The Best $17 I've Ever Spent on Cookware
You would think, as a cookbook co-author, I'd cook more. Nearly every book I've worked on includes a list of 'essential' kitchen gear. My kitchen shelves groan and drawers bulge with these items; I imagine them glaring at me in silent opprobrium. Because the thing is, they are rarely essential. Once I'm done testing the recipes for a project, I return to ordering takeout.
At least I used to. Then, last year, while working on a book called 'Dad, What's For Dinner' with San Francisco chef David Nayfeld, I found a piece of kitchen equipment that has actually changed the way I cook. Which is to say: Now I cook, and not just for work. It's a rimmed quarter sheet pan with a wire rack, and it sells for $17.
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Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
I Asked 4 Chefs for Their Best Tip to Make Frozen Fries Taste Restaurant-Worthy, and They All Said the Same Thing
There's a reason why In-N-Out restaurants boast about slicing fresh potatoes into fries in each store. Frozen french fries tend to have a negative reputation, but if you ask many chefs, including Chef David Nayfield of Che Fico, "frozen fries can taste every bit as good as the ones you'd get at a restaurant, with far less hassle.' Still, Nayfield adds an asterisk: Frozen fries done right can taste like the ones from our favorite fast food restaurants. To help us differentiate spud from dud, we called a handful of our favorite potato-savvy chefs to learn about the biggest mistakes to avoid—and to get the dish about the best way to cook frozen french fries. George Duran, a celebrity chef in New York City Kelly Jaggers, the Dallas, Texas-based author of 'The Everything® Restaurant Copycat Recipes Cookbook' Brian Mooney, owner and executive chef of Tre Luna Bar & Kitchen, Tre Luna Catering, Tre Luna & Grocery in Hoover, Alabama David Nayfeld, chef/owner of Che Fico, Che Fico Parco Menlo, and Che Fico Pizzeria in San Francisco, and the author of the upcoming book, 'Dad, What's for Dinner?' Regardless of whether you're whipping up waffle fries or crinkle-cut, shoestring or steak fries, it's important to steer clear of some common roadblocks. 'I've seen quite a few fry crimes in my day,' admits George Duran. 'The biggest one? Overcrowding the tray or basket. Fries need room to breathe!' Trying to cram too many fries in too little space steams them instead of allowing them to crisp, adds Brian Mooney. It's also vital to preheat your appliance, as starting fries cold will lead to uneven cooking or sogginess, says Nayfield. '400 degrees F (200 degrees C) is the sweet spot for crispy, golden fries,' he notes. Lastly, it's important to keep them moving, because 'fries need to be rotated often to ensure even browning and even crisping,' explains Kelly Jaggers. The best fries have crispy exteriors that give way to soft, fluffy interiors. The absolute best way to cook frozen fries to get these results? All four chefs agree: the air fryer. 'Hands down, the air fryer is your best friend when it comes time to cook frozen fries. It's like putting fries on the fast track to crispy heaven,' Duran confirms. Plus, compared to utilizing a sheet pan in the oven, 'you trim down on preheating and cooking time.' And unlike deep-frying again, you don't have to fuss with all that hot (and potentially dangerous) oil. 'Frozen fries are par-fried in oil, quick-frozen, and bagged up to be finished in your home kitchen,' Jaggers explains. 'The air fryer causes the residual oil on the fries to get sizzling hot, eliminating the need for extra oil that you would need to filter and store or properly discard.' Three words summarize what the air fryer delivers, according to Duran: speed, crunch, and no mess. The countertop appliance is 'like a super convection oven that circulates hot air like a potato tornado,' Duran says. 'No greasy pans to scrub or oil splatters to dodge. Just crispy fries and good vibes!' Here's how the chefs suggest we make air fryer frozen french fries: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). It should run for at least three minutes before you add the fries, Duran recommends. Space out the frozen fries in a single layer on the tray, pan, or basket, being careful not to overcrowd. Air fry for seven minutes, then shake the basket or use tongs to flip the fries. Air fry for five to eight minutes more, depending on the thickness of the fries, until they are golden and crisp. 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For a quick seasoning blend, why not try Jaggers' go-to, which is enough to season 2 pounds of fries: 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Mix it well and sprinkle as desired, alongside your salt. Or follow the lead of our Air Fryer Cheesy Bacon Ranch French Fries and hit the 'easy button' with dry ranch salad dressing mix. "Whatever you do, season them in a bowl while they're piping hot," Duran suggests. "It's what we pros do!' Swap in a sheet pan. If you don't own an air fryer, you still have options. Since frozen fries have already been fried once, it means they're already packed with oil. "If you add them to a nonstick pan, you're releasing more of that oil, allowing it to self-fry,' Duran explains. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) with a nonstick sheet pan inside. Once the oven comes up to temperature, carefully top the pan with parchment paper and evenly distribute the fries. Bake for about 18 to 22 minutes, flipping halfway through. Keep an eye on the fries and remove them from the oven once they're golden brown, crispy, and warmed through. Read the original article on ALLRECIPES
Yahoo
3 days ago
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Show Dad He's a Blessing to the Family With These Father's Day Bible Verses
