Categories
Cooking Techniques Creative Cookery

Cooking Strategies for the Disabled

In February of last year, I was hit by a car while crossing the street. As a result, I was in a wheelchair for about a month. And, because I broke both bones in my left forearm, my hand is to this day weaker than my right. The result, I’m not able to do all the things I was once able to do in the kitchen and have had to makes some adjustments.

Whether your physical disability is permanent or temporary, you may need to make some adaptions around the home in order to carry on with your day-to-day life. These adaptations can help you live at home without losing your independence.

In this blog post, I run down some tips and tricks that can help disabled individuals in the kitchen and allow them to continue cooking their favorite meals.

herbs
Picture Credit

De-Clutter Your Kitchen

If there are too many items stored in one cupboard or drawer, you can find it very difficult to remove one of them. So, it’s a good idea to spend some time decluttering your kitchen. Make sure that there aren’t too many items and ingredients spread out on top of your countertops. Give yourself plenty of space. Plus, don’t overfill any storage units. This could restrict your access to things that have been placed in the back.

Forget About Knives

Some disabilities make it difficult for individuals to use their hands properly. If you have a poor grip as a result, you should try to reduce your use of knives, as they could easily slip out of your hand and cause injury. One thing that stands up to the amazing test of being easy to handle as well as efficiently chopping is a food chopper. All you do is place the food that needs chopping inside and then you pull the handle. The blades inside whizz around, chopping all of the ingredients up! Some blenders and food processors can help you with this task, as well.


Think about Countertop Height

If you are in a wheelchair, you may need to reconsider the height of your countertops. After all, those at a standard height will probably be too high for you to use while you are sitting in your chair. However, there are plenty of companies that can fit lower countertops, which will make it easier for you to get to work in your kitchen.

If you can’t remodel your kitchen, you can invest in a kitchen counter station that will work for you. This would be a rolling or stationary table that is the right height and width for you to easily access while sitting in your wheelchair. You may have to improvise or have something custom made. A quick search on Amazon revealed no good results.

Modernize Your Kitchen

If you can afford to completely modernize your kitchen, you may find that adding lots of new appliances can enhance your cooking experience. For instance, if you add a dishwasher, you won’t have to struggle to reach your sink to wash all your dishes anymore. When you do add more appliances, make sure that they are easy for you to use. You can often find ones with extra big buttons and dials which can be easier for those with a disability to use. Also, make sure that they don’t have sharp edges or corners. Otherwise, you might hurt yourself if you accidentally ride your wheelchair into them!

Lots of people enjoy cooking and baking. There is no reason why a disability should prevent you from enjoying this pastime. Just follow all of the above tips, be creative, and you can make cooking easier for you!

Categories
Creative Cookery

5 Ways to Spice up Your Lunchtime Sandwiches

The classic sandwich is arguably one of the most iconic foods in the world — and for good reason! It’s so simple to create, it’s perfect for packed lunches, there are countless varieties, and it’s nutritionally packed if you put the right stuff in it. However, sandwiches can get pretty boring if you’re eating the same things over and over again.

The classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich is delicious and nostalgic, but it can get rather dull after so many years. The bacon lettuce and tomato is another staple for many people, but again, eating the same thing over and over will tire you out.

So in order to spice up your lunchtime sandwiches, here are five unique ideas to try out for your next sandwich. I won’t go through exact recipes (sandwiches should be flexible!) but I will go through some basic ideas and give examples.

sandwiches
Image Credit

Leftover Sandwiches

One of the best ways to use leftovers is to cut them up and stuff them into sandwiches the next morning. It’s a great way to cut down on food waste and you’re always guaranteed to have a unique sandwich the next day. For instance, if you have a roast chicken dinner the previous night, then you could try chicken, lettuce and mayo sandwiches that are similar to the classic chicken burger. If you had macaroni and cheese, then there’s nothing wrong with trying a mac and cheese sandwich with some crispy bacon bits. Get creative with your leftovers and you’ll never have a boring or dull sandwich again!

One leftover sandwich that I found surprisingly delicious was the leftover Thanksgiving sandwich: Turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce on your favorite bread. De-lish!

