Question: What is the best way to prepare a delightful Valentine's Day feast that includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert for the whole family?

Introduction: Operation Epic Valentine's Day 2015. <PIC> The plan: have an entire day centered around cooking for my wife and kids with out them knowing what will be coming next. In the past I have taken my wife out for Valentine's day, but now after having kids and living on a budget the amount of money for a babysitter and the cost of dinner at a crowed high-end restaurant does not seem that appealing to either of us. That being said my wife and I have a tradition now that we stay in on Valentine's day and I cook her favorite meals (also mine). This year I will go above and beyond and attempt to do all three meals plus an amazing dessert! Here I go!So in actuality which I will go into later, I had a plan as seen in the first image and as you see in the second image what really happened.  All in all the food was great but the family was all sick :(  I will show recipes for all, or link to others I or my wife have written!  Step 1: Breakfast. <PIC> Recently on the Instructables website I cam across a few pancake recipes called "German Pancakes" or "Oven Pancakes." I have made thesea few times making changes each time trying to perfect the recipe for my family. This attempt was a big hit with the whole family. I do not really care for syrup so I will show my own topping. Ingredients:• 6 eggs• 1 cup of flour or pancake mix• 1/2 cup of milk• 1/2 cup of vanilla yogurt• 1 table spoons of sugar• 4 table spoons of butter or coconut oil may be usedTopping:• 1 package of raspberries, strawberries or blackberries (save a few for additional topping)• 1 banana• 1 cup of water• 3-4 table spoons of white sugarCooking:Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take a glass baking dish or in my case two glass pie dishes and add your butter (about 1 table spoon in each dish), place the dishes into the oven to melt. In a medium bowl scramble up the eggs, add in the milk, yogurt and sugar. Mix well, next gently mix in the flour or pancake mix and stir until evenly mixed. Take out the dishes and add your mixture to the melted butter. Place back in the oven and cook till the tops start to turn a golden color. Remove when done and set aside to cool.For the topping take a medium pan add in your berry fruit (washed), water and sugar. Cook on medium to high heat till it comes to a boil stirring frequently. Once it is at a boil the fruit will start to break down.  I rapidly mixed with a fork breaking down the strawberries further to a jam like consistency and removed from heat and set aside.  Next add the berry jam and pour it over the pancake in the baking dish.  The juices will seep into the top layer of the cake, yum.  Next for decorative purposes I added a few more strawberry and banana slices covering the pancake. Serving:Cut the pancakes out of the dish and place on a plate and get ready to enjoy the first meal, Yum!  Step 2: Lunch. <PIC> Ok, no one really ever raves too much about lunch so I really had to dig deep on this one. I came up with fish Taco's, they are light yet very filling. For a link to my entire instructable on fishing click here.Ingredients:1. Your favorite fish cooked the way you like grilled, baked or fried (your favorite white fish will work), I used flounder)2. Black beans (drained)3. Shredded Lettuce4. Diced Tomatoes5. Onions (optional)6. Shredded cheese7. TortillasFish Taco Sauce:1. Mayonnaise2. Plain white yogurt (Greek if you like)3. Lemon Juice4. Cumin5. Dill6. Cayenne Pepper7. Tony Chachere Creole seasoningFor the all-important Fish Taco Sauce, start off by placing even parts (one for one) yogurt and Mayonnaise in a bowl. I usually do about ½ -1 cup of each depending on the number of people I plan to feed . Next, add about a teaspoon of Cumin, a teaspoon of Dill, a ¼ teaspoon of Cayenne and ¼ Tony’s. Add more cayenne if you like yours spicy! Last, but not least, the lemon juice. I add about 1-2 lemons worth of juice hand squeezed. (The leftover rind is good to cook with on the grill/oven to add more flavor to the fish) I do make this sauce to taste, so taste as you go and make it your own!For the tacos, build them up as you like. I take the beans first and put them on the tortilla then take your cooked fish and place it on top of the beans. Next add your veggies: the lettuce, tomatoes, onions and place over the fish. Then the most important ingredient, the Fish Taco Sauce! Lay it on thick or thin. This is the sauce of sauces for any white fish. Next top with cheese, wrap it up and Enjoy! Step 3: Dinner. <PIC> Ok, so on to the the main meal. I kid you not, the most desired meal in my house is some good old fashioned country food. My wife's and my favorite meal is specially prepared venison steaks, homemade mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. It is so simple but so amazing. My venison recipe amazes everyone who tries it and they are often in disbelief that venison could be so tender and delicious. Also my mashed potatoes are a real treat! so here we go!This recipe will work with other wild game meats, my favorites that I like to use are Deer, Duck and Rabbit.• Vienison ~ 2 lb• Olive oil• Tony Cahceres• Seasoned salt• Italian seasoning• Black PepperVenison, unlike beef or pork, has little to no fat content and because of this it must be prepared differently in order to keep it tender. For tips on processing, check out my instructable on proper processing a deer (link coming soon). You can use any cut of venison meat and make it tender without having an over powering game taste. The secret is in the preparation. Remove all sinew, fat and slimy membrane from the meat. This can be done easily with a fillet knife. To help tenderize and "add fat," the secret is olive oil and a fork. Every venison recipe I have created uses this heart healthy oil. Olive oil helps to prevent the meat from burning while providing a medium for seasoning (Tony's, black pepper and seasoned salt). The fork tenderizes and infuses the meat with oil and seasoning. Take a glass bowl, add the cut up venison, add the olive oil and seasonings, and then gently take the fork and poke/pierce the meat evenly. Let it set for a few minutes or up to a day in the fridge. Now the meat is ready to be cooked.My country mashed potatoes:Cut the potatoes (3 per person, I used 6) into small cubes, place in a medium pot cover with water and boil till potatoes are soft and be easily crushed with a fork. Remove from heat and drain. Once drained add in butter (1/2 stick) and mix around till fully melted. Next add the sour cream (3/4 cup) and mash/mix the potatoes until an even consistency(if the potatoes seem dry you can add in a bit of milk). Lastly add in your spices, I use season salt and black pepper.Steamed BroccoliCut up the broccoli (3 heads) and place in steamer and cook till tender. I also add just a dash of season salt to the broccoli. Step 4: Dessert!. <PIC> My amazing strawberry brownie cake will be the treat to top off the night. For a link to my full recipe with more pictures click here.Brownies:I use two Ghirardelli dark chocolate brownie mixes. One mix for each 9 inch circular pan. After mixing place the batter into the lightly greased pans and bake until the brownies are to your desired doneness. I like them to be a bit under done and gooey :) Remove the brownies and set aside on a plate.Whip cream:Start off mixing the heavy whipping cream in a blender or if you want an arm work out do it with a whisk. Add in the sugar slowly and taste every so often until you reach the desired sweetness. I don't like it very sweet because the brownies are plenty sweet.The Build:First I cut up the strawberries into thin slices and place them in a bowl. Next I coat a layer of whip cream onto the bottom brownie. Then apply the strawberry slices to the whip cream layer until completely covered. Next add the second brownie layer and coat with a layer of whip cream all over once complete add strawberry slices until completely covered.This cake is so good, but so not good for you :) Step 5: What Really Happened on Valentines . <PIC> Ok, so the day was a success but not everything on the original menu was made :( The reason was because everyone in the family came down with a nasty virus the day before (go to the hospital bad). That being said we had to change out a few items for ones that did not have dairy. Actual menu:German Pancakes Spinach and strawberry salad, for step by step instructions check out my wife's instructable by clicking here.Venison steak, mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli Banana bread, for step by step instructions check out my wife's instructable by clicking here.We made the best of our sick day, hope you enjoyed!


Question: What is the process for preparing the Fish Taco Sauce in 'Operation Epic Valentine's Day 2015'?

To prepare the Fish Taco Sauce in 'Operation Epic Valentine's Day 2015,' start by placing equal parts yogurt and mayonnaise in a bowl. Then, add about a teaspoon each of cumin and dill, a quarter teaspoon each of cayenne and Tony’s seasoning, followed by the juice of 1-2 lemons, hand-squeezed. Taste as you go to adjust the seasoning to your liking.<PIC>


Question: What’s the best way to create spooky maggots and millipedes for a fun cupcake decoration?

Introduction: Centipede and Larvae Cupcake. <PIC> This tutorial will show you how to make these spooky chocolate cupcakes! Step 1: How to Sculpt Realistic Larvae and Maggots. <PIC> Tools and ingredients:-White fondant or gumpaste-Orange fondant-Red and yellow food coloring-Black Food Marker Pen-Toothpicks-Very thin paintbrush-Lemon syrup (for drinks)Maggots:Make several "tiny snake shapes" with white fondant. Use a toothpick to carve small indentations on the maggots as shown in the picture, in order to give them a realistic look. Color the maggots head with a black food marker pen.Larvae:Take a bigger amount of white fondant, and use a toothpick to scratch the back of the larva as shown in the pictures. Using a black food marker pen make a few dots, under each indentations. Make a tiny ball of orange fondant and flatten it with your finger, wrap it on the larva's head. Make two dots with the food marker pen and carve a small indent on the larva's head.Mix red and yellow food coloring and use a thin paintbrush to color the head of the larva.Use a few drops of lemon syrup to glaze the maggots & larvae. Step 2: How to Sculpt a Fondant Centipede. <PIC> First, roll a long snake of red fondant in order to make a base for the centipede body.Roll out a thin sheet of yellow fondant and cut several strips. Arrange them around the centipede's body. Next, make several pairs of legs ( 1 pair per body segment) and two antennae. Then, attach them to the body using a tiny drop of lemon syrup as glue. Use one of these pairs to make the centipede's tail, as shown in the picture.You can use a food marker, and orange food coloring to add color to each segment. Roll a tiny ball of fondant to sculpt the centipede's head. Then, gently press the antennae on the centipede's head. You can use a tiny drop of lemon syrup to make them stick together. Step 3: Chocolate Dirt Cupcake. <PIC> Chocolate cupcake recipe:-7 ounces dark chocolate 60% cacao or higher (200g) -1/2 cup of unsalted butter at room temperature (110g)-2/3 cup of granulated white sugar (130g)-1 cup of all-purpose flour (125g)-3 large eggs (at room temperature) -1 teaspoon of vanilla extract -1/2 teaspoon of baking powder This recipe makes 8-9 cupcakesPlace  the egg yolks in a large bowl and the whites in another one. Beat the egg  yolks with 125g granulated white sugar and 10cl of water until foamy.  Add the flour graduately. Melt the chocolate and butter in a microwave.  Then add the chocolate mixture to the batter and mix until smooth. You  can now add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/2 tsp of baking powder  to the chocolate cake mixture. In a separate bowl, beat the egg  whites until stiff peaks form. Carefully incorporate the beaten egg  whites into the cake mixture until evenly mixed.Bake for 25 minutes in a 365 degrees F oven (180 degrees C). (I used the same preparation as in my Chocolate coffins tutorial) https://www.instructables.com/id/Little-chocolate-c...Chocolate "dirt":-25 sponge fingers/lady fingers (150g)-1/2 cup granulated white sugar (100g)-3,5 ounces dark chocolate (100g)-1/4 cup of unsalted butter (60g)(You can also use Oreo, or any kind of cookie instead! :) )Roughly break up the sponge fingers and place them in a food processor, add the melted chocolate and sugar to the crushed cookies.Next, place this tasty chocolate dirt in a large bowl.Cover top of cupcake in melted chocolate (preferably, milk chocolate), and dip them into chocolate dirt. Step 4: Have Fun!. <PIC> Last but not least,arrange these spooky cupcake toppers as you wish! Let your imagination go wild!


