Some Cooking Terms To Know

When you are following a recipe there are always terms that used that you may not know.

I am going to give you some terms so you know what you need to do.

This list pretty much is for combining the ingredients.

Beat: For using a spoon, whisk, or electric mixer. You make the mixture smooth by using a vigorous over and under motion.

Blend: Thoroughly combining the ingredients until everything is smooth and uniform. Stir not as hard as with beating.

Fold: Use a rubber or silicone spatula for this. It is a two-fold motion. First you cut down through the mixture and underneath and fold the whole thing over on itself. Turn the bowl a 1/4 of a turn for every fold.
It is meant to be done slow and deliberate.
Because when folding in too fast, whatever you are folding in could break down.
A good example of this is beaten egg whites.

Mix: Just combine it up to distribute all the ingredients.

Stir: Mix ingredients with a circular or figure eight motion til everything is uniform.

Toss: With a spoon or fork or your hands just toss the ingredients together.
Just kinda fluff them. Don't stir.

Fresh Salsa

It is that time of year for many of us. Time to start thinking about making that first batch of fresh salsa.
There is nothing to it.

Ingredients:
2 medium size ripe tomatoes
1 small white onion- You will need about 1/4 cup.
3-5 Serrano peppers- You can substitute jalapenos to get the same heat.
1 large clove garlic
A dozen or so sprigs of fresh cilantro
1-1/2 teaspoon lime juice
3/4 teaspoon salt

To prepare the onion, chop finely and put in a strainer and rinse under cold water.
Chop all the vegetables as finely as you can get them. Scoop into a bowl and add the lime juice and salt.
Stir and let meld for a few minutes before eating.

Caramel Corn

Caramel corn is a great sweet treat.
This is an old family recipe. It makes a lot.

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees F.

Ingredients:
7-1/2 quarts popped corn- If you use an air popper 2-3 batches will give you the amount you need.
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup butter
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

In a large pan or dutch oven combine the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt. Bring to a boil, and let it continue to boil for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the baking soda quickly.
Pour the brown sugar mixture over the popcorn and mix well.
Divide the popcorn among 3-4 large baking pans. Put in the oven and stir every 15 minutes. After an hour take it out of the oven and let it cool.

Super Easy Guacamole!

This is so simple.

Ingredients:
Salsa- up to 1/4 cup, any heat
2 ripe avocados
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt (optional)

Peel and mash the avocados with a fork.Add the lemon juice. A teaspoon at a time, add the salsa. Only add til you get the consistency how you like. Taste and add salt if needed.

Put a piece of plastic wrap right on top of the guacamole and let the flavors meld. Covering it is a must or the avocados will turn a brownish color.
Now grab some chips and dig in.

The Best Brownies Ever!

These brownies have everything you'd ever want in a pan of brownies.They are chocolaty, moist, and a mix of cake like and fudgy.

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.
Grease a 9-inch square pan.


Ingredients:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 Tablespoons water
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter or margarine
1- 12 ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup chopped pecans- optional

Combine sugar, butter, and water in a sauce pan. Bring it to a boil and remove from heat. You can also use a microwave to bring it to a boil. It will take about 2 minutes on high if you choose that method.
Put half the chocolate chips in a bowl with the vanilla extract. Pour the hot sugar/butter/water mixture over the chips and vanilla. Stir until smooth.
Let that mixture cool. While you are waiting: mix the flour and baking soda in a small bowl.
After the mixture has cooled, add your eggs one at a time. Beat well after each one.
Add the flour mixture and stir until smooth.
Now, you add the remaining chocolate chips and the nuts, if you are using them.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Put into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when you stick it in the middle.

These will come out of the pan best if you cool completely before cutting.
If you cannot wait til the batter is cooled before adding the eggs and rest of the ingredients, they will still taste good. But the chocolate chips may melt into the rest of the batter.

I hope you enjoy these brownies as much as my family and I do.