"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars."Les Brown
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Oil or Butter? They Are Both Fat!
Newsflash: there is a world beyond olive oil. Look, I like olive oil as much as the next person and I use it extensively in my cooking. However there are alternatives and there are very good reasons for using some of them. But let's just stay with olive ...
Shop smart for a healthy lifestyle
A big part of enjoying healthier eating is buying healthier foods, and that means making smart choices where it matters most - at the supermarket. Choosing the freshest, healthiest foods is an important first step toward making healthy and delicious meals ...
Simple tips for a stress free holiday entertaining from M&M Meat Shops
(NC)-This hectic holiday season, instead of trying to cook everything from scratch, relax and make merry with the help of frozen holiday favourites! With over 350 locations in Canada, M&M Meat Shops is your one stop shop for holiday entertaining with ...
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Melting chocolate for baking is an exacting task, if not done perfectly you can end up with a burned or grainy mess and ruin whatever you are baking. Below are 3 methods for melting chocolate, each can be successful in it's own way and you need only pick a method that works for you and get cooking!
In The Oven
Chocolate can be melted in the oven quite easily but you will need to be very diligent about watching it. It's easy to get caught up in your other baking chores and not realize that you have overheated it until it is too late. To melt chocolate in the oven, heat the oven to 110 degrees. Chop the chocolate and place in a dish inside the oven. Keep the door open and check regularly. It will take about an hour to melt thoroughly.
Double Boiler Method
This tried and true method uses two pots or a special double boiler pot. The bottom pot has about an inch of water in it and the top pot is a bit smaller and rests on the bottom pot. The water should be heated to just below a simmer. Chop the chocolate and put it in the top pot. The chocolate should be stirred until melted and you must be very careful not to get any water mixed in with the chocolate as this will make it grainey.
Microwave
Using the microwave to melt chocolate can be the fastest but also the most disastrous method as a couple of seconds of overheating can ruin the chocolate. Chop the chocolate and put it in a microwave safe bowl. Heat on 50% for 1 to 4 minutes - the amount of time needed will depend on the amount of chocolate you are melting so you will have to watch the chocolate the whole time. When you see that it is turning shiny and before it is fully melted, remove it from the oven and stir until it melts fully.
About the Author
Lee Dobbins is editor of www.online-gourmet-foods.com where you can learn more about gourmet food and find out more about gourmet chocolate.
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Chicago Tribune |
Cooking with lavenderChicago TribuneI have always wanted to cook with lavender but my first attempt to infuse the flavors into a tart was a disappointment. Do you have a suggestion? —Andrew Maselli, Chicago A: I don't, but Beverly McClare does. I told her you had made a tea from the ... |
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Army cooks juggle time, chicken at cooking contestDVIDS“The hardest part is time management,” said Sgt. Tasha Matter, a food service specialist for the 542nd QM Company and head cook for the competition. “You've got to make sure everything gets done in the proper order and gets done properly. |
Victoria Advocate |
Cooking With Myra: Food at the Starkey houseVictoria AdvocateNow, I'm not insulting my mother's cooking; it can be very good when she has the time. That doesn't often happen. My mother is that rare person who helps with everything, from unloading boxes to driving friends to and from the hospital, and Lord knows ... |
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