Question: What ingredients do I need to prepare the chocolate cupcake for the 'Maggots-Millipede-and-Larvae-Cupcake,' and how long should I bake it at what temperature?

To prepare the chocolate cupcake for the 'Maggots-Millipede-and-Larvae-Cupcake,' you will need 7 ounces of dark chocolate (200g), 1/2 cup of unsalted butter (110g), 2/3 cup of granulated white sugar (130g), 1 cup of all-purpose flour (125g), 3 large eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder. The cupcakes should be baked at a temperature of 365 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 25 minutes.<PIC>


Question: What should you do after painting the black areas of your image with white chocolate when making 'Beartato Chocolate'?

After painting the black areas of your image with white chocolate for 'Beartato Chocolate,' you should wait for the white areas to entirely cool before proceeding to the next steps.<PIC>


Question: How do you prepare the dough for 'Turkish Pizza / Pide / Lahmacun,' and what should you do after kneading it?

To prepare the dough for 'Turkish Pizza / Pide / Lahmacun,' combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl, make a well in the center, and pour in the oil. Gradually add warm water until you form a rough dough, kneading in between additions. After kneading for around 10 minutes until smooth, place the dough in a bowl, cover it with lightly oiled cling film, and leave it to rise in a warm place for about an hour.<PIC>


Question: What’s the best way to create a vibrant and refreshing citrus mocktail at home?

Introduction: Citrus Mocktail. <PIC> Just because it's not summer doesn't mean we can't have a cool and refreshing fruit drink! I've even created this recipe myself. Step 1: Ingredients. <PIC> You will need all of the ingredients below.- Cranberry Lime seltzer- Orange juice- Orange or clementine- Glass Step 2: Pouring Is Magic. <PIC> Pour the seltzer in your cup until it fills halfway. Step 3: What Rhymes With Orange? . <PIC> Pour your orange juice until it reaches about the top of the glass.  Step 4: Slicing the Orange. <PIC> Take your orange or clementine and place it on a flat surface. For the next part, make sure your knife is pointing AWAY FROM YOU. Never have a sharp object facing you. Anyways, slice your fruit in half. Then, take one of the halves and slice it in two again. Now just stick one of the pieces on your glass. Step 5: Done!. <PIC> Now just stick a straw in your concoction, sit back on your couch (or if your reading this in summer, a beach) and relax!


Question: What steps should you take with the orange or clementine before adding it to your 'Citrus Mocktail' glass?

Before adding it to your glass for the 'Citrus Mocktail,' you should slice your orange or clementine in half, then cut one of the halves into two pieces, and stick one of those pieces on your glass.<PIC>


Question: What is the process to create delightful Mirabelle Liquor that can be enjoyed responsibly?

Introduction: Mirabelle Liquor. <PIC> This is my instructable for Mirabelle Liquor. *Important Information*When you make this instructable you have to be at age to buy and consume alcohol. Make sure you are old enough and respect the law of your country. Drink responsibly! Step 1: What You Need. <PIC> Here is what you need:- 1kg (35 ounces) of mirabelles (small yellow plumbs)- 500g  (17 ounces) of rock candy- 1l (4 cups) of corn schnapps- a big jar with a screw cap Step 2: Small Yellow Plumbs. <PIC> Pick out 1kg / 35 ounces of ripe mirabelles and wash them.  Step 3: Fill the Jar. <PIC> Cut the mirabelles at one side but leave the stone in. Put them into the jar. Add the rock candy and the schnapps. Step 4: Let It Sit. <PIC> When everything is in the jar close the lid and let it sit for a day until the rock candy dissolved. It should change from picture 1 to picture 2. Every mirabelle has to be covered in alcohol. When the fruits have air in the bottle they rot. So fill up the whole jar.The liquor needs to be stored with the lid closed in a dark and cool place for at least 6 months. After that you can drink it and eat the mirabelles (only if you are old enough and are allowed to drink hard liquor).Or you can fill it into nice glasswear and give it away as a present.There you go - Mirabelle Liquor -


Question: What ingredients do I need to make 'Mirabelle Liquor' and in what quantities?

To make 'Mirabelle Liquor,' you need 1kg (35 ounces) of mirabelles, 500g (17 ounces) of rock candy, 1l (4 cups) of corn schnapps, and a big jar with a screw cap.<PIC>


Question: What’s the best way to prepare a delicious 5-minute dessert cup that's perfect for a sweet finish?

Introduction: 5min Easy Dessert Cup. <PIC> this is a easy dessert for people who don`t have alot of ideas for after dinner things.


Question: What is the main purpose of the '5min Easy Dessert Cup' recipe?

The main purpose of the '5min Easy Dessert Cup' recipe is to provide an easy dessert option for people who don't have a lot of ideas for after dinner things.<PIC>


Question: What is the proper procedure for preparing the brownie mix when making 'Zebra Droppings,' and what should be avoided to ensure the best results?

To prepare 'Zebra Droppings,' you should prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions and let it cool. It’s important to avoid using the crispy edges of the brownies for the zebra droppings in order to achieve the best results.<PIC>


Question: What’s the best way to prepare a delicious tomato soup that really highlights the flavors of canned tomatoes?

Introduction: Tomato Soup. <PIC> I was going to make cream of tomato soup but the milk kept curdling and I figured if I couldn't prevent that then I shouldn't be making this instructable. So here is a tomato soup that was mostly improvised. it is incredibly easy to make and home canned tomatoes really make it taste good. In addition a grilled cheese sandwich goes great with this. Step 1: Ingredients. <PIC> 1 quart canned tomatoes
2 cups broth
1 onion
1 clove of garlic
1 bay leaf
salt
1/4 teaspoon oregano
2 tablespoons Butter Step 2: Saute. <PIC> Chop the onion and garlic and saute them in butter. Add the bay leaf as well. Step 3: Add All of the Ingredients. <PIC> Add the canned tomatoes and broth. Then sprinkle on the salt and oregano as well. Then simmer for 20 minutes. Step 4: Serving Suggestions. <PIC> I strongly recommend a nice grilled cheese sandwich along with this.


Question: What ingredients should be sautéed in butter when preparing 'Tomato Soup,' and what additional ingredient should be added at this stage?

When preparing 'Tomato Soup,' you should sauté chopped onion and garlic in butter. Additionally, you should add a bay leaf during this step.<PIC>


Question: What wonderful techniques can I use to create a cake inspired by the Portal series that captures the spirit of gaming?

Introduction: This Cake Really Is a Lie. <PIC> I knew I had to do something special for my husband's birthday. Since he’s a gamer of the highest order, I wanted to make him something fun and...relevant to his interests. And since he just finished playing Portal 2, I had the perfect inspiration to draw from.
In the original Portal there is a recurring theme of a cake, used as a sort of reward, only under false pretenses. ‘The cake is a lie’.
In Portal 2, the most entertaining character is a round and goofy robot named Wheatley.
So I made a cake. A big, luscious chocolate cake…or is it?!
The cake…was a lie!
Merely a wide cardboard tube I constructed, taped, added a 'lid' to, and frosted with ordinary tub frosting and left to dry overnight. The cherries are also real!
Here’s the real cake. Hello, Wheatley!
Yes, it was sadly quite lumpy and used a heaping helping of artistic license, but after two full attempts I was just grateful to have a cake that remained spherical . Engineering challenges only gave me about an hour or so to wrap the fondant and decorate Wheatley before birthday celebrations began. The bottom half is actually styrofoam for stability, but the whole lot was frosted and covered in fondant as usual. The blue glowing eye? A battery-powered LED light set inside and covered with a melted mint hard candy!
The most important thing? Two days of technical difficulties and a major caketastrophe later, it was done! And frankly, delicious.
(And just so you know my fondant attempts aren't always disastrous, I've included his previous year's birthday cake - an Xbox controller!)


Question: What materials and techniques were used to create the outer appearance of 'This Cake Really Is a Lie,' and kinds of cherries were used?

To create the outer appearance of 'This Cake Really Is a Lie,' a wide cardboard tube was constructed, taped, given a 'lid,' and then frosted with ordinary tub frosting. Real cherries were used.<PIC>


Question: What’s the creative process behind transforming leftovers into delicious edible art?

Introduction: Laser Your Leftovers!. <PIC> Here's how to recycle your food and create edible art!
After a catered TechShop event, I was inspired by the uneaten crackers, cookies, brownies, vegetables etc.
Here's how you can do the same! Step 1: Your Materials. <PIC> Only use what you have!
And most importantly: Don't rule out a particular food because you think it won't work!
I used these platters of catered food:
and some inspiration from Makezine: http://blog.makezine.com/2007/08/30/how-to-laser-cut-and-cook/ Step 2: Your Tools. <PIC> The lasercutter is super simple to use. I learned by taking TechShop's Laser Cutter SBU!
The machine I used is an Epilog Helix 45W CO2 Laser which can cut designs up to 24"x18".
Here's a link to all of TechShop's classes: http://www.techshop.ws/take_classes.html?storeId=4 Step 3: The Cutting Process. <PIC> Important things to consider with leftovers:
1. Place your food on a plate or piece of paper
2. Consider DPI, speed, and pressure carefully! I played around with it to get the right setting.
(for cheddar cheese I based by settings off of laser-etched chocolate: 300DPI, 30% power, 100% speed)
3. Scale of your image- make sure to adjust your print settings when you switch food!
4. Alignment so your graphic fits nicely
5. Timing and refrigeration...because nobody likes expired, inedible leftovers Step 4: Admire Your Work. <PIC> ...with a post-work snack!
Happy Lasercutting...
-eef


Question: What are the key considerations for the cutting process when making 'Laser Your Leftovers'?

When making 'Laser Your Leftovers', key considerations for the cutting process include placing food on a plate or piece of paper, carefully considering DPI, speed, and pressure, adjusting print settings based on the specific food type, ensuring proper alignment of your graphic, and being mindful of timing and refrigeration to avoid expired or inedible leftovers.<PIC>


Question: What’s the best way to create a delicious very berry parfait that’s both quick and healthy?

Introduction: Very Berry Parfait. <PIC> Easy, quick, healthy snack with just a few ingredients.  My version is vegan, using vegan soy, almond or coconut nut milk yogurt, paired with my favorite vegan granola and lots of berries packed with antioxidants and vitamins.
Pictured here, I used vanilla soy yogurt, apple/cinnamon/walnut granola, and fresh organic blueberries, raspberries, strawberries & blackberries.  You may use any flavor of yogurt, granola or berries or other fruit that you choose to use or have on hand.
Wash and prepare favorite fresh organic berries of choice- slice if necessary.
Layer 1: In a clear cup. place a small amount of your favorite vegan granola in the bottom.
Layer 2: Cover with vanilla soy, almond or coconut milk yogurt.
Layer 3: Add berries of choice.
Repeat until you run out of space or ingredients, whichever comes first.
Enjoy!


