Kitchn Archive - June 2012
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5 Tips for Hosting a Summer Crêpe Party
I have two extraordinary, culinary–minded friends who always invite me over for impromptu meals of homemade ricotta and roasted tomato galettes, a tasting of new cheese purchases, or lemon–caper berry egg salad on freshly baked bread and citrus cornmeal cake topped with creme fraiche. (You get the idea. I’m a lucky friend.) I had to put a stop to all of their hospitality and extend some of my own, with a big pile of fresh crêpes and fruity toppings bien sur.
Jun 6, 2012
The Solo Picnic
We often forget that a picnic is an excellent way to eat a solo meal, probably due to the fact that picnics are usually associated with romantic interludes or family reunions. But of course the picnic equally belongs to the single diner who may find inspiration and appreciation in a change of scenery and a few quiet moments spent in nature.The solo picnic is not so very different than a picnic for two or more.
Jun 6, 2012
5 Things To Do With That Little Bit Of Leftover Smoothie
Smoothies are a great way to put a little fruit in your diet, especially during the hot summer months. They can keep you cool and are fun to make, but my problem is I can never make the right amount! Maybe it’s the size of my glass or oversized fruit choices, but after my glass is full, there’s always just a little left! Here are five things you can do with smoothie leftovers:1. Ice Cube Trays: Simply toss that smoothie back into an ice cube tray and freeze it again.
Jun 5, 2012
Cheyenne’s Barn Door Dining Table
Cheyenne Weaver’s 1930’s home in Austin, Texas is full of eclectic, handmade details and DIY projects, but none make her as proud as the dining table she constructed from an old barn door. I love how welcoming it looks sitting in front of those old wood-wrapped windows!Cheyenne’s inspiration for her kitchen and home come primarily from the many farms she’s worked on in Northern California, Colorado, the Puget Sound, and the Virgin Islands.
Jun 4, 2012
What’s the Secret to Light, Fluffy Muffins with Delicious Crusty Tops?
Q: What’s the secret to making light, fluffy muffins (with those delicious, crusty tops!)? I’ve tried every recipe with all different techniques, and they always turn out tasty but really doughy and thick. And not long after I take them out of the oven does their puffed-up top start to fall. Any advice?Sent by NicoleEditor: Readers, do you have any advice for Nicole?Next question?
Jun 4, 2012
A Sweet Cool Down: Fruit Ice Cubes
It’s such a simple concept—Look! Pieces of fruit in tiny frozen squares!—and yet it never ceases to make me feel like I’m getting a special treat. Do you feel the same way?Clearly, there are endless variations on this idea, and the recipes below are just the beginning. Do you have a favorite fruit juice or herb + fruit mix you like to freeze into ice cubes? Do you add them to sparkling water, or save them mostly for sangria or summer cocktails? Tell us!
Jun 4, 2012
Budget Tip: How To Vacuum Seal Food Without a Vacuum Sealing Machine
Vacuum sealing is a great way to extend the shelf life of dry goods and to prevent frozen foods from developing freezer burn, but buying a vacuum sealing machine can get expensive. Here’s a way to do it on the cheap – all you need is a zip-top bag and a straw.Vacuum sealers remove air from packaging, thus eliminating the effects of oxidation, which can cause foods to degrade. From beans in the pantry to vegetables in the freezer, vacuum-sealed foods can stay fresher longer.
Jun 1, 2012
How Can I Make Pralines Soft Again?
Q: Do you know a way to soften praline candy? I just received a dozen from a friend in New Orleans, and they are starting to dry out already. What can I do to salvage them and restore the creamy texture?Sent by VictoriaEditor: Oh, dear! Since the problem is mostly that the sugar in the pralines gets hard and crystallized, you might try softening them the way you’d soften hard brown sugar.
Jun 1, 2012
The Tomato Has More Genes Than Humans
The tomato genome has been decoded! Plant geneticists from 14 different countries spent the last nine years mapping the genetic makeup of the tomato, and have discovered that the tomato contains 31,760 genes – that’s 7,000 more genes than a human being! The tomato’s genome is actually closer to that of a potato. (The two plants share 92 percent of their DNA.) Why map the tomato genome at all?
Jun 1, 2012
Can I Repair This Scratched Wok?
Q: Last weekend I found that my guests scraped up my wok by using the wrong tongs. Now it’s showing signs of rust and I was wondering if there was any product or way to repair it? It has a lot of sentimental value since it was given to me as gift from my mom four years ago.Sent by JuanEditor: Juan, it’s hard for me to tell from the photos, but it looks like your wok is nonstick. Does it have a Teflon or other nonstick coating on it?
Jun 1, 2012