How To Decorate A Cake Like A Pro

Decorate A Cake Like A Pro

Did you know that the very first cakes baked in America where little loaves of sweet bread? Look how far we have actually come. Home bakers need to not be frightened by the elaborate cakes being made today. You do not need to be a pastry chef to make gorgeous cakes, you simply need the knowledge and practice. Naturally the right tools will go a long way in your cake embellishing endeavors. Here are a couple of ideas you might like to try. Every good cake begins with a smooth icing. The cake requires to cool entirely prior to they are iced and embellished. To keep crumbs from ending up in your icing and destroying the look of your cake, start with a thin base coat of icing that is not rather as stiff as the regular layer will be. As soon as this coat is on, set the cake in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. This will set the icing and any crumbs will be captured in this very first layer. Now you can spread a regular layer of icing without worrying about crumbs. Use an icing spatula to apply and smooth the second coat of icing. As soon as the icing is on the cake, begin smoothing on the sides by running the spatula around the border of the cake. One technique for smoothing the frosting is to dip the metal icing spatula in cold water, this will aid in smoothing the frosting. To smooth the top, dip the spatula in cold water and holding it horizontally over the top of the cake. Start at the point farthest from you, holding the spatula in both hands, skim the top of the icing by bringing the spatula directly toward you.

Easy Cake Decorating Designs

Some cake decorators say finding out to smooth the icing is the hardest part of cake designing. Practice will make you a pro in not time. As soon as you have it down, show it off, even a cake without numerous designs that is clean and smooth will make a completely stylish offering. Instead of icing, cake tops can be sprinkled with powdered sugar. You can choose to utilize a stencil for a more embellished look, or simply the powdered sugar for a clean appearance. Edible decorations are a beautiful yet basic cake embellishing technique. Using sprays, sweet, nuts, and coconut pressed into the icing before it sets, will make your cake stand out. To apply a textured look for your cake decorating, utilize a small cardboard comb, offered in baking supply stores. Start with your favorite cake recipe, then let your imagination lead you to the decorating that you want to do. Piping is achieved by using a pastry bag fitted with a metal idea that is hung on by a coupler. This is your most important tool for cake designing. You can make lines, words, shells, flowers, and lots of other designs on the top or sides of the cake. Fill the bag with no more than 1 cup of icing at a time, twist the top of the bag and keep steady pressure when piping the style. Use your other hand to guide the tip. It is smart to find out whatever you can about piping prior to you begin. Fondant a smooth white paste, is utilized in complex cake decorating. Fondant is kneaded and rolled to cover cakes with a sleek smooth layer of icing.

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Every good cake begins with a smooth icing. The cake requires to cool entirely prior to they are iced and embellished. To keep crumbs from ending up in your icing and destroying the look of your cake, start with a thin base coat of icing that is not rather as stiff as the regular layer will be. As soon as this coat is on, set the cake in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. This will set the icing and any crumbs will be captured in this very first layer. Now you can spread a regular layer of icing without worrying about crumbs.

Use an icing spatula to apply and smooth the second coat of icing. As soon as the icing is on the cake, begin smoothing on the sides by running the spatula around the border of the cake. One technique for smoothing the frosting is to dip the metal icing spatula in cold water, this will aid in smoothing the frosting. To smooth the top, dip the spatula in cold water and holding it horizontally over the top of the cake. Start at the point farthest from you, holding the spatula in both hands, skim the top of the icing by bringing the spatula directly toward you.https://www.youtube.com/embed/zk_OYb0NKKk

Easy Cake Decorating Designs

Instead of icing, cake tops can be sprinkled with powdered sugar. You can choose to utilize a stencil for a more embellished look, or simply the powdered sugar for a clean appearance.

Edible decorations are a beautiful yet basic cake embellishing technique. Using sprays, sweet, nuts, and coconut pressed into the icing before it sets, will make your cake stand out.

