Does Rice Need to Be Washed Before Cooking?

Tonight I cooked the Brown Rice with Leeks, Carrots and Black Lentils. Actually, it had onions instead of leeks and burgul in addition to the brown rice. I’m mentioning this because of a comment by reader Ariela, who asks why I washed the rice and lentils. Fortunately Ariela is a loyal reader. Even though I […]

Cool Summer Cooking Tips

During the winter I have lots of energy for cooking. It’s a pleasure to turn on the stove and warm up the house. But in the summer, I just wish the food would magically appear in front of me.

Readers on the Facebook page for Cooking Manager (join us!) asked for a list of ways to cook while keeping cool. You can bet that in a few weeks, I’ll be reviewing my own tips for inspiration. Please add your own tips in the comments.

First let’s look at appliances. Some appliances generate more heat than others, and they should be avoided.

Tips for Storing Fruits and Vegetables

When you come home from the grocery store or market, it’s tempting to put everything in the refrigerator and forget about it. But taking extra time to deal with the produce will help you get the most from your money and give you a jump start on cooking.

Washing produce: I wash most produce shortly after getting home. It will keep slightly longer if I don’t, but this way I don’t have to remind kids to wash things, they’re ready to cook with, and I have less water dripping over the floor. And it saves time and water.

Extreme Frugality: Twenty Memories of My Mother

Wisebread wrote about her parents’ extreme frugality, leading to an  interesting discussion on the difference between being poor and frugal. When I was growing up, my parents were able to purchase good quality food, clothes and furniture. But my mother did not believe in wasting resources. Here are twenty ways my mother was frugal: Cooking […]

Ten Tips for Cutting the Cost of Running Your Refrigerator

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kygp/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 I could live quite well without a dishwasher, crockpot or oven. But no one wants to go back to the days before refrigerators. Because refrigerators work day and night, they use large amounts of electricity. Here are tips to keep your food fresh and your electric bill low. Avoid leaks. […]

Five Basic Recipes for the Food Processor

On Sundays I write about cooking appliance and equipment. This is the third in a series on food processors. Click for Part I and II. Here are a few examples of techniques I use to adapt any recipe to the food processor. All can made in the main bowl with the “S”  or helicopter blade. […]

Cook While You Rest: Four Ways to Get Started When You are Short on Time

It’s Tuesday, the day for Time-Saving Tips and Techniques at CookingManager.com. Today I share techniques to get a jump start on cooking, with just a few minutes of investment. Allow chemical processes to do the work until you can give the recipe more attention. Soak beans. Soaking cuts cooking time and lessens flatulence. To prepare […]