Flat Pack Kitchens Brisbane

Are you looking for a flat pack kitchen to suit your next DIY project?

Then you’ve landed on the right page.

Modular Kitchens Northside will provide you with a professional, fast and reliable service that will make sure your flat pack kitchen meets your exact requirements, and at a very reasonable price.

We have residential and commercial clients and will be glad to help you create something that fits your exact needs.

Contact us today on: 1300 650 995

Or visit out official website => Kitchens Brisbane

Kitchens Brisbane
by Modular Kitchens Northside

“Eighteen years of creating custom design kitchens in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. We also specialise in flat pack and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) kitchens”

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Homepage: Kitchens Brisbane

Telephone Number: 1300 650 995

What Exactly Is a Crockpot?

The word ‘crockpot’ is a name which is actually a trademarked name, but is often used as a generic term. The terms ‘crockpot’ and ‘slow cooker’ have come to be used interchangeably.

‘Rival’ is the original holder of the trademarked term ‘Crock-Pot’.

The Rival Crock-Pot / slow cooker has been one of the most important cooking tools for busy families since its introduction in 1971. Slow cooking is a great way to provide delicious home cooked meals for people and families on the go and produces flavorful meals time after time.

This appliance is made of fired clay and is usually glazed and surrounded by a metallic housing. It contains a controlled heating element to maintain the slow cooker temperatures whuich allow food to be cooked over longer periods of time.

Typically a slow cooker will have just two heat settings, and a glass lid is used to retain the heat and moisture. An important tip to be sure to follow is this: Don’t lift the lid while it is cooking the food! Letting the heat escape in this way will add twenty minutes to the cooking time! The lid is important as it prevents escape of hot water vapor which would, if permitted, lead to lowering the internal water level, loss of heat and drying out of the contents.

A slow cooker works in a much different way than a pressure cooker which allows much higher temperatures than the boiling point of water. Because the lid of a slow cooker is on very loosely, the temperature inside will never get above the boiling point of water. Any vapor that does occur condenses on the lid and returns as moisture back onto the food.

Because of the nature of slow cooking, food can be cooked for longer than expected with no harm to the food. In fact, your meats become more tender when they are cooked like this over longer periods of time.

Recipes for these cookers must be adjusted to compensate for the nature of the cooking. Often water must be decreased. Most (probably all) come with recipe booklets. Many cookbooks with slow cooker recipes are available and there are numerous recipes on the Web.

A small number of cookbooks seek to make complete dishes in a slow cooker using fewer than five ingredients while others treat the slow cooker as a serious piece of culinary equipment capable of producing gourmet meals.

With some experience, timings and recipe adjustments can be successfully made for many recipes not originally intended for these cookers. The long, moist nature of the cooking method allows for lower quality cuts to be used.

And even though a slow cooker takes longer to cook the food, it will actually save you time! How is this possible? Well, you can quickly load the ingredients in the morning and turn it on. That right there is the bulk of your time -not very much! And at dinner time, your home will greet you with a flavorful aroma fit for a king or queen!

“Eighteen years of creating custom design kitchens in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia”

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Kitchens Brisbane
by Modular Kitchens Northside

“Eighteen years of creating custom design kitchens in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. We also specialise in flat pack and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) kitchens”

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Homepage: Kitchens Brisbane

Telephone Number: 1300 650 995

What do you really need in cookware and crockery

Cookware is always a rather contentious subject. I have seen chefs turn up to even the simplest of cooking jobs carrying more than it would take to maintain your average oil tanker (though maybe this is not the best use for your cookware), when all that was really needed was a knife and something to sharpen it with.

So what are the real ”cookware essentials”, the things that you really can’t do without? Well surprisingly you actually need only a very small amount of things to get you going. Probably considerably less than you have already.

All the cookware you actually need is a good knife, a means of sharpening it, a chopping board and a couple of pans. You may prefer a bit more cookware but you can cook with just that.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m as partial to a kitchen full of mixers, blenders, electrical appliances and assorted useful, and otherwise, gadgets as the next person.