To apply a textured look for your cake decorating, utilize a small cardboard comb, offered in baking supply stores. Start with your favorite cake recipe, then let your imagination lead you to the decorating that you want to do.

Piping is achieved by using a pastry bag fitted with a metal idea that is hung on by a coupler. This is your most important tool for cake designing. You can make lines, words, shells, flowers, and lots of other designs on the top or sides of the cake. Fill the bag with no more than 1 cup of icing at a time, twist the top of the bag and keep steady pressure when piping the style. Use your other hand to guide the tip. It is smart to find out whatever you can about piping prior to you begin.

Fondant a smooth white paste, is utilized in complex cake decorating. Fondant is kneaded and rolled to cover cakes with a sleek smooth layer of icing.

Let’s Talk About Dutch Ovens

Dutch ovens and fascinating facts about them tend to reveal a very famous, and historical, kind of cook pot that’s been well-known in America and parts of Europe for centuries. Made of cast iron and featuring thick walls, it comes with a top that fit tightly over the open pot. It’s still popular to this day and learning a bit about the oven might even prove to be somewhat entertaining.

Some Dutch Oven Fun Facts

A product of the Dutch of the 17th century, it was an ingenious device in both design and the materials it was made from. The Dutch, of course, of that day were highly motivated when it came to creating and then exporting many different goods. Soon enough, the little oven/cook pot began to make appearances all over Europe and Great Britain, which came to prize it highly.

The British themselves, who were also known for ingenuity and their own mercantile spirit, experimented with changes in design and manufacturing until a new version of the pot was patented in 1708. It was sent in great numbers over to Britain’s American colonies, as a matter of fact, where it became equally as valued and appreciated.

The Americans, not content to leave the little oven unchanged, added in order that it could be placed over hot coals and also make design changes to the lid, enabling other hot coals to be placed on its top without contaminating the food within. The oven’s pot also became somewhat shallower and the oven became wider as a result.

Cast Iron Dutch Ovens

Cast iron is a metal that can be susceptible to rust, but a special “seasoning” process was developed to deal with that problem. With a little bit of experimentation on the part of many different people, a specific kind of seasoning process was developed to help ensure that the bare cast iron wouldn’t be as susceptible to rusting once it was coated with certain substances.

Users of the pot in those days would take animal fat, usually, and coat the cooking surface of the pot in it. Once that was accomplished, they’d heat the pot to seal in the oils, which kept the pot from rusting, basically. Periodic re-applications of fat were, of course needed and they were almost never scoured or washed used any sort of soap. These pots are kitchen utensil friendly as well, almost any material works well.

Such seasoning processes are used even to this day, because most people feel that the best-made Dutch ovens are those that come with bare cast iron to allow their owners to engage in the seasoning of the oven by themselves, which is half the pleasure of owning such a cook pot. They are still a prized asset among many owners, who use them to cook, fry, stew or roast most any food, for what it’s worth. Not only are they great for cooking, bakers figured out long ago that they are great for baking as well!

Cast Iron Dutch Ovens

Remember seeing cowboys cook with cast iron dutch ovens? Every good camper knows how handy a multi-tool can be when out in the wilderness, but have you ever thought about multi-tool cookware? That is exactly what you could call a cast iron dutch oven, the multi-tool of cookware. Just like how a mutli-tool can do everything from cutting rope to turning into a pair of pliers, a dutch oven can cook everything from a delicious hardy breakfast to even rolls for dinner.

Now, you might be asking yourself, how can you cook bread in a dutch oven, with only hot coals, outside, and no oven? Well, to answer the question, it is actually quite simple. First, place the dough in a tin pie pan, then place a couple of small coals on the bottom of the dutch oven, and place your pie tin on top of them. The space between the bottom of the dutch oven and pie tin helps hot air circulate and helps to prevent the bottom of the rolls from burning. For the next step, you will need a dutch oven with a flanged lid, that is a lid with a raised outer border. This border, or, flange, helps to hold hot coals on top of the lid. The coals on top is what helps it to cook like an oven and will give your rolls perfectly browned tops.

