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The Best Microwaves in 2022

Food Hacks

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April 23, 2020

Countertop microwaves have been a part of everyday life for Americans since their introduction to the market in the 1970s. According to Statista, during 2019, 13.5 million units were sold in the U.S. It's almost impossible to imagine a modern kitchen without a place for a convenient and versatile microwave.

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Whether due to age, function or style, there comes a time for every household when you need to purchase a new unit. But what should you look out for when buying a microwave in 2022?

What To Consider When Purchasing a Microwave

Size: You should be interested in two measurements when selecting a microwave. The first is the actual dimensions of the product on the counter. Then, the other measurement is the cooking space, which is important if you plan to warm up large amounts of food. This interior measurement is listed as cubic feet.

Wattage: When paging through the local appliance store's catalog, you'll notice they list watts. Most modern microwaves have between 600 and 1200 watts. In short, the more watts you have, the more power you can tap into, which allows for faster cooking times.

Turntable: Although you might assume that all microwaves come with a turntable, some older units actually move from side to side. It's best to avoid these as you will be required to remove the food from the microwave and rotate it yourself.

Smart Sensors: Modern microwaves now come with smart sensors, which will automatically adjust time and power levels depending on the temperature of your food. This will take any guesswork out of cooking in your microwave and serve you a perfect meal every time.

Presets: The number of presets and their assigned functions vary between microwave models. Some units won't include any, while others might tout six or more. Always verify how many presets there are and what they do. Some functions, such as popping popcorn, can be a real life-changer!

Now that we've covered the basics let's look at the top-rated microwaves in 2022.

The Best Overall Microwave

Toshiba Black Stainless Steel Microwave Oven

$129.99 at Amazon

Offering all the best modern features you could desire, the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS packs in a lot. It can be integrated with Amazon Alexa, allows for hands-free cooking with voice activation and comes with its own app.

While there aren't many preset options on the unit itself, the app has 23 preset menu settings. And because it provides 1100 watts of power, it can easily handle any cooking load with ease. Other useful features include humidity sensors, which adjust cooking to the optimum level, and sound off, allowing midnight meals to be warmed up in silence—something unique to this microwave's price point.

The total interior space is 1.2 cubic feet (you can also upgrade to 1.3 cubic feet), and its dimensions are 20.5 inches long, 17.1 inches wide and 12.8 inches high.

The Best Budget-Friendly Microwave

Amazon Basics Microwave

$74.99 at Amazon

Powered by 700 watts, this Amazon Basics Microwave won't beat out any high-end appliances. Also, with 0.7 cubic feet of cooking space, it's a small and compact microwave. But where this microwave makes up for its shortfalls is with its voice control capabilities and ability to sync with Amazon Alexa.

By tapping the "Ask Alexa" button, you can tell the microwave precisely what needs to be done, from rewarming a cup of tea to popping a bag of popcorn (you can even place an order for a brand new box). An Echo device is required to use the voice control features, but it can still function as a regular microwave if you don't currently own one. The microwave packs in all the basics like ten power levels, a kitchen timer, a child lock, and most importantly, a turntable.

With its dimensions being 17.3 inches long, 10.1 inches wide and 14.1 inches high, it's also not going to take up a lot of counter space. We'd recommend it for a dorm room or studio apartment. While it may lack some expensive finishes and on-device features, this microwave is a bargain not to be missed.

The Best Large-Capacity Microwave

Panasonic NN-SN75LB Microwave Oven

$149.91 – $229.95 at Amazon

With 1250 watts of power and 1.6 cubic feet of space inside, this Panasonic model is perfect for large families. Its Cyclonic Inverter is guaranteed to deliver evenly-cooked meals every time. It comes with presets for popcorn, coffee, milk, sensor cook (detects how much cooking time is required), frozen foods, turbo defrost, and has a power level adjustment that goes up to 11. It also features a safety lock for children and a silent mode.

The exterior measurements for the Panasonic are 19.4 inches long, 11.9 inches wide and 21.9 inches high. It comes in three finishes (silver, black or white), which are all priced differently.

