When it comes to your daily meals, cooking is the cheaper, and healthier, option, but it’s not always the most convenient. For those who know this all too well, we’re publishing a 4-part Kitchen Hacks series to make you a better, faster cook. Part I is all about getting as much use out of your ingredients as possible.
First, cook your corn on the cob, with the husk, using your method of choice (mine is microwaving; 3-4 minutes per cob). Once it’s cooked, grab the cob by the tapered end with gloves or oven mitts (it’s going to be HOT!). Then, cut off the shank, and a bit of the actual cob, with a sharp knife. To remove the husk, continue holding by the uncut end, then squeeze and shake the corn out of its husk.
Before the bath, take your herbs and start by cutting off the stems. Then, remove and discard any bruised or damaged leaves. Now comes the ice bath. Submerge your herbs in the ice water, and soak. The cold water will shock the herbs back to life. The amount of soaking time will vary, but you can tell they’re ready when the herbs start to float to the top and look bright green and refreshed!
To store, place the herbs in an air-tight container or sandwich bag lined with a paper towel on the top and bottom to absorb any extra moisture. Use within a couple of days.
To keep brown sugar from turning into rock-hard clumps, put a slice of bread, apple or even a damp paper towel in with the brown sugar to keep it soft. And, what is quite amazing is that neither the apple nor the bread gets moldy or rancid. They dry up and become inedible, but they do keep the brown sugar soft.
Don’t waste time peeling potatoes before cooking. After boiling them, place them in a bowl of ice water for a few seconds. Then, just grab it with both hands, twist, and pull apart. The skin should slide right off.
To find out if your eggs are still good without breaking the shell, just fill a bowl with cold water (and add ice for more accuracy). Then, place your egg in the water and if it sinks like a rock, you’re good to go. If it floats, toss it!
Give pomegranates a whack with a wooden spoon to easily remove the seeds.
All you need to do is cut it in half as normal, push out the center a bit, then just start whacking the back of it with a wooden spoon. If done correctly, all the seeds should fall right out into the bowl in just a few seconds!
For the days when the standard menu just won’t do, here are a few secret menu items at your go-to spots that your taste buds may find a bit more inspiring.
Chipotle
Burritodilla: The best of both worlds with about half of a regular Chipotle burrito’s fillings sandwiched between lots of cheese, then grilled like a standard quesadilla. This secret menu option may be so secret that servers may not be aware that it exists, but they’ll still make it if explain the recipe!
Nachos: Yes, Chipotle does offer this classic. Just order a burrito bowl and ask for chips instead of rice at the bottom.
Fresh Cilantro: Ask for a bit of this fresh herb to liven up your meal, and it’s free!
Five Guys
Cheese Fries: Ask for melted cheese atop your regular Five Guys fries to get at this secret item.
Double Grilled-Cheese Burgers: This behemoth includes the standard beef patties plus toppings sandwiched between two grilled cheese sandwiches.
Panera Bread
Power Steak Lettuce Wraps: This healthy meal option comes with seared top sirloin, lettuce for making the wraps, sliced cucumbers, diced onions & tomatoes, and then it’s all topped with both lemon juice and basil pesto. And it’s available at all locations.
Power Chicken Hummus Bowl: Loaded with all-natural, antibiotic-free chicken, creamy cilantro jalapeno hummus, baby spinach, cucumber slices, diced tomatoes & red onions, and topped with some fresh-squeezed lemon and chopped cilantro, this option is one of Panera’s healthiest dishes.
Starbucks
Liquid Cocaine: 4 shots espresso + 4 pumps white chocolate syrup + milk and ice to fill in a Grande cup= sugar high and caffeine boost that will be sure to get you up and at ‘em.
Nutella Drink: In addition to the standard Caffe Misto, ask for an extra pump of chocolate syrup, hazelnut syrup, and a caramel drizzle for a deliciously sweet drink that tastes just like Nutella.
Dirty Chai: This concoction involves the addition of one shot of Espresso into a Chai Latte. It’s still extremely tasty while giving you a little boost of caffeine.
Thanks to #HackTheMenu for the inside information.