Cast Iron Dutch Ovens Are Really Versatile

Cast iron dutch ovens are not just great because you can make a variety of meals in them, but also because you can even cook with the lid. There are not too many lids I know of that I can use as a lid and a cooking device. Cooking with the lid of the could not be simpler. All you need to do is flip it upside down and place it over some hot coals to warm it up. To test the heat of the lid, you can simply sprinkle a couple of drops of water on it. If the water sizzles around, the lid is warm enough. If the water just sits there, it is not warm enough. If the lid is too hot, the water will quickly sizzle away. With the lid turned upside down and properly heated, you can use the lid to cook sausage, bacon, eggs, and even pancakes. Because of the shape of the lid, you will be able to make perfect single pancakes each time.

These are just a couple of examples of what you can cook with in your cast iron dutch oven. If you love cooking and camping, then a cast iron dutch oven is the perfect camping tool for you. Your friends and family will be amazed at the delicious meals you create with your dutch oven. The only hard decision for you will be deciding which recipe to cook next time.

Circulon Hard Anodized 12-Piece Cookware Set

Circulon Anodized 12 Piece Cookware Set

POTS AND PANS SET INCLUDES: 1-quart saucepan, 2-quart saucepan with lid, 6-quart stockpot with lid, 3-quart sauté pan with lid, 8.5-inch frying pan, 10-inch frying pan, solid nylon turner, solid nylon spoon, slotted nylon spoon
DURABLE, HARD ANODIZED COOKWARE: Heavy-duty, durable, hard-anodized construction for fast, efficient heat performance with no hot spots
PREMIUM NONSTICK COOKWARE SET: Pots and pans boast the TOTAL Nonstick System of raised circles and PFOA-free, metal utensil safe nonstick for effortless food release and easy cleanup that lasts 10 times longer than normal nonsticks
EASY CLEANING COOKING SET: Premium nonstick cookware set is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup
EASY HANDLING: Pots and pans have sturdy, dual-riveted stainless steel handles that are oven safe to 400 degrees F
SUPER CONVENIENT GLASS LIDS: Shatter-resistant glass lids seal in heat and flavor while you watch foods cooking

Looking for the perfect cookware set for you kitchen? Check out this 12 piece anodized aluminum cookware set from Circulon. A great assortment of pots, pans and kitchen utensils that will work in almost any kitchen. Design for excellent heat distribution, anodized aluminum is the perfect material for cooking almost any food. Have a tough recipe that you have struggle with in the past? Try it with this cookware set, you may be amazed at how easy the recipe is now.

Convenient Handles & Lids

Sturdy stainless steel handles are riveted and molded with silicone for a comfortable grip. No more loose handles that can lead to painful burns or dropped foods. The shatter-resistant glass lids seal in heat and moisture. Plus, the whole set is dishwasher friendly, making clean up a breeze. This cookware will amaze you at how well the heat is distributed. No more hot spots, especially when making a delicate sauce. The larger pots are made to handle heavy foods and can be popped into the oven .

How To Make Garlic Sauce With Your Blender

Yummy Garlic Sauce Recipe

Who knew that so many good things could be made with your blender? Far too often, people think of the blender as a tool to make drinks and smoothies. While it is great for making those, it can also be used to create other recipes that will thrill your family. This video is a perfect example. You can make this yummy garlic sauce in seconds with a few ingredients and your favorite blender.

This recipe is for a really tasty creamy garlic sauce. You can use this with fish, pastas and vegetables without having to do any special preparation. Your blender works really well for this recipe, you want to make sure that everything is mixed well. Go ahead and make this sauce ahead of time, it will keep in your refrigerator for about a week. Don’t try to freeze the sauce, it will dry out in your freezer.