The Best Small-Capacity Microwave

Magic Chef Countertop Microwave

$84.98 at The Home Depot

The Magic Chef is the ideal countertop microwave for those not interested in complicated digital integrations and/or general technophobes. When using this appliance, there's no confusion with ten power levels, six presets, plus weight-defrost and time-defrost functions on the control panel. And it's compact to boot!

The Magic Chef Countertop Microwave boasts 1.1 cubic feet of internal space and 1,000 watts of power. The exterior measures 9.1 inches long, 15.7 inches wide and 20 inches high. Overall, it's a good quality product for a very reasonable price.

The Best Design-Forward Microwave

Breville BMO850BSS the Smooth Wave

$338.99 at Amazon

With a stainless steel design, sleek button arrangement and large screen, this is machine is a sight to see in any kitchen. It's powered by Sensor iQ technology, helping to take the guesswork out of cooking by adjusting power automatically to reheat and cook your dishes at the right temperature, ensuring a delicious meal every time. It offers a soft-close door and quieter operation than most microwaves on the market.

This microwave has 15 in-built smart presets—Smart Cook, Smart Reheat and Smart Defrost. The lower temperature setting allows for foods to be heated evenly without drying out the meal. The defrost setting takes care of being in a time crunch, providing an easy defrost of any meal in no time. Boasting 1250 watts of power and 1.2 cubic feet of interior space, it's also well sized. And its dimensions are 20.4 inches long, 17.5 inches wide and 12.4 inches high.

The Best High-Tech Microwave

Whirlpool Smart Over-the-Range Microwave

$584.00 – $699.00 at Lowe's

If you're all about having the most advanced technology in your home, this Whirlpool model is for you. It has smart features that connect to your WiFi and can be controlled via a mobile app. The app allows you to monitor cooking times, remotely turn it on and off and more. It can also operate via voice command using Google Assistant or an Amazon Alexa device.

This smart microwave features a barcode scanner for frozen foods, which automatically informs it about how to cook the meal. It also has a non-stick interior covered in CleanRelease, helping to prevent spills from sticking to the surfaces. And finally, you get an AccuPop cycle that will prevent popcorn from burning.

The exterior dimensions are 17.2 inches long, 29.9 inches wide and 16 inches high, so it's certainly not small. The double-layered interior boasts a whopping 1.9 cubic feet of cooking space and it has 1,550 watts of power. It's available in four finishes that vary in price.

3 Halloween Treats for Kids (You\’ll Die Over These!)

Food Hacks

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April 23, 2020

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$3 Halloween Treats for Kids (You\’ll Die Over These!)$

Things You\’ll Need

Hard boiled eggs
Mayonnaise
Extra large black olives
String cheese
Pretzel sticks
Fresh chives
Clementine oranges
Chocolate pudding
A black marker

Spider eggs, pudding-o-lanterns and witches\’ brooms Image Credit: Foodlets.com

What's the trick to making fun Halloween treats for kids? Just a little imagination mixed with the right ingredients. These three not-so-spooky recipes aim to please. And best of all, they're so simple, even the littlest cooks can help to create their own string cheese witches' broom, spider eggs and pudding o'lanterns.

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String Cheese Witches' Brooms

Split the String Cheese

Start by cutting a piece of string cheese in half, horizontally. This will be the "straw" for your string cheese witches' broom.

Note: One piece of string cheese makes two brooms.

Create the Broom Straw

Set the flat side of the cheese on your cutting surface to help steady it. Image Credit: Foodlets.com

Using a paring knife, score the cheese twice, about halfway through the cheese lengthwise. Rotate and repeat. You should have six pieces of "straw" when you're finished cutting. (If you have any especially thick sections you can slice again as needed.) Then fluff the "straw" outward.

Add the Broom Sticks

Tie a piece of fresh chives around the cheese and insert a pretzel stick. Don't press the pretzel in too far, just enough to make it stick.

Serve or Store

A great snack for kids to bring to school or parties. Image Credit: Foodlets.com

Serve your string cheese witches' brooms immediately or store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Spider Eggs

Step 1

First boil your eggs: put eggs in a pan covered with cold water by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil then turn off heat, cover and let sit for 12 minutes. Rinse with cold water and peel.

