Western Decorating Ideas For Your Kitchen

If you are into the Western decorating theme, you can have a lot of fun using it to decorate your kitchen. In fact, you can take one element of the theme and go crazy with it. For instance, one Western decorating idea is to focus on a Western object like some cowboy boots or a cowboy hat. You can even combine elements and use both of them as your central decorating theme.

You can find all types of decor in the Western decorating theme. Try looking for cookie jars or other ceramics that you can sit out on your counter for an interesting effect. Also look for western themed curtains and light switch covers. One fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon is to scour the local antique shops for Western themed decor. You'll be surprised at the interesting items you can find! You can use browns, red, navy, or cream to pull in the Americana theme to the mix as well.

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One great way to pull off the theme is to also look for accents made of unfinished wood. You can often find tables and chairs that actually look like they were made with unfinished logs. These are perfect for a Western decorated kitchen. In addition, you can use photo frames that look unfinished and put pictures of your family or of western mountains and hills in them. You can also find many items made from tree branches or logs as well as items made from deer antlers and items covered in cow hide (either faux or real!)

Western Decorating Ideas For Your Kitchen

Another great thing to use is copper or black iron accents. You can get away with either of these. If you have a pot hanger over your kitchen island, you should try mixing both copper pieces and cast iron pieces. In addition, you can even use cast iron skillets or pans as wall decor and hang them accordingly. And don't forget pot holders, tablecloths and dish towels made with Western theme fabrics.

Try your own Western decorating ideas in your kitchen to see exactly what works for you and what doesn't. The Western theme is perfect if you love to constantly feel like you are the "Wild West" or in a log cabin. It can look great in any home if you are consistent with the decor. Using Western style accents on the counters, window treatments, floors and walls will help pull the look together and make you feel like you are rustling up grub for your cowhands on a Western ranch even if you are living in a modern city home!

Western Decorating Ideas For Your Kitchen

Learning How to Cook Salmon Fillets

While most people who cook salmon regularly would suggest grilling as the only option for cooking salmon steaks, how to cook salmon fillets is a little more open to preference. What is most important is to use methods and recipes that complement salmon's natural and nutritious flavor.

Salmon fillets are boneless and can be smoked and used as lox. Since all skin and bones have been removed, salmon fillets are excellent for recipes requiring gourmet presentations. When buying fillets, ask to have it filleted and skinned, and to remove pinbones. A general rule is 6 ounces of raw salmon is considered a good serving size.

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How to cook salmon fillets is as varied as the flavors you can add: smoking, steaming, poaching, pan-frying, curing and baking are just a few of the options.

Learning How to Cook Salmon Fillets

A Bourbon basted salmon is as easy as marinating a 1.5lb salmon fillet in a mixture of brown sugar, bourbon, green onions, soy sauce and vegetable oil. Marinate salmon at least 1 hr and baste the salmon at least once with the marinade. Grill the salmon for about 7 minutes per side or wrap in aluminum foil with some of marinade, place on cookie sheet. Bake in 375 degree oven for about 15-20 minutes.

Or you could slow roast the salmon, cutting it lengthwise and then crosswise to make 4 equal squares of fish. Rub the fish with a pinch of turmeric and season with salt and pepper. Roast the salmon, in lightly oiled oven-proof pan, turning the pieces carefully with a spatula after about 10 minutes, until just cooked through, about 20 minutes in all. Slow-roasted salmon looks bright orange when done, and will be moist in the center.

How to cook salmon fillets is as varied as your tastes. You can also slather both sides of the salmon with the olive oil, season both sides with salt, and bake (skin side down) over a bed of dill sprigs in an oversized shallow baking dish. Place salmon on top, skinned side down.

Whatever your gusto, salmon fillets offer a delicate and nutritious option for your cooking adventures.

Learning How to Cook Salmon Fillets

How to Roast Meat in an Electric Frying Pan

As well as fried foods like pancakes, eggs and burgers, you can use an electric frying pan to make stews, chili, and even soup. One of the best uses of this handy kitchen appliance though is roasting meat. This is because an electric frying pan distributes heat evenly. An electric skillet is a brilliant backup if your stove stops working and it means you can cook more food because you get additional workspace and using the electric pan means you can cook something else in the oven at the same time.