But although good quality cheap cookware ( yes it is possible )like grinders and blenders give you a lot more scope there are plenty of things that you can cook without them, but a good knife, or three, is absolutely essential.

The first and most essential piece of cookware you need is a cook’s knife, that’s as large as you feel comfortable with, an 8 inch knife with a blade that curves slightly to allow a rocking motion is a good start, then a smaller knife, about 4 inches, for cutting small vegetables and a carving knife.

If you buy one about 10 inches long it can also double as a bread knife. Although there is no point buying extra knifes just to line the pockets of the large kitchen equipment manufacturers. A set can actually be quite good value and give you more for a similar amount of money. But check carefully what is in the set first.

If you cannot find a set with what you think will be useful to you, don’t buy it. Many sets come with extras like a case or wooden knife block but try to see past the free gifts. It’s much better to have a few good knives in your drawer than a fancy polished beech wood block with fifteen designer knives, fourteen of which you never use, and one that is not the right shape for your hand and gives you blisters.

I have a small, not very expensive set of French Sabatiers that are comfortable but not as posh looking as some of the more fashionable makes like the Japanese globals which I find too light which makes chopping a lot of vegetables for example much harder work.

If you learn how to use them properly then steel or grinding stone is a good way to keep your knives sharp otherwise there are a good choice of proprietary sharpeners that keep the knife at the right angle while you pull it through the sharpener. Pans also need to be good quality, nothing over the top, no need to spend a fortune. Just make sure they are of a good solid construction.

This promotes good even heat distribution and helps to prevent things burning. Stainless steel is a good option. A good wok on the other hand should be made of a thin light steel and cost very little, but always check that it has a good well-fixed wooden handle. The best place to buy this most useful of pans is (perhaps unsurprisingly) usually the local Chinese supermarket.

A good chopping board is another necessity though two are better than one as this helps to prevent cross contamination if you designate one for uncooked meats/fish etc. and another for things like fruit and salads.

No matter how much you think you will always be careful and wash them between uses this is the best single way to prevent contamination between foods. Mixers can be useful if you intend doing a lot of baking. But unless you make bread on a regular basis (always a good idea), then buying a simple, good quality hand held mixer rather than a heavy standalone version could save you a couple of hundred dollars in as well as a lot of space on your worktop.

A blender is always useful for soups and the occasional smoothie, and a grinder will give you a lot more options in your use of nuts etc. and will also provide a constant supply of fresh coffee for the more manic cook. A good way to combine the functions of all three is to buy a food processor.

A good quality machine such as a Moulinex or Robot coupe will save space and allow you to buy a much better processor than if you bought their items separately. There is an almost unending list of kitchen equipment that you could buy (if in doubt walk into your local cookery shop and ask the owner what he thinks you need!), but make sure you get the essential good quality cookware right and it will make your cooking easier and more enjoyable.

“Eighteen years of creating custom design kitchens in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia”

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Kitchens Brisbane
by Modular Kitchens Northside

“Eighteen years of creating custom design kitchens in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. We also specialise in flat pack and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) kitchens”

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Homepage: Kitchens Brisbane

Telephone Number: 1300 650 995

Using Overstock Sites On The Net For Cookware Purchases

You may be a person who loves to cook. You absolutely love to spend time in your kitchen. As a result, you like to outfit your kitchen with the latest and with the best cookware that is available on the market.

However, and with that said, if you are like most people in the 21st century, you also live your life on a budget. You simply do not have a great deal of extra money to blow and spend at will. Therefore, with the goal of outfitting your kitchen with the latest, with the best in cookware, you also want to keep your eyes on ways in which you can save money on your cookware purchases.

To this end, you might want to focus your attention on the Internet and the World Wide Web, specifically on overstock merchandise sites that are springing up all over the Net.

There are many benefits that can be realized by shopping for cookware at overstock sites on the Net. First and foremost is price. In the vast majority of instances, you will be able to find up to date cookware for sale at these overstock websites for prices far less than what you will be able to find otherwise at different retail venues in either the brick and mortar world or on the World Wide Web.