Question: In the 'Very Berry Parfait,' what is the first ingredient that you should layer at the bottom of a clear cup?

In the 'Very Berry Parfait,' the first ingredient that you should layer at the bottom of a clear cup is a small amount of your favorite vegan granola.<PIC>


Question: How should you clean the knife after spreading peanut butter while making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?

To clean the knife after spreading peanut butter for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you should wipe off the excess peanut butter on the untouched slice of bread.<PIC>


Question: What are the steps for mixing the butter, eggs, sugar, and vanilla together while making 'Classic Fudgy Chocolate Brownies'?

To mix the ingredients for 'Classic Fudgy Chocolate Brownies,' you should use a spoon to stir the melted butter together with the eggs, sugar, and vanilla until well combined.<PIC>


Question: What’s the best way to prepare delicious broccoli cheddar egg cups for a wholesome meal?

Introduction: Broccoli Cheddar Egg Cups. <PIC> Broccoli Cheddar Egg Cups combine broccoli, cheese, eggs, salt, pepper, and a splash of milk to make an easy breakfast, brunch, lunch, or even dinner! Step 1: The Ingredients:. 1 cup broccoli florets6 eggs3 tablespoons milk1 cup grated cheddar cheese1/4 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepperRead more ~ http://www.mindyscookingobsession.com/broccoli-cheddar-egg-cups/Visit my blog for more delicious recipes at Mindy's Cooking Obsession. Step 2: Instructions:. <PIC> Preheat oven to 350°. Coat 12 muffin cups with cooking spray.Place broccoli in a small saucepan and blanch for 2 minutes. Rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain.In a medium bowl beat egg and milk. Stir in cheese, broccoli, salt and pepper. Divide between muffin cups and bake for 18-20 minutes or until eggs are set.Let cool 5 minutes, then loosen edges of each muffin with a knife, remove from muffin pan. Step 3: The Finished Dish:. <PIC>


Question: How should I prepare the broccoli for the Broccoli Cheddar Egg Cups before mixing it with the other ingredients?

To prepare the broccoli for the Broccoli Cheddar Egg Cups, you should blanch it in a small saucepan for 2 minutes and then rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process.<PIC>


Question: What is the best way to prepare delicious carnitas tacos for a fun gathering?

Introduction: Impossibly Easy Carnitas Tacos. <PIC> Let's have a taco party!  I'm going to show you how to make pretty much fool-proof carnitas tacos. They're impossibly easy to make, and they're perfect for a casual party, an outdoor picnic, or even while you're out car camping. You'll be the hit of the party, and it's not even hard to do.  A note for purists: This isn't the definitive way to make carnitas tacos. In fact, it's kind of cheating because I use a crock pot instead of roasting a big piece of pork for many hours in the oven. It's also not as fatty as true, authentic carnitas, which traditionally uses lard. Yep, the hard stuff. I prefer doing it this way. It's no doubt much healthier.  One more thing: This recipe is perfect for a party in the park. I've set up a camp stove with a cast iron pan on top on a picnic table and cooked carnitas tacos to order for both kids' soccer parties and adult boozefests.  Wait... one more thing. I STRONGLY recommend using a cast iron pan for this. Otherwise, you won't get crispy carnitas.  What you'll need to make 15-20 modest-sized tacos 3 pounds of country style pork ribs, blade roast, or pork butt 1 jalapeno pepper 1 anaheim chili or other pepper of your choice (optional) 3-4 cloves of garlic 1 large white onion 1 bunch cilantro 4-5 limes or lemons (I happened to have lemons but prefer limes) Salsa of your choice  A big pack of small corn tortillas  A large cast iron pan Optional ingredients  Cumin, oregano, onion powder to season meat before cooking Radishes for garnish Step 1: Crack Open Your Crock Pot. <PIC> First, get out your crock pot and toss your pork into it. Chop up your peppers, taking care to remove the seeds. Peel and roughly chop your garlic and toss it in the pot, too. If you have it, throw in 1/2 Tbsp each of cumin, oregano, and onion powder. The dry ingredients are optional, but if you have them I would recommend using them.  Turn your crock pot on low and cook for 8-10 hours. I usually cook the meat the day before I actually want to eat carnitas tacos and just put it in the fridge once it has cooled. You'll see that this is not a problem and may even be preferable.  Step 2: Prep, Shred, and Cook. <PIC>
          When you're ready to cook your tacos, get yourself prepared so you can bang them out quickly. You want two things here: 1) a hot cast iron skillet that will retain heat and 2) partially shredded pork. Carefully break up your pork. It will already be falling aprt from the crock pot cooking, but since it's been sitting in the fridge all night, you can still keep some large pieces intact. Don't shred your pork too finely because you want some chunks of meat. Mmmm. Meat.   Heat up your cast iron pan while you:    Dice your white onion     Chop up your cilantro     Stack up some tortillas  The actual cooking is easy. In your hot skillet (gas on high for a few minutes prior) pour 4-6 Tbsp. vegetable oil into your skillet. Using tongs, fill the bottom of your pan with a layer of partially shredded pork. Don't stir. Turn your heat down to medium and let it cook for a few minutes. Then, rearrange the meat so that you can crisp up the parts that aren't crisp. After a few minutes more, you should start heating up your tortillas, preferably in another pan or on an open flame.  Step 3: Plate and Try Not to Eat Too Many!. <PIC> The great thing about cooking these in a big cast-iron pan is that you can push crisped up meat to one side and add more meat as you go — serving from one side of the pan while replenishing crock-pot pork from the other. Cast iron holds its heat, so you won't need to worry about adjusting the temperature. Just stick to medium after you get going.  It's important that you get some decent crispiness, so it's okay if the meat stays in the pan. It may dry out, but you will be adding salsa and citrus when serving, so don't worry too much about that.  To serve, heat two tortillas per taco and lay them on a plate on top of each other. Place some carnitas on the tortillas, sprinkle with white onions and cilantro, and slap a spoon of top-notch salsa on each taco. Garnish with quartered radishes and lime or lemon slices.  Repeat until everyone is happy.


Question: What ingredients should be added to the crock pot along with the pork for making 'Impossibly Easy Carnitas Tacos,' and how long should the mixture be cooked?

To make 'Impossibly Easy Carnitas Tacos,' you should add chopped peppers, chopped garlic, and optional seasonings such as cumin, oregano, and onion powder to the crock pot along with the pork. It should be cooked on low for 8-10 hours.<PIC>


Question: What is the best way to prepare flavorful orange pork chops that are sure to impress?

Introduction: Orange Pork Chops. <PIC> This is my mom's orange pork chop recipe. :D They're one of my favorite things that she makes - they're kind of addictive, actually!
I went home and visited for a week, and asked her to make them so I could watch and then recreate them when I came back to Oakland. Orange pork chops are pretty easy to make, and they've got loads of flavor.  Step 1: Ingredients. <PIC>
		4-6 breakfast pork chops (the nice thin ones)
		3 green onions, thinly sliced
		zest of one orange
		juice of one orange (around 1/3 cup)
		butter or oil
		a few tablespoons of teriyaki sauce
		few pinches brown sugar
If you can only find the thicker loin chops, you can cut those in half so they're thinner. That's what I did.  Step 2: Cook the Green Onions and Zest. <PIC> Add a little butter (preferably butter, it is so good!) or oil to a pan and cook the green onions and zest until they start to get fragrant and soften. Add a teaspoon or two of teriyaki sauce at this point and stir it around.
Pull them out of the pan and pop them into a small bowl until later. Step 3: Brown the Pork Chops. <PIC> Salt and pepper your pork chops and brown them quickly over medium-high heat. Because they're so thin, be careful with this part. You don't want to cook them too long. :D Step 4: Simmer the Pork Chops. <PIC> Once the porkchops are brown, turn the heat down to low and pour in the orange juice. Add 1-2 tablespoons of teriyaki - just until it tastes good to you. Also add the green onion and orange zest back into the pan and a pinch or two of brown sugar if you'd like a little sweetness. (it's really good with brown sugar!)
Stir this all together and let it simmer for a while. It's best to do it with the lid cracked for 15-20 minutes.
You'll want to reduce the orange juice into a bit of a sauce, so keep simmering until it's as thick as you want. :)
And there you go! Orange pork chops.


Question: In preparing 'Orange Pork Chops,' why should the green onions and orange zest be added back to the pan, and how long should the pork chops simmer?

To make 'Orange Pork Chops,' adding the green onions and orange zest back to the pan can add a little sweetness if you like. The pork chops should simmer with the lid cracked for 15-20 minutes.<PIC>


Question: What is the best way to prepare delicious lemon poppy seed muffins that are perfectly fluffy and flavorful?

Introduction: Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins. <PIC> Lemon poppy seed muffins for your poppy!*from www.saveur.com Step 1: Gather Ingredients. <PIC> To make delicious muffins, you will need:
3 cups flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
½ tsp. kosher salt
1 cup plus 1 tbsp. sugar
¾ cup milk
12 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
2 tbsp. poppy seeds
3 eggs
Zest of 2 lemons Step 2: Get Baking!. <PIC> First, heat oven to 375°. Then, line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners; set aside.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl, and set aside.
Whisk together 1 cup sugar, milk, butter, poppy seeds, egg, and zest in a medium bowl.
Pour over dry ingredients, and stir until just combined.
Divide batter evenly among muffin cups and sprinkle each with remaining sugar. Bake until golden brown, about 22 minutes.


Question: What steps should you take after whisking together the dry ingredients when making 'Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins'?

After whisking together the dry ingredients for 'Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins,' you should pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.<PIC>


Question: What is the overall process for creating a delightful chutney that can be enjoyed with an English ploughman's lunch?

Introduction: Martha's Chutney. <PIC> I've been making this chutney for years, to give as a Christmas gift to my relatives. It started as a recipe called Major Marshall's chutney in a preserving book published by the British Sugar Bureau in the 1970s. I have gradually changed it - less tomatoes and apples, different spices. I have always tried to cook it outdoors, because I hate the way it makes the whole house smell of vinegar. I used to cook it on a gas barbecue, though it tends to burn on the bottom of the pan if you aren't careful. Then this year I thought of cooking it in my slow cooker, out on the patio and plugged in to the lawnmower socket.Perfect for an English ploughman's lunch! Step 1: Ingredients. <PIC> 700 g plums500 g cooking apples300 g tomatoes250 g onions120 g dates2 teaspoons salt1 clove garlic1 tablespoon whole spices (I used cinnamon, allspice, black pepper, chilli,cloves and star anise)60 g Demerara sugar60 g golden castor sugar120 g golden syrup425 ml white wine vinegar(You could use more sugar instead of golden syrup, or I think corn syrup would work) Step 2: Prepare the Fruit and Veg. <PIC> Cover the tomatoes with boiling water, leave for 1 minute, then drain and cover with cold water. Skin the tomatoes and chop roughly.Stone the plums and cut into quarters.Peel, core and chop the apples.Skin and chop the onions.Use scissors to chop the dates roughly.Peel and crush the garlic.Tie the spices up in a piece of muslin (I used the net bag that the garlic came in). Step 3: Cook the Chutney. <PIC> Put everything in the slow cooker and cook on high for about 8 hours, stirring halfway. Then take the lid off and continue cooking on high for another 2 hours or more, until the chutney is thick and there is no loose liquid. Stir occasionally .You can turn off the slow cooker and leave the chutney overnight, then cook more the next day - I had to do this because it wasn't ready by bedtime!(On the stove top, it will take 2 or 3 hours to cook on a low heat - you need to stir often or it will burn, especially towards the end) Step 4: Pot and Cover. <PIC> Remove the bag of spices. Transfer the chutney to clean dry warm jars (heat them in a low oven for half an hour.). Cover immediately with vinegar-proof lids. Label and store in a cool dry place. Best left at least a month before eating as the flavour mellows. Keeps a year at least.


