Category: Culinary News

Useful guide to becoming a better cook

Assorted spices on brown wooden table beside red and white textile. Photo: Engin Akyurt/Pexels, used with permission.

If you want to become a better cook, then you are already taking a positive step towards making happier and healthier meals for your family. Take a look below to find out more.

Collect Skills

Home cooks should try and develop a repertoire of tried-and-tested recipes. It’s important to collect skills as well. When you have mastered everything, you can then apply them to several different recipes.  You should ideally know how to make an omelet, a steak, and a simple pan sauce. Other skills you need to master include making classic gravy and short crust pastry. If you can do this, then the world is your oyster when it comes to your cooking journey.

Emulate Professional Chefs

If you want to become a better cook at home, then you need to try and emulate the professionals. You can usually tell if someone is a good cook or not by simply looking at their kitchen. Everything should have a place and ingredients should be stacked, labelled and finally, organized. Your kitchen should be free from clutter, and you should also have a time plan for when you’re cooking. Not taking the time to read the recipe from start to end is a major mistake. You need to know in advance if you need to be leaving something overnight, so keep that in mind.

Invest in your Equipment

If you have a budget, then spend the whole thing on some new knives. Knives should be comfortable, and they should also have a good weight. Store them in a knife block and never put them in the dishwasher. You should have a large cook’s knife for meal prep and a paring knife for things that require greater control. This is especially the case when it comes to cutting up smaller ingredients. A serrated knife is great if you intend to cut up bread and cake too. If you haven’t got one already, then make sure that you invest in a sharpening steel. This will help you to keep your blades nice and sharp.

Choose Gadgets Wisely

If you go to a professional kitchen, then you won’t find gimmicky gadgets. You will find labor saving appliances, such as spice grinders, food processors, mandolins, and meat thermometers. Micro graters are also great to have. If you want to experiment with cutting gadgets then these fall salad recipes are great, as you can practice cutting up different vegetables with ease.

Taste Everything

You need to taste everything again and again. Sometimes a sprinkling of chili flakes ruins a dish, but other times it saves it. Take care when using salted butter in your recipes as it is very difficult to over season this way. Most chefs will use unsalted butter for this very reason. If you are cooking using a white sauce then white pepper seasons the dish while stopping it from having large black lumps, like you’d get with black pepper. You’ll pick up little tricks as you go, so make sure that you keep this in mind.

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Francis Bogside announces grand opening weekend celebration

Popular modern Irish pub grand opening weekend celebration includes expanded food menu launching this Friday, June 23. Photo: TXTroubleMaker, used with permission.

Francis Bogside is now open in its new location at St. Paul Square and excited to announce its Grand Opening Weekend Celebration with the expansion of its food menu and the launch of brunch service on Sundays and live music. (Francis Bogside, 2023)

The Grand Opening Weekend is set for Friday, June 23 – Sunday June 25, and will include the expanded food menu including fan favorites from its previous location like the SmashBurger, Fish and Chips, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Chicken Wings, Devilled Eggs, Fried Pickles, and more. Brand new menu items include the Cauliflower Parm Pasta, Green Curry with fresh Steamed Rice, Braised Short Ribs, Blackened Shrimp Pasta, Focaccia Deep Dish Pizza, and more.

To celebrate the grand opening, Francis Bogside will also be launching Sunday Brunch Service with Mimosa and Bloody Mary specials, including menu items like Prime Rib, Crab Cakes with Eggs, Seafood Platter and more. Brunch service will kick off on June 25 and be held every Sunday from 12p.m. to 3p.m.

The grand opening celebration will include live music throughout the weekend, including Mike Ryan set to perform on Friday, June 23 from 5p.m. to 8p.m. and Christine Roberts and the So So’s performing from 9p.m. to 2a.m. Yacht Rock will be performing on Saturday, June 24 from 10p.m. to -1a.m.

Grand Opening Weekend: Friday, June 23 – Sunday, June 25
Brunch Service: Sunday, June 25 from 12p.m. to 3p.m.