The bond between a father and his children is a special one. Not only does he help them with quintessential milestones like learning to ride a bike, throw a ball, and catch a fish—but he also has an abundance of strength and wisdom that benefits the family. That's why when Father's Day rolls around, it's so easy to see why we celebrate him! (Just look at all Ladd Drummond's sweetest moments and Mauricio's adorable times as a new dad.) But when honoring Dad on his big day, it's not always easy to find the right words. If you really want to show pops just how much he means to you, DIY Father's Day cards filled with heartfelt Father's Day messages are the way to go! You can make him feel especially special when you break out the Bible and add a few lines of scripture. After all, fathers are a central theme of His word. From verses about God the Father to passages about your own dad and his role in teaching children the ways of the Lord, you're sure to find meaningful Father's Day quotes to share on June 15. These Father's Day Bible verses are about everything from fatherhood and being a godly husband to familial love. Find girl dad quotes, father-son quotes, as well as Father's Day messages for husbands. Take a look to find the perfect words to show Dad how much of a blessing he is to your family. Proverbs 22:6: "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Ephesians 6:4: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Proverbs 20:7: "The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him." Deuteronomy 6:6-9: "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Proverbs 17:6: "Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers." Proverbs 23:24: "The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him." Psalm 103:13: "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." 2 Samuel 7:14-15: "I will be a father to him, and he'll be a son to me. When he does wrong, I'll discipline him in the usual ways, the pitfalls and obstacles of this mortal life. But I'll never remove my gracious love from him." Luke 15:20: "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." 2 Corinthians 6:18: "And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." Luke 15:31: "Then his father said, 'Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.'" Psalm 127:3-5: "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them." Deuteronomy 1:31: "The Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son." Proverbs 1:8: "Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching." Ephesians 5:25-29: "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church." Matthew 19:4-6: "Haven't you read that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." Ecclesiastes 4:9: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up." 1 Thessalonians 5:11: "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." Ecclesiastes 9:9: "Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun." Mark 10:9: "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." Psalm 133:1: "Look at how good and pleasing it is when families live together as one." 1 Peter 3:7: "In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together." 1 Corinthians 7:14: "For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." Proverbs 30:18-19: "There are three things that amaze me—no, four things that I don't understand: how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman." 1 Peter 4:8: "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." Malachi 4:6: "He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers." Song of Solomon 3:4: "I have found the one whom my soul loves." Romans 12:10: "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Corinthians 13:13: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." Joshua 24:15: "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Acts 10:2: "He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly." Proverbs 3:11-12: "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." 3 John 1:4: "It is the greatest joy of my life to hear that my children are consistently living their lives in the ways of truth." Proverbs 14:26: "Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge" 1 Timothy 5:8: "But if someone doesn't provide for their own family, and especially for a member of their household, they have denied the faith. They are worse than those who have no faith." Proverbs 4:1-2: "Hear, children, fatherly instruction; pay attention to gain understanding. I'll teach you well. Don't abandon my instruction." Proverbs 4:11-12: "I will guide you in the way of wisdom and I will lead you in upright paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered, and when you run, you will not stumble." Genesis 18:19: "I have formed a relationship with him so that he will instruct his children and his household after him. And they will keep to the Lord's path, being mortal and just so that the Lord can do for Abraham everything he said he would." 1 Corinthians 16:13: "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." You Might Also Like 15 Best Denim Jacket Outfit Ideas to Pull from Your Closet 10 Best Shampoos for Red Hair Like Ree Drummond's
Buzz Feed
4 days ago
- Buzz Feed
35 Last-Minute Father's Day Gift Ideas
