Category: Tips & How To…

The Kitchn’s “Kitchen Habits of Good Cooks” Series Is Our Friday Link

All this week, a great series featuring some great cooks has been running over on one of my favorite places to learn about food, The Kitchn. They're calling it "Kitchen Habits of Good Cooks."

That link will take you to cookbook author and Chinese food guru, Grace Young. From there you can click through to the rest of the series from the bottom of each post.

Young suggested, "Use a Chinese soup spoon for tasting. I like a Chinese porcelain spoon because it allows me to taste hot food without scorching my lips."

She is so right. These spoons are cooler to start with and then cool the soup or sauce as you lift it from the pan. They also have a flatter surface that lets a couple of puffs of air from the cook chill it more.

(Why does blowing on soup cool it? Here's an answer from Indiana University.)

As you can see in the photo, I immediately made space on the salt and pepper tray that sits beside my cooktop for a supply of Chinese soup spoons. Mine fit perfectly in a stainless steel frothing cup.

The "Kitchen Habits of Good Cooks" series continues with a bit of philosophy from Jacques Pepin, small kitchen wisdom from Tom Hudgens, money saving habits from Beth Moncel, and today's entry from their own staff, 18 Daily Habits That Make Life in the Kitchen Better.

Be sure to scan down for the readers' comments on each post. This is a great food community and you'll find more tips and tricks from generous cooks.

Here's a link to more of our own "Tips & How To" posts.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2014 Penny Cherubino

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January 17, 2014
The Kitchn’s “Kitchen Habits of Good Cooks” Series Is Our Friday Link

All this week, a great series featuring some great cooks has been running over on one of my favorite places to learn about food, The Kitchn. They're calling it "Kitchen Habits of Good Cooks."

That link will take you to cookbook author and Chinese food guru, Grace Young. From there you can click through to the rest of the series from the bottom of each post.

Young suggested, "Use a Chinese soup spoon for tasting. I like a Chinese porcelain spoon because it allows me to taste hot food without scorching my lips."

She is so right. These spoons are cooler to start with and then cool the soup or sauce as you lift it from the pan. They also have a flatter surface that lets a couple of puffs of air from the cook chill it more.

(Why does blowing on soup cool it? Here's an answer from Indiana University.)

As you can see in the photo, I immediately made space on the salt and pepper tray that sits beside my cooktop for a supply of Chinese soup spoons. Mine fit perfectly in a stainless steel frothing cup.

The "Kitchen Habits of Good Cooks" series continues with a bit of philosophy from Jacques Pepin, small kitchen wisdom from Tom Hudgens, money saving habits from Beth Moncel, and today's entry from their own staff, 18 Daily Habits That Make Life in the Kitchen Better.

Be sure to scan down for the readers' comments on each post. This is a great food community and you'll find more tips and tricks from generous cooks.

Here's a link to more of our own "Tips & How To" posts.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2014 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

Vegetable Literacy Is Our Friday Link

15 Skills Every Cook Should Know – The Kitchn's Best of 2013

"Food Spot" Conversation Is Our Friday Link

January 17, 2014
Persimmons Perk up Winter

A regular supply of fuyu persimmons has been arriving in our Boston Organics orders, and we enjoy the bright color and flavor they bring to the winter fruit scene.

They look wonderful sitting on the kitchen counter or on a tray of cheese and nibbles while they ripen to our favorite degree of tenderness. While some people say you can eat this type of persimmon when it is crunchy like an apple, we prefer it to be a bit softer.

Prep Tip!

I found a trick to prepping them for our fruit tray. If you turn the flower side down (that green you see on top is the remains of the persimmon flower), you can cut the fruit into wedges and simply lift the pieces away from the flower and stem.

Here's a picture of an American Persimmon Flower from English Wikipedia. This is one fruit that keeps its flower to the very end.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a holiday gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino and English Wikipedia used under the license granted here.