One of the other, important benefits to be realize by shopping for cookware for your home at overstock sites is found in the fact that they are very convenient. A consumer such as you literally can shop for cookware twenty four hours a day and seven days a week.

If you are like most people in this day and age, not only are you living on a tight budget, but you are living on a tight schedule as well. You simply do not have the time available to you to shop around, to spend a great deal of time going from store to store, looking for cookware for your home. Thus, an Internet based overstock site can be a true godsend when it comes to saving time in your search for the best cookware for your own kitchen.

As a final reminder, make certain that you only patronize those overstock sites that have established reputations for reliability. By shopping at an established site, you will make certain that you do obtain exactly the cookware products that you have bargained for while visiting one of the overstock venues on the Net.

“Eighteen years of creating custom design kitchens in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia”

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Custom Kitchens Brisbane

Kitchens Brisbane
by Modular Kitchens Northside

“Eighteen years of creating custom design kitchens in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. We also specialise in flat pack and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) kitchens”

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Homepage: Kitchens Brisbane

Telephone Number: 1300 650 995

Use The Perfect Flatware

I love entertaining people in my home. Nothing excites me more than opening my doors and allowing others to enter my small world. I love cooking for people and making a great and relaxing evening for them. I guess I love it so much because my mother was constantly inviting friends over for dinner parties during my childhood years. She would teach me little aspects of entertaining each time she threw a party.

One of the biggest things she taught me, however, was the importance of using the right flatware for every occasion.

It might sound excessive to some people, but my mother had over sixty sets of flatware in our home growing up. It does sound like a lot, but not when you consider that my mother was hosting dinner parties at least twice a week for at least thirty years straight. She had to have a variety of flatware as she entertained all kinds of people for all kinds of reasons.

I would often get to go shopping for flatware with my mother before an extra-special party that was coming up. My father would give her permission to buy yet another set of flatware and we would head off to her favorite shops and see what we could find. She would always choose flatware according to the time of year and the theme of the dinner party she was throwing.

As I got older and began to throw my own dinner parties, I quickly realized how much I needed the right kinds of flatware for the parties I threw as well. I realized that it quickly gets boring to use the same flatware for a Christmas party and a summer picnic party. So my husband graciously began to learn that I needed new flatware quite often. If he wanted me to prepare meals for his business executive friends, then he had better let me throw great parties with great flatware.

You can find great flatware at a variety of places. The important thing is to have an idea of the kind of flatware you want before you shop. Think about the kind of party you are throwing and the guests you are having. See if you can’t find the perfect flatware that meets all your needs. Of course, remember too that you will probably use this flatware multiple times, so make sure you do not get anything too trendy that will quickly go out of style.

“Eighteen years of creating custom design kitchens in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia”

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Kitchens Brisbane
by Modular Kitchens Northside

“Eighteen years of creating custom design kitchens in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. We also specialise in flat pack and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) kitchens”

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Homepage: Kitchens Brisbane

Telephone Number: 1300 650 995

Types Of Cookware: Pots And Pans

Pots and pans make the most essential part of your cookware. There are lots of various types available for each particular cooking method or a few different methods.

Skillet/frying pan has a flat bottom with short sides that are flared or sloped, which makes it easier to toss and turn food with a spatula. The pan is usually made of a responsive to heat material such as lined copper, stainless steel with a copper or aluminum core, anodized aluminum or cast iron. Non-stick surface is also popular in such pans. They are available in different sizes and generally come with a cover.

Roasting pan is usually of a rectangular shape with low sides allowing the heat from the oven to expose the entire surface of the meat. Roasting pan is generally used with a rack to prevent the meat from sitting in its own juices and stewing instead of browning. The pans are available made of different materials including stainless steel, aluminum with non-stick surface, clay and granite.

