know in advance if you want to give yourself a good first impression, else you would be setting yourself up to fail later on. However, there’s not too much to stress on, as baking is something that’s accessible for anyone to take part in, so long as they have the means to get working on it.

baking

Equipment comes first

Before you get started on any recipe, you want to make sure you have everything you need to finish a recipe. Baking is generally something you want to follow to the letter, and without measuring cups or scales, you’ll have a hard time doing that. You can’t just estimate things, or the recipe won’t turn out as it’s been advertised, and you’ll be giving yourself a bad experience with it overall. You’ll also want mixing tools – although it doesn’t have to be an expensive mixer, you can do a lot with just a bowl and a large wooden spoon, whisk, or other utensils.

Anyone can do it

If you feel like baking isn’t for you because you’ve got no prior cooking skills, think again. Baking is something anyone can take part in, so long as you know to follow the recipe. You can even do it with your kids, and parents often let their children take part in preparing cakes and such. It’s a fun activity that you shouldn’t be preventing yourself from doing.

Stick to the recipes

Until you’re experienced with baking, you shouldn’t really be trying to experiment with all of the different things you can do while baking. If you want cookies to turn out how the recipe claims they do, stick to the recipe as best you can. There’s no need to change a recipe if you like the result, and until you know that – you should stick to the recipe as best you can. It’s easy to assume that certain steps are insignificant, but making a mistake in your recipe can cost you your ingredients – so it’s not worth sacrificing them for science!

Get creative

Once you have gotten into baking, you can start to do things your own way. If you know you don’t like things a certain way, or you prefer substitutes to ingredients listed in the recipe, you’re free to play around with it. You can also try out a different topping for cheesecake each time you prepare one. Take a look at what other bakers are doing online and take inspiration from it – baking is a hobby that you’re free to do what you want. Again, it’s not something you’ll want to try as a beginner, but creativity will take your baking to the next level.

You’ll find that once you get started, baking is very therapeutic. Many people try baking when they’re looking for ways to calm their nerves. You’re in control, everything can be done exactly as the recipe states – it’s easy to do right.

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Decoding The Hacks For Baking The Perfect Cannabis Recipe

February 18, 2021 by Leave a Comment

With cannabis growing in popularity, a wide variety of products are also gaining momentum. Besides, vape oils, dabs, tinctures, topicals, edibles have become a user’s delight in a less time frame. 

It’s a great option if you don’t like smoking cannabis. And if you get bored, you can even go for home-made cannabis-infused delicacies. However, not everyone is well-versed with the right practices of cooking or baking cannabis edibles, that they are unable to relish the final products. 

Here is the guide to baking the perfect cannabis recipe. Let’s start!

The First Step to Cooking The Best Cannabis Recipe

Whether you want to cook or bake a cannabis recipe, the first step would always be decarboxylation. It simply means heating cannabis to activate the cannabinoids present in the herb, such as THC or CBD. 

Experts suggest doing it at a lower temperature so that you don’t lose out on the plant’s essential ingredients. 

But,

How to measure the dosage?

Experts recommend starting low and slow with the cannabis dosage. It’s because you don’t have any idea initially what will hit you. For instance, you can go for 1 cup of butter with the same amount of ground cannabis. You can also go for lower amounts if you are unsure of the entire preparation. 

Expert suggestion: Make sure to write the ratio of cannabis to copy the same when making the recipe the next time. This will also help you when finding recipes for how to make marijuana candies or how to make cannabis lollipops. Remember, use only the amount that does not make you tipsy or couch-locked. 

What Type of Equipment do You Require to Make Edibles?

Baking edibles is like any other cooking method. You need an oven, mixing bowl, measuring cups. You have to whisk like any other recipe. The only difference is that you are adding cannabis to the recipe. That’s all!

How to Store Cannabis Edibles?

Does everyone wonder how long a marijuana recipe can last? Or do home-made edibles stay fresh? Well, like any other dish, marijuana recipes can go stale after some time. However, if you want to extend the timeline, you can seal them in a container or a bag or preserve them in a fridge to prolong their life. 