Question: What steps should I take to prepare the fruit and vegetables for making 'Martha's Chutney'?

To prepare the fruit and vegetables for 'Martha's Chutney,' first cover the tomatoes with boiling water for 1 minute, then drain and cover them with cold water to easily remove their skins. Next, stone the plums and cut them into quarters, peel, core, and chop the apples, skin and chop the onions, use scissors to roughly chop the dates, and peel and crush the garlic. Lastly, tie the whole spices in a piece of muslin.<PIC>


Question: What are the key steps to crafting a delicious turkey ball soup that highlights rich flavors?

Introduction: Turkey Ball Soup. <PIC> Konigsberger KlopseOriginally a German soup my Mom taught me...I just made an updated version and it is spectacular. Originally ground pork balls dropped into a boiling light broth, I had leftover turkey broth from Christmas - got a free range turkey and normally like to use every last part. I bought more ground turkey, added almond meal, and egg, leftover parsley pesto, ground fennel and liquid aminos. I also added 2 tablespoons of this kosher chicken broth I found. Awesome! Never be afraid to add more water. In the turkey stock I had first added 2 cloves of garlic, 5 sliced heirloom yellow carrots, 3 sliced stalks of celery and good splash of both white wine and white vinegar. Add a teaspoon of honey or agave also. After it's boiled vigorously for 20 minutes add 5-8 rolled turkey balls. Wait 2-5 minutes, fish them out and add the rest. Put the first balls back in. This is an unusual version of golden wedding soup also. I don't eat pork, and chicken or beef does not work as well. I suggest adding a squeeze of lemon, diced parsley and or spinach near the end also. I'm new at this so let me know if I need to clarify.


Question: For making 'Turkey Ball Soup,' what ingredients do you add to the turkey stock before boiling, and how long do you boil it before adding the turkey balls?

To make 'Turkey Ball Soup,' you add 2 cloves of garlic, 5 sliced heirloom yellow carrots, 3 sliced stalks of celery, a good splash of both white wine and white vinegar, and a teaspoon of honey or agave to the turkey stock before boiling. You should boil the stock vigorously for 20 minutes before adding the turkey balls.<PIC>


Question: What’s the best way to prepare delicious apple chips that are easy to chew, even for those with braces?

Introduction: Apple Chips. <PIC> Having braces and eating apples don't mix well so I was absolutely crushed when I got my braces in and I couldn't eat any apples.  I wanted to find a simple way that kids with braces could enjoy the delicious taste of apples yet not damage their braces.
The perfect solution to my problem was to make "apple chips", or just very thin slices of apple that are easy to chew even with braces. These apple chips have helped me overcome my fear of eating apples with braces, and they taste delicious!  They are an extremely healthy snack that is perfect for snacks, appetizers, and picnics.  The total calories for these apple chips is about 100 without any dips or flavoring.
This snack can also taste even better by dipping it in chocolate syrup or peanut butter.  You can sprinkle cinnamon over your apple chips to make them taste even better!I was inspired to make this snack because....
- I needed to find a way to continue my love of apples even though I had braces!
- I wanted to eat a healthier snack while watching TV.
- My mom said to eat the apples before they go bad!To make this snack, you will need....
- An apple (preferably a big, red one)
- A bowl
- A fruit/ vegetable peeler
- Cinnamon (optional)
- Chocolate Syrup (optional)
- Peanut Butter (optional)
To make this snack, peel the skin off of your apple and begin peeling the fruit of the apple making sure the "chips" fall into your bowl.  Rotate the apple as you peel because you want to get as many chips as possible out of this apple.  When you are done filling your bowl, you can begin eating them or you can enjoy them with a dip or topping.  You can drizzle chocolate syrup over them as I did in the picture, or you can spread peanut butter over the chips.
I hope you enjoyed making your Apple Chips!


Question: What ingredients do I need to prepare delicious apple chips?

To prepare delicious apple chips, you will need an apple (preferably a big, red one), a bowl, a fruit/vegetable peeler, and optional ingredients like cinnamon, chocolate syrup, and peanut butter.<PIC>


Question: What is the best way to whip up a delicious bread pizza in just a few minutes?

Introduction: Bread Pizza -- Quick Delight. <PIC> Bread Pizza has always been a childhood delight, or teenage delight.Crispy toasted bread and a spread of all veggies, cheese and tomato sauce. This is a quick snack for kids when they wish to eat pizza and cant wait for long :) This microwave bread pizza would take not even ten minutes when you have the cheese grated and sauce ready on hand.. Yummmm..... Step 1: . <PIC> Ingredients:
Bread slices- 5 to 6
2 tsp melted unsalted butter
onions -1 (finely chopped)
Tomato - 1 (finely chopped)
Capsicum - 1(finely chopped)
Grated cheese
Tomato ketchup / pizza sauce / marinara sauce
Salt to taste
Pepper powder to sprinkle. Step 2: . <PIC> Method:
Mix all the vegetables together with a pinch of salt.
Fresh bread slices can be used Or you can toast it with butter.
Heat a pan with little butter. Toast the slices on one side till its crispy.
Remove and spread a tsp of tomato ketchup on it.
Add over the bread, 2tbsp of mixed vegetables.. sprinkle the generous helping of grated cheese on it.
Transfer everything to a microwave plate n cook for 3 minutes in high temperature..till all the cheese gets melted.
Remove the slices from the micro oven and sprinkle wee bit of pepper powder.
Top it with some tomato ketchup. You could even make a nice smilie face on it to make it more attractive to your little ones.
Serve with any fresh juice for a perfect and healthy breakfast.
I am sure Kids will definitely love it...Yummmm....


Question: After toasting the bread slices for the 'Bread Pizza -- Quick Delight,' what steps should be taken to prepare the toppings?

After toasting the bread slices, you should remove them and spread a teaspoon of tomato ketchup on each slice. Next, add 2 tablespoons of mixed vegetables over the ketchup and sprinkle a generous helping of grated cheese on top.<PIC>


Question: What’s the best way to prepare grilled personal pizzas that will impress everyone at the table?

Introduction: Grilled Personal Pizzas. <PIC> Make pizza easily at home - better than ordering pizza. Also good for when you want to bake pizza but it's too hot to put the oven at 500 degrees. You'll need pizza dough and pizza toppings. And a grill. You can use your own pizza dough recipe. I'll post an instructable on pizza dough soon maybe. Step 1: Cook the Crust. <PIC> First we need to grill the crust. So start your grill. Once it's hot, turn to medium heat. Take your dough and roll it out about the size of a dinner plate. Put on the grill for 1-3 min over direct medium heat, until it's crisp and brown, but not burnt. If it's getting burnt, take it off. Pull it onto a plate with a pair of tongs or a fork so the uncooked side is down. Or, if you have a wooden pizza peel (dusted with cornmeal), pull it onto that instead. Step 2: Top It Off. <PIC> Put sauce and toppings on the crust (the already cooked side should be up). I put on a variety, but it's up to you. Possibilities: - sauce - cheese (mozzarella or Parmesan) - pepperoni - pepper - mushroom - onion - olives - garlic - pesto - tomato - spinach - anchovies? Slide the pizza off the plate and back onto the grill over same heat and grill until cheese is melting and toppings look tasty and delicious and cooked, probably about 3-5 minutes more. Slide off grill onto plate. If you want, make your own mozzarella to put on the pizza - see Homemade Simple Mozzarella on instructables. Don't forget to turn off the grill. I usually forget. Step 3: Eat. <PIC> Once it's cooled off, cut into slices with a chef's knife and eat while warm!


Question: For making 'Grilled Personal Pizzas,' how long should I grill the pizza crust, and how can I determine when it is ready?

To make 'Grilled Personal Pizzas,' you should grill the pizza crust for 1-3 minutes over direct medium heat. The crust is ready when it is crisp and brown, but not burnt.<PIC>


Question: How should I melt the chocolate for 'Bite Sized S'mores' to ensure it doesn't burn?

To melt the chocolate for 'Bite Sized S'mores,' place it in a bowl and microwave it for a minute, stopping every fifteen seconds to whisk with a fork. This technique helps prevent the chocolate from burning and allows for even melting.<PIC>


Question: What’s the best way to prepare a delightful persimmon cheesecake with a graham cracker crust?

Introduction: Persimmon Cheesecake. It's Thanksgiving time!
It's also Persimmon tree ripening time.
Who is ready for a delicious graham cracker crusted vanilla ice cream topped persimmon cheesecake?
Ingredients:
1 box of graham crackers - some for munching and 2 cups for the crust
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons melted butter
2 cups pureed persimmons
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups white sugar
3/4 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
6 eggs
1 1/4 cups sour cream
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract Step 1: Choose Your Fruit Wisely. Time to talk Persimmon basics. There are 2 types Hachiya and Fuyu.  The Fuyu's are rounder and somewhat smaller than Hachiya's.  Also, you can eat Fuyu's directly from the tree.  The Hachiya's are stringent and need to be cooked in order to be eaten.
When Picking Hachiya's off the tree, you also need to choose the right ones.  You want to look for ones that are soft, almost mushy like.
Class is over it's time to get to work.   Step 2: Step 1 - Making the Crust. The first thing that needs to happen is making the crust.  back in my non-vegetarian days, I used to love pounding chicken cutlets to make Chicken Parm just like grandma used to.....Today, I had the chance to break up the graham crackers into little bits....This part was so easy to do that I will never again buy a store-bought crust.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
break-up the graham crackers until fine. Mix together in a bowl with the brown sugar and melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.   i actually am making four mini pies to share at different times with different people...
Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes. Set aside to cool completely. Step 3: Step 2 - Making the Batter. this all happens in the food processor...Check out this batter.
Combine the persimmons, cream cheese, 1 1/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup sour cream, cinnamon, and ginger in a food processor.   Feel free to add some of your other favorite spices.
Blend in processor until smooth, stopping occasionally to scrape edges of food processor bowl with a spatula. Add the eggs, one at a time, and process until fully incorporated. Pour the mixture over the cooled crust.
Bake in the preheated oven until mostly set with the center being slightly jiggly, 60 to 75 minutes.  You can up the temperature to 300 to cut down on the baking time.
They  should come out of the oven nice and fluffy... Step 4: Step 3 - Topping & Eat. Here's where you can really take this recipe and add your own personal pizazz.  You can add whatever toppings you like.  Making a hot chocolate sauce, maybe a warm cherry compote with vanilla.  The list goes on,  My mother-in-law happened to have some breyer's vanilla Ice cream in her freezer and that's what I used.
Also, I have a recipe below that will make a delicious topping
While the cheesecake is baking, whisk together the 1 1/4 sour cream, 3 tablespoon white sugar, and vanilla extract. Spread evenly over the cheesecake while still hot and return to oven another 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely. Loosely cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate 4 to 8 hours or overnight before serving.