Different Types of Bread

Why stick to the same old bread? Give baguettes a try, panini bread, or even tortilla wraps to house all of your toppings. You can buy sourdough bread in sliced loaf form. Give that a try! Mixing it up now and then is a fantastic way to give your sandwich some new textures and tastes, so don’t neglect the difference a new type of bread or wrap can make for your delicious ingredients.

Use Healthier Options

Turning over a new leaf? Then why not consider cutting out the unhealthy sauces, dressings, and butter? Try using butter made from hemp seeds for a unique taste in your sandwich. Tired of spreading store-bought mayo? Try making your own mayo instead and adjust the flavoring as you see fit. You might also give Vegenaise a try … I love it! A spicy sriracha mayo is a fantastic idea if you want a little kick to your sandwich.

Grill It

Tired of cold cut sandwiches? Try grilling your sandwich! You don’t have to stick with the classic grilled cheese. Add in your favorite lunch meats. Use fun bread. Use mayo on the outside instead of butter — it changes the flavor nicely. Something I’ve been experimenting with is adding Parmesan cheese to the outside of sourdough bread slices. I got the idea from Ruby’s Diner and I’m loving it!

Fruit Sandwiches

Fruit sandwiches are a staple in Japanese cooking. These colorful creations are often seen in the lunchboxes of children or as a lunchtime snack when friends are visiting. The toppings usually consist of strawberry, kiwi, banana or any other solid fruit, and whipped cream is spread between the slices to make a filling. The bread should be nice and soft and you can sprinkle some cinnamon or sugar for added taste. These make fantastic desserts as well and you could even grill them a little to heat up the fruit. And, of course, there is the classic fruit sandwich of my youth: Peanutbutter, banana and honey. Yum!

Categories
Creative Cookery Special Occasions

Must-Serve Cocktails For Your Next Party

Summer cocktails make an excellent addition to a fun outdoor party. And, because of the selection of fresh fruits available during this time of year, you can incorporate them into your drinks to make them even more refreshing. Keep reading for inspiration.

summer cocktails
Image Source

Strawberry Wine Punch

There’s nothing like a fresh batch of summer strawberries, and you’ll love them in cocktail. Wine makes a great base for punch and strawberry wine adds a little sweetness that goes well with a light summer salad. With very few ingredients required, strawberry wine punch can be made in advance, or quickly for last minute dinner guests. You might even make some to unwind on Friday nights after a long week at work.

bloody mary
Image Source: Pixabay

Bloody Mary

Is your party going to be a lavish brunch instead? Then the perfect cocktail is a Bloody Mary. Don’t limit yourself to just drinking it to treat hangovers; if they’re made with chilled Clamato juice and the perfect Bloody Mary seasoning, these cocktails will be a real a treat for your guests.

To make them even more exciting, experiment with different types of garnishes. You could opt for a classic celery stick, or you could expand the range to include pepperoni, smoked gouda, sweet cherry peppers, baby dill pickles, or even stuffed olives. Each garnish complements the spicy flavors of the Bloody Mary, and makes a simple cocktail into a delightful appetizer. You’ll never go back to the old garnishes ever again.

sangria
Image Source: Pixabay

Sparkling Lemonade Sangria

Nothing conjures up the image of holidays in Spain like sipping a cold glass of sangria. This delicious sparkling lemonade sangria is the perfect refreshment to serve at a BBQ.

The night before your big party, marinate Moscato wine, berries, lemons, lemonade, and sugar in a pitcher. If you want to get a little creative, add in different kinds of fruits such as oranges, pineapples, and kiwis. You could also add some pink lemonade to your sangria to give it a little more color. I like to use frozen fruit instead of ice to keep it cold.

Ginger Beer-Pineapple Rum Punch

For those who want something sweet and spicy, this ginger beer and pineapple rum punch is guaranteed to delight the taste buds. Rum punch makes everyone feel like they’re on a tropical getaway in the Caribbean, so this is the perfect drink to serve with jerk chicken or seafood. This is yet another simple cocktail, requiring only fresh lime juice, ginger beer, dark Jamaican rum, and pineapple juice. Simply combine all the ingredients in a pitcher, stir well to combine, then pour over ice to serve.