Also, because you can adjust your electric skillet's temperature easily, these machines are very good for cooks who are experimenting with temperatures and cooking times for their recipes.

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You might like to roast beef, pork, or lamb. Most meats roast nicely and if you are using an electric frying pan to make this meal, you will find the process to be relatively straightforward.

How to Roast Meat in an Electric Frying Pan

Tips for Juicy Roast Beef

If you want to roast meat for two people, you will need a medium sized electric frying pan. You will need a three to four pound roast, some chopped carrots and onions and some seasonings.

The first thing to do is add a few tablespoons of cooking oil to the electric frying pan. Set the temperature on the pan to 400 degrees F and let the oil warm up. Season your beef with salt, black pepper and any other herbs or spices you want to use. Carefully lower the meat into the electric frying pan and watch out, in case the oil spatters a bit. Brown the meat on every side.

It is important to ensure your beef is very moist while you are roasting it, because this means it will come out succulent and juicy when it is done. You can add a cup of water or beef broth to the pan if you want.

If you do this, you will need to cover the pan, else the liquid will evaporate, and the roast might burn. Turn the temperature down to medium and leave it to simmer slowly for half an hour.

Adding the Vegetables to the Pan

Take the lid off and arrange some chopped vegetables around the meat. You can use fruit if you prefer, or a combination of vegetables and fruit. This gives the roast an exotic flavor. Cook the meat with the vegetables or fruit for another hour, then take off the lid and see whether the vegetables are tender. Beef usually needs half an hour per pound, if you cook it in an electric skillet. Turn it halfway through the cooking time, to ensure it cooks evenly.

Stick a meat thermometer into the thickest part f the meat. If it reads 150 degrees F, it is done. If you do not have a meat thermometer, you can cut into the roast to see if it is cooked through. Let it rest for ten minutes before serving, to allow the juices to redistribute.

How to Roast Meat in an Electric Frying Pan

Best Chili Recipes - You Can Lose Weight Eating This Low Calorie Chili

In this article we will look at a low calorie, high protein chili recipe that is sure to please you and your family or guests. It is not hard to make a quality dish of chili as many times this dish gets bad press as being fattening and this is just not the case.

I love chili! I can eat it anytime of the year and never be unhappy with it! It is fast, and cheap like some of the girls I dated in college but that is another story entirely! Many people think that chili is fattening because of the carbs associated with it in the form of beans. Let me be the first to tell you that no one person has ever gotten fat from eating beans unless they bury them in fat and grease. Period! Chili, if done properly whether it is beef, chicken, or even pork can be a low fat, high protein shot that tastes great! The secret is to get the flavor you want from the ingredients and not from the fat! Believe me, this is not hard to do. Here is a low fat, high protein chili with all the benefits of helping one to lose weight and stay healthy and not have all the fat that can be associated with day to day chili. This chili recipe will serve 6+/- people. In this recipe I will use beef, but you can substitute whatever kind of meat protein that you wish. Chicken, turkey, pork or even tofu if you want to make this a vegetarian style of chili. There are also tofu products that are textured like tofu sausage that is really excellent for chili recipes. So here we go with the ingredients.

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The ingredients you will need are:

Best Chili Recipes - You Can Lose Weight Eating This Low Calorie Chili

1. 1 1/2-2Lbs of lean ground beef. It should be 10% or less if you can get it.

2. 4 garlic bulbs finely chopped.

3 tablespoons of either California or New Mexico chili powder.

1 dash of cayenne for added heat if you like. The thermogenics and metabolism boost from it is good too!

I tablespoon of cumin.

1 teaspoon of smoked paprika.

1 large can of fire roasted tomatoes diced up. These cans are either 26 to 28 oz.

2 15oz can of some kind of red bean either kidney or Louisiana red bean. Pinto beans will do in a pinch though.

1 large onion chopped fine. Either a brown or red onion the choice is yours.

