BestReviews Chef and baker Andrea Boudewijn's kitchen favorites take the guesswork out of holiday cooking.
It can be helpful to prepare your favorite recipes to share with friends and family for the holidays. However, proper planning and kitchen equipment are required to avoid unnecessary distractions. That's why we turned to BestReviews cooking and baking expert, Cordon Bleu-trained pastry chef Andrea Beaudoin, for tips on how to improve your cooking this Christmas.
From mistakes to avoid to your favorite foods and pro tips, Boudewijn has provided helpful information to help you prepare with ease and make the most of your time enjoying the beauty of the season with your loved ones.
Common mistakes when preparing for the holidays
Everyone wants their birthday dinner to be perfect, but the unexpected can ruin the best intentions. During the holiday season when people spend so much time shopping, partying, decorating and more, it's easy to forget to prepare holiday meals at the last minute. Baudouin reflects on how to avoid mistakes and enjoy festive food. According to him, the main thing is to prepare.
"Not planning is a big mistake that can lead to a lot of problems," says Bowdoin. "You can buy too much and it ends up being too much, or you can buy too little and have everything you need for a bean casserole except the beans. Make a list of your meals and then all the ingredients you need to buy for each meal. Then gather the number of lemons you need, the jar , soup, etc., so that you can stay organized and focus on the market.'
When you start cooking, it is very important to watch the recipes while they are cooking. "Another last-minute mistake is burning food: always set a timer on the clock while you're cooking in the oven or on the stove, and for very delicate foods like sauces or milk, don't leave them outside while they're cooking. So they don't burn hot," he said
Also, taking time to enjoy the food and guests is important. Boudewijn recommends working with guests to ease some of the work and involve them in the holiday meal preparation process. Have someone else do half of the meal or ask guests to bring their own dishes. Ask your guests to help you light the candles, arrange the prepared food on plates and on the table, or simply cut the ingredients. All of this makes guests feel welcome. event and makes your life easier.
Kitchen accessories that make holiday cooking easier
You may think your kitchen is fully stocked for holiday cooking, but it can be frustrating to find out you've lost an important ingredient at the last minute. This comprehensive list will help you identify the main things you might be missing and need when you start preparing holiday meals:
- Chef's Knife : The right knife serves a variety of cuisines. "A sharp chef's knife can handle any kind of cutting, slicing, chopping, and chopping with ease," says Boudewijn.
- Baking trays (baking trays ): Our cooking experts recommend the perfect baking trays for roasting everything from poultry to vegetables and giving your dishes a crispy crust.
- Two large cutting boards: "Whether they're plastic or wooden, two cutting boards can be changed when they get dirty, washed and dried. The others can be used quickly," says Baudouin.
- Side rags: Boudewijn recommends flour sack rags because they are lint-free and easy to clean the kitchen.
- Aprons: "If you're wearing dinner while cooking, protect it," she advises.
- Toasters: Toasters are useful for keeping food warm and quickly toasting foods such as toppings.
- Kettle: "I like to have a kettle of warm water so everyone can make coffee or tea," says Boudewijn.
- Wine opener that also opens beer bottles: Our pros recommend investing in two if you're hosting a large group.
- KitchenAid Stand Mixer: "Nothing makes fluffy mashed potatoes better than a KitchenAid with a paddle attachment," says Bowdoin.
- STAINLESS STEEL MEASURING DIMENSIONS AND SPOONS: Every home cook needs these tools for accurate measuring.
- WITHOUT TAKING SPACE: Spice racks keep spices organized and easy to find and use.
- Smaller 1 and 2 liter pots: These pots are very useful for quickly heating and cooking sauces, gravies and other ingredients.
BestReviews Expert advice on how to avoid clutter in the kitchen
The right kitchen tools are only part of a successful vacation kitchen. Boudewijn offers some tips for stress-free meal planning, cooking, eating together, and spending time together:
Avoid crowded kitchens. This is a tricky one, most parties seem to take place in the kitchen, but please ask people to sit in the living room or, weather permitting, to get some fresh air. For this to work, put a lot of benches. If necessary, rent chairs and tables.
If you work in a small kitchen, limit the number of people handling food. This creates a safer environment without disturbing the cook.
Create a list. Get all the boards you need before anyone else does. That way you won't have to look for dishes or cutlery at the last minute.
Avoid using items that are too noisy, like a rattle, or appliances like a blender or mixer that make a lot of noise when guests arrive. This loud noise heightens the tension and disrupts conversations, leaving listeners frustrated.
Put a bar that is not in the kitchen. People will gather there.
Save your mind. Buy half of the dishes in markets and restaurants and earn half.
Accept that some foods can be served at room temperature. Mashed potatoes and casseroles are among the most popular reheat foods, but cranberries, pies, stews, salads, and even sweet potatoes can be served at room temperature and are delicious.
The best last minute kitchen supplies
Mac Knife Professional 8 Inch Hollow Blade Chef's Knife
These knives are not only sharp and durable, but also light and easy to carry. The 8 inch length is perfect for a variety of cooking. Sold by Amazon
Nordic Ware Baker Delight 3-piece baking dish
This pan set has three different pan sizes to meet your baking needs. Each of them is made of aluminum, which distributes and retains heat well. Sold by Amazon and Coles
Gorilla Grip Cutting Boards, Set of 3
This cutting board is made of durable materials and has a rubber grip for a secure grip. It is also reversible. You get three panels per pack. Sold by Amazon
Utopia kitchen towel bags 12 packs
Utopia Flour Kitchen Bags are soft and absorbent, ideal for drying hands and various kitchen surfaces. The set contains 12 universal towels. Sold by Amazon
Professional kitchen apron by Arawak Brave
Made from durable cotton, this kitchen apron will last for years. We love the cute wide pockets to keep tools and utensils close at hand while you cook. Sold by Amazon
Breville Smart Toaster Oven
With a large interior, nine cooking levels and powerful convection heat, the toaster is ideal for a variety of cooking tasks. It is equipped with smart technology that cooks the food to perfection. Sold by Amazon , Sur la table and Wayfair.
Kitchen wave
Fast heating and six preset functions allow the Cuisinart pot to prepare hot and delicious drinks for your next party guests. It is a stylish stainless steel model that is easy to use. Sold by Amazon
Fuhu wine opener
A corkscrew may sound simple, but a corkscrew and corkscrew combination is what you need to open bottles of wine and beer. It came with a wine cork. Sold by Amazon
KitchenAid 3.5 liter stand mixer
No matter the recipe, the KitchenAid Stand Mixer is a best-selling model designed to make many cooking tasks easier. This compact model has a 3.5 liter mixing bowl, 10 speeds and costs less than similar branded models. Wayfair and KitchenAid retailer
1 Easy Life stainless steel measuring cup and spoon
This universal sensor includes a cup and a spoon. Each piece is made of stainless steel. Sold by Amazon
SpaceAid's spice drawer
The SpaceAid spice rack fits into a cabinet and slides out for easy access, saving space and providing easy access to spices when needed. Two tier design holds 20 spice bottles. Sold by Amazon
Three-layer universal bowl
The triangular structure of this stainless steel pan ensures even heat for excellent results. It is available in different sizes to meet different cooking needs. Stainless steel lid included. Sold by Amazon and Wayfair
Want to buy the best products at the best prices? Check out the BestReviews deals of the day.
Sign up here for the BestReviews weekly newsletter with helpful tips on new products and great deals.
Jennifer Manfren writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers make purchasing decisions easier, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews by Nextstar. All rights reserved.
Post a Comment
Post a Comment