Cider Rum Punch

As the warm weather begins to wane, a cider rum punch is perfect for warming the soul and holding onto the heat of the summer for a little while longer. Cider combines the fruity, fresh taste of summer with the warmth and depth of fall.

I hope these ideas inspire you to get creative in the kichen and develop some summer cocktails of your own — and remember, they don’t need to be alcholoic to be enjoyed!

Categories
Creative Cookery

Obscure Yet Mouthwatering Dessert Ideas For Summer Eating Outdoors

Are you hosting a backyard barbecue this summer? People look forward to smokey bbq pork ribs and barbecue chicken wings, but, they also look forward to the dessert.

dessert idea - tiramisu
By Alexis Fam (Flickr: Tiramisu) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

When it comes to summer desserts, the tastebuds want something chilled, cool, light and airy. But you don’t have to stick to ice cream or some kind of chilled cheesecake. The host that thinks outside the box, is the one who provides their guests with something they may never have tried before. Your cooking should get them hooked on a new recipe. I should make the cookout one they’ll never forget so they’ll want to come back for more.

Dessert Idea #1: Tiramisu

I’ll always remember my first tiramisu. I was love at first bite! For those of you not in the know, tiramisu is a delectable fine Italian dessert, a layered cake with elegant posture and bold flavors. The traditional recipe used ladyfinger-like biscuits, mascarpone cheese, marsala wine, rum and lots of heavy cocoa powder. The diversity of ingredients go well together for none of them will be the main powerhouse flavor. The base is ever so delicate and creamy and stands firmly on its own, which is a welcome change as some cakes rely on the sugary aspect to pull through the foundation. The mascarpone and layers of mouthwatering Italian custard are far from plain and exude their own character on the dish. To make authentic Tiramisu, you’ll need freshly ground coffee beans. You can make coffee granules anytime you want at home with a coffee grinder from places like CoffeeGrinderHub.com.

dessert idea - gelato
Photo credit – Jules

Dessert Idea #2: Gelato

Another classic Italian: The humble yet royal delight of frozen Italian custard. A great sweet, creamy treat to kick off the warmer weather with. The beauty of gelato is that it can be simple, just get milk, eggs and sugar as the basis. Naturally, it has a deep yellow color because the egg yolks bring a tanned hue to the custard. The unmistakable richness is brought about because it’s all natural, with absolutely zero preservatives.

You can also make it complex, by adding in, fruits, nuts, berries or just simply amalgamating your heart’s true desires, such as dark and milk chocolate, mint and cream, peaches and orange, etc. It’s a great dessert for summer because of the strange yet wonderful paradox gelato has become, even though it’s rich and creamy, it’s still lighter than traditional Western ice cream.

Dessert Idea #3: Mousse

What could go wrong if you keep it simple? For all you chocolate addicts out there, mousse is a softly prepared, light and airy textured dessert that incorporates air bubbles to create smooth and consistent quality puree. Typically made with whipped egg whites, or some fine dining restaurants are known to use whipped cream, the mixture is flavored with chocolate. It’s incredibly versatile as it can be eaten on its own, or as a layer in a cake, used as the main filling in a cheesecake, or even as a topping on a pie. It can be stabilized with gelatin, but if you whip the eggs up properly, all you need for an upright mousse is to rely on the air bubbles you created. And, of course, properly chill the mousse as it will get soggy if left out in the warm weather.

Categories
Creative Cookery The Business of Food

Bright Ideas for an Adventurous Foodie

Fancy yourself a foodie? Do you like sampling delicious new treats, or do you prefer to stick to 4- and 5-star reviews before you head out to a restaurant? If you’re really adventurous and think you’ve got what it takes, then here are a couple of ideas to help you spread your wings, find great eats, and enjoy the food.

foodie blog

Start a Foodie Blog

Food blogs are all over the Internet, yet even the most obscure ones garner some attention and have a small following that’s large enough for the author to continue updating it. Even if you’re not in it for the viewers and just love to write, starting a blog is a fantastic way to record all of your greatest eats and embrace your inner foodie. Treat it like a diary for your food adventure so you never forget all the sights and sounds you experienced as you bit into something new.