Saucepan is a round pot with high straight sides and a flat bottom, can be used for several purposes, such as cooking soup, stewing vegetables, making sauces. There are a few styles to suit special purposes. A saucepan known as a Windsor has sides that flare out and another known as a saucier has sides that are rounded. There are also different sizes and materials of saucepans. Most of them have a snug fitting cover.

Stir-fry pan is a round, deep pan that may have straight sides with a slightly rounded base or more commonly a round base that slopes out and upward. Sizes and handle length can vary to match the cooking process. Heat is evenly distributed across the base while the sloping sides make it easier to stir and turn the ingredients.

Wok is a bowl shaped version of stir-fry pan, best for quick cooking food over high heat. It is available with rounded or flat bottom. Some varieties of woks have one long handle, some have two short handles and others have a long handle on one side and a short one on the opposite side. The materials used are carbon steel, cast iron, and metals with non-stick coating.

Stockpot is a deep, tall, straight-sided pot with two big, loop handles. It is used for simmering large amount of liquid, such as stock, soup and stews, but also works well for thick soups, chili and for boiling pasta. Sometimes comes along with pasta insert – made of stainless steel perforated insert that fits inside a stockpot and acts as a colander for draining pasta.

Grill pan is a heavy metal pan that consists of ridges spaced evenly across the bottom, that closely simulate the grilling process when cooking various meats and foods. Can be with shallow sides or with deeper sides similar to a frying pan. Many grill pans are made of cast iron and are available in different shapes and sizes.

Double boiler consists of two pans – one inside of the other. The bottom pan contains hot water and the top pan holds the ingredients that are being cooked. Generally used for making delicate sauces that have a tendency to separate if cooked on direct heat. Double boilers can be made of stainless steel, enameled steel, glass and aluminum.

Fondue pot is a type of cookware that consists of a pot with a heat source such as a portable cooking fuel or an electrical heating element placed directly below the pot that is used for a food preparation process known as fondues (“fondue” is a French term meaning “to melt”).

The heat source melts or fully warms the contents (usually cheese, chocolate, wine or other ingredients) so that food can be dipped into the pot and either cooked or coated with its contents and eaten as an appetizer or part of a meal.

“Eighteen years of creating custom design kitchens in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia”

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Kitchens Brisbane
by Modular Kitchens Northside

“Eighteen years of creating custom design kitchens in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. We also specialise in flat pack and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) kitchens”

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Homepage: Kitchens Brisbane

Telephone Number: 1300 650 995

Toaster Oven : Some Things To Know About

One of the most reliable of the kitchen appliances is the toaster oven. With a toaster oven you can prepare anything from a piece of toast to a full meal.

A toaster oven works on the same principle as a standard toaster except that the heating elements are horizontal and the appliance has a glass door. Toaster ovens are considered dual purpose appliances because they can perform the functions of a toaster as well as an oven.

A toaster oven is a popular choice for many people. For busy singles that tend to eat out more than in, a toaster oven is a wonderful addition to their kitchen. It’s compact enough to fit into any size space and it can be used to cook a fast and easy dinner for one.

Many parents also give their children a toaster oven to use in their college dormitory. It’s perfect for preparing small meals and with the addition of a hot plate the parent feels confident that their child will eat healthy at least part of the time.

If you’re looking to purchase a toaster oven you can find them at almost every major retailer. The prices vary depending on the size and the features you want.

The very basic toaster oven available has several heat settings that you can use depending on what you are cooking. Even the standard model of toaster oven comes with a broiling tray. They generally also have a heat indicator light so you can judge when the oven has pre-heated to the desired temperature.

The smallest toaster oven will claim a capacity of four slices. This is referring to the fact that four regular pieces of bread will fit within the oven. The sizes graduate from there. For a family it’s wise to consider purchasing a larger toaster oven. Some of the larger toaster ovens can even accommodate a twelve inch pizza.

A recent feature that you can now find on a toaster oven is a digital control panel. For many years you could only purchase a toaster oven that had a manual control. This meant that you’d have to adjust the temperature dial repeatedly to find the exact right heat setting for your particular item.