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

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Persimmons

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December 30, 2013
Persimmons Perk up Winter

A regular supply of fuyu persimmons has been arriving in our Boston Organics orders, and we enjoy the bright color and flavor they bring to the winter fruit scene.

They look wonderful sitting on the kitchen counter or on a tray of cheese and nibbles while they ripen to our favorite degree of tenderness. While some people say you can eat this type of persimmon when it is crunchy like an apple, we prefer it to be a bit softer.

Prep Tip!

I found a trick to prepping them for our fruit tray. If you turn the flower side down (that green you see on top is the remains of the persimmon flower), you can cut the fruit into wedges and simply lift the pieces away from the flower and stem.

Here's a picture of an American Persimmon Flower from English Wikipedia. This is one fruit that keeps its flower to the very end.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a holiday gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino and English Wikipedia used under the license granted here.

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Related articles

Persimmons

Ingredient Spotlight: Persimmons

Vermont Shepherd Verano: Seasoned with Summer Grass

December 30, 2013
Persimmons Perk up Winter

A regular supply of fuyu persimmons has been arriving in our Boston Organics orders, and we enjoy the bright color and flavor they bring to the winter fruit scene.

They look wonderful sitting on the kitchen counter or on a tray of cheese and nibbles while they ripen to our favorite degree of tenderness. While some people say you can eat this type of persimmon when it is crunchy like an apple, we prefer it to be a bit softer.

Prep Tip!

I found a trick to prepping them for our fruit tray. If you turn the flower side down (that green you see on top is the remains of the persimmon flower), you can cut the fruit into wedges and simply lift the pieces away from the flower and stem.

Here's a picture of an American Persimmon Flower from English Wikipedia. This is one fruit that keeps its flower to the very end.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a holiday gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino and English Wikipedia used under the license granted here.

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Related articles

Persimmons

Ingredient Spotlight: Persimmons

Vermont Shepherd Verano: Seasoned with Summer Grass

December 30, 2013
7 Salty Winter Tips for Boston Dog Lovers – A Readers’ Favorite

While some aspects of winter – like playing in snow – can be fun, salt on Boston roads and sidewalks can be bad news for city dogs. It can lead to sore paws and more.

Poppy has been getting a lot of attention in her little red boots. (Or, "Ruby Slippers" as one woman on Newbury Street called them. We like that term and have adopted it.)

During the past couple of weeks, we've noticed a lot of readers finding a past post on dealing with salt on dog paws, so we're rerunning the information.

Here are 7 tips for dealing with winter when you have a dog!

Tip 1: Dog Boots

You're seeing photos from our little Poppy's first day wearing Pawz Water-Proof Dog Boots. She accepted them right away and gave them a good workout as she experienced her first measurable snowfall.

Tip 2: Snow Rinse

So far, Poppy is not showing any of the tenderfoot problems that bedeviled our Maggie Mae. But, we're not taking any chances. If you've ever had salt in a cut, you know how that stings. Now imagine walking on salt with paws that are raw and irritated.

If you are out on a walk and your dog starts favoring a paw, try to find some clean snow and use that to rinse the salt from the paws.

Tip 3: Be Alert for Infections and GI Upsets

Salt and other melting chemicals can cause paws to become raw and irritated. If you see your dog licking his paws after a walk, that's a warning sign. Not only can the paw become infected, but dogs, especially small dogs, also can develop an upset GI system from ingesting these chemicals.

Tip 4: Wash Those Paws!

When you return from a salty walk, you should wash and dry your dog's paws. We do it even with the boots because sometimes a dip in a deep puddle or romp in the snow will leave some salt residue. We give Poppy a dip in the sink. For bigger dogs, there are a variety of paw washers. You can also just use a bowl and dip and then dry each paw.

Tip 5: Off to the Vet, if …

There are signs when you should check in with your vet. This would be if a paw is bleeding, cracked, or ulcerated, and in the case of vomiting or diarrhea since these symptoms may not be related to the salt.