I can tell you that I get a lot of joy out of creating and sharing my posts to the Carma’s Cookery blog. And I know a few people who started off as hobby food bloggers and turned it into a decent side-hustle and eventually a career.

Try Something New

Sticking to your comfort zone isn’t a good way to become a foodie. You need to be experimental and you need to be willing to try new foods. For instance, you could take a trip to a vegetarian cafe and sample something different that isn’t on your regular palette. You could try a new type of cuisine that your friends have been raving about, or you could even go to a food truck instead of a restaurant if you’ve been fine dining for the majority of your life.

Although sometimes I go to a restaurant to order my favorite dish served there, I equally am willing to try something new … something that, perhaps, I might not make at home. If you’ve been following me on social media, then you’ll know that I’ve been experimenting with meal kit delivery services, too. It’s been fun to try new things without having the fuss of buying ingredients I’ll never use up.

social eating

Social Eating

When’s the last time you gathered a couple of friends and started a barbeque? Eating with friends really does make food taste better. You can travel with friends to a new restaurant, visit another country together, or doing something unique such as potluck dinner where your guests can bring random ingredients and foods to build up a feast. It’s a fantastic way to see what your friends enjoy while also showcasing your own cooking and treating them to something you love.

Several years ago, I hosted a dinner party where I served a completely Indian meal. Because the foods were new, I supplied a menu for my guests so they’d know what they were eating. Also, when I was in graduate school, I went home with one of my fellow students. Her neighborhood hosted a progressive meal where each course was served at a different person’s home (appetizers at home 1, first course at home 2, etc.). That was really fun!

Do a Food Challenge

If you’re a big eater with a big stomach, then how about taking on a food challenge? There are loads around the world and they’re usually challenging even for a big eater. However, they’re a great way to make friends, sample new foods, and perhaps give you a chance of getting on a wall of fame with your name and a picture. However, it’s worth noting that food challenges are difficult and there are obvious health risks associated with overeating. Don’t force yourself, and don’t do too many food challenges in quick succession.

Of course, you could also do a more healthy option of a food challenge. For example, I did a green smoothie challenge and shared my experience on this blog!

The Opposite Pricing Spectrum

If you’re used to eating fast food, then why not hold onto that cash and get something a little more expensive such as a fine-dining experience? If you’re used to paying a lot for your food, then how about switching it up and eating somewhere cheap for a change? It can be fun getting to know the other side of the food pricing spectrum. Cheap eats can be delicious and filling and it might give you a new look on fast food. Similarly, trying out expensive foods can open up new taste sensations and make you respect the work and time that goes into making unique meals.

Categories
Cooking Techniques Creative Cookery

My Pie Philosophy

The following post was partially excerpted from my book, Your Perfect Pie.

cherry pie

To many, pies seem daunting. There are so many places for the pie maker to screw up. But this is just a facade — once you know your time limitations, your personal skill level and a few tips and tricks, pies can be quite simple and easy to make.

Most recipes treat pies like a single entity like you can’t use a different crust or topping. However, this is simply not the case. Pies are modular and provide pie makers with a variety of options to express their individuality and creativity. This book will walk you through my modular approach to pie making and provide you with some recipes to try out your newfound tool for pie-making creativity!

The Four Basic Steps of My Pie Philosophy

There are four basic questions you need to ask yourself before setting out to make your unique and perfect pie. They are:

[one_half] 1. What kind of pie do you want to make?
Will it be a sweet dessert pie? A savory main dish pie? Another type of pie? For which meal and purpose will you use this pie? Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? Snack? [/one_half]
[one_half_last] strawberry cheesecake pie [/one_half_last]

[one_half] 2. What kind of filling do you want?
Will it require baking? Or will it be a no-bake type of filling? Will you serve it warm, chilled or frozen? Do you have time to prepare it? Or do you need to pull it together quickly? [/one_half]
[one_half_last] apple pie a la mode [/one_half_last]

[one_half] 3. What kind of crust do you want?
The answer to question #1 will help determine your answer to this question. Some crusts lend themselves better to desserts than savory dishes and visa versa. Also, you’ll want to keep in mind how the flavor of your crust (or lack thereof) will affect the overall flavor of the pie. [/one_half]
[one_half_last] pie crust [/one_half_last]

[one_half] 4. How will you top and garnish your pie?
Again, the answers to the previous questions will narrow down your options at this point. For example, you’re probably not going to want to top your beef pie with gingersnap streusel. And, of course, there is nothing that says you have to top or garnish your pie at all! [/one_half]
[one_half_last] pie with merengue [/one_half_last]


 

Create Your Own Unique Pie!