With the advent of the digital control a toaster oven can now do many additional tasks. They don’t just bake or toast, but a toaster oven can also defrost and brown items. In addition they still make great compact broilers. It’s much more energy efficient to use a toaster oven broiler in comparison to heating the broiler of your standard oven.

The same can be said for cooking other items. If you are planning on baking something small it’s advisable to use the toaster oven. When you turn on your traditional oven you are paying to heat the entire oven compartment.

In many cases, this is a very large space. It’s preferable to heat the smaller toaster oven. It’s also quicker. The toaster oven will heat at a much faster pace than the traditional oven does.

A toaster oven is a convenient and economical way to cook. They also make wonderful wedding, birthday and holiday gifts.

“Eighteen years of creating custom design kitchens in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia”

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Kitchens Brisbane
by Modular Kitchens Northside

“Eighteen years of creating custom design kitchens in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. We also specialise in flat pack and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) kitchens”

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Homepage: Kitchens Brisbane

Telephone Number: 1300 650 995

The Well-Stocked Kitchen Starts With Cutting-Edge Knives

Preparing meals that are a cut above the ordinary may be easier if you start with the right cutting tools.

Well-designed cutting tools are engineered with style, safety and performance in mind. A smartly constructed knife is fashioned of forged high-carbon stainless steel and chromium for optimum rust and stain resistance.

For example, Insignia2 cutlery has fully tapered blade edges that are engineered with Chicago Cutlery’s signature Taper Grind™ Edge for extreme sharpness, performance, edge retention and resharpening ease.

When choosing a knife, look for heavy forged bolsters between the blade and the handle. These bolsters provide greater balance and safety by preventing fingers from riding up on the blade. A full tang blade, extending from the tip of the knife to the end of the handle, provides additional strength, balance and control.

A good knife collection features patented ergonomic polymer handles for exceptional durability and handling. Triple compression stainless steel rivets should secure the handles to the blades.

Available in 18-piece and 12-piece slanted hardwood block sets, the Insignia2 collection contains a four-piece forged steak knife set, a three-piece set with paring, utility and chef knives, and a two-piece Asian set featuring a seven-inch Granton-edge Santoku and a 3.5-inch paring knife.

A new concept in cutlery is the collection’s Partoku™, a five-inch knife that delivers the versatility of a Granton-edge Santoku with the convenience of an easy-handling paring knife. It’s designed for chopping, dicing, slicing and mincing and works well as a cleaver, slicer and chef’s knife. The five-inch version can accomplish kitchen tasks that would be unwieldy with a larger knife.

After stocking your kitchen with the best, most ergonomic knives, you may want to use them to reward yourself by preparing these delicious recipes:

Braised Chicken in Wine Sauce

Serves 4

5 slices bacon, diced

1 cup onion, roughly chopped

1 31/2-lb. chicken, cut into eighths

1/4 lb. mushrooms, diced

8 small new potatoes, cut in large pieces

1 clove garlic, minced

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1 cup chicken broth

3 cups Burgundy wine

Chopped parsley

With a Chicago Cutlery Insignia’s Partoku, dice uncooked bacon and mushrooms; roughly chop onions and cut potatoes and chicken into pieces. In a large skillet, sauté diced bacon with half the onions until bacon is crisp. Remove and drain well. Add chicken pieces to skillet and brown on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.

Put remaining onions, mushrooms, potatoes and minced garlic in skillet. Add browned chicken pieces, bacon and onion mixture. Add salt and pepper, thyme and enough chicken broth and wine to nearly cover chicken. Cover and simmer on low heat for 45 minutes or until chicken is tender and juices run clear when pricked. Serve sprinkled with chopped parsley.