1 1/2 of a cup or more depending on taste of canned diced chilies. The Hatch chili variety is best in my opinion.

3 to 4 tablespoons of tomato paste.

1 or 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce.

1 one little dash of salt or sea salt or even season salt, or you can leave the salt out for your guests to add themselves. I know salt make you hold water, but is some cases you just have to have some to bring the flavors of your food out.

OK! Lets cook:

1. Get your hands on a large skillet of either the no stick, stainless steel or my favorite a cast iron skillet and take your very lean ground beef and brown it up. When the beef is browned and not burned, it is time for you to drain off the excess fat from the skillet. I usually put the beef in a bowl and then take another bowl and place it on top of the bowl with the beef and squeeze down and tip sideways over the sink and squeeze all that extra fat out of the beef. I leave what little grease is still in the pan and if there is too much I drain it out until only a slick remains.

2. Now it is time for you to put the beef back into your skillet and put the garlic, chili powder, and cumin in for you to mix together on a low medium heat. When the total ingredients in the skillet are hot and simmering as you can tell from the little bubbles on the sides of the skillet it will be time for you to add y our tomatoes, onions, chilies, beans, and tomatoes to the recipes and stir them together and let them blend. It is good to let this mixture cook for 2 to 4 hours on low simmer and you should check it every now and again with your spoon to see if you want to add anything to this recipe. About ten minutes before the dish is done add your Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika and salt. Keep on low for another thirty minutes and then turn the heat off and let the flavors marry to each other. When your guests arrive it is chow time!

Best Chili Recipes - You Can Lose Weight Eating This Low Calorie Chili

Different Types of Pots and Pans

Pots and pans are the basic essentials for the average kitchen, but before you buy, you might want to consider all of the choices you have to choose the best ones for you and your kitchen. Pots and pans come in different materials like aluminum, anodized aluminum, cast iron, copper, non-stick, and stainless steel.

Aluminum

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Aluminum pots and pans are usually cheaper than most other kinds of cookware. Aluminum is lightweight but fairly durable and can withstand high temperatures. One drawback is that it reacts with acidic and alkaline foods altering the taste, you can still use aluminum and avoid this problem by using anodized aluminum.

Different Types of Pots and Pans

Anodized Aluminum

This type of aluminum cookware has a special coating to prevent the aluminum from reacting with certain foods. It is a great choice to cook with, but the coating can be sensitive. To avoid damaging the coating, do not cook highly acidic and alkaline foods in them, also, hand wash these pots in warm, soapy water instead of putting them in a dishwasher with harsh soaps.

Cast Iron

Cast iron pans are also fairly inexpensive, but can be a little more than aluminum. This type of cookware takes longer to heat up, but once heated, holds the heat well. This makes it ideal for slow cooking and frying. The drawbacks are that it's very sensitive and rusts, stains, and becomes pitted easily. To best care for your cast iron, do not wash it with soap, but run a damp paper towel over it after cooking to clean any excess food off.

Lined Copper

Copper pans are more expensive than most, but conduct heat extremely well. They heat up fast when on the burner and cool down fast when taken away from the heat. Copper pans must be lined with another material, otherwise the copper reacts badly with food making it poisonous and altering the taste. For this reason, copper should be delicately hand washed and relined every few years.

Non-Stick

These pots and pans simple have a special coating that keeps foods from sticking to it. These should not be washed in the dishwasher or with abrasive scrubbers, but gently washed in warm soap and water.

Stainless Steel

This moderately priced material is very durable, but alone, does not conduct heat well at all. For this reason, when shopping for stainless steel, look for pots and pans with a thick layer of copper or aluminum on the bottom for better heat conduction. It is best to wash these in warm soap and water, and these can withstand nylon scrubbers.

These are the main materials that pots and pans come in. And for the adventurous cook, there are other wonderful and exciting types of pots to choose from like crock-pots, stockpots, saucepans, and crab pots to name a few.

Different Types of Pots and Pans

How to Get Stainless Cookware on Sale - Especially Farberware

Need stainless steel cookware and at the best deal around? Look no more. I will share with you some good information about price and shopping, along with a bit of a review. Buying from a reliable source is also my idea of a comfortable purchase.

