The Kitchen Chalkboard

I learned more from one video from Sohla El-Waylly than months of watching the Food Network, if you want to have fun in the kitchen, watching Sohla will get you there.

Sohla does that. But don’t let her laid back vibe fool you. This woman knows her stuff. I have learned more from one of her videos on Food52 than any other show I have watched recently.

The key to cooking is to have fun! You are going to be spending a lot of time making meals you might as well enjoy it!

Just what did I learn after watching Sohla and making her chicken recipe?

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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Oklahoma Onion Burger A Healthier Version!

Cooking healthy meals can be challenging. Here’s further proof—the Oklahoma Onion Burger. I have only recently learned about these wonders. If you haven’t tried them, you are missing out.

They are delicious. But we are trying to limit our intake of red meat. Or should I say that I am trying to limit my family’s intake of red meat? My boys will eat burgers, tacos, and meatloaf every night of the week if I let them.

I have been reading a lot about the Mediterranean Diet and incorporating more of those principles and recipes in my meal plans. The guidelines of the diet suggest that you limit but not remove red meat. Needless to say, my family was thrilled that I didn’t give up on tacos, burgers, and meatloaf.

So, when I thought about Oklahoma onion burgers, I started to think about making a healthier version. Using a technique I had meant to try for a while, I have found the way.

Are you interested in a healthier Oklahoma Onion Burger recipe?

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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Types Of Onions And Their Uses

I was determined to learn about the types of onions.

A recent recipe I was reading called for a “sweet onion,” I realized that I had no idea what that meant. Then I looked in the pantry and saw several types of onions. Staring at me were red, white, yellow, shallots, and scallions. It was then that I realized that I didn’t know what the differences between them were.

Several questions ran through my mind. What are the differences between the different types of onions? How many types of onions are there? What are the best uses for the various varieties? What are the best substitutes?

Want to learn all about the types of onions?

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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Online Grocery Shopping Hacks To Save You Money In 2020

Having your groceries can be a great convenience. You can save time by not having to drive to the store. Plus, you get to grocery shop from your couch. Not to mention it is much easier to search for items on a website than in a store. Seriously I can never find some things. During the current pandemic, going out to the store can be dangerous for some.

Convenience often comes with a cost. You may be wondering if there is a way to save money and have your groceries delivered?

I am here to say that it is possible! I have been using various services for the past ten years and can still stick to my food budget.

Do you want to save money while grocery shopping online?

Here are 10 Online Grocery Shopping Hacks For 2020.

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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Mediterranean Diet Breakfast Ideas

by Kristen 1 Comment

You may have heard about it on the news. The Mediterranean Diet has numerous health benefits. The best part of all is that it isn’t a restrictive plan, just simple guidelines to live a healthier lifestyle.

Most people think of feta cheese and tomatoes when they think of Mediterranean food. And it’s true, a lot of the recipes include these ingredients. I’ve found breakfast to be the hardest meal to prepare throughout my time on the Mediterranean diet. Most of the ideas are omelets, and that’s just not feasible for most mornings. But I have found some alternative recipes, including ones that work for busy mornings or when you are on the go.

Want some Mediterranean diet breakfast ideas?

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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Are Organic Spices Worth It?

by Kristen 1 Comment

The American appetite for spices has tripled since 1960, according to a 2015 USDA report entitled, “The Spice Market in the United States: Recent Developments and Prospects.

The study didn’t directly address consumption, only availability. However, the USDA analyst that created the document insisted that availability represents consumption in this case. We are enjoying more spices than ever!

Another interesting takeaway from the report was that spices fall in and out of favor. While caraway seeds used to be widespread, interest has declined. On the other hand, chile peppers have seen a boom. If we are increasing our consumption of spices, should we be buying the organic versions?

Want to learn what the benefits of organic spices are and if they are worth the additional cost?

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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How Do I Organize My Recipes Electronically?

Nothing is more frustrating than when you are about to make dinner, and you can’t find the recipe. You try searching for it but can’t remember the name. Getting food on the table is a priority, and now it’s delayed. It has happened to me more times than I can count. Then I started thinking about how do I organize my recipes electronically.

My first foray into creating a digital cookbook was making a folder on my computer and bookmark the recipe. This method is excellent in its simplicity. It falls down a bit when you are looking for a recipe, and you have no idea its name. You have to be online to access the website and rely on it still being in the same location it was when you found it. Over time, I found sites shut down, or recipes were placed behind a paywall making it challenging to access.

Then I moved to a digital cookbook and haven’t had an issue since. All of my recipes are stored offline in one place and easy to access. It is the ultimate time-saver.

There are so many options out there. A quick search in the app store produces countless results. If you want to learn how do I store my recipes electronically, I’m here to help!

I tried several different methods and apps, including Cook’N, Paprika Recipe Manager, Pepperplate, Pocket, Recipe Sage, and Pinterest. There are pros and cons to each one, but a few stand out from the crowd.

Want to make your digital cookbook?

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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Oktoberfest Menu

Are you looking for a simple Oktoberfest menu? You’ve come to the right place!

There is no better way to celebrate the fall than to host an Oktoberfest party. Jubilant in nature and focused around Munich’s flavorful food and drink, this is the perfect theme. Not familiar with German cuisine? An Oktoberfest celebration is a great way to introduce yourself and your guests.

Many would argue that German food doesn’t get enough attention in the U.S. However, one food authority believes it should. According to Mimi Sheraton, the author of The German Cookbook, “German cooking has more appeal to the average American palate then the cuisine of any other foreign country.” She states that meat and potatoes are staples of the German diet, just like America’s. The fats are similar, too, as both often use butter, lard, and bacon. The cuisine also includes a significant sweet and sour component that rivals the Americans. You can usually find ham and pineapple or turkey and cranberries together on a dinner table.

The Germans even have the motto gut essen, gut tinken, which means good eating and good drinking. You can’t go wrong with that!

Now is the time to celebrate the fall and host a party. So here is your Oktoberfest menu.

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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Which Cooking Oil To Use When?

by Kristen 1 Comment

Let’s chat about cooking oil.

I am almost embarrassed to admit it, but I love to fry things. I don’t know why. Perhaps it is the delicious food that it creates or the fact that it reminds me of my childhood. My mom made chicken cutlets all the time, and it is still the ultimate comfort food for me. No worries, I like to counter my fried food obsession with lots of salads. Recently, I have been making dressings from scratch.

Also, our CSA has been giving us some beautiful eggplants this year, and since my little guy loves eggplant parmesan, I have been making it quite often. As I stood over the stove, I looked at all of the oils I had. Vegetable, olive, canola, sunflower, and avocado oils were all in my cupboard. As I stared at them, I realized that I had no idea which one to use when. Recipes must have included them, which was why I bought them at some point.

If I knew which oils worked in similar ways and had identical flavors, I could use up what I own and have more confidence in any swaps.

Want to learn the best substitutes for oil and what the differences are between the varieties?

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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All About Garlic