Cooking Tools & Other Clever Ideas

[LesKiya]

{hi} there Everyone

This thread is specifically devoted to Cooking Tools & Clever Food Preparation Ideas ~ please feel welcome to share all your smart IDEAS & TIPS with us:


To all of you out there trying to cook without oils on the Cohen! I highly recommend the George Foreman Grill guys! It took me 3 months to figure this out and meanwhile I burned the bottoms of multiple pots! I bought a smalll Foreman and cooking time was cut in half and clean up time to less then 5 minutes. And it takes absolutely zero cooking spray, just throw the meat on there with nothing except herbs! Good luck to all of you!

[SPDeRosa]

I purchased a Cuisinart Griddler to take to with me on a road trip to a camp where I was teaching for a week. My cabin had electricity, a sink, a microwave and a refrigerator, which is pretty much all I needed to be able to cook my 1PDmeals!

I chose the Griddler because it had both the grill plates and the pan/griddle plate (for my scrambled eggs) AND they could all go in the dishwasher (for when I use it at home). There's also an adjustable thermometer so I can "sear" meat first rather than just slowly cook it. I got it at Bed Bath & Beyond with one of their 20% off coupons -- love those. I think the George Foreman G5 is comparable, but also a bit pricey. There are many indoor grills on the market, so I'm sure there's one within everyone's price range.

I have found that the indoor grills are good, but not quite the same as a broiler or gas/charcoal grill. I still choose to do all my meats in my gas over on "broiler" mode. I'd most certainly choose the indoor grill over a frying pan any day. I also have found that most models do recommend cooking spray be used, but they work without it just as well. The spray just helps make it a little easier to clean.

You do have to learn to use your indoor grill, because if you overcook food, esp. chicken, it can come out sort of rubbery. However, once you get the timing down you'll find that the chicken remains plump and juicy. Be sure to let the grill warm up for a few minutes before you put your food on there, and in just a few minutes you'll be able to eat a fully cooked 1PD meal!

[pumbza]

Goerge Foreman is OK but nothing beats a castiron grill pan on a hot gas stove on high and when the fillet hits the GRILL and the sizzle and the smoke starts to rise and the smell is just devine and because the steaks are so small they really taste excellent never realised this when I wolfed down 1 Kg of steak in one sitting (Disgusting isn't it)!!Ha Ha!:innocent4:I find a wok very useful for stir fry and other frying and also boiling of certain foods and the wok is non stick so no problem with oil etc!!!Have a great day and enjoy the GRILLING!!!:innocent3:

[Shasha]

{hi} there Everyone
Thanks for all the great feedback… :jumping2: Please keep those ideas coming!
I think this will really help those getting started…
...and also those who may be getting a tad bit bored…

:thinking: One of my favorite ideas is to have balsamic vinegar in a spray bottle – that way you use a lot less vinegar to cover a wider surface of food (such as chicken stir-fry) quickly and evenly…

My two favorite kitchen tools are: :hungry: ~LOL, no, not my knife and fork!!! but...
1) My blender for quick soups and smoothies
- including iced coffee (coffee, sweetener, cold water & crushed ice turned into delicious slush)

2) My steamer - just love those Al Dente veggies: zucchini with a little cinnamon & sweetener, cauliflower that either goes plain or gets a bit of nutmeg and mushrooms - never over steam the mushrooms so either use a short time or the top tray...

[SurferGirl]

Regarding shasha's basalmic spray idea, a product named "MISTO" is really cool. You poor in your vinegar, put on the lid, pump it up, and spray. It will pressurize the liquid and give you a really nice fine mist.

[pumbza]

Jee Surfergirl you are so lucky to have balsamic vinegar spray I am going to go out to the shops and see if I can find some of this for myself it would really be great!!!:innocent4:I wonder if one bought a spray bottle new out of the box and put balsamic vinegar in it and used as a spray if that would work but I would rather get the one you have but being out in the deepest DARK AFRICA I would be suprised if we had something like that but who knows miracles never STOP on this FORUM anyway!!!Ha Ha!!Have a wonderful Fat Burning Day!!!:innocent3:

[Hugentobler]

Has anyone tried the mango cutter? It is like an apple corer, but for mangoes. It separates the pit from the fruit. I LOVE mangos but hate trying to cut them. Any idea where to get one?