Garlic Sauce

Ingredients

Serve sauce over fish, meat or veggies.

5 cloves garlic
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 slices white bread, trimmed
1/3 cup slivered almonds
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil

Directions

Position knife blade in food mill bowl; add garlic, and chop well until the garlic is minced. Add water and the next 4 ingredients; process till smooth. With processor running, pour olive oil through food chute in a fairly slow but constant stream up until combined; chill.

Makes about 1 1/4 cups.

Serving suggestions:

You can add some cream (or milk) and use this as a pasta sauce. It will be garlicky, make sure that you are tasting the sauce as you are adding the milk.

You can top seafood, shellfish or fish with this sauce. It goes especially well with a white fish, it will add some needed flavor.

Top your steak with a dollop or two of this sauce. Garlic and beef are great together and this sauce makes a nice topping or dipping sauce.

Dutch Oven Campfire Recipe

It is your turn to do the campfire cooking on this weekend’s outdoor camping trip and you have all of your campfire recipes laid out, trying to decide which ones to use. You want to impress your fellow campers with your expert culinary skills, but you don’t want to be stuck in the camp kitchen while they have all the fun either. This 1-pot, 1-step dinner desert will make sure they remember you. And it is so easy you can prep it in 5 minutes, set it on the fire, and forget it until it’s done. The result will be a campfire desert they will talk about for years.

The Devil’s Cherry Cobbler desert is cooked in a cast iron Dutch oven, and served from it too. Less mess, less clean-up. The only cookware you will need is a cast iron Dutch oven and a large serving spoon.

The Devil’s Cherry Cobbler Ingredients:

2 – 18-19oz. boxes Devils Food cake mix
3 – 22oz. cans cherry pie filling
1 – 20oz. bottle Dr. Pepper
1 – stick butter
1oz. cooking oil

Preparation:

Open the Dr. Pepper ahead of time so the carbonation can fizz out, you don’t need fizz for this campfire recipe.
Pour 1oz. of cooking oil into a clean cast iron Dutch oven and use a paper towel to wipe the inside of the pot with it. Leave any leftover oil in the pot.
Open the cans of cherry pie filling and pour them into the pot.
Go ahead and drink about half of the Dr. Pepper, you only need half a bottle for this recipe. Pour that into the pot too.
Pour both boxes of Devils Food cake mix on top of the cherry filling and Dr. Pepper. DO NOT STIR!
Slice the stick of butter into patties and distribute around the top of the dry cake mix.
Put the lid on the Dutch oven, you’re ready to bake.

Cooking:

With this cake-like campfire recipe, you want your Dutch oven to work like an oven, so make sure you have plenty of hot campfire coals to use. You will need a good bed of coals, at least the same diameter as your Dutch oven, with enough leftover to form a good layer on the lid of the Dutch oven.

This recipe will take 35 – 45 minutes to bake. After 20 minutes lift the pot and rotate it about 90 degrees one way, and rotate the lid 90 degrees the other way. Check the coals on the lid; they may need to be replenished.

After 30 minutes lift the lid and look inside, the cake should look semi-dry all over, and starting to pull away from the pot walls on the top. When the cake looks dry and is pulling away from the sides of the pot all the way around, your desert is done. Remove it from the fire and dump the coals from the lid.

One last tip:

When you ladle each portion onto your fellow outdoor camper’s plates, be sure to “flip” the portion over so that the top cake part lands on the bottom with the cherries on top. This is the crowning touch that makes it a true camp cobbler.

This campfire recipe will serve about 15 campers, with maybe a little bit leftover for seconds. And there will be requests for seconds! This is a never-fail camp dessert that always leaves them talking about how great a camp baker you are. And you have time to enjoy their accolades because all you had to do for clean-up was set the Dutch oven back on the fire and let it bake itself clean

Which Cookware Set Is Best For You?