Question: What kinds of persimmons are mentioned in the recipe and what's their differences?

There are 2 types of persimmons mentioned in the recipe called Hachiya and Fuyu. The Fuyu's are rounder and somewhat smaller than Hachiya's.


Question: What’s the best way to elevate inexpensive balsamic vinegar for a richer flavor?

Introduction: Kick Up Cheap Balsamic Vinegar a Few Notches Using This Technique . <PIC> My son and his wife stayed with us for a few months last summer. We were remodeling our home and spent a lot of time outdoors so she offered to do all the cooking. It was quite a treat for me because she taught me some of her techniques and I got a break from cooking. She made a fantastic salad dressing using balsamic vinegar and it was then, that I realized I wanted to add it to my grocery list. After they left I purchased a bottle at the store not knowing the less expensive brands don't measure up to the more pricey ones. This experience forced me to find out what makes a good balsamic vinegar and find one in my home town.  After I purchased this bottle, I was looking through my refrigerator to see what I needed to add to my grocery list and was delighted to find a tiny bottle of balsamic vinegar that had a few drops left in it. I knew my kids left it here. After carefully reading the label I could see why it was so good.  The recent contest inspired me to make an instructable on balsamic vinegar and that is how I discovered this secret technique or so I thought. More on that later. Follow through and I will share what I have learned during this adventure and  how to make a better tasting balsamic vinegar using the less expensive brands.  Step 1:  Balsamic Vinegar. <PIC> I did a little research about balsamic vinegar because I wanted to purchase a good brand that I could afford. I learned that a lot of the cheaper brands have a large water content and a long list of ingredients. I also learned that the better brands usually list where they were bottled, how long the bottle was aged, what type of grapes where used and if I recall, the region where the grapes were grown. The better brands usually have a thicker consistency more like a light syrup that will stay put when dribbled onto a plate.   I purchased a couple bottles but they did not have the really good flavor that was in the small bottle that my daughter -in-law left here.  The bottle above had two ingredients Red wine vinegar and grape musts. It was aged 4 years in wood. With that said:  I would like to mention that I have changed my cooking habits, like many of you, for the past ten years or so, mainly because of the long list of ingredients on the packaging labels. A couple of days ago I read an article on Yahoo news about an interview with Campbell's Soup CEO. Hey everyone they are paying attention to the consumers buying habits and have plans to change in the next couple of years. No GMO's, food coloring or high corn syrup  and  let's hope other companies will follow. Anyway . . . .here is how I discovered the technique I will be sharing: I decided to make a bottle of chocolate balsamic vinegar and cooked the balsamic vinegar over the stove to make it thicker.  I discovered that cooking it gave it a richer flavor and creamier texture. I thought I was on to something. Well, as it turns out; I was making a vinegar reduction. I have to chuckle about that; I always say knowledge is power. I did not take pictures of the balsamic vinegar before I cooked it; but it had a very runny texture, much lighter appearance and the flavor was just not there. There were just enough drops left in the tiny bottle of good stuff to compare it to. The one on the left was the reduction and the one on the right was the good stuff. The reduction did not make the less expensive mixture equal to the good stuff, but it tasted a whole lot better and might pass off as a good middle priced brand. I will be using this method in the future by adding herbs and seasonings and make some homemade versions.  Let's get cooking . . .  Step 2: Ingredients . <PIC> You will appreciate the short list.Ingredients and utensils: 1 bottle of inexpensive balsamic vinegar.A non-reactive heavy bottomed sauce pan; preferably stainless or something light in color so you can view the color changes of the liquid , large spoon or heat proof spatula,funnel, and hot pad or towel.Patience and overhead vent or open the window. The vinegar cooking will smell very strong.Save the bottle and lid to store the balsamic vinegar. Step 3: Cook. <PIC> Set the timer for 20 minutes and cook over medium low heat stirring frequently and watching closely to prevent the balsamic vinaigrette from burning.While your waiting sterilize the bottle and lid. You will know when it is ready when the back of the spoon has a light coating and the vinegar has been  reduced to about half.Remove from the heat. Step 4: Cool. <PIC> Place the hot pan on a towel or hot pad to cool for several minutes.Using the funnel pour the mixture into the sterilized bottle and put the lid back on.  As you can see there is only about a half of a bottle left.I didn't actually start with a whole bottle because I had already used some of it for other recipes. Step 5: Sunshiine's Final Thoughts. <PIC> We liked the newer version of the balsamic and I have been using it on vegetables and tomatoes from our garden, and fresh strawberries.  It inspired me to made an olive oil ice cream that was screaming for balsamic vinegar. This method is a great way to experiment with a new recipe before using the more pricey brands. I hope you try this method on the next bottle you purchase. The more you know has become my moto. Instructables has a way of making sure we all learn something here.I wish to thank contributors for making instructables what it is today. Thanks so much for stopping by and do have a safe and happy summer.sunshiine~


Question: For making 'Kick Up Cheap Balsamic Vinegar a Few Notches Using This Technique,' how long should I cook the balsamic vinegar and what must I do to ensure it doesn't burn?

To make 'Kick Up Cheap Balsamic Vinegar a Few Notches Using This Technique,' you should cook the balsamic vinegar for 20 minutes over medium low heat, and to ensure it doesn't burn, stir frequently and watch closely.<PIC>


Question: What are the ingredients and their quantities needed to make the buns for 'Purgatory Burgers'?

To make the buns for 'Purgatory Burgers,' you'll need 250 grams (one and a quarter cups) of flour, one teaspoon of dry yeast, 125 ml (half a cup) of warm water, one and a half tablespoons of sugar, half a teaspoon of salt, one teaspoon of medicinal charcoal (2.5 grams), and two tablespoons of apple juice (or water).<PIC>


Question: What's the best way to create a delightful edible 8-bit heart using Starburst candies?

Introduction: Edible 8-bit Heart. <PIC> In this instructable I will show you how to make an edible 8-bit heart sure to please any video game fan or candy fan, out of just one 14 oz bag of starburst candy and a hot glue gun.Materials/ Tools needed:One 14oz bag of Starburst candies, FaveReds are preferred due to the pink/red color palette.Hot glue gun Step 1: Getting Ready.. <PIC> I think it is best to begin by Knolling all of your candy into columns.  You may want to skip this step if you just want to make a quick heart that has no color scheme.  You will need a total of 68 starburst for the heart so you will have extras, but don't eat any just yet.   Step 2: Making the Cubes. Your first gluing task will be to create 34 "cubes" by gluing two starburst together on the broad sides.  I put cubes in quotation, because they are not quite perfect cubes, although they are very close.  You can choose to glue your starburst in a pattern as you make cubes, or you can glue them randomly.   Step 3: Arranging the Cubes Into a Heart. <PIC> As you make the cubes it  is helpful to begin arranging them in a heart formation as you go.  The above template should just be used for the general shape.  It is very random as to what colors you will get in a bag of starburst.  I suggest improvising and trying to make a pattern based on the colors you get.   Step 4: Glue the Cubes Into Columns, Glue the Columns Into a Heart.. <PIC> After you make the cubes begin by gluing columns of cubes together.  I find it best to hold the cubes on a flat surface while gluing them to make sure the columns are straight.  Step 5: Clean Off the Hot Glue Webs and Enjoy!. Should be self explanatory, no one wants a heart covered in hot glue webs.  After cleaning you are done!


Question: After creating the cubes for the 'edible-8-bit-heart,' what steps should you follow to start forming the heart shape?

After creating the cubes for the 'edible-8-bit-heart,' you should begin gluing columns of cubes together. It is best to hold the cubes on a flat surface while gluing them to ensure the columns are straight.<PIC>


Question: What’s the best way to create a delicious cinnamon apple crumb pie from scratch?

Introduction: Cinnamon Apple Crumb Pie. <PIC> Pie Crust Ingredients   2 cups flour     1 teaspoon salt     2/3 cup chilled butter     1/2 cup water Pie Filling Ingredients   7 medium apples (I like the tartness of granny smith)     1/2 cup sugar (I do 1/4 cup brown and 1/4 cup granulated)     1 teaspoon ground cinnamon     1/4 teaspoon nutmeg     1/4 teaspoon salt     Lemon juice (optional) Crumb Topping Ingredients   3/4 cup brown sugar     3/4 cup flour     1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg     1/2 teaspoon cinnamon     1/3 cup chilled butter     I sometimes add a handful of oats or nuts as well  Step 1: Make Pie Crust. <PIC> Pie Crust Ingredients   2 cups flour     1 teaspoon salt     2/3 cup chilled butter     1/2 cup water Pie Crust Recipe   Preheat oven to 350 degrees     Mix together flour and salt     Cut butter into mixture until coarse crumbs form     Add water 1 tablespoon at a time and continue to knead until dough forms     Do not over work the dough.  Once a ball forms let it chill in the fridge for 30 minutes     Roll out dough into a circle and place in pie pan.  Cut excess dough off from around the edges.  Pie border techniques can be found here.     Blind bake  for 8-10 minutes by lining the pie tin with parchment or foil and weighing down with dried beans or rice (see example here)     This pie is usually fine if you put the filling into a raw pie crust and bake if you put foil around the edges of the pie pan.  Step 2: Make Apple Filling. <PIC> Pie Filling Ingredients   7 medium apples (I like the tartness of granny smith)     1/2 cup sugar (I do 1/4 cup brown and 1/4 cup granulated)     1 teaspoon ground cinnamon     1/4 teaspoon nutmeg     1/4 teaspoon salt     1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional) Pie Filling Recipe   Peel, core and chop apples     Combine all filling ingredients     Let sit for 5 minutes and drain syrup from the bottom  Step 3: Make Crumb Topping. <PIC> Crumb Topping Ingredients   3/4 cup brown sugar     3/4 cup flour     1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg     1/2 teaspoon cinnamon     1/3 cup chilled butter     I sometimes add a handful of oats or nuts as well Crumb Topping Recipe   Mix together all topping ingredients except for the butter     Cut butter into crumb mixture and mix until coarse crumbs form (I use my hands for this).  Add more flour it mixture is too gooey.     Add the crumb mixture on top of the apple filling  Step 4: Bake Pie. <PIC> Bake pie for 40-45 minutes at 400 degrees, until apples are tender.


Question: What steps should I follow after peeling, coring, and chopping the apples for my Cinnamon Apple Crumb Pie?

After peeling, coring, and chopping the apples for my Cinnamon Apple Crumb Pie, I should combine all the filling ingredients and let them sit for 5 minutes to allow the syrup to drain from the bottom.<PIC>


Question: What is the best way to create homemade butter from whipping cream?

Introduction: How to Make Butter. <PIC>  Step 1: . <PIC> Get whipping cream Step 2: . <PIC> Get a jar Step 3: . <PIC> Pour whipping cream in the jar and shake vigorously for ten minutes or until there is a blob of butter and some excess liquid strain the liquid and put butter in container for serving Step 4: . <PIC> Now you have butter  for storage put lid on container and store in fridge


Question: After pouring whipping cream into the jar and shaking it for ten minutes while making butter, what should you do once you see a blob of butter forming?