[GettinSkinny]

Hi AnyLynn, those mango cutters are actually called mango splitters, and you get one at Target or order one from amazon.com for around $12.00 or so. But really, if you follow the same concept of how the splitter works, any sharp kitchen knife works just as well. When you look at the mango, you notice that two of the sides are a little "flatter" then the other two. Turn the mango on its end and so your knife is parallel to one of the "flat" sides. Place your knife about a half inch to the right of the stem and slice down. With a little practice you get really good at this. (If you find your knife is cutting into the seed, and you will know if it is, just angle your knife out a little and back in toward the bottom). After you cut that side, turn the mango and slice off the other side, again, parallel to the "flat" side of the mango. Then it's easy to see the large seed and you can cut off what's left of the remaining mango fairly easily.

I hope this helps. I started eating my mangos with the peeling on when I read in a thread somewhere that it is how the natives eat it, because there is a lot of fiber in the peeling. Just be careful that you buy the mangos that have a red/yellow peel in color. The green peels are a little tough to chew. :eyebrow:

And speaking of fiber and regularity, a coworker told me, after visiting Brazil, that the Brazilians eat papaya daily, because it helps to keep them regular. :innocent4: And I know that is sometimes a problem with the Cohen diet. Hope these tips help out!!!

[Hugentobler]

Thanks! I'll give it a try.

[Mei Mei]

Hello all,
I wanted to share. I just made mini-fajitas. I'm the biggest fan of Mexican food. I dug out myGeorge Foreman grill--haven't used it in years. I grilled chicken green pepper and onion. I ate it on top of crackers. It was great!
Question, can we use japalaneos? Fresh only or pickled?
Can we use Cumin?
But even without, it was tasty.
Mei Mei

[SPDeRosa]

Question, can we use japalaneos? Fresh only or pickled?i

Mei Mei,

Jalapenos (hot lil green peppers) are ok in moderation provided they don't cause hunger. I have 1/2 jalapeno every morning with my omellette and LOVE IT. It's just the kick I need.

Not sure about cumin, although I believe you can use it. All "natural" spices are allowed. After looking up "cumin" it says: "Cumin is a flowering plant that has been grown as a spice since ancient times." So to me that says it's ok.

I know curry is ok although looking online it would seem that curry powder is more complex: "Most recipes and producers of curry powder usually include coriander, turmeric, cumin, and fenugreek in their blends. Depending on the recipe, additional ingredients such as ginger, garlic, fennel seed, cinnamon, clove, mustard seed, green cardamom, black cardamom, mace, nutmeg, red pepper, long pepper, and black pepper may also be added." So I guess with curry powders we have to read all of the ingredients to make sure there is no starch or red pepper in there.

Shawn

[Mei Mei]

Shawn,
I can't believe I misspelled jalapaneos so badly. That's embarrassing! Do you know about pickled ones? Do they count as part of your vege weight? Thanks,
Mei Mei

[SPDeRosa]

Ha! I didn't even see that you had misspelled it ... I just new what you meant. Wow!

I don't think pickled foods are allowed, don't they use oil to pickle things? It may depend on the pickling recipe that is followed. I'd stick with veggies from the produce section rather than the aisles. Actually, I learned elsewhere that if you want to eat healthy, you shop the outside of the supermarket, never go down the aisles. So you get produce, dairy, meat, fish/seafood ... and out this way Dunkin Donuts. Ooops, there goes that theory! :)

[Bronwyn]

Hi Mei Mei,

I agree with Shawn - stick to fresh jalapenos (by the way I also didn't notice that you had mispelled that word, how funny, huh?) and do not use jarred or pickled peppers.

[pumbza]

Ditto with the above but what I also GATHERED from Shasha and she can correct me if I am wrong is stick to the GREEN things like GREEN chilli's over Red Chilli's and Green Pepper Over Red or Yellow Pepper!On the curry side be aware as shawn has pointed out and I am just reiterating for some producers BULK up there curry powders with FLOUR PRODUCTS obviosly this is a ECONOMICAL decision and some put OIL into the POWDERS to keep it MOIST best IDEA would be TO ask a direct Supplier to make u a curry powder with JUST spices and no addatives like sugar and FLOUR etc I am actually getting this done Tomorrow as I am suspicious about my CURRY I have at HOME!!!If u feel suspicous then it must be Suspicous!!!Ha Ha!:innocent4:I can't even dare talk about spelling I think Shawn and Bronwyn did not see the mistake BECAUSE THEY HAVE GOT SO USE TO MY Deplorable spelling SHAME the things they have to PUT up with all in the NAME of weight LOSS and Helping DIET BUDDIES!!!I have always loved PICKLED cucumber and now u have given me and IDEA if I use DIET SPRITE and Balsamic VINEGAR and the usual spices I surely CAN make a GREAT batch of Pickled Cucumber which would be DEVINE thanks DIET BUDDIES I will do this and come back to YOU all!!!Have a MAGICAL DAY and remember its CalamityJ BIRTHDAY or was so YESTERDAY!!!:innocent3:

