To Steam or Not to Steam That's The Question!

Should You Steam Your Food?

Health experts claim that steaming food is far healthier than conventional cooking methods.  Steaming uses boiling water, which gives off steam and cooks the food.  There are definitely benefits to steaming. You are going to want to throw away your frying pan and baking tray and have a healthy lifestyle

NO OIL

When you steam your food there is no need for oil.  The means that there is immediately a lower fat content than food that has been cooked in oil or butter.  

OVER-COOKING and  BURNING are AVOIDED

When food is fried, boiled, grilled or oven cooked the chance is greater that it will burned or overcooked.  Steamers usually allow you to set a timer so the food doeskin overcook.

NO CROSS FLAVORS

Several types of food can be steam at the same time.  This also reduces time and the amount of pot and pans used.

LESS VITAMINS LOST IN THE PROCESS

When vitamins come in contact with boiling water they are damaged.  Several studies have  shown that  steaming leaves your food with a higher vitamin content.  

CANCER FIGHTERS ARE LEFT TO FIGHT!

Many foods have glucosinolates,  a component that fights cancer.  Glucosinolates are destroyed when he food is over cooked.  Boiling your food damages 60% of the nutrients and glocosinolates.  Your food now has hardly any nutritional value.  

4 TIPS TO FOR PROPERLY STEAMING YOUR FOOD

      * Place food so there is space around each item so the steam can circulate effectively. 

         If you overload or stack food it will not evenly cook. 

      * You only need a small amount of water in the base of the steamer, you dont want it to

          close to your food.  

       * Close the lid tightly and do not open once the process has started, opening lid will 

          hinder process.  

       * Parboil all grains first before finishing off the cooking process by steaming.

THIS TUPPERWARE SMART MULTI-COOKER IS GREAT FOR STEAMING

Shirlie's E-Store click here

PRODUCT DETAILS

One space-saving design does it all: steam, cook pasta, potatoes, rice and other grains or multi-cook up to three foods at once. Multi-cook a full meal by cooking pasta, potatoes or other veggies in water inside the base, while foods in the shielded and shallow colanders stacked above are cooked with the rising steam. Prepare up to eight cups of cooked rice and up to six cups of pasta, depending on shape.

• Includes Shielded Cover, Grains Seal, Grains Insert, Shallow Colander, Shielded Colander and Base/Water Reservoir
• In Indigo/Snow White/Tokyo Blue
• Dishwasher safe
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

HERE IS A VIDEO SHOWING HOW TO STEAM IN THE MICROWAVE

(I would add seasoning to the food)  I have this cooker and it does steam food to perfection)

Please shop my e-store for this and many other great products

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Are You Skilled Using a Chef's Knife?


Are you new to cooking  or  maybe you know your way around the kitchen?  Either way SHARPING your knife skills is oh so important.  This skill is important for maintaining a safe kitchen.  Your recipes will be so much better as well.  When your ingredients are cut uniformly they will cook at the same rate resulting in a dish that is cooked evenly throughout.  Your dish will also have a nice presentation, because each piece of  food is cut in the same fashion.


This blog will cover the correct way to hold a chef's knife as well as how to grip the food with your hand and avoid cutting yourself.

How to Properly Grip A Chef's Knife

The photo above shows the proper way to grip a blade of a Chef's knife.  Look at how the index finger is wrapped fully around the blade.  The index finger and thumb should be opposite each other on either side of the blade at the same time the remaining  three fingers are loosely curled around the handle.  Your grip should be focused with the thumb and forefinger.  It is important to relax and maintain a loose grip.  You don't want to grip the knife with to tight of a grip. This grip takes practice and soon any other grip will feel unnatural.

The Claw Grip To Secure The Food

Now that you cam grip the knife correctly, what should your other hand do when using a chef knife?  Your non knife hand is called the the guiding hand.  This hand is used to hold the food so it does not move around on the cutting board.  This hand is in a dangerous position.  Since the knife is moving in a quick up and down motion it is important that your fingers are safely tucked away.  You must be able to do this and still firmly hold the food in place.  

The grip shown here is called  the claw grip.   Your fingers are curled inward and gripping the \food with fingernails, this keeps fingers out of harms way.  The side of the knife blade should rest against the first knuckle this keeps the knife perpendicular to cutting board.  You may may want to start off with chopping a carrot to practice and become comfortable with how to use the chef's knife.

Watch Now:  The correct way to Use a Chef's Knife

Check out my online store for lots of kitchen tools including this Chef's Knife CLICK HERE

PRODUCT DETAILS

Safe, non-slip and colorful, these blades offer quality performance without breaking the bank. Protective sheath included with each knife.The Chef's Knife aids in heavy-duty prep like dicing, carving and cutting meat.

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Earth Day

April 22nd

Originally intended to bring awareness and appreciation of our environment. Now Earth Day has evolved into a call to action to protect the environment.  Sustainability is key in meeting the needs of present day while taking action to preserve the future. In my opinion there are only a few products that are of high quality that are built with the environment and supporting sustainability in mind, Tupperware is at the top of the list.

Changes in our purchasing habits can reduce landfills and cut back on green house emissions.  Just eliminating

disposable water bottle 

and sandwich bags

will make a huge impact.

It's the little things that make that add to a big results.  Take action, your actions matters.  I am so excited that I can offer  products that create positive change.  Every time I reach someone with my message of  make the choice to reuse instead discard it is life changing.  

