Archive for the ‘Cooking’ Category

Panini Press - Oprah’s favorite thing

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

Oprah’s Favorite Things episode featured a Breville Panini Press available exclusively at Williams-Sonoma for $99.95

Breville Ikon Panini Press at Williams Sonoma

I’ve been wanting a panini press…I think paninis are my new favorite food this year. I have had quite a few of them :)

I did some research and the one I want is available at Amazon for $59.99.

It’s the Breville SG820XL Maxi 2-in-1 Panini Press

Breville 2-in-1 Maxi Panini Press

It has flat cooking surfaces instead of the ones with grooves. It has great reviews on Amazon.

Now, most people may think that paninis should have those grill marks but I think those are more for visual purposes than practical reasons.

I have a grill pan with those raised ridges and it’s really difficult to clean. The reviewers on Amazon agree with me on this.

I can’t wait to try it!

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Shopping for Thanksgiving dinner

Wednesday, November 21st, 2007

Went to Safeway today and bought most of the stuff I need, I think…a 5.5lb turkey breast, onions, celery, oranges, thyme, cranberries, sweet potatoes, etc.

The only thing I couldn’t find at Safeway was fresh apple cider, you know, the refrigerated kind. I need it to make my cranberry sauce.

So, there’ll be some shopping to do tomorrow.

Turkey is currently defrosting. I’ll be brining it tomorrow.

Brining is key to a juicy turkey. Brining is putting the turkey in a salty solution for about 24 hours.

I never liked turkey before because it was always kinda dry. So, when I decided to make my own Thanksgiving dinner a few years ago, I researched to see how I should make the turkey.

I stumbled upon brining and decided to try it. And I will not make turkey without brining again. The resulting turkey meat is so juicy and tender that it’s worth the extra effort. Not like it’s that hard anyway.

I will post the brining recipe I use tomorrow…coz I have to go find it tonight ;)

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