Tip 6: Avoid Metal on Sidewalks

Salt is also one of the culprits in the stray, electrical current that has killed at least four Boston dogs in past winters. Electrical problems can occur when salt applied to roads and sidewalks corrodes electrical equipment. Salty water can serve as a conductor allowing stray current to spread to metal grates, utility covers, and even to paving material and bare ground.

Tip 7: Use Salt Alternatives

For those concerned with the problems caused by salt, there are paw safe ice melt alternatives. Calcium magnesium acetate or mixtures with sand, sawdust, and kitty litter will work to keep your sidewalks safe. There are downsides with each of these in terms of expense or the mess they may track into your home, but these options are less damaging to plants, pets, and structural elements.

Boot scrapers near the entrance to your home or building are a great way to deal with the residue of sand, salt, and other de-icing materials that we track in with us in winter.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

Sunday Dog New Year's Resolutions for 2013

Bless you, carriage lane: long run Sunday

Beat the Winter Blues with Your Dog

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Sunday Dog, Lucas Has a Nose for Fashion!

December 22, 2013
7 Salty Winter Tips for Boston Dog Lovers – A Readers’ Favorite

While some aspects of winter – like playing in snow – can be fun, salt on Boston roads and sidewalks can be bad news for city dogs. It can lead to sore paws and more.

Poppy has been getting a lot of attention in her little red boots. (Or, "Ruby Slippers" as one woman on Newbury Street called them. We like that term and have adopted it.)

During the past couple of weeks, we've noticed a lot of readers finding a past post on dealing with salt on dog paws, so we're rerunning the information.

Here are 7 tips for dealing with winter when you have a dog!

Tip 1: Dog Boots

You're seeing photos from our little Poppy's first day wearing Pawz Water-Proof Dog Boots. She accepted them right away and gave them a good workout as she experienced her first measurable snowfall.

Tip 2: Snow Rinse

So far, Poppy is not showing any of the tenderfoot problems that bedeviled our Maggie Mae. But, we're not taking any chances. If you've ever had salt in a cut, you know how that stings. Now imagine walking on salt with paws that are raw and irritated.

If you are out on a walk and your dog starts favoring a paw, try to find some clean snow and use that to rinse the salt from the paws.

Tip 3: Be Alert for Infections and GI Upsets

Salt and other melting chemicals can cause paws to become raw and irritated. If you see your dog licking his paws after a walk, that's a warning sign. Not only can the paw become infected, but dogs, especially small dogs, also can develop an upset GI system from ingesting these chemicals.

Tip 4: Wash Those Paws!

When you return from a salty walk, you should wash and dry your dog's paws. We do it even with the boots because sometimes a dip in a deep puddle or romp in the snow will leave some salt residue. We give Poppy a dip in the sink. For bigger dogs, there are a variety of paw washers. You can also just use a bowl and dip and then dry each paw.

Tip 5: Off to the Vet, if …

There are signs when you should check in with your vet. This would be if a paw is bleeding, cracked, or ulcerated, and in the case of vomiting or diarrhea since these symptoms may not be related to the salt.

Tip 6: Avoid Metal on Sidewalks

Salt is also one of the culprits in the stray, electrical current that has killed at least four Boston dogs in past winters. Electrical problems can occur when salt applied to roads and sidewalks corrodes electrical equipment. Salty water can serve as a conductor allowing stray current to spread to metal grates, utility covers, and even to paving material and bare ground.

Tip 7: Use Salt Alternatives

For those concerned with the problems caused by salt, there are paw safe ice melt alternatives. Calcium magnesium acetate or mixtures with sand, sawdust, and kitty litter will work to keep your sidewalks safe. There are downsides with each of these in terms of expense or the mess they may track into your home, but these options are less damaging to plants, pets, and structural elements.

