This decorative butter design takes only a minute to put together and looks gorgeous on the table for a special occasion or dinner in with your significant other. Use basil leaves or any herb and or edible flowers.
Did you try this tip?
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How to store basil to keep it fresher longer.
I love using basil in the winter. It always brings a touch of summer to my recipes. Here’s how I store basil to keep it fresher longer. #verysmartideas #kitchentips #basil #foodie #zerowaste #fresh #cookingvideos
Oven Mitts on Strings!
This is one of my favorite #kitchenhacks ever! We baked and cooked up a storm this past holiday season and my oven mitts were never where I needed them to be so I came up with this idea to use what moms have been using for decades to help keep their kiddos from losing their mittens AND it worked like a CHARM! Let me know if you like this hack and please share with others who might like it too. The mitten clips are on my website if you’d like to check them out ◡̈
https://verysmartideas.com/product/resinta-2-pack-adjustable-mitten-clips/ #verysmartideas #verysmarttips #kitchenhacks #kitchentips #ovenmitts #bakingfromscratch #baking #cookingvideos #cooking
How to keep your nightstand clear from clutter!
Clutter creeps up on me. Items accumulate right before our eyes but we don’t see it, why?
For me, it tends to happen when I have a lot going on at work and I’m often too busy to notice. For you it could be starting a new job, a new baby or moving in with roommates. Whatever the reason, clutter can be a major distraction. In particular, I find a calm bedroom soothing after a busy day. If there’s less for me to visually process then there is less for me to think about. I talk about this concept in how to de-clutter a bathroom. It’s on YouTube @verysmartideas, if you want to check it out! <3 Gig #cleaning #resolutions #cleaninghacks #healthy #healthylifestyle #homedecor #verysmartideas #verysmarttips
#Easy steps on how to care for your wooden cutting boards and utensils!
We did oodles of #cooking and #baking this past holiday season and my wooden cutting boards and spoons took a beating. Here is a video ( it is a bit choppy) Pun intended 🤪🤣 on how to bring them back to life. The entire video is on the TUBE @very smart ideas. Thanks for watching my peeps. <3 Gigi #verysmartideas #homemade #kitchentips #cuttingboard #hacks
Quick tip on how to sneak more water into your day!
HNY! It is time to start acting on those healthy NY resolutions. For me, I will be working on drinking more water and here is a super easy way I plan to make it happen!
#verysmart ideas
#healthylife
#verysmarttips
#water #goodhabits
#2023
#2023resolutions
#healthytips
How to store holiday decorations.
Decorating the house for the holidays was always such a chore until I figured out an easy system to store holiday items. Having a system is place makes it a snap to re-create a beautiful holiday home every year.
#holidaydecor #homeorganization #christmastree #verysmartideas #verysmarttips #homedesigntips #home #homedecor
Halfway homemade warm roll trick and just in time for the #holidays. Warm honey butter and everything bagel seasoning make these warm rolls so GOOD to serve with your holiday dinner. And they are so EASY to make, you’ll find yourself making them often. Here is how to do it. Honey butter recipe @ https://verysmartideas.com/easy-honey-butter/
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#holiday #holidayrecipes #verysmartideas #easyrecipes #kitchenhacks #christmas #warmbread
You will want to save this post and share this post on this lost skill with friends and family!
Knowing how to set the table and which fork to use for which course will help you to feel confident at a fancy dinner party, a work related event or in front of the future in-laws! #verysmartideas #homedecortips #etiquette #tablesetting #tablescape #verysmarttips
Toasting oats provides a better flavor and here’s why!....and
just in time for breakfast!
#kitchentips #oats #healthycooking #recipehacks #verysmartideas #easyrecipes
These meatballs are savory, sweet, and lip-smacking good! Use this recipe for Cranberry Chutney or use THAT can of leftover cranberry sauce hanging out in your pantry. I like to serve these as an appetizer on Christmas or New Years. They also make fantastic sliders when nestled between warm dinner rolls or a fresh hoagie roll.
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#verysmartideas #thanksgivingleftovers #easyrecipes #cookingclass #fallrecipes #homemade #cookinglessons #bionicchef #kitchentips #cookingtips #cranberries #bionicchef #lucky_fin_project #meatballs #appetizers #christmasappetizers #leftovers #easyrecipes #doubledutyrecipes
Don’t throw out those Turkey bones! #chickenstock #turkeystock #leftovers
Make stock! What is the difference between broth and stock? Broth is made from meat and veggies and stock is made with meat, veggies and the addition of bones. Both are quite flavorful and add a delicious layer of flavor to, well everything. I make broth occasionally because it takes less time to cook and is thinner than stock. I cook rice and noodles in broth to add rich flavor.
