Latest news with #brisket
NZ Herald
16-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Slow-cooking secrets: How to master flavourful meals with ease
First, a clarification. The terms 'slow cooker' and 'crockpot' are often used interchangeably. Technically, 'Crockpot' is a brand name for one of the original slow cookers invented in the 1970s. These days, however, most slow cookers share the same essential design: a removable ceramic or porcelain insert housed in a metal casing with a heating element. The principle is simple. Food cooks over several hours at a low, consistent temperature. Slow cookers are particularly suited to busy lives: throw in the ingredients in the morning, set the timer, and come home to a ready-made meal. The main slow-cooking methods Slow cooker The electric slow cooker is the most hands-off method. It excels with soups, stews, curries and pulled meats. Some models allow you to sear directly in the cooking insert, although basic ones require any browning to be done beforehand on the stove. Advantages: Extremely convenient – can be left unattended. Energy efficient compared to oven cooking – ideal for batch cooking and freezing leftovers. Disadvantages: Can produce watery sauces if not adjusted for condensation. Less caramelisation and depth compared to oven methods. Try: Vanya Insull's oven-baked five spice pork belly Crockpot (branded slow cooker) While fundamentally the same as other slow cookers, Crockpot models often come with more advanced settings such as programmable timers or multi-cooking functions, like sauté and steam options. Advantages: Versatile models can replace multiple appliances. Programmable features provide more control. Disadvantages: More expensive than basic slow cookers. Learning curve with additional features. Cast iron casserole in the oven This is Vanya's go-to for building deep, concentrated flavour. Heavy cast iron dishes distribute heat evenly, allowing food to braise gently. Sauces thicken naturally through evaporation. Advantages: Advertisement Advertise with NZME. Superior flavour development through reduction. Excellent for rich, hearty dishes like ragù or brisket. Disadvantages: Higher energy use over long periods. Requires a little more monitoring than an electric slow cooker. Stovetop simmering An older but still valuable method. Here, a pot simmers very gently on the hob for several hours. It allows for easy adjustments throughout the cooking process. Advantages: Flexible – easy to taste and tweak seasoning. Can be faster than other slow-cooking methods if needed. Disadvantages: Needs occasional attention to avoid sticking or burning. Harder to maintain an even, low temperature without careful management. Tips and tricks for slow-cooking success With a little knowledge, slow cooking can become one of the most effortless ways to cook. Here are a few expert strategies to get the most out of every method. Advertisement Advertise with NZME. Use the right cut Tougher cuts of meat such as brisket, chuck, lamb shoulder or pork collar are ideal. Their connective tissue breaks down over time, becoming meltingly tender and full of flavour. Do not overfill Slow cookers work best when filled halfway to two-thirds full. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking and less reduction of sauces. Build layers of flavour Although Vanya recommends trying easy 'set and forget' recipes first, searing meat and sautéing aromatics beforehand can dramatically boost the final result. Advertise with NZME. Be careful with liquid Slow cookers do not allow for much evaporation. Reduce the amount of broth or water in a slow cooker recipe compared to an oven or stovetop version. If a dish looks too wet towards the end of cooking, remove the lid and cook on high for the last 30 minutes. Use herbs wisely Fresh herbs tend to lose their vibrancy during long cooking. Add hardy herbs like rosemary and thyme at the beginning but reserve delicate ones like parsley and basil for garnish. Finish with texture and acidity A squeeze of lemon, splash of vinegar or scattering of crunchy toppings can lift a rich, slow-cooked dish beautifully. Batch cook and freeze Vanya points out that slow cookers are ideal for large batches. Meals like pulled pork, Mexican beef or Asian-style braises can be divided into portions and frozen, ready for fast midweek dinners. 'Then you can portion up leftovers and pop them in the freezer for another easy meal with baked potatoes, pasta, rice, tacos etc,' she says. Slow and steady wins the race For Vanya, the magic of slow cooking lies in its flexibility. 'Try some easy recipes where you can just put everything into the slow cooker at once, set and forget,' she advises. Beginners need not worry about mastering elaborate techniques straight away. Once the basics are mastered, slow cooking offers endless possibilities – a way to coax out incredible flavours with minimal stress, letting time do most of the work. Whether you opt for a sleek new multi-cooker or a sturdy old casserole dish, the slow road is often the most rewarding one to dinner.