New Operating Hours (Starting June 23):
• Tuesday through Saturday: 4p.m. to 2a.m.
• Sunday: 12p.m. to 2a.m.
• Closed Mondays

Francis Bogside
1170 E Commerce St. Suite 100
San Antonio, TX 78205

Taco Cabana launches limited time Southwest Ranchero menu items and Breakfast Cabana Bowls

Taco Cabana’s ‘Gigante’ Breakfast Cabana Bowls are available during breakfast hours only. Photo: Taco Cabana

Arriving just in time for summer, Taco Cabana invites guests to enjoy its newest offerings, including the tasty Southwest Ranchero Cabana Bowl® and quesadilla, as well as three all-new “Gigante” Breakfast Cabana Bowls® and a country sausage breakfast taco. Launched on June 21, 2023, these menu items will be available at all Texas Taco Cabana locations while supplies last. (Taco Cabana, 2023)

TC’s latest culinary innovation – the new “Gigante” Breakfast Cabana Bowls® – served three different ways with the guests’ choice of new, deliciously seasoned country sausage and egg, chorizo and egg, or all egg served in a signature TC crispy tortilla shell. Each bowl includes seasoned potatoes, refried beans, queso and pico de gallo and will be available for $4.99 each. Those looking for extra flavor and crunch can add two strips of crispy bacon for $1.59.

A seasoned country sausage breakfast taco will also be introduced to the TC menu for $2.19. The “Gigante Breakfast Cabana Bowls®” and country sausage breakfast taco will be available for purchase during breakfast hours only.

TC’s new Southwest Ranchero offerings are a must-try this summer season. The Southwest Ranchero quesadilla consists of two TC flour tortillas filled with grilled Chicken Fajita, ranchero salsa made with black beans and roasted corn, melted Jack & Cheddar cheeses, pico de gallo and served with a side of sour cream and fresh guacamole and is available in two sizes: small for $6.99 and large for $10.99. The Southwest Ranchero Cabana Bowl® is filled with grilled Chicken Fajita, ranchero salsa made with black beans and roasted corn, rice, refried beans, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, shredded cheese and sour cream in a crispy tortilla shell available for $8.39.

TC’s new Southwest Ranchero menu items, country sausage breakfast taco and “Gigante” Breakfast Cabana Bowls® can be ordered in-restaurant, via online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, via the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MY TC!® App or online while supplies last.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Mexican-inspired food including breakfast, lunch and dinner tacos, dozen taco boxes, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, double crunch pizzas, freshly made flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of June 8, 2023, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

“Great-tasting bowls have long been part of our TC menu. We invite everyone to TC to try our bowl variety. We’re proud of our continued culinary innovation and the introduction of these new bowl options and flavors across all of our TC dayparts – breakfast, lunch and dinner. The new seasoned country sausage breakfast taco and ‘Gigante’ Breakfast Cabana Bowl® also provide our guests an additional protein choice for breakfast. Guests have told us that they’re looking for new breakfast options and they’ll be amazed at not only the tastes, but the size of the new breakfast bowls, filled to the tortilla shell rim for just $4.99 each. We call them ‘Gigante’ for a reason.” – Ulyses Camacho, Taco Cabana President and COO

Diversifying your plate: tips for introducing new foods to your diet

Woman in purple eating. Photo: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels, used with permission.

We often stick to the tried and tested when it comes to our dietary habits. However, opening up your taste buds to new flavors not only broadens your culinary horizons but gives you a range of health benefits. Here are five strategies to break the monotony and introduce new foods to your diet effectively.

Start Small: Embrace Baby Steps

Introducing new foods into your diet can feel like a culinary adventure. To make this journey smooth and enjoyable, it’s essential to start with small servings. Our palate sometimes needs time to adjust to unfamiliar flavors and small portions can make this adjustment period more manageable.

Imagine you’ve stumbled across a tantalizing lamb burgers recipe, and you’re eager to give it a try. Go all-in and prepare a full meal around this new dish; or you could consider starting with just a mini burger or two, pairing them with familiar side dishes. This step-by-step approach allows your taste buds to familiarize themselves with the new flavors gradually, enhancing your chances of developing a liking for the new food.