After pouring whipping cream into the jar and shaking it vigorously for ten minutes until a blob of butter forms, you should strain the excess liquid and then transfer the butter into a container for serving.<PIC>


Question: What’s the best way to create delightful cocoa snowflake cookies that are perfect for the holiday season?

Introduction: Cocoa Snowflakes. <PIC>   This recipe from Penzeys, of which I'm a regular customer, makes delicious, bite-sized chewy brownie cookies with a pretty, lacy snowflakes top, perfect for snow season and the Holidays.INGREDIENTS  1 Cup all purpose flour  1 tsp. baking powder  1/4 tsp. salt  5 TB. butter  6 TB. NATURAL COCOA POWDER  1 Cup sugar  1 tsp. PURE VANILLA EXTRACT  2 large eggs  1 Cup finely chopped nuts (optional) (I cheated, I didn't chop, I used Coffee Grinder to grind the nuts)  1/2 Cup powdered sugar (for rolling cookies in)Makes 48Directions adapted from Penzeys and somewhat simplified by me are in following steps: Step 1: Dry Ingredients. <PIC> In a bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt, set aside. Step 2: Prepare the Dough. <PIC> In a mixing bowl that can be warmed, melt the butter over low heat or water bath.Add COCOA POWDER, blend well with a fork or a small whisk until smooth. Stir in sugar until combined (it will be dark brown at this point). Add PURE VANILLA EXTRACT, mix well.Add eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add flour mixture, mix well with a hand mixer.Grind and add nuts if desired, mix well. Divide the dough into 4 equal parts.Wrap the dough with individual plastic wrap, refrigerate until chilled (at least 2 hours, better overnight). The dough never gets really stiff, but it won't roll into nice balls if it's warm. Step 3: Roll the Balls. <PIC> Preheat oven to 400F.Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (Don't use cooking spray/grease or the bottom of the cookie can get burnt).Take only 1 part of the dough out of refrigerator to work with.Pinch off a hunk of dough enough to make a 3/4" ball, then roll it into a ball, it's really easy, takes only a second. Then roll the ball in powdered sugar, be generous with the powdered sugar for a good snowflakes effect. I used a spoon to roll the balls in the sugar. Roll each part of the dough into 12 balls.Place the sugar coated balls onto the lined cookie sheet, 2" apart. Step 4: Bake and Enjoy. <PIC> Bake cookies for 8 minutes at 400°, be ready to be delighted by the beauty of the snowflakes effect.Let cool a minute, then remove from pan. Store in an airtight container to maintain the soft and chewy texture.Enjoy! As a matter of fact, I just walked to my cookie jar and ate two of it.Please vote for the Snow Contest once it was accepted.


Question: What is the recommended method for preparing the dough for 'Cocoa Snowflakes' before chilling it?

The recommended method for preparing the dough for 'Cocoa Snowflakes' involves melting the butter, mixing in cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs, then incorporating the flour mixture. After mixing well, divide the dough into 4 equal parts, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.<PIC>


Question: What is the process for crafting a sculpted Hellboy cake, and what key techniques should I employ?

Introduction: How to Make a Sculpted Hellboy Cake. <PIC> Hello everyone!
This is the cake I made for my first cake show competition. It was for That Takes The Cake 2011 in Austin, TX. I've onyl been making cakes since August 2010 and this is still just a hobby for me until I get the funds to get everything I need to start up a business and I'm self-taught so I'm super happy that I even placed in the top 10 at the show. I came in 8th!
I had a lot of issues and mistakes but I learned a lot and am now planning and starting my next sculpted cake for a show at the end of April.
The theme for the Showcake category at That Takes The Cake was Super Heroes and Villains from comics, books, movies and TV. I chose to make Hellboy because I love Mike Mignola's work, as well as the movies and loved Ron Perlmann as Hellboy.
Depending on your artistic skill, this could be hard or easy. Towards the end of this cake I didn't get as many photos, as I was behind on time, but I hope this Instructable can at least give you the basics on how to make this!
The head and arms are rice cereal treats and the rest is Devil's Food cake (felt that was fitting for Hellboy) covered in fondant and then detailed and hand painted with gel food colors. One of my mistakes was hand painting the skin and base. I hadn't yet learned to use the airbrush I recently bought and was out of time so I hand painted it and it came out really splotchy, with brush marks and was way too wet and shiny for way too long. I would definitely recommend using an airbrush! Although the texture was great for the coat.
I also didn't build up the shoulders and I should have, as once the heavy fondant was on they shrunk in. Also didn't use enough support dowels and separators inbetween every few layers so his body started to settle and compress down with the weight of the cake (this is the biggest cake I've ever made, learned a lot!) but his head and top of shoulders were made out of the rice cereal treats and stayed up on the supports, so he eventually came apart, starting even before judging. The 4 hour drive to the show I think hurried the process along.
Here's a list of general supplies I used to make the cake:
• Cake pans for baking the cakes. I used a quarter sheet pan for all of the cake.
• General cake decorating supplies: Mixer, spatulas, turn-table, carving/clay/fondant/gumpaste tools, matt to roll fondant on, fondant rolling pin, gel food colors, knife, cake leveler, toothpicks, food-safe paintbrushes, small containers to mix food color "paints" in, tape, cake support dowels, etc.
• Ingredients to make cakes, buttercream icing, fondant and to mix food colors with (you will mix the food colorings with something like vodka or clear vanilla extract, not water.)
I had to make a wooden base to support such a heavy cake so I've shown that in this Instructable too. I used two 24" x 24" x 1/2" plywood pieces, and a larger wooden dowel and wood screw and then a pack of wooden cabinet knobs as the feet, so that it would be easier to get fingers under the heavy cake and board.
Here's the link to the alterations made to a box cake mix to make it a little stronger to better support sculpting. I altered this recipe a little, adding an extra egg and an extra half cup of flour.
http://cakecentral.com/recipes/7445/the-original-wasc-cake-recipe
Here's the link to how to make the marshmallow fondant, which is pretty yummy, although very sweet! Pre-made fondant can be bought if you do not want to make the marshmallow fondant but beware that some of the pre-made doesn't taste very appetizing. Two brands that do taste good are Satin Ice and Fondx. I've used the Wilton once before and it's not too great tasting.
http://www.wilton.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=7&threadid=137541&FTVAR_MSGDBTABLE=
Here's a simple recipe for the buttercream icing, a 2 lb batch. This uses shortening in place of butter. I'm in Texas and butter doesn't hold up as well. If you don't have a stand mixer or don't want to make your own icing you can buy some pre-made.
Ingredients:
2 Cups Shortening
2 lb bag Powdered Cane Sugar (or approx. 8 Cups)
4 TBSP Meringue Powder
2 tsp Vanilla Extract (use clear vanilla if you want your icing to be white)
2 tsp Butter Flavor (use clear flavor if you want your icing to be white)
1 tsp Almond Extract
Water
Directions:
Sift together powdered sugar and meringue powder into large bowl. Set aside.
Mix the flavor extracts together in a measuring cup. Add enough water to the mixture to bring the amount to 1/2 a cup. Put this into a mixer bowl with the shortening.
Add about 1/4th of the sifted powdered sugar/meringue powder mixture to the shortening and flavors in the mixer bowl. Beat on a slow speed with the paddle beater and the slowly incorporate the rest of the powdered sugar mix into the mixer bowl as it's slowly mixing. Once it's all in there I usually turn it up a notch in speed for about 1 1/2 - 2 minutes. Then it's done!
Keep it covered until you are ready to use it, as it will "crust" over if you are not ready to use it and leave it uncovered to the air. Step 1: Making the Base. <PIC> To make the base to support such a heavy cake, I used two pieces of 24" x 24" x 1" plywood. I rounded off the edges of both boards, rounding the front edges more. The display table at the show was rounds so I wanted the base to be rounded off. I then glued them together with wood glue and nailed them together.
You can see an extra strip I added on the back egde. That was to be for some elements that I had to omit due to time constraints so that can be ignored. :)
Once it was together, I sanded it all down. Then I drilled a hole in the center where I wanted my main support dowel to be, the same size as the wood screw shaft, but smaller than the screw head. For this support dowel I chose a 1/2" dowel, 24" long since the minimum height for the competition was 24". I made a small hole in one end with a small drill bit. Then I pushed my wood screw through the hole in the base from the bottom and screwed on the support dowel.
Once done I added some plain wooden cabinet knobs I found at Walmart that came in a pack of ten. I drilled small holes in the base where I wanted the feet to be and then attached them with wood screws. Step 2: Covering the Base With Fondant. <PIC> Next I made a large batch of the fondant and covered the base with it.
After making the fondant and setting it aside, all wrapped up so it wouldn't dry out, I brushed on a layer of piping gel to the top of the base and sides and about an inch over the edge on the bottom. This gives something for the fondant to stick to.
I rolled out the fondant and layered it on the base in several pieces, as I couldn't roll a big enough piece to cover the whole thing in one piece. This was OK though since I was going to cover over the seams where the pieces met.
After this was done I rolled out the rest of the fondant and cut random tapering, curving strips and layered them on top of the fondant covered base, radiating out from the center support, mostly in front. These fondant pieces were "glued" to the fondant on the base by brushing some water on the backs of them before putting them down on the base. Step 3: Stacking and Carving the Cakes. <PIC> Before I stacked the cakes on the base, I covered the base with plastic wrap, leaving a rectangle of space around the dowel uncovered, so that I could apply icing there before stacking the cakes so that they would stick to the base. The reason I covered the base is so that when I was carving the cake, covering it with icing and fondant, the fondant bas wouldn't get messed up by cake crumbs and icing.
I stacked the cakes, with buttercream in between the cakes. Every 4 cakes I would insert smaller dowels, cut to the same height of the top of the top layer cake, then cut down a carboard cake board, cover it with wrap, and place it on top of the doweled cake, to help support it. I should have done this better, and with every two cakes instead of every four, and used slightly bigger and thicker cardboard. Perhaps using hot glue to glue a few cardboard cake boards together. Still learning about cake support and this was definitely a learning experience!
I ended up using 10 quarter sheet cakes. I also was trying to use up all the leftover icing I had made from my cake decorating class so that's why it's multi-colored. :)
Next I shaped the stacked cakes a little with a knife. I had tons of Hellboy reference photos printed out and layed on the counters so I could look at them easily. Step 4: Shaping and Adding the Head and Arms. <PIC> Next I made a triple batch of rice cereal treats, using the recipe on the Rice Krispies box (also on their website) and used them to shape his head and arms.
Didn't get photos of this process as while doing it my hands were lightly coated with Crisco so that the treats wouldn't stick to my hands and I didn't have time to keep stopping and washing off my hands to take photos. :( I was running behind!
I formed the pieces around the smaller cake dowels, with parts of the dowels sticking out so I could push them in to the cake when attaching them.
Again I had photos all around me while doing this for easy reference. Step 5: Covering the Cake With Icing & Fondant. <PIC> Next I covered the cake and cereal treat with buttercream icing. That gives the fondant something to stick too and helps get smoother coverage, a little "padding."
After covering with icing I rolled out fondant to start covering. Again, here's where the Instructable kind of ends, as by this time I was way behind and needed to finish so we could make the 4 hour drive to the show.
I covered it in pieces. Working "background to foreground."
First I covered all the showing skin areas and head (minus the sideburns and the horns) and sculpted and detailed them along the way before they dried out too much. I had made hollows for the eyes and after it was covered added the eyeball and eyelids separately.
Next I did the pants, then belt and horseshoe and rosary.
Next was the lower portion of the coat, then the sleeves, then the upper portion of the coat.
Last was to add the ears, the sideburns of the hair and horns.
I used gumpaste/fondant tools for all the detail.
After it was finished I painted it with Wilton food colors mixed with vodka. you can use either vodka, clear vanilla or other clear flavor extracts, or other clear alcohol to mix the colors with. Water makes fondant gummy and too much will ruin it so you want to use water as glue and alcohol to paint with, as it will evaporate, leaving behind the color and not ruining the fondant.
After the show was over I kept the base, to reuse, and the head since it was rice cereal treats. I took some better photos of the head after I got home. Still splotchy but dry at least!