Are you confused by the seemingly endless number of cookware sets that seem to be on the market? Do you know the difference between aluminum and copper cookware? Isn’t all cookware non-stick? Has anyone told you what happens if you put certain types of cookware in the dishwasher? If you are trying to figure out what the best cookware is, you are not alone.

My parents are providing me a bunch of their old living room furnishings and have agreed to let me take my bed room set, so I don’t have to fret about spending money on those things. All I have left to do is to figure out just what I need for my kitchen. How do I know what I need for my kitchen?

I figure the pans and pots will leave the greatest dent in my wallet since I prepare on buying stainless steel pots and pans instead of the more affordable things. I know that stainless steel cookware is tougher and lasts longer than layered aluminum products, so I will actually end up saving money.

Should You Buy Stainless Steel Cookware?

I’ve currently started looking for stainless steel cookware online, and have discovered that I have a great deal of choices to select from. I can go with a basic cooking set that consists of just a couple of pieces or I can spring for a professional set that includes every type of pot and pan that I would ever need. In addition, I can select from name-brand stainless steel cookware, or opt for a reasonably unknown producer in order to save a couple of dollars.

Either method, there are plenty of websites that offer discount stainless steel pots and pans for both individual and business usage. I may even be able to purchase All-Clad stainless steel cookware, which the majority of people agree is the outright best on the market today.

Anyway, I still have a month delegated make my decision on which set of stainless steel cookware I ought to buy, so I’m not in excessive of a rush here. In the meantime, I’m just delighted to have a better concept of what’s out there and just how much cash I’ll need to conserve up for my purchase.

I figure the pots and pans will leave the biggest damage in my wallet since I plan on purchasing stainless steel pots and pans instead of the more affordable stuff. I know that stainless steel cookware is harder and lasts longer than covered aluminum items, so I will really end up saving money. In addition, I can select from name-brand stainless steel pots and pans, or go with a reasonably odd producer in order to conserve a few dollars.

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Cooking Tips From My Mom

Trying out a new restaurant can be a terrific experience, however do not you miss out on home-cooking? Sometimes you just require some basic suggestions to create hearty, home-cooked meals, and here are a few that I have picked up over the years.

Consider taking a cooking class for couples if you and your substantial other love cooking! Couples cooking classes can help you explore brand-new foods, enjoy each other’s company and likewise learn more about collaborating in the cooking area. A well-kept trick is that the guys delight in these classes as much as the women and it typically results in the fellows taking a higher function in cooking in the house.

Sometimes you may have an urge to make banana bread and do not have any bananas on hand. Don’t panic, especially if you have an infant in the house. Banana baby food is an excellent option. Two little containers of banana baby food equals about one cup of mashed bananas. Plus, baby food is easy to shop for and will not spoil.

Here Is A Really Simple Dessert Recipe

Do you remember a dessert called Angel Delight? It’s a breeze to whip up at home . All you need is 5 active ingredients:

1 pack of flavored jello

1 pack of shelled nuts

1 small can of your favorite fruit mixed drink

1 cup of cottage cheese

1 frozen tub of whipped cream.

Mix all of the ingredients together in a large blending bowl and cool well before serving. Easy!

The trick to a making a fantastic mole sauce is to concentrate on the cocoa powder. Using a little bit of cocoa powder in your standard Italian tomato pasta sauces can make a huge difference in their taste as well. A touch of cocoa powder can give your dish a certain detailed flavor while not being too overpowering.

If you are going shopping for meat at the butcher shop be sure to ask if the meat is being fresh cut or ground. It’s perfectly fine to ask at the meat counter for a fresh grind if they do not know when the meat was actually ground

How To Make Delicious Chicken At Home

Pan roast your chicken pieces and let them take advantage of slow roasting in their own juices. Heat oil in an oven-safe pan till it is very hot. Add the chicken, skin side down, and shake the pan, you should hear the chicken start to crackle. Brown the other side when the skin side is golden brown. Put the whole pan in a 375 degree oven, and cook for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees. Remove the chicken pieces from the pan, and place the pan back on the stove top. Toss in one half cup of sliced shallots to the pan juices, and fry till golden. De-glaze the pan with red wine. Stir in 1 tablespoon of butter, and cook for a minute or more. Pour over the chicken and enjoy! Hint-this is a perfect recipe to make with your cast iron skillet!