CBS News
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
What's new at Citizens Bank Park this season ahead of Philadelphia Phillies' home opener
The start of the Major League Baseball season means a new lineup of tasty eats and treats, technology upgrades, fanwear and much more at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park. With the Fightins just days away from their home opener against the Colorado Rockies , the Phillies and Aramark Sports & Entertainment revealed what new amenities fans can expect to see this season at the ballpark. The stadium's enhancements begin with state-of-the-art technology aimed at elevating the fan and visitor experience at Citizens Bank Park. Like, the stadium's new LED rings, which span over 3,100 feet and wrap around the ballpark's suite level. The LED rings will display ball-strike counts, scoring decisions, stats and more. Home run celebrations also just got a little brighter with the Xfinity Home Run Takeover, a light show that pops up every time a Phillie homers. The custom light show will illuminate the ballpark from foul pole to foul pole with a supersized Xfinity logo in the center that will pulse with color during every celebration. Plus, fans will appreciate the upgrades to the ballpark's sound system and field-level signage. As for mouth-watering additions , the newly-revealed chef creations include: Bull's BBQ House Chips and Dip (Left Field Plaza), Pass and Stow Cobb Salad (adjacent to the Third Base Gate), Crispy Chicken Sandwich (Pass and Stow), Kosher Grill's pulled brisket sandwich (behind Section 124), Kyle's Cutlets (Coca-Cola Corner) – where a portion of the proceeds acquired from every sandwich sold will go to Schwarber's Neighborhood Heroes, PJ Whelihan's Onion Rings (Ashburn Alley) and Uncle Charlie's Express (behind Section 319) – named after World Series champion manager Charlie Manuel. Fans looking for something to quench their thirst can get a 16/24-ounce Beverage Bat filled with beer, a cocktail, frozen drink or non-alcoholic refreshment. Visitors can also score a memento when they purchase the Cotton Candy Mask, a foam mask showcasing the Phanatic, the Fastball Souvenir Cup, designed to hold frozen cocktails and beverages, or the On-field Ice Cream Caps. This season, the ballpark will also offer Four Walls Irish Coffee Tiramisu (CP Rankin Club), Red Velvet Affogato (The Yard behind Section 102), and S'mores Quesadilla (Coca-Cola Corner). Citizens Bank Park visitors can also support and try out Philly-favorite brands like Jason and Travis Kelce's Garage Beer, Rob McElhenney's Wrexham Lager and Zomoz mescal, which Phillies legend Ryan Howard invests in, and Philly's Best Steak, which is headquartered and made in the Greater Philadelphia area, at the ballpark. Other partner offerings include Alc-A-Chino Spiked Coffee and Schär Gluten-Free Dedicated Stand. A retro Phanatic onesie for adults? Say less. Citizens Bank Park will have exclusive fan gear available only at their New Era Phillies Team Store. Some of the new additions include: the retro Phanatic onesie, suit jacket, fuzzy sandals, gold chain necklace, along with plush toys, piggy banks, neon signs, bobbleheads, headgear and more. Golfers can also sport their Phillies fandom with ballpark-exclusive designs from brands like Peter Millar, Johnnie-O and more. Plus, custom baseball bats made by Bruce "The Bat King" Tatem. Phillies fans can also enjoy plenty of fun photo ops inside the ballpark, like at the "City of Brotherly Love" mural, created by Lindsay Archer. For the second year in a row, the Phillies and SEI commissioned a mural by a local artist, with this year's theme being "Connecting Communities." Archer's homage to Philadelphia will be on display above Ashburn Alley on the CP Rankin Roof. Another perk for this season — fans can get to the ballpark earlier for games. The Third Base Gate and Left Field Gate will open two hours before each game, Monday through Friday, and two and a half hours early Saturday and Sunday. Visitors will be able to access the main concourse from the Pass and Stow and the New Era Phillies Team Store to the Yard.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Yahoo
Suburban restaurant owner threatens to close after fight with mayor
PARK FOREST, Ill. — The owner of a popular barbecue joint said he may close his Park Forest location, after allegedly suffering injuries in a fight with the suburb's mayor. Antiwone Hardy is the owner of All-Out Smoke Pit, a Park Forest barbecue restaurant known for its ribs, brisket and more. He's built a loyal following but now says he's weighing whether to close. 'We don't know if we want to stay or leave,' he said. 'I feel uncomfortable with the village. We feel very uncomfortable being here.' That feeling followed a fight with Mayor Joe Woods last August. Hardy claims what sparked the brawl was the mayor calling Hardy's teenage daughter an expletive, after she allegedly refused to shake the mayor's hand. During an interview with police, Woods denied the allegation. The mayor also declined WGN's interview requests. But according to reports and video, obtained by WGN Investigates, from the Cook County Sheriff's office, the mayor said Hardy's wife, upset over the alleged comment about her daughter, 'pushed him and hit him with her body.' The altercation occurred outside the All-Out Smoke Pit. And at some point, the mayor said Hardy came outside holding a 'machete.' 'I was in shock, at that point,' Woods told police. 'I'm like, are you trying to cut me?' Hardy told police he put the knife down and didn't use it against Woods. But that didn't defuse the situation. 'He shoved me into the truck and came behind the shove and put his weight on me,' Hardy told police. WGN Investigates: Investigating public corruption, crime & fraud During the fight, Hardy said he damaged three lower teeth, which later had to be extracted. He asked the village to cover his medical costs. There's no word on whether that will happen, or if Hardy will follow through on his threat to close his restaurant. At a recent board meeting, Woods said in a public statement that he didn't want the restaurant to leave. 'If Park Forest loses a business – that's not good,' he said. 'But good things are also happening [in the village].' Cook County Sheriff's Police recently closed their investigation into the fight, after both Hardy and Woods agreed not to file criminal complaints. News of the altercation was first reported in the South Suburban News. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