Boot scrapers near the entrance to your home or building are a great way to deal with the residue of sand, salt, and other de-icing materials that we track in with us in winter.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

Sunday Dog New Year's Resolutions for 2013

Bless you, carriage lane: long run Sunday

Beat the Winter Blues with Your Dog

"Life is a Toy" for Our Sunday Dogs and Cat

Sunday Dog, Lucas Has a Nose for Fashion!

December 22, 2013
7 Salty Winter Tips for Boston Dog Lovers – A Readers’ Favorite

While some aspects of winter – like playing in snow – can be fun, salt on Boston roads and sidewalks can be bad news for city dogs. It can lead to sore paws and more.

Poppy has been getting a lot of attention in her little red boots. (Or, "Ruby Slippers" as one woman on Newbury Street called them. We like that term and have adopted it.)

During the past couple of weeks, we've noticed a lot of readers finding a past post on dealing with salt on dog paws, so we're rerunning the information.

Here are 7 tips for dealing with winter when you have a dog!

Tip 1: Dog Boots

You're seeing photos from our little Poppy's first day wearing Pawz Water-Proof Dog Boots. She accepted them right away and gave them a good workout as she experienced her first measurable snowfall.

Tip 2: Snow Rinse

So far, Poppy is not showing any of the tenderfoot problems that bedeviled our Maggie Mae. But, we're not taking any chances. If you've ever had salt in a cut, you know how that stings. Now imagine walking on salt with paws that are raw and irritated.

If you are out on a walk and your dog starts favoring a paw, try to find some clean snow and use that to rinse the salt from the paws.

Tip 3: Be Alert for Infections and GI Upsets

Salt and other melting chemicals can cause paws to become raw and irritated. If you see your dog licking his paws after a walk, that's a warning sign. Not only can the paw become infected, but dogs, especially small dogs, also can develop an upset GI system from ingesting these chemicals.

Tip 4: Wash Those Paws!

When you return from a salty walk, you should wash and dry your dog's paws. We do it even with the boots because sometimes a dip in a deep puddle or romp in the snow will leave some salt residue. We give Poppy a dip in the sink. For bigger dogs, there are a variety of paw washers. You can also just use a bowl and dip and then dry each paw.

Tip 5: Off to the Vet, if …

There are signs when you should check in with your vet. This would be if a paw is bleeding, cracked, or ulcerated, and in the case of vomiting or diarrhea since these symptoms may not be related to the salt.

Tip 6: Avoid Metal on Sidewalks

Salt is also one of the culprits in the stray, electrical current that has killed at least four Boston dogs in past winters. Electrical problems can occur when salt applied to roads and sidewalks corrodes electrical equipment. Salty water can serve as a conductor allowing stray current to spread to metal grates, utility covers, and even to paving material and bare ground.

Tip 7: Use Salt Alternatives

For those concerned with the problems caused by salt, there are paw safe ice melt alternatives. Calcium magnesium acetate or mixtures with sand, sawdust, and kitty litter will work to keep your sidewalks safe. There are downsides with each of these in terms of expense or the mess they may track into your home, but these options are less damaging to plants, pets, and structural elements.

Boot scrapers near the entrance to your home or building are a great way to deal with the residue of sand, salt, and other de-icing materials that we track in with us in winter.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

Sunday Dog New Year's Resolutions for 2013

Bless you, carriage lane: long run Sunday

Beat the Winter Blues with Your Dog

"Life is a Toy" for Our Sunday Dogs and Cat

Sunday Dog, Lucas Has a Nose for Fashion!

December 22, 2013
Do You Use a Walking Stick in Boston When It’s Icy?

A neighbor saw me out with my walking stick last week and asked me about it. She's a smart woman and she wanted one.

I'm usually asked if I've been injured or had a fall. I wonder why it's cool to use a stick when hiking in the woods but not when walking on icy sidewalks or climbing over snowbanks?

No one would ask this woman if she's been injured. They just think that she has outfitted herself for the conditions she expects.