Linger Eataury, the latest Denver dining establishment to be nationally recognized for its awesomeness, was named 2015 Restaurant Bar of the Year by Nightclub & Bar Media Group earlier this month, and rightly so!
The annual Nightclub & Bar Awards, established to honor “well deserving bars, nightclubs and lounges for excellence in the industry,” announced the 2015 winners in early March following a lengthy two-month selection period. Entries submitted by industry professionals on behalf of venues across the country were reviewed by a panel of recognized experts, who then determined the finalists and winners.
According to Jon Taffer, president of Nightclub & Bar and host/executive producer of Spike TV’s Bar Rescue, “the winners are visionaries who are instrumental in setting trends and forging the way for other hospitality venues,” and Linger most definitely fits the bill.
Situated in the former Olinger Mortuary garage – thus the name, which chef/owner Justin Cucci came up with by dropping the O and substituting Mor with Eat – this wildly popular restaurant/bar is the total package, from victuals to libations to aesthetics; the kitchen serves up a salute to the street food of the world, the mortuary theme is touched on without getting too kitschy (Linger tissues available for weepers, a “Harold and Maude” photo mural hangs over the open kitchen, funeral fans hang from a wall), and last but not least, the views overlooking downtown Denver are absolutely breathtaking.
Yup, it’s pretty obvious why locals and visitors alike haven’t stopped rushing the doors since they opened in summer 2011.
And now it’s official: Linger is the 2015 Restaurant Bar of the Year. Congratulations, it’s well deserved!
If you’re one of the many that has laid their heart on the line for a date with their server only to be shot down, fear not because those days are dead and gone. Here to assist in romancing your service industry crush are a few guiding principles, that if followed will earn you some serious consideration.
Same Rules Apply
Would you ignore someone you’re planning on asking out? What about making demands before getting a name? And throwing down insults about their work?
Hopefully the answer is no (and if it’s yes, it’s time to re-evaluate your game in general). Well, surprise! The same courting rules that apply to the general public also go for your server, host, bartender, etc. because we’re people too! So avoid the brush off, any version of “get me” especially without saying please and thank you, and any insinuation that we’re not doing our jobs to the utmost of our abilities. Basically, mind your manners and treat us how you’d like to be treated, or else you’re just digging your own grave in the dating department.
For most, this goes without saying, but better safe than sorry. Pet names are generally not appreciated, even if we put up a good front about their use. Neither is gawking, catcalling, and definitely not copping a feel.
Now you may not even be aware that you’re guilty of a few of these no-no’s, because let’s face it, sometimes when we’re not trying to be on our best behavior, things slip through the cracks. So, to counteract a few of the misses, don’t pass up an opportunity to show your appreciation of the work we’re doing so that you can enjoy yourself. Basically, do your best to be respectful because just that goes a long way.
If You’re Interested, Act Like It
Working in the service industry, specifically in the front of house, means that we literally serve others all day long. As far as dialogue, there’s very little in the way of engaging conversation. So it’s quite refreshing when we’re asked questions that go beyond the drink menu, perhaps even venturing outside of life at work, and getting a chance to actively participate in an exchange. Not only does this clue us in to your attraction, but may also ignite one of our own!
A word of caution: even if a conversation is going well, don’t guilt trip us if and when we have to attend to our other customers. It is our livelihood, after all. Instead, graciously let us go and leave us wanting more!
Love Don’t Cost A Thing
Sure, a big tip is always appreciated, but be careful about throwing around your money, credit cards included. Attempting to impress with the promise of cash bonuses is in most cases considered solicitation and, excluding special circumstances, is no way to gain affection, literal and otherwise. Even dressed up with promises of tomorrow, all you’ll get for tooting your own horn is payback. And you know what they say about payback…
Impress us with the immaterial, like your great sense of humor, infectious laugh, or even your total lack of coordination (sometimes it’s cute!).
Take A Hint
If your attempts at wooing go wayward, and even a bat can see that there’s no future (at least for the moment), then bow out with style. Don’t skimp on the gratuity, make a scene, or talk trash because no one wants to date a sore loser and, who knows, there may be a chance at redemption next time.
Know more secrets about charming your server (or any service industry employee for that matter)? Let us know here, or @gosirvo.