Hint: Eggs about a week old peel more easily than fresh eggs.

Step 2

Now you're basically making deviled eggs to use as the base of your spider eggs. Cut eggs horizontally, scoop out yolks and mix with your favorite combination of mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, and so on. Fill the eggs back up with the yolk mixture and refrigerate for 10 minutes if your eggs are getting too soft or runny.

Step 3

Slice one black olive in half, lengthwise and place in center. Then slice slivers to make "legs".

Step 4

Assemble the spider by placing the tips of the "legs" under the "body." For more realistic results, try to make the legs come together at an angle under the body instead of going straight out to the sides.

Step 5

To transport, use a deviled egg carrier or on a tray with rolled up paper towels in between rows of eggs. Image Credit: Foodlets.com

Serve immediately or store in an air-tight container for up to 48 hours. The olives may slip or discolor the egg mixture after that.

Pudding-o'-Lanterns

Step 1

Start with your favorite chocolate pudding recipe and a few fresh clementines.

Step 2

Cut only the very top, but enough so you can place it back on top when finished. Image Credit: Foodlets.com

Use a sharp knife to cut off the top of your clementine and set aside.

Step 3

A small spoon is all you need to gently but firmly release the orange inside from its peel. You'll squish some of the orange initially but soon the fruit will start to separate from the peel, then you can work your spoon all the way around. Save the insides as a snack for the cook.

Step 4

Dry off the empty orange peel before drawing on it. Image Credit: Foodlets.com

Using a permanent black marker, draw any kind of jack-o-lantern face you like.

Step 5

Fill with pudding and replace the lid but do it just off to the side so kids can see what's in store.

9 Foods to Help You Look Younger

Veggie Faves

Sylvie Tremblay

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April 22, 2020

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Introduction

Sure, age is just a number — but the lifestyle choices you make all affect how much you really show your age. Salty, sugary fare and fried foods all contribute to cellular aging, and they can also promote dehydration to make you look older, too. Minimally-processed foods, on the other hand, tend to contain at least one nutrient that fights the visible signs of aging — and they benefit your overall health to lower your "biological age," too. Keep yourself young by loading up on these ultra-healthy foods. While they can't actually turn back the clock, they'll help you look and feel your best.

Image Credit: ViewApart/iStock/GettyImages 2 of 10

Cucumber

One of the easiest ways to instantly look younger is to make sure you're hydrated. Water not only helps flush away toxins, but dehydration can mess with your metabolism and make you feel sluggish (not ideal when you want to look and feel young!). Staying hydrated, on the other hand, keeps you feeling energized, and also visibly plumps up your skin cells for a smoother and more youthful complexion. At 96 percent water, cucumber is an easy way to stay hydrated — and it's a tasty alternative to plain ol' water. Throw some sliced cukes into your salads, or dip them in hummus for a yummy snack.

Image Credit: elena_hramowa/iStock/GettyImages 3 of 10

Brazil Nuts

When you're eating to look young, Brazil nuts should be a staple in your diet for one reason: they're absolutely packed with selenium, an essential mineral. Selenium is crucial for the function of certain antioxidants within your cells — which means it helps your cells round up and destroy toxic free radicals that would otherwise run amok and accelerate the aging process. A single Brazil nut contains all the selenium you need for the day, so pop one in the morning as a kind of "multivitamin" to get the antioxidant protection you need.

Image Credit: HandmadePictures/iStock/GettyImages 4 of 10

Watermelon

Watermelon isn't just the taste of summer, it's also a powerful anti-aging food. For one thing, watermelon is right up there with cucumber among the most hydrating foods available, so it's great for keeping your tissues (including your skin) healthy and youthful. Watermelon is also a great source of lycopene, an antioxidant that has been shown to mitigate some of the skin damage you'd receive from sun exposure. Slathering on that SPF is still important for looking young, of course, but watermelon can pick up some of the slack.