I don't use the stick because I've had an injury or because I'm unstable, but because I want to prevent falls by walking safely. I walk everywhere. It's my principal means of transportation and my main exercise. With icy sidewalks, unshoveled corners, and snow banks to navigate, I love the secure step that hiking sticks give me.

This post has been updated on 02/11/15 with the newest versions of this product.

My favorite stick for city walking is a Hammers Hiking Pole like the one shown in the photos here. I find this type of stick very useful. It can be opened to a full five feet, if that is what you need, and then telescoped down to 27.5 inches. That's small enough to stow in a suitcase, backpack, or shopping bag.

Mine came with tips for smooth ground, ice, snow, and even has a camera mount hidden under the knob at the top. Turning a walking stick into a monopod is useful when both hiking and photography are on the agenda. I've used it, successfully, with my compact Canon pocket camera and heavy Nikon D600. The current models may be a bit different but this has been a reliable company.

I've also thought about getting this Hammers Shooting Stick/Monopod since it would always have a rest for my camera open and ready to use.

Over the years, I've built a small collection of sticks.

One is an Irish Blackthorn Walking stick. This was always called a shillelagh in my family.

This was actually a very popular weapon in its day and its history is as a fighting stick. Here's is a link to a page with more on that aspect and the real history of these iconic staffs.

I also have a simple hickory hiking pole with a rawhide strap. The strap on a walking stick is not just there to keep you from dropping the pole. It is an integral part of the tool.

I've found a site that tells you about using walking sticks and how to use the strap to transfer the work of walking with a stick from your hand to your arm and shoulder .

Perhaps it's time to start our own fashion trend and make walking sticks the accessory to be seen using on Boston's icy streets.

Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: istockphoto and Hammer site
Here are links to my favorite and a couple others that are fun to have.

December 18, 2013
Do You Use a Walking Stick in Boston When It’s Icy?

A neighbor saw me out with my walking stick last week and asked me about it. She's a smart woman and she wanted one.

I'm usually asked if I've been injured or had a fall. I wonder why it's cool to use a stick when hiking in the woods but not when walking on icy sidewalks or climbing over snowbanks?

No one would ask this woman if she's been injured. They just think that she has outfitted herself for the conditions she expects.

I don't use the stick because I've had an injury or because I'm unstable, but because I want to prevent falls by walking safely. I walk everywhere. It's my principal means of transportation and my main exercise. With icy sidewalks, unshoveled corners, and snow banks to navigate, I love the secure step that hiking sticks give me.

This post has been updated on 02/11/15 with the newest versions of this product.

My favorite stick for city walking is a Hammers Hiking Pole like the one shown in the photos here. I find this type of stick very useful. It can be opened to a full five feet, if that is what you need, and then telescoped down to 27.5 inches. That's small enough to stow in a suitcase, backpack, or shopping bag.

Mine came with tips for smooth ground, ice, snow, and even has a camera mount hidden under the knob at the top. Turning a walking stick into a monopod is useful when both hiking and photography are on the agenda. I've used it, successfully, with my compact Canon pocket camera and heavy Nikon D600. The current models may be a bit different but this has been a reliable company.

I've also thought about getting this Hammers Shooting Stick/Monopod since it would always have a rest for my camera open and ready to use.

Over the years, I've built a small collection of sticks.

One is an Irish Blackthorn Walking stick. This was always called a shillelagh in my family.

This was actually a very popular weapon in its day and its history is as a fighting stick. Here's is a link to a page with more on that aspect and the real history of these iconic staffs.

I also have a simple hickory hiking pole with a rawhide strap. The strap on a walking stick is not just there to keep you from dropping the pole. It is an integral part of the tool.

I've found a site that tells you about using walking sticks and how to use the strap to transfer the work of walking with a stick from your hand to your arm and shoulder .

Perhaps it's time to start our own fashion trend and make walking sticks the accessory to be seen using on Boston's icy streets.

Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: istockphoto and Hammer site
Here are links to my favorite and a couple others that are fun to have.

December 18, 2013