[pumbza]

I got some curry powder today and was explained by the lady in the SPICE SHOP that curry Powders have MSG and Sugar for preservatives and OIL so be very very careful!!She eventaully gave me Cummin Seed Powder and Corriander Powder and Mixed the two together with Tumeric (a 1/4) to make a nice CURRY POWDER !!One can also add Green Chillies and Garlic and Jinger and Voila a lovely CURRY can be made and when the CURRY is NEARLY ready you add Garum Masala which thickens the SAUCE a bit (No Thickening its all spices!!) an it makes a wonderful Flavoured dish a dash of Balsamic Vinegar enhances the taste all together!!!I think all the above is cousha and just a further NOTE I was talking about CABBAGE and MUSTARD SEED's sorry thats a NO NO apparently the mustard seeds ENCOURAGE EATING thats what we definitely do not need so I will have to look for SOMETHING else!!!!Hope YOU are all HAVE A Brilliant Brilliant DAY!!!:innocent3:

[SPDeRosa]

Pumbza, thanks for the curry update! I wonder if we're overthinking the program if it's allowed on the diet. Perhaps the small amounts of "bad stuff" in there are ok? Then again they tell us not to mix spices. This is the confusing part of the diet. I think I'll just avoid curry unless like you I make my own :)

[pumbza]

Yeah SHAWN you are right as usual we are over thinking it and you are right on the BUTTON!!!But I think its a mental think because the first think one will do when Dr Cohen analyses our blood results and the questions are asked we will blame the CURRRY!!!Ha Ha!:innocent4:I love my CURRIES so I will try to get that one right I will have to check on do not mix the spices because thats what I have been doing all along!!!!!Anyway one things for sure it KEEPS us all on our toes no time to LOAF thats for sure HAVE a Spectacular Day and THANKS AGAIN for being a SHINNING EXAMPLE one day when I grow UP I MAY BE JUST LIKE YOU!!!Ha Ha!!!:innocent3:

[Shasha]

{hi} there Everyone


{grouphug1}

Pumbza: that bit about when you grow up you want to be just like Shawn is just to cute for words!!! I just have to give you a :bighug:

About the jalapeño’s – Shawn is spot on: green chili’s only may be used in moderation to flavor your food providing they do not trigger hunger…

About Curries… yes plain curry is allowed and yes: caution for the hidden starch and oil. If in doubt, leave it out! Rather mix your own… read the label on the holder to see...

Cumin leaves are fine. Basically leaves are okay to use, but you should try to avoid seeds like mustard seed, coriander seeds, aniseed etc. Red pepper is a clear no-no.

[pumbza]

Hi Shasha and Shawn and thanks Shasha for all YOUR hugs very very much appreciated!!I will be a bit more careful with this curry story so far I have not found it interfereing to much with my weight Loss Program BUT I will be CAREFUL as most of the spices in curry are SEEDS but OHhhh it has SUCH flavour!!!I will look more for the leaves I do get Corriander leaves and the curry leave but I am not to sure of Cummin Leaves thats new to me I will try and FINd that if I can!!!Have a Gloruis DAY YOU ALL (Try my AMERICAN ON YOU ALL with a Drawl!!!Ha Ha!!):innocent3:

[SPDeRosa]

I read Lauren's post today about not having coffee because she couldn't drink it without the cream, and decided to add a "coffee maker" note to this thread.

I felt the same when I first started. I always made my coffee extra light ... and it used to be extra sugar but I switched a few years ago to Splenda. I couldn't dream of having coffee without cream, and if I ever got "dark" coffee (that is coffee with only a little bit of cream) I wouldn't even be able to drink it.

Then came my tip for this thread: An adjustable strength "Grind 'n Brew" coffee pot. A bit pricey, my Cuisinart not only grinds the beans -- which gives coffee a totally different, more smooth, taste SO MUCH DIFFERENT than coffee ground months earlier in a ******* somewhere --- but it ALSO allows you to adjust the brew strength from Mild - Moderate - Strong. I keep mine set on moderate. I've found that this machine takes some of the bitterness out of the coffee and I have no problem drinking it black (with Spelnda).

I had an older Cuisinart Grind 'n Brew that didn't allow for the brew strength to be adjusted, and I can taste a difference. I was struggling with black coffee with the old model, but I have no problems with it anymore. It took a good week to fully adjust, but being stubborn I didn't want to let go of my coffee ritual .. .I just needed to time and techniques to adjust it. Now I can't see going back to adding high-fat cream into my coffee when I don't "need" it.