Wrapping up

Cannabis edibles are absolutely relishing. There is no doubt about that. However, if you are a novice cannabis user, going overboard with cannabis edible might impact you. That’s why it’s advisable to go low and slow when it comes to consuming this particular cannabis form. 

Also, they have long-lasting effects but are a bit slow in kicking off. Hence, you must never go on munching thinking that it’s not effective. Give yourself a timeline of around two hours, and even if it doesn’t feel like it, you can consume some more. 

So, next time you prepare a favorite cannabis dish for yourself or your friends/family, keep in mind these hacks and enjoy delicious edibles without stepping out of your comfort. Won’t that be great?

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Baking with Baketivity – Fun For Kids

February 2, 2021 by 4 Comments

If you are like me, you love to bake. It is one of the things my youngest son and I do together often. He’s become quite the hand in the kitchen, although he’s still such a mess I’m always surprised. (When does that stop? Ever?)

We’ve recently tried out these fun kits from Baketivity. We did two at once, because sadly we were pretty sick when the “Back to School” one arrived (we had Covid, and I got very, very sick from it). No matter, it was fun doing them both together.

baking with kids

Each kit comes with everything you need, already measured out, labeled, and pre-packaged. It also comes with cute “kid sized” chef gear (hat and apron) as well as a cute little spatula- also kid-sized.  Apologies he’s not wearing them- they are a little too “kid sized” for him, LOL. This boy has been in men’s sizes for a few years now. What can I say- he’s just a giant.

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One kit was “back to school” themed, and was sugar cookies sliced into the shape of pencils, with colored sprinkles decorating them to look like them, as well. They were delicious, and disappeared immediately. Like, gone within a day.

fun kids activity

The second kit was cinnamon buns, and my son did these nearly entirely on his own, very limited help from me. He really enjoyed doing them. We make cinnamon buns all the time, but usually from either one of my books or from memory (my memory, so he needs me to tell him everything at this point). My books are obviously geared towards adults, so sometimes he gets confused on what to do next, or by a specific measurement. This kit really simplified things, and the directions are so easy for children to follow.

cinnamon bunds

If you have an aspiring baker, a kitchen helper, or you just want your child to be confidant and competent in the kitchen- I highly recommend getting a Baketivity kit. They are fun, easy to follow, and give kids the confidence to try bigger and more difficult things. And hey- don’t worry about the mess. That’s why we have mops and brooms and cleaning supplies, right? They can help us clean up, and it will be one more thing they get better at, right? There we go. Truly- really fun time. You will be so glad that you did.

Enjoy your day, and stay safe out there!

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STRAWBERRY TIRAMISU Recipe

January 25, 2021 by 1 Comment

Serves 8

italian cake

Ingredients:
For the cream: 
500g mascarpone cheese, room temperature
500ml heavy cream
5 egg yolks
3/4 cups granulated sugar 

For the strawberries: 
2 1/2 cups of strawberries, chopped
1/3 cup Alchermes liqueur,* Fragfoli wild strawberry liqueur or Chambord
1 tablespoon sugar
2-3 tablespoons rum
1 cup orange juice 

1 box dry ladyfingers (Pavesini brand preferred**)

Put the strawberries, Alchermes liquor, sugar, rum, and orange juice in a bowl. Set aside. With a hand mixer or a KitchenAid standing mixer, beat the egg yolks, sugar, mascarpone, and heavy cream on medium speed for 5-10 minutes, until creamy. 

In a small bowl, strain the strawberries and keep the juice in a separate bowl. Dip the ladyfingers in the juice (a quick dip, you don’t want them to be soggy), and arrange cookies on bottom of a baking dish. 

Cover with half the cream mixture, then cover with the chopped strawberries, repeat cookies for another layer, and cover with remaining cream mixture. 

Decorate it top with strawberries just before serving and dust with powdered sugar. Chill for 2-3 hours before serving. It can stay chilled for up to 2 days.

* Alchermes is a scarlet colored Italian liqueur made by infusing neutral spirits with sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and vanilla, and other herbs, and Kermes, a small parasitic insect.