Easy Scalloped Eggplant

Serves 4

1 medium eggplant, peeled and cubed (about 3 cups)

1 Tbsp. parsley, finely chopped

12 ounces grated cheddar cheese; reserve a few tablespoons for topping

2 eggs

1 medium onion, chopped

1 cup cracker crumbs

Salt and pepper to taste

Butter

Peel and cube eggplant. In a medium saucepan, boil eggplant until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain well. In a lightly buttered baking dish, combine eggplant, parsley, cheese (reserve some for topping), eggs, onion and cracker crumbs. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, salt and pepper and dot with butter. Bake at 350º F for 25 minutes or until firm. Serve immediately.

“Eighteen years of creating custom design kitchens in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia”

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Custom Kitchens Brisbane

,cook essential,essential kitchen

Kitchens Brisbane
by Modular Kitchens Northside

“Eighteen years of creating custom design kitchens in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. We also specialise in flat pack and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) kitchens”

Click now to:

Homepage: Kitchens Brisbane

Telephone Number: 1300 650 995

The Scoop on Soup

Soup may be the first course of a meal or it can be the whole meal. A steaming hot bowl of soup is wonderful to warm up to on a cold winter day, while a bowl of chilled gazpacho or fruit soup can be perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day.

‘Soup’ is a basic term used to describe a liquid food made from any combination of vegetables, fruit, meat and/or fish cooked in a liquid. This article will discuss some of the more common variations of soup and offer information and tips on preparing, serving and storing homemade soups.

Common Types of Soup

Bouillabaisse – a highly seasoned seafood stew made of fish, shellfish, onions, tomatoes, white wine, olive oil, garlic, saffron and herbs.

Bisque – a thick, rich cream soup usually containing seafood. Newer recipes may use poultry or vegetables in place of seafood. At one time bisques were thickened with rice, but today they are more frequently thickened with roux.

Chowder – a thick, chunky soup or stew usually containing seafood, potatoes, and milk or cream. The word ‘chowder’ comes from the French word ‘cauldron,’ which means cooking kettle. Vegetables or fish stewed in a cauldron became known as chowder in English-speaking nations (a corruption of the name of the pot or kettle in which they were cooked). The first chowders prepared on the North American continent were brought by French fishermen to Canada.

Broth & Bouillon (Stock) – a strained liquid that is the result of cooking vegetables, meat or fish and other seasonings in water.

Court Bouillon – a broth made from cooking various vegetables and herbs, usually an onion studded with a few whole cloves, celery, carrots and bouquet garni (parsley, thyme and bay leaf), perhaps with a little wine, lemon juice or vinegar; used as a poaching base for fish, seafood or vegetables.

Consomme – a clear soup made of strained meat or vegetable broth, served hot or as a cold jelly.

Gazpacho – an uncooked soup made of a pureed mixture of fresh tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, onions, celery, cucumber, bread crumbs, garlic, olive oil, vinegar and sometimes lemon juice which is served cold; also may be served ‘chunky-style.’

Cream soups – soups that are thickened with a white sauce.

Minestrone – a thick soup of Italian origin containing assorted vegetables, peas and beans, pasta (such as vermicelli or macaroni) and herbs in a meat or vegetable broth.

Gumbo – a Cajun/Creole delicacy of South Louisiana, reflecting its rich history: wild game or seafood (from the Acadians), thickened with okra (from the Africans), file (from the Indians) and/or roux (from the French). Gumbo is a thick, robust soup with hundreds of variations including chicken and sausage gumbo, shrimp and okra gumbo, oyster gumbo and seafood gumbo.

Stew – a dish containing meat, vegetables and a thick soup-like broth made from a combination of the stewing liquid and the natural juices of the food being stewed.

How to Remove Fat from Soup

Soup always tastes better and is healthier if the excess fat (grease) is removed during cooking and before serving. Try any of the following techniques to remove fat:

+ While cooking soup, place the pot slightly to one side of the burner. The off-centered bubbling will encourage fat to accumulate on one side of the pot for easier removal.

+ Use a large spoon to skim the fat off soup as it simmers.

+ To remove the last spots of fat floating on the surface, drag a clean, unprinted paper towel across the top. It will oak up most of the remaining oil.

+ A leaf of lettuce dropped in a pot of soup will absorb grease from the top.