Your Perfect Pie by Carma SpenceDoes pie making daunt you? Are you wary of deviating from any pie-recipe you find, for fear that you’ll ruin the flavor of the resulting pie?

It doesn’t have to be that way!

Pie-Palooza 2017 is brought to you by Your Perfect Pie, a cookbook that breaks down pies into easily made component parts so you can unleash your pie-making creativity. Available on Amazon in both print and Kindle formats. Grab your copy today and start creating your perfect pie!


 

Welcome to Carma's Cookery's Pie-Palooza 2017 - A month of pie legend, lore and love

Miss previous posts? Find links to them here.

Categories
Creative Cookery

Garnish Your Pie with Panache

After you’ve pulled together a perfect pie — an ideal crust, a luscious filling — you need to make it look beautiful. There are lots of ways to garnish your pie, from the traditional to the clever. Here I’ll share a few ideas that you can run with.

Traditional Pie Garnish Ideas

whipped topping garnish

Whipped topping, either freshly made whipped cream or defrosted Cool Whip Topping, makes a nice garnish. You can pipe some along the edges of a pie to make a nice display before serving, or dollop some on top of the slice once it is plated.

Ice cream on the side, although not necessarily a garnish, also spruces up a serving of pie. Vanilla is customary, but depending on the flavor of pie you are serving, you can try other flavors such as chocolate, pistachio, pumpkin or eggnog.

Either of these decorations will go well partnered with other pie toppings, such as a crumble topping. Crumble topping are usually made with oats, granola and, on occasion Grape Nuts cereal. Sometimes they are simply biscuit mix and butter cut together with a little sugar and cinnamon.

Fancy Pie Garnish Ideas

cut out pie garnishThe most common fancy pie topping is a lattice. This is where you take strips of pie crust and weave a lattice atop the pie. With covered pies, it is important to have holes for steam to escape. Some people simply poke a fork in the top, while other get artistic and cut out shapes for the holes.

You can also use cookie cutters to create unique designs atop your pie with extra bits of pie crust. The shapes can be inspired by a holiday, or they can be letters to form a special message. You could also make shapes that mimic the contents of the filling, for example, cherry shapes atop a cherry pie.

Creative Pie Garnish Ideas

But you don’t need to go with the obvious toppings and decorations just discussed. Why not get a little more creative? Try chopped nuts. Perhaps a specially flavored or candied nut might go well with your pie filling.

Pie Garnish Considerations

However you decide to garnish your pie, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind:

Will the pie garnish work with the preparation method of the pie? This means if the declaration needs to be baked, you probably won’t want to use it on a no-bake pie. The reverse is also true.

Will the pie garnish enhance or detract from the pie filling? Remember, the core of a good pie is its filling. You don’t want your topping — or crust — to overpower the filling!

Will the pie garnish look just as good on a slice as it does the entire pie? If the whole pile looks great, but when served by the slice looks awful, you’ve done something wrong. It can be hard enough getting your crust and filling to survive being sliced, don’t add another layer of things that can go wrong.


 

Create Your Own Unique Pie!

Your Perfect Pie by Carma SpenceDoes pie making daunt you? Are you wary of deviating from any pie-recipe you find, for fear that you’ll ruin the flavor of the resulting pie?

It doesn’t have to be that way!

Pie-Palooza 2017 is brought to you by Your Perfect Pie, a cookbook that breaks down pies into easily made component parts so you can unleash your pie-making creativity. Available on Amazon in both print and Kindle formats. Grab your copy today and start creating your perfect pie!


 

Welcome to Carma's Cookery's Pie-Palooza 2017 - A month of pie legend, lore and love

Miss previous posts? Find links to them here.

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