Question: What steps should you take to prepare the base before stacking the cakes for the sculpted Hellboy cake?

Before stacking the cakes for the sculpted Hellboy cake, you should cover the base with plastic wrap, leaving a rectangle of space around the dowel uncovered. This preparation is crucial to prevent cake crumbs and icing from messing up the fondant base while you carve and cover the cake.<PIC>


Question: What are the key steps to prepare a delicious lasagna from scratch?

Introduction: How to Make Lasagna. <PIC> A simple way to make a delicious lasagna.INGREDIENTS:4 Large tomatoes1 Yellow onion1 box of mushrooms1 box of Ricotta cheese4 cups of Mozzarella Cheese Step 1: Cook the Noodles. Cooks the lasagna noodles in boiling salted water.  Step 2: Lasagna Sauce. <PIC> Dice four big tomatoes and cook them so the juice of the tomato begins to leak. Let it simmer.Add salt and pepper according to your flavor buds.Dice one yellow onion. Slowly add it to the tomatoes.Slice mushrooms into slices and add them to the mixture. Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit.  Step 3: Layering. Add a layer of ricotta cheese on the bottom of the pan. Then add a layer of lasagna noodles.Put a layer of sauce on top of the noodles.Add another layer of ricotta cheese. Add mozzarella cheese on top.Add another layer of lasagna noodles.Repeat.  Step 4: Finishing Touch. <PIC> Add a super layer of mozzarella cheese to the top after the last layer of lasagna noodles.  Step 5: Bake. <PIC> Bake the lasagna for 30 minutes or until cheese on top is melted.Be careful of the heat when taking it out of the oven. Let it cool for 5 minutes. Cut, and enjoy!


Question: What ingredients are used to make the lasagna sauce, and how should they be prepared?

To make the lasagna sauce, you will need four large tomatoes, one yellow onion, and mushrooms. Start by dicing the tomatoes and cooking them until their juice begins to leak, then let them simmer with added salt and pepper. Dice the yellow onion and gradually add it to the tomatoes, and slice the mushrooms before incorporating them into the mixture as well.<PIC>


Question: What is the recommended cooking temperature and duration for making 'Traditional Lancashire/Yorkshire Potato Cakes,' and how can I tell when they are done?

To make 'Traditional Lancashire/Yorkshire Potato Cakes,' you need to cook them in a low oven at 160°C for approximately 2 hours. They are done when they turn a golden brown color on top and develop cracks on the surface.<PIC>


Question: What’s the best way to prepare a delightful vanilla sky apple using just a few ingredients?

Introduction: Vanilla Sky Apple - Microwave. <PIC> You can use sweet or tart apple, depending what you like better :) This baked apple can be dessert, mid arvo snack, or breakfast.Super easy to make and uses only 3 ingredients. Although it only makes 1 serving, who's to say you cannot make more, because it is that simple to make ;) Step 1: Ingredients and Method. <PIC> 1 apple of your choice, wash and cored1 tsp salted butter (if it's sweet apple)1 tsp vanilla sugarMicrowave covered for 2 minutes, let stand covered, then enjoy~


Question: What ingredients do I need to make 'Vanilla Sky Apple,' and how do I prepare it using a microwave?

To make 'Vanilla Sky Apple,' you need 1 apple of your choice (washed and cored), 1 tsp salted butter (if using a sweet apple), and 1 tsp vanilla sugar. The preparation involves microwaving the apple covered for 2 minutes, allowing it to stand covered afterward, and then enjoying it.<PIC>


Question: What’s the best way to prepare a delicious Turkey BLT sandwich from scratch?

Introduction: Turkey BLT. <PIC> How to Guide: Turkey BLT Step 1: Prep the Bread. <PIC> Remove bread from wrapper and toast lightly.  Step 2: Your Ingredients. <PIC> Prepare your ingredients. They will include: Mayo Lettuce Tomatoes BaconTurkey meat  Step 3: Making the Sandwich . <PIC> Put all your ingredients together.  Step 4: Cut the Sandwich . <PIC> Cut the sandwich and place slices on top of each other.  Step 5: Serve. <PIC> Serve with chips or fries.


Question: What ingredients should I prepare for making a 'Turkey BLT' sandwich?

To make a 'Turkey BLT,' you should prepare Mayo, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Bacon, and Turkey meat.<PIC>


Question: What’s the best way to prepare delicious deep-fried anchovies for a tasty tapas experience?

Introduction: Deep Fried Anchovies. <PIC> Deep fried anchovies are typical and most of all popular tapas food in Spain. They make an excellent sandwich topper or a starter and drizzled with lemon juice they are hard to resist. They also go well with beer!Read more ...Enjoy our easy recipes!Visit our new website:            www.happyfoodstube.comSo lets get cooking! Step 1: Ingredients:. <PIC> 300 g (10.5 oz) AnchoviesSunflower Oil for frying110 g (1 Cup) Plain FlourLemon (optional) Step 2: Directions:. <PIC> 1. If you bought whole fresh anchovies, you will need to remove their heads, gut them (if you cut the heads off, the guts come out together with the head) and take out the spine bone.2. If you bought fresh anchovy fillets then you are lucky.3. Once you gutted the anchovies, put the flour in a large bowl. You will coat the anchovies in flour. You have 2 options: Throw all of them at once in the bowl and using your hands coat them in flour OR coat them one by one (they are quite fragile and this way they will keep their shape better.4. Heat up the oil in a medium size sauce pan. When the oil is hot enough, throw in (carefully) the anchovies. Make sure there is enough space in between them. Depending on the size of your pan and the amount you are frying you might need to do it in a few batches.5. Enjoy! Step 3: Subscibe/Follow Us to Get the Latest Updates:. <PIC> ► Website:  www.happyfoodstube.com► Youtube:  www.youtube.com/happyfoodstube► Google+:  https://plus.google.com/+happyfoodstube► Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/happyfoodstube► Instagram:  http://instagram.com/happyfoodstube► Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/happyfoodstube► Twitter:  https://twitter.com/happyfoodstube


Question: What steps do I need to take to prepare whole fresh anchovies for deep frying before coating them in flour?

To prepare whole fresh anchovies for deep frying, you need to remove their heads, gut them, and take out the spine bone. If you have fresh anchovy fillets, you can skip this preparation.<PIC>


Question: What’s the best way to assemble the ultimate triple meat burger for a satisfying meal?

Introduction: Triple Meat Burger. <PIC> this burger is for meat lovers. Step 1: Materials. burger buns ground beef bacon skirt steak avacado lettuce knife cheesebutter Step 2: Meat. Cut the skirt steak into pieces about the size of your burger. Season the steak with salt and pepper. Grill the steak. Roll the ground beef into patties and season with salt and pepper. Grill the patties with the cheese on the top. Cook your bacon. Step 3: Avocado. The avocado gives it freshness. Sauté the avocado in a pan with some butter. Put every thing on the bun.


Question: How should the skirt steak be prepared for grilling in the 'meat-meat-meat' recipe?

For the 'meat-meat-meat' recipe, the skirt steak should be cut into pieces about the size of your burger and seasoned with salt and pepper before grilling.


Question: In preparing 'Bola-bola Daging Pedas (Spicy Meatballs),' what ingredients must be ground together in Step 8?

In preparing 'Bola-bola Daging Pedas (Spicy Meatballs),' the ingredients that must be ground together in Step 8 are chilli, garlic, onion, and salt.<PIC>


Question: What is the process for making easy handmade ravioli filled with delicious pesto?

Introduction: Easy Handmade Pesto Ravioli . <PIC> I have had this pasta roller as a gift sitting in my kitchenSince it was a rainy day, I decided to open it up and roll out some pastaThis pasta is very easy to make and used materials you already haveYou could also hand roll out the pasta instead of using a pasta rollerThis is a great idea if it is rainy outside or you have a lot of time The filling of the ravioli can be anything, but my favorite is pesto and I have a lot of it Step 1: Ingredients. <PIC> 100 grams all purpose flour1 eggAny filling like pesto, tomatoes sauce, or cheeseWaterAnd that's it Step 2: Making the Dough . <PIC> Get out your 100 grams of flour and place in a bowlMake a well in the flourAdd in one egg and mix with a fork until all the flour is gone and e mixture is crumblyPour out your dough on to your work surface and start kneading it together until a tough ball of dough forms Step 3: Rolling Out the Dough. <PIC> Get your pasta roller or rolling pin and start flattening the dough a bitI cut the total dough in half so it is easier to handleFor the first roll, I used the level 3 on the pasta rollerAnd start increasing the number after each rollAfter the first roll, fold your dough in half and place into the pasta rollerRemember to always flour your doughContinue to roll, fold, flour and increase the level on the pasta roller for 6 times until you get a smooth doughAfter you have roller out your dough on the 9 level, get it out of the machine and lay it flat on a floured surfaceGet a circular object like a cup and start placing the cup on top of the dough and pressing it downContinue doing this until you get enough pieces to make the ravioli2 dough circles make one ravioli Step 4: Making the Ravioli. <PIC> Get a dough circle and dust off the extra flourLay it down on your work surface and place a little bit of filling into the middle of the doughDip your finger in water and wet it around the dough circlePlace another dough circle on top and flatten the sidesTo make it more secure do a fold at the ends of the ravioliAfter you have made all of your ravioli, place it in salted boiling water or in a plastic container into the refridgerator Step 5: Results. <PIC> Drizzle some of your favorite sauce on top of the prepared ravioli and enjoyThis ravioli is easy to make and tastes deliciousThe pasta actually tastes a lot better than the prepared pastaI hope you try out this easy recipes on a rainy day or if you want to try something newEnjoy!


Question: What is the process for rolling out the dough to make 'Easy Handmade Ravioli'?

To roll out the dough for 'Easy Handmade Ravioli,' start by using a pasta roller or rolling pin to flatten the dough, folding and flouring it regularly. After rolling it out to the 9 level, lay it flat on a floured surface and cut out circular pieces using a cup to prepare for making the ravioli.<PIC>


Question: What is the best way to create delicious Orange Bowl Oranges for a fun and tasty presentation?