+ When in a hurry to skim the fat from soup, float an ice cube in the soup to help congeal the fat and make it easier to remove.

+ Refrigerate cooked stews and soups overnight before serving. The fat will rise and solidify in a layer at the top. The fat may then be removed by breaking it up into large pieces and lifting it away with a spoon.

If the Soup is too Salty

Try one of the following methods to correct over-salting:

1. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of brown sugar for each quart of liquid.

2. Add a whole, peeled raw potato to the soup and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. The potato will absorb the salt. Remove the potato before serving the soup. (Do not discard the potato – it is perfectly good for later use in another recipe.)

To Thicken Soup

The best method of thickening most soups and stews is to remove some of the cooked vegetables, puree them in a blender, and return the pureed mixture to the soup. (Do not fill the blender more than one-third full with hot vegetables to prevent getting burned from splashes of hot puree.)

In the event that the soup is short on vegetables or there are none in the soup, try one of the following thickening techniques:

+ A roux of butter and flour may also be used as a thickener. The longer the roux is cooked, the darker and more flavorful it becomes. Be careful not to scorch the roux or it will give the soup an unpleasant burned taste.

+ Make a paste of all-purpose flour mixed with twice as much cold broth or water. The ratio of flour to liquid is 1-1/2 teaspoons of flour to 1 tablespoon of liquid for every 1 cup of soup. Slowly stir the paste into simmering soup and continue to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.

+ A cornstarch slurry of 1 part cornstarch to 2 parts liquid will also thicken soup; do not boil or the solution will break down.

+ Cream is another alternative to not only thicken, but add a luxurious richness to soups.

Freezing and Reheating Soup

Most soups freeze beautifully. Consider preparing large batches of soup so that there will be extra to freeze and serve at a later date.

+ Freezing cream-based soups may cause separation. If the soup does separate while reheating, whisk vigorously with a wire whisk or try blending it in a blender for a few minutes to smooth it out.

+ Chill soup in the refrigerator and skim off any fat that rises to the surface before freezing.

+ To avoid overcooking starchy ingredients like potatoes, pasta and rice, heat thawed soup only long enough to warm throughout.

+ Reheat frozen soups in the microwave or thaw at room temperature and heat in a heavy saucepan over low heat on the stovetop.

Miscellaneous Soup Making Tips and Info

+ A hot soup will help recondition the palate between meal courses or after consumption of alcoholic beverages.

+ If the soup is not intended as the main course, count on one quart of soup to serve six adults. As a main dish, plan on two servings per quart.

+ Adjust seasonings of cold soups just before serving. Chilled foods tend to dull the taste buds and will require more seasoning than hot soups.

+ Ideally, cold soups should be served in chilled dishes.

+ Savory soups and stews always taste better if made a day or two in advance, refrigerated and then reheated just prior to serving.

+ Be aware that herbs will have a more intense flavor if added at the end of the long cooking process.

+ Beer is also a good addition to soups and stews. A good rule of thumb is 1 cup of beer to 3 cups of soup.

+ Wine is a wonderful flavor addition to soups and stews. When using wine in soup, use less salt as the wine tends to intensify saltiness. Wine should be added at a ratio of no more than 1/4 cup of wine to 1 quart of soup.

+ Since liquids boil at a lower temperature at high altitudes, cooking time may need to be extended at altitudes above 2500 feet.

+ Freeze the liquids drained from canned mushrooms or vegetables for later use in soups or stews.

+ Soups and stews should only simmer while cooking, ‘never’ brought to a hard boil.

“Is it soup, yet?”

Naturally, the best soups are made with a base of homemade broth and fresh ingredients, but this method can be very time-consuming and labor intensive. If you like, time spent in the kitchen preparing soup may be reduced by using canned or frozen broths and vegetables while still yielding an excellent product.

Remember, there are no really good ‘quick’ soup recipes because any truly good soup needs time during preparation for flavor to fully develop. Always plan on providing enough time to prepare a really good soup or stew.

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