I do prefer stock because of its thick, viscous texture which comes from simmering the the collagen-rich bones for hours. In the reel you will see how the stock thickens to a thick Jell-O like consistency but liquify once warmed. Full recipe at verysmartideas.com
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#verysmartideas #thanksgivingleftovers #easyrecipes #kitchentips #stock #cookingclass #fallrecipes #homemade #soupson #homemadesoup #soup #bionicchef #cookinglessons #cookingtips #easyrecipe
Here is a quick tip on how to shred Brussels sprouts-FAST for all those fall and holiday recipes.
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#verysmartideas #kitchentips #brusselsprouts #kitchenhacks #verysmarttips
Here’s a quick primer on winter squash just in time for all those AWESOME #holidayrecipes. What is your favorite winter squash?
Winter squash is harvested during the fall and winter months. They come in many varieties and often have thick, hefty rinds and a sturdy appearance. Winter squash has a wonderfully long shelf life and it can be stored in a cool, dry place for months.
Winter squash is low in calories and and fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Three common winter squash varieties found in most supermarkets include acorn squash, butternut squash and spaghetti squash.
Here are some of quick kitchen tips for choosing the right squash and how to prepare it.
Acorn squash
Acorn squash has a distinct acorn-like shape and has a mild, buttery-sweet flavor. Choose acorn squash with a dull dark green color, firm rind and smooth exterior. The variety is packed with nutrients, and is high in vitamin C, thiamine and magnesium.
Acorn squash can be roasted, sautéed, made into soups or even baked into pies.
Butternut squash
Butternut squash has a bell shape and a sweet, nutty flavor. Choose butternut squash that has a tan-yellow rind. This variety is high in vitamin A, vitamin C and magnesium.
Tip: To make butternut squash easier to maneuver, cut the neck and work with the two halves separately. Butternut squash lends itself to both savory and sweet recipes.
Spaghetti squash
Spaghetti squash has an oblong shape and mild flavor. The subtle flavor of spaghetti squash lens itself to absorbing the flavors of sauces and herbs, making it a perfect low carb substitute for pastas. The fruit is a good source of vitamin C, manganese and vitamin B-6.
Cut the squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, bake at 400 degrees for an hour and then add black beans, Mexican cheese, and some good salsa for a yummy low fat, high fiber burrito bowl!
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#Easyrecipes #verysmarttips #verysmartideas #kitchentips #
#holidaycooking #wintersquash #healthyfood #healthyholidayrecipes
A GRATE tip on how do use a grater! It is fall and that means lots of yummy zucchini bread and carrot cakes. Here’s an easy way to great all those veggies.
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#VerySmartIdeas #KitchenTips
#Grater #KitchenTools #HowTo
#CookingHacks
It is officially baking season and I thought I would take the opportunity this morning to explain the differences between puff, shortcrust & filo doughs. I hope this is information is useful! Please share what you plan to bake in the comments this holiday season! For more kitchen tips and recipes Tap @verysmartideas for clickable recipe (link is in my bio above) or type https://www.Verysmartideas.com into a browser.
Difference between Puff, Shortcrust & Filo Doughs
Puff pastry
Puff pastry is best for pastries, sausage rolls, sweet or savory pies.
It is usually made with canola or a vegetable oil.
Butter puff pastry
Is pastry made with butter instead of the vegetable oil and no sugar. Whether you use normal puff pastry or butter puff pastry is entirely a matter of personal preference.
Sweet puff pastry
Is made using sugar. It is used in sweet recipes that require a flaky, buttery pastry such as a sweet pie.
Shortcrust pastry
Has a slightly biscuity, crumbly texture that doesn't easily soak up fluids and is perfect for quiches, tarts, and other savories with wet fillings or those not served immediately. It is surprisingly sturdy when removed from its tin.
Plain shortcrust
Although it is typically used for savory fillings it can be a good flavor balance to very sweet fillings as well.
Pate sablee
Is a sweetened shortcrust pastry, but is more like a biscuit dough because the butter and sugar are beaten together before the flour and liquid are added. The word sablee means sandy or grainy and tat times ground almonds are added to it to add even more texture.
Filo
Filo is wafer thin, crunchy and brown when cooked.
Filo is used when a light, crunchy pastry is required, like for a spinach pie or baklava.
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#baking #bakingtime #bakingday #bakingclass #bakingfun #bakinglife #bakingpies #bakingwithlove #bakinglover #Holidaybaking #bakingcakes #bakingtherapy #bakingisfun #bakingislife #bakingaddiction #bakingfromscratch #baking101 #verysmartideas #bakingmom #bakingaddict #bakingandpastry #easybaking #bakingtips #pastryschool #cookingmama #fallbaking #cookingclass #kitchentips
Kitchen Tip: Can you believe Thanksgiving is only two weeks away! I will be making a boatload of Mirapoix, a mixture of a few carrots, celery and onion a few days in advance to save prep time on busy holiday mornings. Great to use in soups, gravies and stuffings for Thanksgiving or any big party!
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Thanksgivingmealprep #verysmartideas #kitchentips #thanksgivingdinner #recipetipshare #easyrecipe
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