Kitchen Appliances That Can Open Up Whole New Worlds Of Cooking

Aside from helping you give the space a makeover, the appliances that you choose for your kitchen can have a truly profound effect on one of the most important family rituals of the day: dinnertime. If you have been underestimating just how vital certain appliances can be for the variety of meals available in your kitchen, then here are a few that might open up whole options you’ve never thought of.

Kitchen Appliances That Can Open Up Whole New Worlds Of Cooking

Kitchen Appliances That Can Open Up Whole New Worlds Of Cooking

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Slow Cooker

Are you the type who likes to set and forget it? Slow-cookers make it easy to toss almost any manner of meat into a sauce, stock, or marinade. From one-pot meals to stews to casseroles, they cook at low temps over long times, which can help to make meats even more succulent. If you ever just want to chill with a low-effort chilli, the slow cooker is one of the easiest ways to make it.

Air Fryer

If you want some delicious meals but you want to make them a little healthier than usual, then getting the grease out of the equation is one of the best ways to do that. They are also highly convenient. So, if you’re ever looking for healthier super easy boneless wings, a good air fryer can help you out there. They are also great for air frying vegetables in all kinds of marinades so you have tastier greens with your meals, too.

Rice Cooker

Now, how useful you find this particular choice depends on how much rice you like to eat. When it comes to all manner of Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, or other inspired dishes, rice can be vital and there’s no easier way to make a lot of it. However, there are lots of different things you can make in rice cookers, including soups, poached fruits, eggs, and steaming vegetables. They’re a lot more versatile than the name might make you think.

Food Processor

Food processors can help you make food prep so much easier in general. Any recipe that calls for something to be sliced, diced, or turned into a fine mist and these appliances can sort it out with little effort on your end except the clean-up after. However, one of the benefits of food processors (and blenders, too) is the addition of smoothies to your life. These quick, easy, and healthy breakfast (or lunch) drinks can make it much easier to get all the greens you need through the day.

Convection Ovens

You might be thinking that a convection oven might take a lot more room and money than you have. While still something of an investment, there are plenty of countertop smart ovens starting to come out that can help you cook more quickly and with more control than the traditional oven. Some of these smart ovens even have the option to connect to recipe books so the oven can automatically program itself to cook them efficiently.

If you want to make cooking in the kitchen less of a chore and much more of a varied experience, then the appliances above can introduce not just convenience but also diversity. Consider adding one or two to your kitchen.

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Kitchen Appliances That Can Open Up Whole New Worlds Of Cooking

What foods can you cook frozen? Image Credit

What Foods Can You Cook Frozen?

If you’ve ever waited for your frozen food to thaw before cooking it, then you know the frustration that comes with it, especially when you want something to eat quickly. Thankfully, there are some foods you can cook right away without having to wait for the thawing process. Considering that the frozen food market is worth $65 billion in retail (2020 statistics), it’s pretty understandable why people love it.

Frozen Chicken Wings

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Did you know that you can cook your frozen chicken wings in air fryer? For the best results, air fry your wings at 380°F, and when it’s almost done cooking, gradually increase the heat for a crispier outcome. Chicken wings are not like thick red meat, which takes longer to cook. Instead, they are classified as white meat and have less fat, which quickens the cooking time. As you air fry your chicken wings, be careful they don’t burn out.

Vegetables

If you have frozen peas, corn, beans, etc., at hand, all you need to do is toss them right into your cooking soups or sauces without waiting for the defrost period. Additionally, vegetables classified as cruciferous – i.e., broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower can also be cooked frozen to reduce your time in the kitchen. They are particularly easy to handle when cooking stir-fries or sauté meals that need some extra crunchy veggies. The trick to cooking frozen vegetables is to avoid overcrowding them in your pan. A cooking utensil overloaded with frozen vegetables will result in the latter becoming mushy and soggy.

Bacon

Bacon slices or strips are covered with fat which melts quickly with the slightest heat application. Apart from cooking straight away from the freezer, the slight moisture soaked up within the bacon helps in a quicker cooking period. It explains why after frying or grilling bacon, it still retains its stretchy nature while crisp. However, over-cooking makes it lose its natural moisture, which gives your bacon a crunchy feel. As a tip, ensure your raw bacon is frozen in individual slices. This way, they will not freeze into a huge block that demands defrosting.

Dumplings

This Asian cuisine found its way onto the American market decades ago and continues to be loved by many. Indeed, the dumpling-making procedure is time-consuming, but once you’re through with that, its subsequent use is easy. For example, uncooked dumplings can be frozen for over a month. Then, when you’re ready to cook it, take it out of the freezer and cook it right away. But, according to experienced chefs, allowing frozen dumplings to thaw before cooking them can make the outcome soggy and sticky. 

Some Varieties of Fish

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Some fish varieties are better for this. For example, salmon, tilapia, and cod can be cooked while frozen. They tend to maintain their outlook without falling apart. Therefore, whether you’re grilling, pan-frying, or grilling, these types of fish do not require prior thawing.

Hopefully, you know now that not all frozen foods require that long waiting time to defrost. Moreover, many commercially frozen food products use this as a marketing tool to attract more consumers. However, when you have to use them, follow the package instructions.