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Simple Cooking Tips That Everyone Should Know
Generations today lack knowledge when it comes to cooking. Recent information that has surfaced the media is the fact that they are now selling scrambled egg in a packet which is frozen. Sounds disgusting and if you're incapable of cracking an egg and whisking it then there is definitely something wrong. To restore faith in the generation, here are cooking tips that EVERYONE should know!
Scrambled egg
(Image credit: inspiredtaste.net)
We may as well kick off with this one seeing as we've touched the surface. Whether you make scrambled egg in the microwave or a pan, it's important that to make them extra creamy, you need to stir them constantly while they're on the pan. This breaks up pockets of egg for a restaurant-style creamy scramble.
Allow meat to rest
You've just cooked a banging bit of steak, you're starving and ready to dig in. Not so fast, speedy! When taking meat fresh off the grill, it will spill out all of the juices which contain the flavour. If you let it rest for 5-10 minutes, it'll lock in all the goodness.
Salt pasta water
You may have seen your Mum always do this but never knew why. By popping some salt in your pasta water, it allows the pasta to taste better because it helps bring out the flavour of the pasta sauce. Ooh, fancy!
Freshen up cookies
(Image credit: Martha Stewart)
This may be a good one for Gookie Dough cookies. Apparently, if you want to freshen up stale cookies, you should place a piece of bread in the cookie container (lol what?). The cookies soak up the bread's moisture. Are you as confused as we are?
Bacon and flour
If you're cooking baking, you're going to be a victim of the grease splatters that attack you and stain your favourite shirt. If you sprinkle flour on your bacon while it is cooking, it'll reduce the amount it spits and will also make the bacon extra crispy. Who even thinks of these hacks?
Clumps of butter in the mixture
(Image credit: shorecakesupply.com)
We've all made a dough and the butter won't cooperate. There's no chance it will calm down and mix in thoroughly and it can impact the end result. A pro tip is to use a cheese grater to get these mini chunks of butter!
Any more pro cooking tips that are simple yet revolutionary? Let us know in the comments below! *Facts adapted from Buzzfeed Food*
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What Do You Call These Foods?
Over the sea, to the right of us, there is a country called America. Now, there's some argument surrounding what they call foods and what we call foods. So, there is only one way to settle it. Here are the 'vs' predicaments.
(Image credit: LorAnn Oils)
Popsicle versus Ice Lolly
So, popsicles are technically a brand name, hence why they just gained the title but to us Brits, it probably seems rather American and instead, we call them ice lollies. We're not sure which we prefer though.
Cookies versus Biscuits
Cookies relate to the delicious treat with chocolate chips inside and are literally what Gookie Dough is about. Biscuits, on the other hand, is the term for a range of biscuits. Party rings, digestives, jammie dodgers, you name it!
Cotton Candy versus Candy Floss
Okay, so the sugary treat looks like a cotton ball, hence the cotton candy but the candy floss may be reminding us to floss after eating it because, girl, that stuff rots your teeth.
(Image credit: Red Online)
Grilled Cheese versus Toastie
Okay, America, we're on your side just this once (and trust us, we hate admitting we're wrong). Grilled cheese is straight to the point, you know exactly what you're getting. Toastie, on the other hand, could mean a range of things. Ham, cheese, onion, bacon, chicken, who knows?
Cilantro versus Coriander
Breaking news, they're both the same thing. Please tell me that I'm not the only person who didn't know this?! Cilantro sounds more exotic, rather sophisticated. Coriander, on the other hand, reminds us of that carrot and coriander soup in the back of the cupboard that no one wants to have.
Jam versus Jelly
So, let's get the facts right. Jam is what you spread on toast. Jelly is the pots of wobbly stuff, you know, jelly on the plate? How does Bob Marley like his doughnuts? With jam in. Now you can't argue about it!
That settles it! What do you think, Gookie monsters?
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National Cupcake Week
Bakers and cupcake lovers across the country have been celebrating National Cupcake Week which runs from the 17th-23rd of September. The nine-year-old event has seen some mesmerising cupcake creations and we're in awe at the delicious buttercream delights. In 2017, we saw Irn Bru flavoured cupcakes and edible cupcake bouquets! So, what surprises are there this year?
Poppin' away!
(Image credit: The Telegraph)
We kick things off with a little simplicity but that doesn't stop it from being delicious. The carefully placed popcorn and toffee sauce looks delightful and we're sure that this is a major hit! This beauty is from London's Crumbs and Dollies store. We're just wondering if the sponge is also popcorn flavoured?