An inflatable beach pillow designed not to blow away *and* with a slot to insert a cooling gel pack. If your dad grumbles about family days at the beach, this gift is sure to help him sleep the day away in comfort. A camping hammock so you can let your dad know how much you appreciate ~hanging~ out with him. Even if he is more of an inside cat, he's gonna be shocked how comfortable he can be in the great outdoors thanks to this! A stuffed waffle maker — this applause-worthy appliance is designed with a deep, bowl-like griddle that allows users to cook the batter with fillings (we're talking chocolate, fruit, cheese, works). Upgrade his morning routine from frozen waffles to a homemade meal, sure to look straight off a "best of" brunch menu. A sporty T-shirt perfect for dads who have been rooting their kids on from the bleachers since day one. "Just go out there and have fun!" was practically his personal that might have been because of how scared you got when the ball came within your proximity. Or a city shirt with roads, shops, and stops that'll give dads of young kiddos the most useful gift of all — a nap. No joke! Playing "back street" with this shirt'll entertain your kids easily and keep them happy because Dad's within arm's reach. Genius. A wave surf shaper to turn rocky, uneven lake waves made by your boat into smooth, curved, and *perfect* ocean-like waves that are primo for your dad's favorite pastime: surfin'. A heated eye massager so your dad's overstrained eyes get a moment's rest. If he suffers from migraines, this mighty machine might make a big difference! Plus, he can easily stream his favorite tunes through the Bluetooth speaker. Sweet. An officially licensed Jeep tire tread ring (with *free* custom engraving!!) for dads who juuust might love their car as much as they love their kid. After years of getting ties he never wore, he'll be just as shocked as you are that a piece of jewelry is his new favorite gift! A Waterpik because, despite your good influence, your dad still treats dental floss with disdain. This Waterpik is fun *and* functional. Get ready to hear your dad brag all about his *great* gums after you gift him this. A clip-on polarized sun visor that'll be loved by fathers who are always squinting into the sun on their work commute. Clip the extender onto their existing sun visor and they're gonna get polarized glare-reduction all the live-long day. A linen kitchen apron so the Iron Chef in your family can dress to impress! Your Papa deserves a wardrobe worthy of his homemade baguettes. A tall table-cooler combo for keeping all the drinks and snacks your pops could possibly want by the fire pit, rather than risk making him go back into the house to grab a beer. Because once he's sitting, he's there for the night! A beginner's telescope to give fathers who are absolutely dazzled by the night sky. Here's to finding ways we can continue getting a liiittle bit closer! A 44-piece drawer organizer so your dad can show off his *very* impressive tool collection to anyone who dares go into his workspace. Here's hoping you have time on your hands, because you're about to learn about every nut, bolt, screw, and washer he owns. A can of fire extinguishing spray that'll save Father's Day when your pop's jokes are so FIRE he sets the curtains ablaze. A ball cap organizer so he can keep his beloved baseball caps on display. A seat filler because you've heard your dad shout in frustration over dropped keys, glasses, and the like while driving. Give him something that'll save future fast food from certain doom. A smart keypad your dad's sure to because his most special skill is *always* forgetting his house keys. An inflatable kayak you can get your father if you know he ~blows up~ when he hasn't had enough time out on the lake and would appreciate a new excuse to go out there. A baby carrier for new dads who want their kiddo wrapped around them as tightly as their newborn has them wrapped around their little finger. A leather padfolio case that'll keep him organized on the go. A cool gel memory foam pillow because your dad sometimes says you're a pain in his neck, and this can help solve that problem... without you having to stop all your hilarious practical jokes. The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, a drool-worthy cookbook for your favorite Disney adult. Being able to snack on Dole Whip from the comfort of his kitchen? That's magic. A pair of Bose QuietComfort Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with three levels of noise cancellation, a mic and speaker perfect for calls, luscious deep bass, and up to 24 hours of music on a single charge so your dad can listen to Abba on a loop without having to ask, "Does your mother know?" A motion-activated toilet bowl light for anyone who wants to get their dad a light-hearted gift that's sure to make him laugh. A 10-motor massage mat with two heating pads and vibration settings, so your tired pa can turn his favorite seat into the massage chair his aching back wants and needs. A UV cell sanitizer that'll give your dad a way to clean up his phone after all the times he's told you to clean up your language when you text him. An aluminum wallet with RFID-blocking technology to keep identity thieves from snagging your dad's info (i.e. your college fund money) on the street. An LED flat plate to help your bookworm of a father read far into the night without disturbing the morning person snoozin' beside him. A salt shooter so your dad can enjoy his summer by spending his free time hunting the world's most dangerous pesky housefly. A fly fishing rod and reel combo pack that'll have your dad's heart (and lures) soaring. A puzzle table with a large surface, six drawers, *and* a rotating cover for patient puzzlers who need a safe space for their million-piece projects. Reviewers say this is light enough to easily move out of the way and that the drawers are removable as well, which sounds spiffy! A fried chicken keychain that'll delight dads who aren't too ~chicken~ to show off their love of fried foods on the daily. This'll guarantee your dad never loses his keys again. It's surprisingly easy to find a piece of random fried chicken lying around. Horizontal Parenting, a laugh-out-loud funny (and surprisingly clever!) book for parents who would happily do ANYTHING if they could lie down for just a minute. A digital photo frame — get your dad a frame, connect him to the app, and you and your family can all share photos no matter how far apart you all live nowadays.
