For years, my father-in-law's second wife served boxed stuffing at her holiday gatherings, spiced up with cut-up precooked turkey sausage. When I offered to make some homemade stuffing one year, she waved me off. “No one can the tell the difference, anyway.” I could tell, but … [Read more...] about From a Box or Homemade? The Great Thanksgiving Taste Test
Pantry & Supermarket Tips
From a Box or Homemade? Real Mashed Potatoes vs. Instant
The next round of my Thanksgiving Dinner Firehouse Challenge compares real mashed potatoes vs. instant mashed potatoes. Don't get me wrong, I understand the lure of instant mashed potatoes. You want comfort and you want it now. I love them so much that if a food could be your … [Read more...] about From a Box or Homemade? Real Mashed Potatoes vs. Instant
How to Freeze Meat, Cheese, Milk, Butter and Fish So You Can Actually Use It Later
Reader question: “I have bought far more meat and cheese than usual due to the pandemic and now I am worried about it going bad. Is freezing meat OK? What about butter and cheese? How long will it last?” – Rebecca, Orlando FL Answer: I have been teaching people cooking in … [Read more...] about How to Freeze Meat, Cheese, Milk, Butter and Fish So You Can Actually Use It Later
How to Outfit a Kitchen on a Budget or 14 Kitchen Essentials Every Cook Needs
What are kitchen essentials? People have been quite successful making food in the past centuries with little more than a pot, spoon, bowl, knife and cutting surface. Years ago, I started a guide for college students but I've expanded it to a list for anyone who is outfitting a … [Read more...] about How to Outfit a Kitchen on a Budget or 14 Kitchen Essentials Every Cook Needs
From a Box or Homemade: Thanksgiving Stuffing
In chats with supermarket shoppers, I found the main choice came down to Stove Top stuffing vs. homemade. Arguably, this has the most "active" time of any of the traditional side dishes. There's chopping and sauteing involved. I made this dish twice, once manually cutting up the … [Read more...] about From a Box or Homemade: Thanksgiving Stuffing