Image Credit: pilipphoto/iStock/GettyImages 5 of 10

Lemon

Your morning lemon water isn't just great for your metabolism, it keeps you looking young too. On top of enhancing your hydration (are you sensing a theme here?), lemon is also a fantastic source of vitamin C. This vitamin is among the most powerful anti-aging nutrients, because it directly supports the production of collagen, the protein that keeps your skin (and hair) smooth and strong. Vitamin C is also important for healthy gums to support a beautiful and smile, and it's important for energy production to keep you active and feeling young. Sip on a glass of lemon water in the morning, and use lemon juice to make homemade vinaigrettes to boost the anti-aging potential of your salads.

Image Credit: karandaev/iStock/GettyImages 6 of 10

Butternut Squash

Pumpkin might steal the spotlight for a few months every year, but butternut squash is the real autumn star when it comes to anti-aging properties. That's because it's a fantastic source of beta-carotene, a nutrient that your body converts into vitamin A. Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant, so it'll take out pro-aging free radicals, and it also nourishes your skin for a smooth complexion. What's more, vitamin A is important for a healthy immune system — which is a good thing, because nothing takes away your youthful glow faster than an icky cold or flu. Here are two common ways to cook butternut squash.

Image Credit: Jennifer Farley 7 of 10

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Hydrating foods are great for looking younger, but it's important to get the right fats too. Your skin, for example, needs both water and lipids to stay healthy and moisturized, which is the key to a youthful complexion. So cooking with extra-virgin olive oil is a great way to fight visible aging. Because it's loaded with heart-healthy unsaturated fatty acids, EVOO supports healthy circulation, and it's even packed with antioxidants to fight pro-aging free radicals. What's more, a little fat in your food helps you absorb other key nutrients that fight aging, including lycopene, beta-carotene and vitamin A. So serve roasted butternut squash lightly coated in fat, or make a watermelon salad featuring olive oil, cracked black pepper and feta cheese.

Image Credit: angelsimon/iStock/GettyImages 8 of 10

Light-Treated Mushrooms

Mushrooms certainly aren't the most glamorous vegetable other there, but the humble 'shroom has powerful anti-aging benefits. For one thing, mushrooms are a surprisingly great source of antioxidants — in fact, researchers have found that white mushrooms are the best source of a specific antioxidant, called ergothioneine. Buying mushrooms treated with ultraviolet light also ensures you're getting a good source of vitamin D, a nutrient essential for healthy bones. Getting enough vitamin D in your diet may help fight osteoporosis (and that hunched over posture that can come with it). And it will also help you avoid the fatigue that can sometimes be associated with vitamin D deficiency.

Image Credit: STUDIOGRANDOUEST/iStock/GettyImages 9 of 10

Nonfat Greek Yogurt

Also important for strong bones? Calcium. Getting enough of this mineral is absolutely crucial for maintaining healthy bone density as you age — while low calcium levels can weaken your bones and make sure you truly look your age (or older). Like most dairy products, Greek yogurt is a great source of this mineral. It's also loaded with protein, which you need to maintain smooth skin, healthy hair and strong joints. Use Greek yogurt to make fruit-and-yogurt parfaits in the morning, add a spoonful to your smoothie, or mix Greek yogurt with lime juice, cumin and chopped cilantro for a healthier alternative to aioli. For the truly adventurous, try making your own yogurt at home.

Image Credit: arinahabich/iStock/GettyImages 10 of 10

Salmon

Salmon is a nutritional superstar for so many reasons — from its heart-healthy benefits to its ability to promote good nerve health — and you can add anti-aging properties to the list. Its omega-3 fatty acid content helps fight aging on a cellular level, because omega-3 fats fight inflammation — a long-term chronic irritation that contributes to cellular damage and drives the aging process. Salmon is also a source of astaxanthin, an antioxidant related to lycopene and beta-carotene. Serve your salmon drizzled with a mix of EVOO and chopped herbs for an anti-aging entrée, and add a generous serving of two of veggies on the side.