5 Sustainability Tips

 1. Instead of a disposable coffee cup, our Insulated Thermal Flask instead

$25*

2. Instead of buying bottled water, use one of our drinking solutions, Eco Water bottle

$6.50-$11.50*

3. Instead of using plastic wrap or baggies try our Sandwich Keeper.  $15*  

4. Instead of using paper towel, use our Microfiber Towels.  

$19.50*

5. Spread this message of sustainability with everyone, each one teach one.

$0.00


Please check my e-store for more items  that are environmentally  friendly.

www.shirliejones.my.tupperware.com

* prices are subject to change

Frequently Asked Questions About How to buy a Microwave

1.Where should you put the microwave?

        - Location affects rice, features, size and installation there

 are 3 options. Counter top-most common option ($70-$400) find a spot plug in and use.  The only con to this option is if you have limited counter space.  You might want to go smaller, place on a cart ore choose a different style of microwave. This option  is usually around 2 cubic feet with 600-1200 watts. Over the range option ($200-$1300) will save counter space, while acting as your vent and lighting for your  range. This option is around 1.5 x 2.5 cubic ft with 600-1200 watts Built in option ($500 and up) This is the high end option, may fit with custom cabinets, built directly in the wall.  

2. WHAT SIZE MICROWAVE IS BEST?
   
It is important to consider size.  The microwave must meet your needs and fit in the space you have available.  Measure your space and then measure the microwave.  This way the microwave will fit in the space you have.  The internal measurements are important also.  Microwave internal space range from 1 to 2 cubic feet.  You may want to bring a plate or bowl that you use often to make sure it will fit in the microwave.  You can also ask you retailer for suggestions on which size is best for you.

3. WHAT IS WATTAGE?


The wattage speaks to the power of the microwave.  In general the higher the wattage the faster and the more evenly your food will cook.  Most microwaves are between  600-1200 watts.  Usually the larger more expensive microwaves have higher wattage.  So the price and size influence the microwave's performance. 

Other advanced features

In addition to new heating technologies, higher-end models usually have more presets than just the basic pizza, popcorn and baked potato standard. Some use moisture sensors to detect food doneness. And we've started to see models include LED lighting on the interior.

"Smart" technology, i.e., options that connect microwaves to the internet and other products, aren't as widespread in microwaves as we've seen in other kitchen appliances. However, we've seen GE Appliances include Bluetooth technology in some of its over-the-range microwaves. This connection, which GE calls "Chef Connect," pairs the microwave with compatible GE ranges so the light and fan beneath the microwave automatically turns on when you turn on a burner.

If this was informational for you please comment and share.

5 quick summer vegan recipes worth trying

There is only so much you can create with green vegetables.  These recipes are DELICIOUS, along with being ANIMAL friendly. Everyone will love them.

Black Bean Burgers

Serves: 4

Serving size: 1 burger                                        

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 18 minutes    

Total time: 33 minutes     

15-oz./425 g can black beans, strained

¾ cup plain breadcrumbs

1 red bell pepper

1 tsp. garlic powder

2 tbsp. cilantro, chopped

Juice of 1 lime

Salt and pepper, to taste

MICROPRO™ GRILL $199.00 

1. In base of Power Chef® System, fitted with the blade attachment, place all ingredients, cover and pull cord until chunky and coarsely processed.
2. Divide mixture into four equal portions. Roll the mixture into a ball then press down between hands to make a tight patty.
3. Place 2 patties at a time in MicroPro® Grill and cover in grill position, so the cover is touching the food.
4. Microwave on high power 8minutes,  
5. flip and microwave on high power 
6. an additional 2 minutes.
7. Now that your MicroPro Grill is hot, it requires less cooking time for additional patties. Microwave remaining patties for 6 minutes, flip and microwave an additional 2 minutes.



THATSA® MEDIUM BOWL $21.00

8. Top with desired toppings and serve.    

Crispy Grilled Tofu

Serves 4

Serving Size 1

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook time 20 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes

                            

14 oz./415 g extra firm tofu, drained and patted dry

1 cup panko

2 tsp. garlic powder                                          

2 tsp.  turmeric                    

2 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. kosher salt

1. Cut tofu crosswise to yield 4 patties.
2. In a medium bowl, combine panko and the remaining ingredients.
3. Coat each piece of tofu with panko mixture.
4. Place two pieces of tofu into base of MicroPro® Grill and place cover in grill position.
5. Microwave on high power 10 minutes. At the end of cooking time, uncover, flip tofu, replace cover in grill position and place back into microwave and cook for additional 5 minutes on high power.
6. Repeat cooking steps with remaining two pieces of tofu. Serve with favorite dipping sauce.

Crispy Chickpeas

Serves 4

Serving size ¾ cup

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total time: 25 minutes

Two 15-oz./425 g can chickpeas, drained

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

2 tsp. paprika

2 tsp. cumin

2 tsp. coriander

1 tsp. pepper

2 tsp. kosher salt

1. Place chickpeas in medium bowl and add olive oil. Add remaining spices, seal and shake to evenly coat.
2. Place chickpea mixture into base of MicroPro® Grill and cover in grill position. Make sure the cover is touching the chickpeas.
3. Microwave on high power 10 minutes.
4. At the end of cooking time, uncover and stir chickpeas. Replace cover in grill position and return to microwave to cook on high power for an additional 5 minutes.

Smoothie Bowl

Serves: 2

Serving Size: 1 cup

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total time: 20 minutes

1 cup mixed berries

1 frozen banana, quartered

¾ cup coconut milk

Toppings of choice (shredded coconut, chia seeds, slivered almonds)

1. Place mixed berries and banana in base of Power Chef® System, fitted with the blade attachment. Cover and pull cord to puree.
2. Add milk and continue pulling cord until mixture is smooth.
3. Serve with desired toppings.