[SPDeRosa]

I wonder whether Olive Oil misters (e.g. the Misto) are allowed on the diet? I just bought one and think it has to be so much healthier than the spray oils in a can --- you can use the best olive oil (or canola, etc) without any of the other chemicals they put in Pam or other spray.

Perhaps Shasha has some ideas? It's still a fine mist much like the cooking spray, just a healthier version. :)

[srwood]

Shawn,

Did you see by Spectrum has an Olive Oil spray?

Suzanne

[SPDeRosa]

Hi Suzanne, I didn't see that, but I just checked online and they have a line without chlorofluorocarbons. I like the idea of using my own oil as it also has the added benefit of having less environmental impact than going through all those cans (even if recycling). What I liked about the mister is that it has no propellant -- you pump it to generate the pressure to spray out the oil -- and has no soy lecithin (emulsifier). I will say, though, that the convenience of spraying without pumping first is nice but every time I pump the mister I think "you're helping the environment". :) Shawn

[Key]

I've been using the most helpful kitchen tool and wanted to tell you all about it. It's a handheld mandoline that slices things paper thin. It's got a VERY sharp double blade so you can cut going both up and down. It comes with a safety guard - but be careful anyway because it would be easy to cut yourself. It's so simple to put a bowl on the scale and slice away until you've got the perfect amount. The one I use is by Kuhn Rikon and I found it at TJ Maxx for about $10.

Key

[PhyllisRis]

I also have a mandolin that I got at my Pampered Chef party. It works really well for shredding zucchini for the pancakes. I've been preparing enough zucchini for 6 days at a time (6, cuz that's how many covered prep bowls I have).
AND I just ordered a mini-electric frying pan today! It's 6" square and I figure it will be PERFECT to take along on our trip to Florida at the end of May and for any other time I travel. It was less than $20. I saw it in a catalog that I got in the mail today and found the identical thing cheaper at Amazon! :)
Phyllis

Elite Cuisine 6 x 6" Personal Mini Electric Frying Skillet

[Shasha]

{hi} there Phyllis

Wow, a mini frying pan!!! Thanks for posting that picture ~ minus of course the bacon and sausage!!!

That’s such an excellent idea for anyone travelling - you can make your exact steak, mushrooms, eggs, chicken, fish, stir-fry… etc

That's one of those: "now-why-didn't-I-ever-think-of-that" ideas!!

{goodjob} :clapping3: When you get your’s, would you please mind telling us how much it weighs?

[Shasha]

{hi} there KEY

I thought I’d find a picture for our Diet Buddies who were not sure of what a handheld mandoline slicer looks like:




{goodjob} and thank you for sharing!

The thinner you slice your food, the further it goes & the more it looks {boing}

[mom4morgan]

So did we determine if Olive Oil Misters are ok to use? I did get Olive oil in a can, but I would prefer to have natural oil like Shawn had mentioned earlier.
Thanks :thinking:

[Chris68]

I just orderd one of the pans from Amazon, thanks for the tip. it looks perfect for what we need to do!!!

Chirs

[Chris68]

Here is an email that I got today about these really cute water bottles. You can order one online and there is no shipping. Although I am not sure how much it holds.


Pottery Barn has new styles in stock! These $10 Pottery Barn Aluminum Water Bottle qualifies for free shipping for a limited time. Available in Basketweave, Red Coral or "Do Your Part," the reusable bottles are insulated to keep drinks cold, come with a carabiner to easily attach to bags or belts and help cut back on plastic bottle waste. Compared to SIGG bottles, which retail for as much as $30 and this deal can't be beat! Sales tax is charged in states with Pottery Barn retail locations.

Chris

[jay_yz250]

Got to be careful with those mandolins i took a big chunk out of my thumb today but i guess im the typical guy and dont use the guard but its kinda hard to use with a tomato. just thought i would post a warning OUCH!!!!!! :(

[apachejenn]

Everyone who likes their food fresh but only have access to a microwave at work needs to check out Ziplock Zip N Steam bags! You just put in the food, seasonings, and a little bit of water. I just made steamed tilapia and asparagus in one!

[leairna]

I was baking some chicken in the oven, when I remembered I had some ground turkey to use, and thought... HEY, I want to try little meat loafs, so I weighed and measured out my meat and veggie and cracker, and made little meat loafs.

Then I thought, what am I going to put these in, so they don't get all dried out, while baking.

Taa Daa... Little French Onion Soup crocks. Perfect. They had a lid, they were the perfect size and they sat in the oven along with the baking pan quite nicely.



I baked them for 15 mins with the lids on, then the last 10, I took the lids off, and let them brown.
They turned out Perfect.

So, if you want to try a little meat loaf, but don't want a hockey puck of dried out meat, the little covered crocks may be just the thing.

Have a great day.