Category Archives: Food and cooking

Better than Store-Bought English Muffins for the Home Cook

This recipe makes the things that are called English muffins in the U.S. and would probably be called muffins in England. The sweet things that Americans call muffins would be called American or sweet muffins in England. . . . … Continue reading

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Simplify your Kitchen Make Your Own Brown Sugar

. I tend not to buy brown sugar for most cooking. I find that it gets hard in the box and is difficult to mix with other ingredients or to sift. I also suspect that brown sugar has gotten less … Continue reading

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How to Make a Flaky Crust

I think butter with a small amount of lard provided the best taste and makes the best-textured pie crust. I am not a fan of the lard that comes in a box, so I tend to render my own. I … Continue reading

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Chocolate Chip Cookies – Make Them the Way You Like Them

The basic formula for making chocolate chip cookies is the same as the one that is printed on a common brand of chips.  When baking, the quantities of flour, liquid, fats and leavening are all interrelated. My preferences are a little … Continue reading

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Southwestern Black Bean Salad – An Outstanding Addition To A Summer Meal

If possible, avoid using canned beans as a replacement. The texture will not be the same. Black Bean Salad 1 lb. Dried black beans 2 or 3 Limes including the zest from 1 ¼ Cup Extra virgin olive oil ½ … Continue reading

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Better than Store Bought Canadian Bacon – Smoke it Yourself

This recipe makes a product that is much different from what you would find at a deli counter or wrapped in plastic at your local market. Most Canadian bacon is just brined, while this is also smoked. I like the … Continue reading

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Easy Kosher Style Dill Pickles – No Vinegar

People think the sourness in pickles comes from vinegar, but real kosher dills get their acidity from a slow fermentation using salt. Most of the “fake” dill pickles you see in stores are heated with vinegar and then packed with … Continue reading

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Understanding New York Deli-Style Rye Bread

Deli Rye Bread . This makes a bread similar to what you would get from a Jewish bakery in New York, or some similar location. The difficult thing is finding the 2 types of flour that are used. Most rye … Continue reading

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Salt – All Types Are Not Created Equal

I tend to use less salt than most people in all my food. This is not because of any dietary restrictions, but I simply prefer less salt. This recipe is according to my taste; you should make things the way … Continue reading

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