** Pavesini ladyfingers may be difficult to find in stores. However, they are readily available online. Other brands may be substituted.

Recipe and photo reprinted with permission of www.TuscanWomenCook.com.

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5 Super Secrets to Make Fluffiest Cakes without Eggs

July 31, 2019 by 2 Comments

Cakes are proof that good still exists in this world. Young, teenagers, or adults, everyone wants a slice every now and then. That yummy, moist, fluffy slice that melts right in the mouth has a charm that no one could escape. The main ingredient that lends a cake its moist texture is an egg. It is considered to be a cardinal element needed to make a moist cake. But some of the most delicious cakes are available eggless too. If you are a baker at heart and wish to serve eggless cake to your family or guests, then you don’t have to fret a bit. This article will take you on an eggless ride in the world of cake. Every flavour that can be baked with egg, can be made available in eggless variety too and they will be as scrumptious as the one with eggs. Here how you can do it:

  1. Replacement of Eggs

First thing first, replacement of egg with soda and vinegar. Sounds strange? The main role of eggs in a cake is to bind the mix and lend a fluffy and airy texture. This strange-sounding mixture of soda and vinegar will play the same role in your eggless cake. It will give the cake rise and will be responsible for light texture. Make sure to use distilled vinegar, so that it doesn’t add to the taste. Without adding a lighter agent, your cake will become heavy, just like the cookie.

  1. Beat’em Up

You have to keep in mind to beat and blend smooth all the buttery and oily part of the batter. If mixing is forming bubbles and lumps, it will be best to whip them all while baking an eggless cake. After whipping, you will get a similar texture like a cake with eggs in it.

  1. Add Dry Ingredients

Once your mixture is whipped, fluffy texture of butter or oil is ready, add dry ingredients to it one by one and in smaller quantities. This way, the air in the mixture will not be lost and the texture will remain soft. Using a folding movement in a single direction will yield the best result for an eggless cake. Do not let the air escape by adding large quantities of dry ingredients else the baked cake will be dry instead of moist.

  1. Do Not Check the Cake

Wish to check the cake, how’s it coming up or whether it’s done or not? Whatever you do, do not open the oven to check on the cake until the baking is done. Every time you open the oven before the final product, you lose a certain amount of temperature and the cake will become stone-hard when subjected to cold and hot temperature alternatively. This wait will get you sweet results.

  1. Remove from the Pan Immediately

Once the cake is done, remove it from the pan immediately. This is one trick you have to follow while baking an eggless cake otherwise even a well-cooked cake will collapse and will become dense. It will affect the taste and will make the cake look bad too.

Follow these secrets to the core and garner appreciation from one and all.

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Instantly Fresh Herbs from Litehouse

January 4, 2017 by 2 Comments

Disclosure- We received the items below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are our own and honest.  Because we prepare meals as a family, we hoped that the Litehouse Instantly Fresh Herbs would be an flavorful addition to recipes.  We discovered that the herbs are easy to add and delicious.

Since watching cooking shows is wildly popular in our home, we were eager to try the Litehouse Instantly Fresh Herbs.  We learn about ingredients and combinations of flavors while cheering on our favorite home cooks as they challenge chefs with years of training.  We watch as the chefs mince and chop herbs wondering if we could learn to chop with such finesse. As a result, we research recipes to prepare as a family.  Recipes often call for a pinch of fresh herbs but keeping fresh parsley, ginger, mint, or cilantro on hand to add to our favorite dishes is a challenge.  Because fresh herbs can be expensive, spoil quickly, and require a bit of knife skills, we often leave out these ingredients.  Also, dried herbs lack flavor and aroma.  Therefore, having Litehouse Instantly Fresh Herbs on hand makes it easy to prepare delicious family meals at home.