Pair With Favorites: Use The Trojan Horse Method

Pairing new foods with your all-time favorites can be a smart way to experiment. This technique not only enhances the flavor profile of your dishes but also makes the unfamiliar, more familiar.

You might love your grilled chicken and use it regularly in your salads. So, when introducing a new vegetable like kale, pair it with your grilled chicken salad. The familiar taste of chicken can help mask the bitterness of kale, aiding your taste buds to get accustomed to it.

Explore Cultural Dishes: The World Is Your Oyster

Every culture has a unique culinary repertoire that can open a whole new world of flavors. Exploring international cuisines not only widens your food choices but also exposes you to a range of nutritious options.

Japanese cuisine, for example, is known for its use of seafood and fermented foods that are excellent for gut health. On the other hand, Mediterranean cuisine utilizes a plethora of fresh vegetables, legumes, and olive oil, which are renowned for heart health. So why not try a traditional Greek moussaka or an Indian lentil curry and bring the world to your kitchen?

Engage Your Senses: Make Eating A Mindful Activity

Mindful eating is a powerful strategy to accept new foods. Paying attention to the colors, smells, and textures of your food can enhance your overall eating experience.

Think of it as a sensory exploration. Say, for a new fruit like dragon fruit, observe its vibrant color, feel its leathery skin, smell its fresh aroma, and then take a bite. This sensory engagement can make the unfamiliar food more appealing and enjoyable.

Be Patient: Accept That It’s A Process

The journey of diversifying your plate is a gradual process. It’s completely natural to not like a new food the first time you try it. Research suggests it may take up to 15 times of trying a new food before you develop a liking for it. So, don’t give up on the first try.

Remember, every step you take towards introducing new foods to your diet is a victory. And over time, your palate will grow to appreciate the variety, leading to a more nourishing and satisfying eating experience.

To sum it up, introducing new foods to your diet doesn’t need to be a daunting task. By following these tips, you can gradually expand your culinary landscape, making your meals not just healthier, but also more interesting and enjoyable.

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Tips for improving your cooking skills

Assorted spices on brown wooden table beside red and white textile. Photo: Engin Akyurt/Pexels, used with permission.

Unless you’ve got millions of dollars in the bank, you’ll need to know how to prepare meals. It would be nice if you could eat at restaurants or have your own private chef, but for the vast majority of us, that’s just not possible. To keep your finances in check and to eat well, you’ll need to cook at home on most nights. 

And this chore can be difficult, or straightforward and enjoyable, depending on the extent of your cooking skills. If you know how to cook, then you’ll be in a good position to eat well on most nights. Don’t think your current cooking skills are up to standard? Fear not — there are plenty of ways to improve, as we’ll see below. 

Do It Regularly

You can’t expect to get good at something if you only do it once in a blue moon. Cooking is a skill like anything else: the more you do it, the better you’ll get at it. We all go through periods when we eat out more, or just use the microwave to prepare our meals. But at some point, you’ll need to commit to making your meals — it’s the only way to get better at it. Over time, you’ll find that you’ve actually gotten pretty good at it. 

New Recipes

You won’t improve your cooking skills if you’re making the same couple of dishes over and over again. That approach might make you good at making those specific dishes, but you probably couldn’t call yourself a good cook. A person who’s good in the kitchen can make a wide range of dishes. Not that the new recipes you add to your repertoire have to be overly challenging. They just need to be different. This easy instant pot Chinese pepper steak recipe, for instance, will allow you to bring a touch of Asian flavor to your cooking. It might be easy to make, but it’ll certainly be a big hit with your family.

Critically Taste Your Creations

You can’t know how good your meals are if you’re just passively consuming them. You’ll only know how to improve if you’re tasting your dishes critically. That is to say, you’re eating them consciously, and really thinking about the taste. Did you add too much salt? Could you have used more salt? By developing your sense of taste, you’ll be able to figure out how good your current dishes are, and where you need to improve. 

