How To Cook Turkey

November 14, 2010 by Cooking Class  
Filed under How To Cook, How To Cook Meat

how_to_cook_turkeyOne of the things that cooks find the most difficult about cooking a turkey is how long to cook the turkey. A general rule of thumb is to roast a turkey in a 325 degree Fahrenheit oven for 20 minutes for each pound of meat. Whether preparing a fresh or frozen turkey that you have thawed, start by removing the giblets and neck. Rinse the internal cavity of the turkey with cold water. Do not use warm or hot water, as this creates an environment in which bacteria can grow. Season with salt and pepper. Salt not only adds flavor to the meat, it helps to keep the meat from drying out.

Stuff the bird lightly, and then place it breast side up in a roasting pan. Wait until you are ready to put the turkey in the oven for roasting before you stuff it. If you pack in the stuffing, the inside of the bird will not get hot enough. Brush the outside of the turkey with olive oil or melted butter. Use aluminum foil to make a loose tent over the turkey. Remove the foil during the last hour of roasting so that the skin browns to a golden color. The turkey is fully cooked when the internal temperature registers 185 degrees Fahrenheit and the juices run clear when piercing the thickest part of the thigh.

How Long Do You Cook a Whole Chicken?

November 8, 2010 by Cooking Class  
Filed under How To Cook, How To Cook Meat

Planning chicken for dinner tonight? Wondering, how long do you cook a whole chicken? When roasting a chicken, place it in a 350 degree oven for 1-1 ½ hours.  To make a rotisserie-style chicken recipe, cook for 15-20 minutes per pound.  Grilling takes about two hours and it a whole chicken can be made in a crock pot on a low temperature in 8-10 hours.

How to Start a Charcoal Grill

October 24, 2010 by Cooking Class  
Filed under How To Cook

Many people have never used a charcoal grill, yet they would like to try. If you are one of those wondering how to start a charcoal grill, use the steps below to get started:

  • Begin by stacking  1-2 pounds of charcoal in a cone shape in the bottom of your grill
  • Pour a good amount of lighter fluid over the stacked briquettes
  • Allow the lighter fluid to soak into the charcoal for 30-60 seconds
  • Light the charcoal in several places from the bottom of the cone
  • Allow charcoal to burn until the coals appear whitish
  • With a long stick, spread hot coals evenly along bottom of grill
  • Close the lid to your grill
  • Let to coals stand for five minutes
  • Begin grilling your preferred meat

How Long to Grill Baked Potatoes

August 15, 2010 by admin  
Filed under How To Cook, How To Cook Vegetables

grilled baked potatoMaking baked potatoes on the grill isn’t quick, but it sure is worth the time. If you are wondering how long to grill baked potatoes, remember that it depends on how large your potatoes are and how hot your grill is. But, most take 30-60 minutes.

How Long to Grill Steaks

August 1, 2010 by Cooking Class  
Filed under How To Cook, How To Cook Meat

If you are wondering how long to grill steaks, remember that your grilling time will depend a great deal on:

  • what type of steak you are grilling
  • how thick the cut is
  • how hot your grill is
  • what type of grill you are using (gas, electric or charcoal/wood)

 

Once you have answered these important questions, you can refer to any number of grilling instructions books to tell you how long to grill steaks to meet your expectations.

How to Cook Chicken Cordon Bleu

July 29, 2010 by Cooking Class  
Filed under How To Cook, How To Cook Meat

Chicken cordon blue makes a great presentation (and is tasty too), making it a wonderful recipe to make for guests.  But, many don’t even try this relatively simple dish because they think it will be too difficult o prepare. If you want a great dish to use to impress your guests, learn how to cook chicken cordon bleu with this simple recipe:

 

  • Gather these basic ingredients:

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast
4 slices Swiss cheese
4 slices of thin sliced smoked ham
1/4 cup flour
1 egg; beaten
1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup whipping cream

 

  • Pound your chicken into ¼ thickness or buy thin sliced ones from the butcher Sprinkle with salt and pepper
  • Place one slice of ham and one slice of cheese on each flattened breast; roll and seal with a toothpick
  • Roll in flour
  • Dip in egg and then bread crumbs
  • Place in greased oven pan (seam side down)
  • Place one slab of butter on the top of each roll
  • Bake in a 350 degree oven for at least 45
  • While your breasts are cooking, mix broth and whipping cream in a saucepan along with appropriate seasonings; simmer until thickened.
  • Pour sauce over chicken rolls before serving

 

 

How Did Chocolate Bunnies for Easter Come About

July 27, 2010 by Cooking Class  
Filed under How To Cook

What Easter basket doesn’t include a chocolate bunny?  A mainstay in traditional Easter baskets, have you ever wondered just how did the chocolate bunnies for Easter come about?  Well, you are about to find out!

The tradition of giving a chocolate Easter bunny began in Germany several hundred years ago, and was quickly adopted by Christians worldwide as the symbol of the young bunny was used to symbolize spring and then became linked with the Easter holiday.

Although the original chocolate bunnies were rather plain, today’s variations offer an abundant selection including chocolate, white chocolate, large, small and everything in between.

How Long Can a Person Live Without Food

July 13, 2010 by Cooking Class  
Filed under How To Cook

We’ve all heard unbelievable stories of people trapped in natural disasters for days or even weeks with no food, yet they miraculously survived, which leaves many of us to wonder, how long can a person live without food? Well that depends on several factors: whether there is water available to drink; if the person is underweight, overweight or of normal weight; if they have other health problems (ie: chronic diabetes), etc.  Still according to the experts, the average person who is in good health can actually survive more than a month without food, as long as they have water to drink.

How to Charcoal Grill Chicken

July 8, 2010 by Cooking Class  
Filed under How To Cook, How To Cook Meat

Cooking on a charcoal grill is a little different than grilling on a gas grill.  So, you may wonder, how to charcoal grill chicken for best results?  Here are a few basic tips:

  • Thoroughly thaw meat before placing on a charcoal grill to cook.
  • Never place the meat on the grill rack until the charcoal briquettes have turned an ashen white (no flames allowed) and have been able to sit under a lid for at least five minutes to build enough grill heat.
  • Chicken quarters work best on charcoal grills.
  • Apply marinade before cooking.
  • Remove chicken when golden brown and juicy to avoid drying out the meat.
  • Spray chicken with vinegar a few times during grilling process to enhance the natural flavor of the meat
  • To keep flare-ups to a minimum keep a spray bottle of clear water available to douse flames.

Now that you know how to charcoal grill chicken, get yourself some briquettes and give it a try.

How to Slow Cook Pork Ribs

July 1, 2010 by Cooking Class  
Filed under How To Cook, How To Cook Meat

When it comes to how to slow cook pork ribs, the process is fairly easy.  Start by:

  • finding a good recipe for seasoning your pork ribs for cooking
  • place your ribs in a slow cooker, along with about ½ cup of BBQ  sauce, water, or other broth and seasonings
  • set on low heat
  • let cook for 8-10 hours or until ribs reach preferred tenderness

Remember, when it comes to how to slow cook pork ribs, the key to a juicy, tender, fall of the bone rib is time.  Let your ribs cook slowly for the entire day for best results.

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