Rosie Roses
(Image credit: British Baker)
These Blush Cupcakes from Perth are extraordinary. The delicacy that has gone into making these and the realism makes us not want to eat them and just stare! Struggling for a wedding bouquet? No problem, an edible one to walk you down the aisle will be just fine.
Smartie Pants
We're blown away by @tommylovescakewirral over on Instagram! Smarties are a blast from the past and you're never too old to enjoy a tube. We're loving the defying gravity action, is this some kind of magic? Are we in Harry Potter? Please, tell us your secrets.
Underwater Gems
Purely stunning. Mermaids are in and these cupcakes hit the nail on the head. Gorgeous colourful sponge with underwater icing shades with pearls and, of course, your classic starfish. The detailing in the mermaid's tail is making us squeal with delight! Credit to the wonderful @cakeangelsuk on Instagram.
Eye, Cacti
Cacti that you don't have to worry about keeping alive. A plant that shall never die (well, in your mouth it may). We're getting major trend alert feels from these little pots. These are a work of art and look amazing! Enjoy the buttercream overload, after all, it's National Cupcake Week! Major credit to @thelittlecupofkindness on Instagram.
Rainbow Corn
Duh, you can't have a National Cupcake Week blog post without the appearance of unicorns! Get your funfetti Gookie Dough out and start getting sprinkle-mad! This rainbow icing is ultimate goals and we're loving those lashes. Damn girl, you're on fire! Credit to @ruachdesigns on Instagram!
So, whip out your caster sugar, dust off your mixer and get baking! Have you been celebrating this week? Feel free to send us in your own images of your weird and wonderful pics!
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Whoopie Pie Brownies with Marshmallow Gookie Filling
Remember when there was a major food craze when it came to Whoopie Pies? What ever happened to them? They were truly delicious. Well, today we're going to bring back the trend and make brownie whoopies with a marshmallow Gookie Dough filling.
(Image credit: Heat Oven To 350)
Ingredients
(For the cookies)
227g of unsalted butter
200g of granulated sugar
150g of brown sugar
Two eggs
One teaspoon of vanilla extract
Half a teaspoon of salt
150g of cocoa powder
210g of all-purpose flour
One teaspoon of baking powder
One teaspoon of baking soda
(For the filling)
One monster tub of Gookie Dough in original flavour
One 13oz of marshmallow fluff
One teaspoon of vanilla extract
Directions
(Image credit: Heat Oven To 350)
Firstly, preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until it becomes light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and then the eggs one at a time, beating well. Combine the salt, cocoa, flour, baking powder and baking soda and gradually stir until a consistent creamed mixture has formed.
Shape the dough into balls which are the size of your palm and place on a greased baking tray. Flatten the dough slightly with the bottom of a drinking glass. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies look puffy and the tops are cracked but still soft. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
For the filling, remove the Gookie Dough from the fridge and allow it to soften slightly and then put all of the contents of Gookie Dough in a medium bowl along with the marshmallow fluff and vanilla extract. With an electric mixer, mix the ingredients together until a fairly thick mixture has formed.
When assembling the sandwiches, you need to scoop three teaspoons (maybe more) of filling onto the bottom of a cooled cookie and top with another cookie. ENJOY! *Recipe credit and adapted from Heat Oven to 350*
How's that for your hump day hunger? The rich cocoa brownie biscuits with a divine sticky Gookie-marshmallow filling will satisfy all of your sugary needs.
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Chocolate Balloon Bowls
These edible bowls will turn any dinner party dessert into something majorly impressive. If you have balloons lying around your house and the kids are bored then this is one for the books. Fill up with Gookie Dough and you can eat the whole package (warning, gotta be quick before it all melts!).
(Image credit: Instructables)
You will need: (Makes 8 bowls)
300g of chocolate (any)
A tub of Gookie Dough
Four small balloons
Directions
(Image credit: Phoodie)
Break your chocolate into small pieces and put in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Leave to melt then allow to cool for five minutes. Blow up your balloons so each is around 10cm wide. Don't blow them too big because it won't work. Tie with a knot when the size is reached.
Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Holding the tied end of the balloon, dip it into the melted chocolate to create the bowl shape and stand it on the tray and hold the balloon for a few seconds so the chocolate pools around the base. Continue with the remaining balloons and chill for at least 30 minutes (it's advised to wait until set completely).
When the chocolate has set, pop the balloons and carefully peel them away from the bowls, ensure you remove all of the rubber. Fill with ice cream scoops of Gookie Dough, top with sprinkles and a side of ice cream!
There you have it. As easy as 1,2,3 and with only three ingredients, it's a dream come true! Pretty much everything you already have in the house and great for a low budget dessert or if you really don't want to leave the house. You don't need to display the balloons to really get the party started.