Find Better Ingredients

This is perhaps the easiest way to improve the quality of your dishes. The quality of your ingredients will have a direct impact on the final product. After all, you can’t expect low-quality ingredients to produce an outstanding meal. Only the best ingredients will do that. There’s a misconception that better ingredients have to cost more, but that’s not always the case — you can get excellent deals on produce from a farmer’s market, for instance. It’s worth reading the ingredients list of the items you buy to ensure that it really is a quality ingredient. 

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Fun ways to spend those long summer evenings

Food on brown wooden table with chairs and plates. Photo: Pexels

The sun hasn’t quite gone down yet, the sky is peachy orange or pale pink, and the air has a certain haze to it. That’s right, the season of long summer evenings is in full swing. And finding ways to spend time when it’s seemingly forever light outside is all part of the charm. But if you’re already out of ideas for this year, we’ve got a couple of suggestions for you down below. Use this time wisely – it’ll be winter again before you know it.

Spend Time in the ‘Pool’
Lucky enough to have a pool, or a hot tub? If not, don’t worry. Even if you don’t have one, you can buy a small paddling pool and spend some time luxuriating in the warm outside air and the weightless feeling around you.

Set it up in a flat, private space, wear your favorite swimwear items, pour yourself a yummy drink, and then spend a good half hour out there watching the sun go down. The water will help to keep you cool, and as that elusive evening breeze moves in, you’ll be able to truly cool off from the day behind you.

Host a Proper Streaming Night
Whether you’ve got a new box set to binge or you want to watch a bunch of horror movies back to back, this idea will align neatly with your plans. Why not host a big streaming night for your friends to come along to? Make up a creamy crack dip with bacon and cheese, make sure there are plenty of dipping chips available on plates (with a few raw vegetables for a healthy option!), and buy some special drinks for the occasion too.

Take the Cinema Outside
Tired of evenings indoors? If you’ve got the garden space, you can invest in a projector and a screen to show it all on. Wait until it’s a bit darker outside, put up an awning or gazebo to sit under and keep the screen safe, and set up some fairy or candle lights. Once you’ve done this, invite a couple people around for an outdoor cinema night. Put on your favorite movies, or have a theme night featuring the best animated classics, and watch late into the night while it’s warm and cozy outside.

Go Adventuring with a Pet
If you’ve got a dog, or even a cat, take them out in those later evening hours while there’s still a bit of sunlight. A late one down the dog park or through your neighborhood, your pet by your side with a few treats in your pocket – it can be magical. And it’s good to get a bit of late day exercise; it can help you cool off, give you a healthy outlet from heat frustrations, and it’ll help you meet other lovely pet owners looking to do the same thing.

Long summer evenings don’t have to be boring, or overbearing with the heat! Make it fun with ideas like these.

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Time saving recipes you are sure to love

These recipes include something for everyone. Photo: Google

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, finding the time to cook wholesome meals can seem like an impossible task. Yet, with a few tricks up your sleeve and a repertoire of quick, delicious recipes, you can create meals that save time and satisfy your palate. To prove the point, here are some time-saving recipes that you are sure to love, including a comforting slow cooker beef stroganoff.

1. Slow cooker beef stroganoff
The slow cooker is a boon for anyone looking for time-saving recipes. This beef stroganoff recipe, is perfect for a stress-free dinner. With ingredients like stew meat, fresh mushrooms, Italian seasoning, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic, cream cheese, sour cream, and pasta, you’re all set for a hearty meal. And best of all, you don’t need to do much more than add the ingredients to the slow cooker and turn it on, adding pasta or rice later on. It’s so simple, creamy, and delicious, you will soon be adding it to your regular rotation.

Photo: Pixabay

2. Quick vegetable stir-fry
Vegetable stir-fry is another time-saving recipe, ready in 20 minutes. It’s versatile, healthy, and can be tailored to suit your taste buds. Grab a variety of colorful vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, and snap peas. Sauté these in a pan with olive oil, minced garlic, and ginger. Add your favorite stir-fry sauce and toss everything until well-coated and cooked. Serve this over steamed rice or noodles for a quick, balanced meal.