Start to use what you’ve discovered here, and you’ll soon get sufficient understanding to prepare home prepared meals for yourself and those you surround yourself with. You’ll be impressed at how one cooking pointer or trick often leads to the learning of another, and you’ll quickly be able to start teaching others what you know.

The Trouble With Breakfast

Tips for making a good breakfast.

Too often you have probably heard someone tell you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. On the surface that may be true, it may have been 12-14 hours since you last ate (we are not counting snacks for this example). However, your body can store a lot of energy and keep functioning for a long time. Missing one meal may make you full hungry but there are no health issues that will come from a longer fast. What is true is that less than half of the population in the US and Europe have a meal for breakfast.

Sometimes We Just Don’t Like Breakfast Foods

Nothing is written in stone that says you can only eat breakfast foods for breakfast. Tradition has moved us into a mind set where breakfast is eggs and bacon, maybe pancakes or possibly cereal (hot or cold). If you truly don’t feel feel hungry in the morning, particularly if you aren’t accustomed to eating breakfast, these foods may be quite unappealing.

Health and diet experts believe that people who skip breakfast end up eating more over the course of the rest of the day. Even having a piece of fruit or some yogurt can help to stave off food cravings the rest of the morning.

So what is the best mix of the right nutrients and vitamins, something that will give you energy for the start of your day? Even if you don’t usually eat breakfast you should have sometime after you wake up to give your body a boost.

It doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult to have a good breakfast. Start by making a list of what you like and then create some breakfast plans around the list. Do you like fruit? Make a smoothie or add fruit to cereal. Do you have a favorite chicken dish? That can work for breakfast as well as lunch.

Simple Breakfast Tips

* If you are stretched for time and need a faster breakfast, try making some breakfast burritos. They are quick and easy and you can keep them in the freezer. You can use whole-wheat or regular tortillas, scrambled eggs (either whole, all whites, a mix, or an egg product), some veggies like onions and peppers, and any type of protein (meat or meatless).

* It worked when you were a kid, so consider making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole wheat bread. The whole wheat gives you fiber (helping to make you feel full). That can make a fine breakfast that is quick to prepare. You might add a glass of milk or some fruit to give your meal some balance.

* Hot or cold cereals can make for a fine breakfast. Just make sure it’s not the only thing you eat. Top off your cereal with some banana or blueberries, or swapping out dairy for soy milk for a healthy dairy addition. If you are trying to cut fat out of your diet, stick to skim milk.
Statistics show that over half of us don’t eat breakfast, so it pays to have a few short cuts to get around those excuses.

* Many of us eat our breakfasts on the go, meaning we are searching for food that travels well. In this case a well made smoothie is a good place to start. If you have a blender in your kitchen you can create your own special smoothies. Watch the ingredient list closely if you purchase a smoothie at a coffee shop. Some of these drinks include a lot of cream and sugar and can have up to 600 calories. You can purchase a good blender or smoothie maker to have at home and whip up your own smoothie in less time than it takes to stop at a smoothie store, and you ‘ll know exactly what’s in it.

Breakfast Can Be Low Calorie

Breakfast might be the easiest meal to fill up without using a lot of calories or fat. You can fry up an egg, add a slice of Canadian bacon and put the two into a toasted English muffin for a 200-calorie, filling breakfast.
There’s no law that says you have to eat breakfast foods for breakfast. You legitimately might not feel hungry in the morning, particularly if you aren’t accustomed to eating breakfast. Study after study shows that people who skip breakfast end up eating more the rest of the day than people who eat a solid breakfast every morning.