About Litehouse Instantly Fresh Herbs

Litehouse Instantly Fresh Herbs are freeze-dried without preservatives. The herbs are gluten-free and made from non-GMO crops.  Since moisture in the fridge can rehydrate the herbs, it is best to keep opened jars in the cabinet with other spices.  Herbs are available as single ingredients

Dill

Garlic

Ginger

Oregano

Parsley

Red Onion

Spring Onion

Thyme

Sage

Mint

Basil

Chives

Cilanto

In addition, Litehouse Instantly Fresh Herbs are available in flavorful blends:

Italian Herb Blend

Poultry Herb Blend

Salad Herb Blend

Guacamole Herb Blend

When a recipe calls for fresh parsley, reach for a jar and rehydrate the herbs on a one to one ratio – one tablespoon freeze-dried equals one tablespoon fresh.  Because the herbs are pre chopped, my junior chef can easily measure out the herbs and water and I don’t have to worry about sharp knives in tiny hands.  Because the herbs are freeze-dried, the rehydrated herbs have a robust aroma, intense flavor, and taste great!  It is easy to customize dishes for each family member based on their personal taste preferences.  If one family member likes the flavor of cilantro, onions, or sage, it’s easy to add a bit to their dish.  Adding fresh herbs to familiar recipes boosts up the flavor and elevates the everyday to extraordinary.

Eating better is a common resolution and “better” typically includes fresh, minimally processed ingredients.  Thanks to Litehouse Instantly Fresh Herbs, it is easy to add fresh flavor to each bite.

Where to find Litehouse Products

Litehouse products are available at a variety of grocery stores throughout the country.  Visit the Litehouse website to find a retailer in your community.  You can also sign up to receive monthly mailings which include special offers, recipes, and promotions.

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WHITE CHOCOLATE GINGER COOKIES

December 11, 2015 by 4 Comments

(chewy cookies with a ginger kick)
makes 2 dozen big/over indulged cookies
makes 4 dozen smaller/less decadent cookies

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INGREDIENTS:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla paste, can substitute vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger (we suggest using a microplane)
  • 11 ounces white chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 350º F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
    In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, salt and baking soda.
  2. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer cream together the butter and sugars. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until fully combined. Add in the vanilla paste and ginger, mixing until just combined. Gradually add in the flour mixture 1 cup at a time. Add the white chocolate chips.
  3. Drop by the heaping tablespoon full onto the prepared baking sheet and bake until lightly golden (12-15 minutes), cookies will appear still slightly soft in the middle, but will set up firmly as they cool.  (Note: For smaller less decadent cookies use a teaspoon measure and bake for 8-10 minutes). Using a spatula, remove cookies from the parchment to cool. Repeat with the remaining cookie dough.

You can find these and other recipes at www.terraskitchen.com

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WIN Krusteaz National Cookie Day Prize Pack

December 1, 2015 by 77 Comments

Did you know National Cookie Day was coming up on Dec. 4?  Neither did I!  Why do we miss all the fun holidays?  Ha.

Holiday baking can be hectic for many, and Krusteaz is here to help, offering high quality and easy-to-bake cookie mixes – saving you time in the kitchen and making more time for you to spend with family this holiday season. It’s easy to create and share fun holiday-inspired cookie recipes and creatively package them up as small sweet gifts- if there are any left, that is.

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There are tons of options available, and not just cookies- breads, pancakes, muffins, flatbreads for pizzas, cakes, and so much more from Krusteaz. It’s one of our favorite brands, and such a good way to wake up in the morning, too (fresh blueberry muffins, hello!)

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My son and I recently went on a baking extravaganza- making gingerbread up the wazoo here.  Cookies, a gingerbread house, and eventually gingerbread bars as well.  Hey, whatever works. Pick out your favorites and get baking for the holidays (and all the merry-making that accompany them).

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One of you lucky readers will have the chance to win a really great, really timely prize package.  Krusteaz will send you the following items:

  • Two boxes each of the following mixes: Shortbread, Gingerbread, Snickerdoodle, Butter Vanilla Sugar and Oatmeal Scotchie
  • Some fun holiday baking items like an apron, tote bag, cookie cutters, frosting decorating pen and a mason jar (for gifting and storage!)
  • Holiday cookie recipe ideas for inspiration

Please feel free to enter using the RC form below- good luck!  Ends Dec. 22, 2015.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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