Photo: Pexels

3. Sheet pan salmon and asparagus
Sheet pan meals save time on preparation and clean-up. One delightful combination includes salmon fillets and asparagus. Preheat your oven and line a baking sheet with foil. Place your salmon fillets and asparagus on to the sheet pan. Drizzle with a big glug of olive oil and a light sprinkle of whatever seasonings you prefer. Roast in the oven until the fish is cooked through and the asparagus is tender. It’s a high-protein, low-carb meal that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and cook.

Photo: Pexels

4. Pasta Primavera
Pasta Primavera, brimming with fresh summer vegetables, is a delightful, time-saving recipe that’s perfect for busy evenings. It’s versatile, vibrant, and ready in just 20 minutes. You’ll need pasta of your choice, summer vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes, olive oil, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, salt, and pepper. Then it’s just a matter of boiling your pasta as you heat olive oil in a large pan, and sauté minced garlic until it’s fragrant. Add in your chopped vegetables, and cook them until they’re tender yet crisp. Sprinkle with salt and pepper for seasoning.

Once the pasta is cooked, simply drain it, but keep some of the pasta water. Combine the cooked pasta with the vegetables in the pan, tossing them together. If needed, add some of the reserved pasta water to moisten the dish. Top with grated parmesan and a few basil leaves and you will have a deliciously satisfying dish to enjoy.

Photo: Pexels

These time-saving recipes prove that cooking doesn’t need to be time-consuming or complicated to yield delicious results. So, what are you waiting for? Time to hit the kitchen.

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Four hobbies that can teach you important life skills

Dancing serves as a form of exercise and stress reliever. Photo: Michael Zittel, used with permission.

It is never too late to learn something new. In fact, it is encouraged at all ages to help keep the mind sharp and expand your skills. With so many different skills to know and learn, you will never be short of new hobbies or passions to indulge in or learning opportunities you can take up.

While some hobbies can be solely for fun, many can help you expand your skills and support and enhance your quality of life. Read on to find out more.

Cooking and Baking

Everyone needs to learn how to cook and taking up cooking or baking, or even both, as your new hobby can give essential skills you can use every day to support yourself. Whether you want to wow your friends by whipping up a three-course meal worthy of a place on MasterChef or you try this lemon slice recipe to practice for a spot on the Great British Bake Off, learning kitchen skills will serve you well. Whether you self-learn at home using recipe books, online tutorials or via food bloggers or by taking classes, you can find something that works for you positively.

A New Language

Many people learn languages in schools, but not as many carry on these skills as adults. New languages can help you massively when travelling around the world or when conversing with people who have a different native language than you. The most common spoken language in the world is English, followed by Mandarin Chinese, Hindi and Spanish, but there are over 6,5000 spoken languages in the world for you to try to learn if you so wish.

Sewing and Knitting

Sewing and knitting are skills that were once commonplace in schools across the world but, in recent years, have been removed from the curriculum. However, lately, these skills seem to be having somewhat of a revival, with more and more of the younger generations taking up knitting and sewing for pleasure. These skills can help you be more creative and give you valuable skills to help you repair items at home and even create your own clothing.

Dancing

Dancing is an excellent form of exercise and can be an important stress reliever and mood enhancer. Suppose you struggle to get the motivation to move or do much exercise, or you simply like to express yourself through music. In that case, taking music classes to teach yourself different dance styles at home can help you learn how to express yourself better and stay fit, healthy, and more enjoyable if the gym does not interest you. Dancing means paying attention to how you hold your body, the beat of the music and how to stay in time with a beat. Being more agile and fluid in your movements can help you avoid accidents and injuries and set you up for a physically healthy body that can cope with your daily activities.

Whatever hobby you take up, ensure you do it for the right reasons. While some can give you invaluable skills you can implement in your life, you need to enjoy what you must do to get maximum pleasure and benefits from it, or it will not be worthwhile.