Image Credit: Julia Mueller

How to Make Fig Wine

drinks-cocktails

Allan Robinson

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April 22, 2020

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Things You\’ll Need

4 lbs. figs
Nylon straining bag
7 pts water
1-3/4 lbs. granulated sugar
3-1/2 tsp. acid blend
1 crushed Campden tablet
Saccharometer
1 tsp. yeast nutrient
2 carboys with airlocks
1 package Montrachet wine yeast
Siphon hose

The common fig (Ficus carica) is most often eaten as dried fruit and rarely used fresh. It's not very sweet, so a true fig wine requires a great deal of additional sugar for the fig juice to ferment to completion. This recipe makes one gallon and can be easily adjusted for another quantity. The special supplies for this recipe are readily available at stores that sell wine-making supplies.

Step 1

Chop the figs finely and place them in a nylon straining bag. Tie the top on the bag, and place it in the carboy you'll be using as your primary fermentation vessel. Stir in the water, sugar, acid and Campden tablet. Use a saccharometer to check the specific gravity (S.G.) and add enough sugar to bring the S.G. to 1.085.

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Step 2

Cover the carboy with a cloth and add the yeast after 24 hours. Stir this mixture (must), and gently press the pulp each day. Continue this procedure until the S.G. drops to 1.04, which should require three to five days.

Step 3

Siphon the must off the sediment into another carboy. This process is called "racking" the wine. Take the nylon bag out, press lightly and allow it to drip drain into this carboy. Place an airlock on the carboy. Ferment the must until the S.G. drops below 1, which should require about three weeks.

Step 4

Rack the wine, add enough water to bring the volume to one gallon and reattach the airlock. Repeat this process every two months until the wine is clear, which may require a total of six months.

Step 5

Rack the wine into bottles. This wine should be drinkable within three months but will improve greatly with age. Fig wine can benefit from several years of aging.

Grill Chicken Breasts Outdoors Perfectly With These Top Tips

Main Dishes

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April 21, 2020

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Grill Chicken Breasts Outdoors Perfectly With These Top Tips

Grilled chicken breasts are an easy go-to for any weeknight meal, or for entertaining guests at a barbecue. While grilling chicken is very simple, it is also easy to over-cook them, and/or to end up with meat that's lacking in flavor. These simple tips and tricks are helpful in achieving a tender, juicy result each and every time you fire up the grill.

How to Make Grilled Chicken Breasts Image Credit: Julia Mueller

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Step 1: Prepare a Marinade, Dry Rub or Brine

Whipping up a homemade marinade using ingredients you have in the pantry is easy! Simply add the ingredients for the marinade to a blender and blend until smooth. For every 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken, you will need about 1/2 cup of marinade.

Prepare a marinade Image Credit: Julia Mueller

You may also use a dry rub in order to flavor your grilled chicken breasts. For every 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breasts, you will need about 2 to 3 tablespoons of dry rub. Scroll to the end of this article for marinade and dry rub flavor ideas.

For an easy brine, dissolve 1/4 of sea salt in 4 cups of water. Brine the chicken for 45 minutes per pound.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

For the most flavorful and tender result, marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour prior to cooking, but preferably overnight (up to 12 hours). Place the chicken in a sealable bag or container and pour in the marinade. Seal and refrigerate.

Marinate the chicken overnight Image Credit: Julia Mueller

If using a dry rub, drizzle olive oil over the chicken breasts and make sure all of the flesh is well-coated. Sprinkle on the dry rub and gently rub the seasoning into the meat. Place the seasoned chicken in a sealable bag or container and refrigerate for 1 hour.

15 minutes prior to grilling, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature. This will ensure the chicken cooks evenly on the grill.

Step 3: Prepare Your Grill

When you're ready to grill the chicken breasts, brush the grate with a wire brush in order to remove any leftover food particles from your last barbecue. Brush or spray the grill with cooking oil in order to ensure the meat doesn't stick to the grill. Preheat your grill to a medium-high setting (about 350 to 400 degrees F), keeping the grill covered.

If using a charcoal grill, ignite the briquettes in a metal coal chimney and allow them to heat until the coals begin turning white. Arrange the coals in a pile over the floor of the grill and replace the grate. Cover the grill and allow the grate to heat up.