Introduction: Orange Bowl Oranges (OBOs). OBOs are an amazingly fun way to serve oranges. I'm pretty sure this same technique would work with grapefruit and could be awesome with a cherry in the middle.
Toothpicks can be used to eat the segments with because food is just more fun to eat with toothpicks.  Step 1: . To make OBOs, you will need:
-one or more oranges
-a knife
-toothpicks (optional) Step 2: . Cut the orange in half. If the "navel" parts of the orange are like the north and south poles of Earth then you want to cut on the equator. Step 3: . Flip an orange half over so that the fleshy, juicy, and delicious part is on your cutting surface. Now cut off the "navel" part so that you can remove the lid and have some of the flesh, juicy, and delicious part exposed.  Step 4: . Next you want to remove the fleshy, juicy, and delicious part of the orange from the pithy, rind part.
To do this, stick your knife into the orange. You should be able to feel where the knife cuts easier on the flesh part. Your knife should be angled but the orange will tell you where to cut. Follow this path of least resistance all the way around the orange.  Step 5: . Liberate the fleshy part of the orange from it's pithy rind prison. Place the orange on your cutting surface with the larger base on the bottom. Cut the orange into segments, I like to cut into sixths for larger oranges and quarters for small ones.  Step 6: . Grab the orange flesh's former pithy rind prison and position it with the larger base up. Place the "navel" end that you cut off earlier into it to create a bowl. This also helps give the orange flesh a higher platform when put back into the bowl.  Step 7: . With the larger base on the bottom, place the orange flesh into the bowl. Add toothpicks in some or all of the segments if desired.
Enjoy your OBO!


Question: In the recipe for 'Orange Bowl Oranges (OBOs),' how can I separate the juicy flesh of the orange from its rind?

To separate the juicy flesh of the orange from its rind in 'Orange Bowl Oranges (OBOs),' you should stick your knife into the orange and feel where it cuts easier in the flesh. Following this path of least resistance, cut all the way around the orange.


Question: What’s the easiest way to whip up a delicious lemon chicken dish for everyone to enjoy?

Introduction: Simple Lemon Chicken (for Everyone, Even Robots). <PIC> Never had a bone in your body that could make anything? can you mess up cooking even the boxed things? well here is a simple recipe literally any one could make, (he he he he) even my husband.. best thing about this recipe there is only 4 ingredients one inst even needed.. sooo lets stop gabbing and get to work.. Thanks memorris027 for inviting me https://www.instructables.com/member/memorris027/Ingredients
- Thyme
- Lemon Pepper Season
- Chicken Breast
- Lemon Juice *optional*Step One
- Get all the ingredients out (obviously), preheat oven to 450 degree, then place the Chicken in a pan that is surrounded by Foil.Step Two
- Take the Lemon Juice and pour a some on the top of the Chicken Breast .
*** If not doing the Lemon Juice jump to Step Three but add just enough water to cover the bottom of foiled cover pan***Step Three
- Flip the Chicken over and moderately cover the bottom of the Breast with the Lemon Pepper and Thyme Seasoning. Repeat covering the top of Breast with both Seasonings.Step Four
- When oven is fully heated, place the Chicken in the oven and wait bout 30-40 min, cut the fattest part of the Chicken to make sure its cooked fully (also could check the temperature to make sure its done properly).
***Optional: Take some juice from the Chicken pan and drizzel over the top of the Chicken Breast impacts flavor and presentation***Your all done.. place Chicken on the plate and dress with a Veggie and Rice for sides and impress all your friends, or a special someone.. Now go enjoy that tasty Chicken and amaze everyone.. =)


Question: When preparing 'Simple Lemon Chicken (for Everyone, Even Robots)' and choosing not to use lemon juice, what should you do next?

If you choose not to use lemon juice when making 'Simple Lemon Chicken (for Everyone, Even Robots),' you should skip to Step Three and add just enough water to cover the bottom of the foiled cover pan.<PIC>


Question: What steps should I follow to ensure that the milk curds form properly when making flavoured paneer?

To ensure that the milk curds form properly when making flavoured paneer, reduce the heat to low after heating the milk, add 1/4 cup of lemon juice, and stir the mixture until you see the curds clumping together. If curds do not form within two minutes, add more lemon juice a tablespoon at a time while stirring frequently.<PIC>


Question: What’s the best way to prepare a refreshing Asian kale salad with homemade sesame dressing?

Introduction: Asian Kale Salad With Homemake Sesame Dressing. <PIC> Beat the heat by trying this yummy Kale salad this summer. I have tossed in tomatoes that are growing in my back yard this summer. Try it and let me know how you like it. Step 1: Ingredient. <PIC> Kale - 4 cups or half a packet -choppedSpring Onion- One bunch  - finely choppedCherry Tomatoes -  5 to 6 - dicedOil - 3 table spoonLime- 1/4 or 1/2 lime depending on how much sourness you can handleToaster Sesame Seeds- 1.5 table spoonPeanuts- 2 table spoon ( adjust it depening on your taste)Cranberry - 2 Table spoon or moreThai Green chili - 1 (optional)Garlic - one large cloveHoney- one table spoonSalt to taste. Step 2: How to Make the Dressing. <PIC> In a blender combine chilly, garlic, one table spoon sesame seed, olive oil, honey and juice of half lime, blend it to smooth paste. Save it for later. Step 3: Salad. <PIC> 1. In a pot of boiling water add kale and let it stand for 3 minute.  To blanch - in a big container add ice water and then remove and add the boiled kale. let it stand for couple of minutes. 2. Drain the water fout of the container and squeez out the excess water from the kale. 3. Now put the Kale in a mixing bowl and add in the diced tomatoes , chopped green onion , peanuts and cranberry. Toss in the salad dressing how much ever you like. Use a fork or spatula to mix all the ingredient in with the dressing. 4. Remove and serve in a salad plate. Garnish with tosted sesame.


Question: What steps should be taken to properly blanch the kale for the 'Asian Kale Salad With Homemade Sesame Dressing,' and how should it be prepared before mixing it with other ingredients?

To properly blanch the kale for the 'Asian Kale Salad With Homemade Sesame Dressing,' you should first add the kale to a pot of boiling water and let it stand for 3 minutes. Then, transfer the kale to a big container filled with ice water to cool for a couple of minutes. After cooling, drain the water and squeeze out any excess water from the kale before mixing it with the other ingredients.<PIC>


Question: After boiling and cooling the chicken breasts for my Chicken Enchiladas, what should I do with them?

After boiling and cooling the chicken breasts for my Chicken Enchiladas, I should dice them into small bite-sized pieces.<PIC>


Question: While preparing 'Mexican Drinking Chocolate,' what should you do with the whipping cream as you wait for the milk to heat up?

While preparing 'Mexican Drinking Chocolate,' you should add 1/4 cup of whipping cream to a bowl, along with about 1 tablespoon of sugar, and whisk it continuously. Don't forget to take breaks to stir the milk.<PIC>


Question: How can I separate the egg whites from the yolks while making 'Frozen Pumpkin Pie'?

To separate the egg whites from the yolks for 'Frozen Pumpkin Pie,' carefully swirl the yolk in your hand and allow the egg white to seep between your fingers.<PIC>


Question: What are the key steps to transform a can of baked beans into a delightful gourmet meal?

Introduction: Turn a Can of Baked Beans Into a Gourmet Meal. <PIC> A can of baked beans is a cheap, nutritious staple that can be eaten on its own. But with a little effort and a few extra ingredients, you can create a delicious meal for two.All of the ingredients in this instructable are easily stored and transported without any refrigeration (sausage may need to be kept cold: check the package), so it's an ideal meal for camping. You will need: a chopping knife, a block to cut on, and a pot on a heat source.All of the ingredients may be easily substituted for something similar. I hope this instructable inspires you. Step 1: Ingredients. Ingredients I used:a can of baked beans (with maple syrup)   a potato   half a large onion   two roma tomatoes   about 2 tsp paprika   half a chorizo sausage   pepper/other spices to taste   a little oil (optional)This amount of food is enough for 2 normal appetites. Step 2: Prepare Your Ingredients!. <PIC> To make sure everything cooks easily, chop your onions and potatoes finely.  Chop your tomatoes (not shown)  Slice your spicy chorizo sausage.  I like to measure out my spices to dump them in all at once. If you're camping, you might not.Experiment with other hardy ingredients! I might try a small can of corn next time. Step 3: Let's Cook!. <PIC> I always start by cooking the hardest vegetables.* Heat up your pot/pan with the oil, and then add your potatoes and onions. Once they are soft, add the tomatoes and paprika.  Next dump in your can of baked beans, sausage, salt and pepper.  Heat and serve. Garnish with parsley or basil if you have it.So easy.* I recommend starting with cooked/smoked sausage, but if you're going to use uncooked sausage, prepare it with the onions first.


Question: When making 'Turn a Can of Baked Beans Into a Gourmet Meal,' what kind of sausage you should use?

When making 'Turn a Can of Baked Beans Into a Gourmet Meal,' you should use cooked or smoked sausage; but if using uncooked sausage, you should prepare it with the onions first.<PIC>


Question: What is the best way to prepare delicious scrambled eggs with cheese and sausage for a satisfying meal?

Introduction: Scrambled Eggs W/cheese and Sausage. <PIC> This "ible" will try to show you how I cook scrambled eggs with cheese, I think it's the best way but I'm admittedly bias. I did a search on here and didn't find any "ibles" quite like this so here you go Step 1: Getting Ready. <PIC>  Getting started actually takes awhile although you can do it faster by cutting out the 1st step of getting ready.
 1. figure out how many eggs your going to want and set them on the counter for at least an hour
 your also going to need
 Cheese of your choice
  sausage, bacon, ham, shrimp or etc
  hot sauce
  butter, margerine, bacon drippings, lard, olive oil or other cooking oil of your choice
  a glass
  an immersion blender or milkshake mixer or whisk and lots of elbow grease
  Frying pan
  spatula
  an appetite Step 2: The Sausage. <PIC> cut or break up the sausage and get it in the frying pan to warm thru, a little bacon grease at this point helps brown the sausage Step 3: The Eggs Part 2 and 3. <PIC> while the sausage is warming up, crack your eggs into the glass, add a teaspoon of water for each egg and a good splash of hot sauce, Im using the juice from a friends homemade hot pepper salad but use what you like.  I don't add salt at this point because I think it makes the eggs tougher but it's up to you.
 Now for what I think sets my eggs apart, I didn't invent it, in fact Waffle House(tm) uses a similar machine to make their omolets. I used to use an immersion(stick) blender but I found the milkshake mixer at a thrift store for $3us !  It will double the volumn of your eggs by adding in air and make the finished results super fluffy... Step 4: On to the Heat. <PIC> pour your now whipped egg mixture into the medium hot pan and quickly add in your cheese, chunking the cheese will help it melt and mix faster. let it set a about a minute and then start stirring and mixing with your spatula or wooden spoon. Stop and remove the eggs from the pan while they still look a little soft and under cooked, the residual heat will finish them off just right. If you cook them until they LOOK done, they will be overdone when you go to eat them Step 5: Enjoy. <PIC> Nows the time to add salt and pepper if you want. A couple pieces of toast or a bagel goes nicely on the side. A homemade biscuit and grits would also be nice but I was out of grits and to lazy to make bisquits


Question: What method is recommended for whipping the eggs to achieve a fluffy texture in 'Scrambled Eggs W/cheese and Sausage'?

To achieve a fluffy texture in 'Scrambled Eggs W/cheese and Sausage,' it is recommended to use a milkshake mixer to whip the eggs, as this will double their volume by incorporating air.<PIC>