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Four chicken soup recipes to soothe the soul this winter
Chicken soup won't cure COVID-19, but it might ease your sniffles. After so many months of pandemic life, we're getting better at making ourselves feel as good as we can, even with the coronavirus knocking at the door. (Or maybe even coming right in the house.) January is usually a time when we're brimming with excitement for the year ahead, but with COVID-19 hitting its predicted peaks just as we experience our annual cedar fever season, many of us are digging deep for extra comfort and nourishment. Thanks to the vaccine — and countless "Chicken Soup for the Soul"-worthy stories of kindness t...
Austin American-Statesman
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Furloughed chef keeps skills sharp by serving his kids fine-dining menus at home
SAN DIEGO — Nine months ago, Aron Schwartz was supervising 60 culinary workers and more than $15 million in annual food and beverage sales at a downtown San Diego hotel. Nowadays, the 45-year-old father of two is the self-described "lunch man," preparing multicourse fine-dining menus each day for his children, who are distance-learning from home due to the pandemic. After 14 years at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina Hotel, executive chef Schwartz was furloughed at the end of March and he hasn't worked since. To keep his cooking skills sharp and avoid going "stir crazy," the Carmel Valley ...
The San Diego Union-Tribune
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Quick Fix: Tasty scallops dish requires very little cooking
Sweet, plump scallops flavor this quick fried rice. Scallops, which need very little cooking, should be prepared so that the inside remains creamy. Prolonged cooking will shrink and toughen them. The secret to searing the scallops is to pat them dry with a paper towel and to make sure your skillet is very hot. They only need to sear for 2 minutes for this dish. Using microwaveable brown rice means this meal can be ready in less than 10 minutes. Helpful Hints: — A quick way to defrost the peas is to place them in a colander and toss with water. — Four crushed garlic cloves can be used instead o...
Tribune News Service
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Your cooking resolutions for 2021: Resolve to cook more good food by starting with simple goals
Speaking of home cooking, I was strolling through a cemetery the other day, the historic Graceland on Chicago’s North Side. Holy cripes on toast, you should see the monuments. This one dead guy, Potter Palmer — you’ve heard of The Palmer House Hotel? That’s him — he’s got an actual 16-columned Greek-style temple with matching sarcophagi for himself and his wife, who literally was named Bertha. Here’s my question: Obviously, Potter (or “Pooter,” as he was known in grammar school) spent 37 tons of cash on his upscale tombstone, but, does that mean he also gets to be more dead than the rest of us...
Chicago Tribune
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Quick Fix: One-pot chicken orzo soup perfect for a cold winter night
Here’s a warm, comforting and easy take an old favorite, chicken noodle soup. Using cooked chicken, either rotisserie or from the deli, cuts down on the cooking time. Parsnips add a hint of sweetness and fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese add a flavorful touch. This is a one-pot meal that’s perfect for a winter’s evening. Orzo is rice-shaped pasta, but you can use any small pasta such as small macaroni, pastina or acini di pepe. Helpful Hints: — Chopped fresh onion can be used instead of frozen. Saute it a few minutes longer. — Any type of cooked chicken or turkey can be used. — Look for u...
Tribune News Service
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Diabetes Quick Fix: Cajun Bronzed Mahi-Mahi with Rice and Spinach Pilaf
This bronzed mahi-mahi is an alternative to blacked fish. It can cook indoors without smoke and this method of cooking keeps the fish moist. The secret is to keep the skillet at the right temperature. The fish should take 7 to 8 minutes to cook. If it takes much longer, the skillet is not hot enough.Using the Cajun spice mixture given in the recipe cuts down on the amount of salt found in prepared Cajun spice seasoning mix.A pilaf is a rice dish that originated in the Middle East. The rice is first sautéed in a skillet, and then the liquid is added.Helpful Hints:— Any type of firm fish such as...
Tribune News Service
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5 Japanese Cooking Sites to Follow
Even without in-person cooking classes, you can become a savvy Japanese home chef! See our selection of websites to find your perfect tried-and-true recipes and tips to shine in the kitchen.Japan has one of the world’s most recognizable food cultures. Everyone knows and loves sushi and ramen, right? But there is more to it! Japanese traditional cuisine has even been granted the “intangible cultural heritage” status by UNESCO in recognition of the skills and knowledge that have been developed and passed on in the culinary tradition for centuries.The everyday meals that Japanese people make at h...
Savvy Tokyo
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Savor these stake cubes glazed with garlicky sauce
Juicy steak bites top noodles and spinach for this quick and tasty bowl dinner. Steak plays an important role in Korean cooking. Here steak cubes are coated with a garlicky sauce glaze.Noodles are another staple. There are many noodle shops throughout the country. This noodle side dish calls for spinach, but any green vegetable — broccoli, green beans or peas — can be used.Helpful Hints:— Any type of quick-cooking steak can be used (skirt, flank, strip).— Steamed or fresh Chinese noodles can be found in the produce department. Dried noodles or angel hair pasta can be used instead.— Four crushe...
Tribune News Service