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No more boring dinners: learn how to whip up amazing meals with ease

Photo: Elina Sazonova, used with permission.

Cooking is more than a necessity – it is an art form. No matter your level of experience or proficiency in the kitchen, creating delicious dishes with fresh ingredients can be rewarding. Nevertheless, when we do not have the time to be inventive, cooking can occasionally feel like a job. However, there are a few easy hacks and suggestions that will make your culinary journey joyful. Here are a few quick and simple methods to spice up your meals without spending all day in the kitchen.

1. Excite Your Dining Routine with Easy Cooking Techniques –
One of the best ways to break away from dinnertime monotony is to explore various cooking methods. There are so many exciting methods you can try, such as grilling, stir-frying, roasting or slow cooking your meals for added flavor and excitement. Each technique adds something special to your food and helps you achieve flavors you would not be able to achieve otherwise. Plus, these dishes do not require much time or effort from you. Do not be afraid to experiment with seasonings and marinades; herbs, spices, vinegars, oils – even fresh garlic or ginger can add an extra dimension. These ingredients are versatile and affordable so why not give them a try?

2. 5 Ingredients for Delicious Dishes –
An easy way to switch up your meal routine is by working with five simple ingredients. This method works on weeknights when you do not have time to shop for many items. Start by choosing a protein like chicken, beef or fish then add two vegetables and one starch. Finally, pick an herb or spice as a flavor enhancer. Now you have everything necessary for creating an irresistible dinner. If you are feeling adventurous, experiment with different combinations and make each dish unique in its own way.

3. Create Flavor Combinations That Wow –
If you want to wow your guests or family members with your cooking, try creating unique flavor combinations. This could include pairing unusual ingredients like smoked salmon and beets, or sweet and savory pairings like balsamic glazed pork chops with peaches and mint. A perfect example would be quinoa salad topped off with grilled vegetables and feta cheese; not only will these dishes wow guests (or family members), but they are also incredibly healthy dishes.

4. Use Spices and Herbs to Enhance Flavors –
Spices and herbs are your secret weapon for creating flavorful dishes, helping you add depth and complexity while saving time in the kitchen. If you do not know where to start, try exploring regional cuisines such as Italian with this homemade spaghetti sauce recipe, Mexican or Indian and see which combinations of spices they use in their dishes; this will inspire creativity with flavors. Popular herbs like oregano, rosemary, parsley and thyme can be used in various dishes from grilled meats to homemade spaghetti sauce recipes – they are almost endless possibilities when creating new dishes.

5. Learn How to Cook Healthier Meals Quickly and Easily –
Eating healthily does not have to take hours of preparation. There are plenty of delicious, nutritious dishes you can whip up in no time. For instance, try this easy salmon and asparagus dish with lemon garlic sauce; its combination of lean protein and vibrant veggies will surely please everyone. Or for something heartier and comforting, try this vegetarian chili recipe packed with flavor and nutrition for added goodness.

Do not get bored at dinner time again with these tips. No matter your culinary skill level or experience level, creating delicious dishes that are both healthy and flavorful is easy with just some experimentation. All it takes is some trial-and-error with different techniques and ingredients; soon enough you will be whipping up mouthwatering meals everyone will love. So do not be shy – unleash your inner chef today and see what delicious dishes you can create.

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Valentine’s Day menu at Ladino

Ladino will be offering a multi-coursed Mediterranean inspired tasting menu for Valentine’s Day. Photo: Ladino, used with permission.

Ladino will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special tasting menu available Tuesday, February 14. Treat your partner to a “Lovers Day” multi-coursed Mediterranean inspired tasting menu that will focus on seasonal Texas produce and traditional Mediterranean fare with a modern take perfectly paired with wines selected highlighting the region. (Ladino, 2023)

Tickets are $115 per person with optional wine pairing ($60 per person). Reservations can be made online.

Ladino
200 E Grayson St 100
San Antonio, TX 78215

1676385774

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Valentine’s Day