A great set of shiny new cookware can change your life in the kitchen. At any stage of your cooking life, some new equipment will always improve your inspiration and your expertise. Picture yourself--yes-- as captain of your kitchen, a good chef at any time of any day.

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Can you imagine a busy chef needing a saucepan that isn't there? Imagine, then, owning a whole set of cookware that is just right and is there for you. Imagine, too, getting it on sale! When you know that you're getting a really good deal, it takes the stress out of shopping.

How to Get Stainless Cookware on Sale - Especially Farberware

I found Farberware's Millenium 12 piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set, for example, a rather amazing assortment for the price at Amazon.com. Here's what's included:

• The big Stockpot 8 Qt.--with Glass and Steel Lid--for pasta, soups, stews, chile and more
• 3 Saucepans, all with Stainless Steel and Glass Lids
• 2 Skillets, one 8 inch and one 10 inch and two untensils: slotted spoon and turner

Picture an assortment like this; it's basic and it will work through all your ideas and meal plans. This type of cookware is not delicate. Use it, cook with it, store it easily.

Here's why this cookware is so popular

• Stainless Steel Glass see-through lids
• Easy cleanup.
• Works with any stove top, flame, electric or ceramic.
• Farberware quality generation after generation. Since 1900. Made in the USA.
• Affordable price.

To get personal for a moment here, my own Farberware has been with me for years, including two pots that I inherited and are still like new with handles still tight. Stainless Steel is for real cooking. Some foods need the reliance of metal for browning and glazing.

Finding Farberware Stainless Steel cookware on sale is a treat.

How to Get Stainless Cookware on Sale - Especially Farberware

Secrets of Perfectly Moist Chicken Breast Recipes

Sometimes it is difficult to keep boneless chicken recipes moist. Either the breasts meat comes out dry or they are not cooked properly.

You have to be careful when making a chicken breast recipe and that applies to anything from easy chicken enchiladas to chicken stew. Chicken must be cooked to 165 degrees F in order to be safe to eat but a lot of people overcook the chicken and dried out chicken is not enjoyable to eat!

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There are various ways to cook boneless chicken recipes, including grilling, steaming, sauteing, deep frying and baking, but one of the best secrets for moist chicken breast recipes is to poach the chicken in a little liquid after sealing the outside. Not only does this cooking method add lots of flavor but it stops the chicken from drying out.

Secrets of Perfectly Moist Chicken Breast Recipes

An Easy Recipe for Moist Chicken Breast

This recipe makes enough chicken for two people. A nonstick stainless steel skillet is best to use, if you have one. The amounts of broth, flour and olive oil are approximate and it depends on the size of the breasts and the size and shape of your skillet.

Serve this delicious poached chicken with mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables for a wholesome and delicious dinner. You can use any herbs you like, so feel free to substitute the rosemary and oregano for parsley, cilantro, thyme or even a pinch of mixed herbs.

You will need:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1/2 pint chicken broth
• Salt and black pepper
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

How to make it:

Sprinkle salt and pepper over the chicken and then dredge them in flour, shaking off the excess. Preheat a skillet over a medium heat until it can evaporate droplets of water you drop into it. Pour a little olive oil into the pan. You could also use canola oil or any fat with a high smoke point. You should coat the bottom of the pan with oil but that is enough.

Add the chicken breasts to the hot pan and sear them for a couple of minutes until they are golden brown. Turn them over and sear the other side. If you are going to double this recipe, do two chicken breasts at a time. Crowding the skillet means you will not be able to brown all your chicken properly.

Turn the heat down to low, and then add chicken broth. It needs to come a third of the way up the chicken breast. If you add to much you will be boiling the chicken, which is not what you want. Add the onions, rosemary, oregano, garlic and lemon.

Cover the pan with a lid that fits tightly and cook the chicken breasts over a low heat until they are done. They are done when a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the chicken breast. If you do not have a meat thermometer, cut into the chicken. It is done when it is white all the way through with no hint of pink in the middle.

Secrets of Perfectly Moist Chicken Breast Recipes