Step 4: Grill the Chicken

If grilling over direct heat, place the chicken breasts on the grate directly over the hottest part of coals or over the burner and cover.

Grill the chicken Image Credit: Julia Mueller

Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until grill marks appear. Continue cooking and flipping until most of the flesh is golden brown, and chicken is cooked through. To test for doneness, remove the chicken from the grill using tongs and insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast. Wait until the needle or numbers stop moving in order to get an accurate reading. The chicken is fully cooked once it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

If you don't have a meat thermometer, place the chicken on a cutting board and cut all the way through. If there is no pink, the chicken is cooked through.

Tip

If there is a flare up at any time during the grilling process, simply remove the breasts from the direct heat using tongs and place on a cooler part of the grill until the fire flare up dies down.

If using barbecue sauce (try this homemade recipe!), brush the sauce on the chicken during the last part of the cooking process. Since barbecue sauce contains sugar, it will burn quicker than the meat can cook, so be sure to brush it on just a few minutes before the chicken has finished grilling.

Cook for Image Credit: Julia Mueller

If grilling over indirect heat, place chicken breasts off to the side or over the cooler parts of the grill. Allow the chicken to slowly cook, flipping occasionally, until the breasts are golden brown, firm yet springy, and have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Step 5: Let Chicken Rest

Place the grilled chicken on a plate or cutting board and allow it to sit for 10 minutes. This allows the juices to distribute throughout the meat, yielding optimal tenderness. You can also cover the meat in foil if you have other items to grill or prepare before serving the chicken. Be sure the chicken is at least 140 degrees F at the time it is being served.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Serve the grilled chicken alongside your favorite side dishes. You can serve the breasts whole or chop them into large hunks and arranging them on your guests plates.

Serve with a side salad and boiled potatoes Image Credit: Julia Mueller

Marinade Ideas:

For an easy marinade, combine equal parts olive oil with vinegar, orange/lemon juice, soy sauce, white wine, or any combination thereof. Other great additions are minced garlic, fresh grated ginger, onion, and 2 to 4 teaspoons of your favorite dried herbs, spices, or seasonings, and sea salt. Try soy, ginger, garlic, and oil, or tequila, lime juice, garlic, and paprika for some delicious flavor combinations.

Dry Rub Ideas:

If using a store-bought dry rub, look on the ingredients list to see what the rub includes. If it's salt-free, be sure to add some sea salt, as salt is a natural meat tenderizer. Use herbs and spices such as dried basil, rosemary, oregano, Italian Seasoning, Herbs de Provence, ground cumin, coriander, sage, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, ground ginger, and curry powder. A great combination for a homemade dry rub is ground cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder. When using a dry rub, always drizzle the chicken with a small amount of olive oil in order to maximize the flavor.

11 Tailgating Must-Haves

drinks-cocktails

Mike Scarr

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April 21, 2020

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Overview

Fall means football, and football means tailgating. Go anywhere in the nation where football is king, and you'll find people who take their tailgating very seriously! Even though people will be gathering in stadium parking lots all across the country, that's no reason to skimp on the amenities. Here are a few helpful things that will make partying easier — and a little classier.

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Folding Grill

Of course, you're going to want a portable grill. If you have a small crowd, or just want to be able to heat a few things up, this Coleman charcoal grill is great. You don't need much charcoal because the grill is so small, and the grill heights are adjustable. Plus, it's compact (and kind of stylish) and costs about $40.

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Cooking with Gas

If you're looking for a lot more grilling space, this Margaritaville Tailgating Grill is a nice option. It attaches to your trailer hitch, so it doesn't take up any space in your vehicle. When you're parked and ready to start cooking it just swings out. Plus, it's gas, so you can turn it on and off when needed. Carried at home improvement stores for about $170.

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More Space

If your tailgate isn't quite big enough for your spread (or you don't have an actual tailgate), this roll-up table is really convenient. It's lightweight and has a carry bag. Class it up by covering it with a tablecloth in your team colors. Costs about $35.

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Get \’er Open

What's tailgating without beer, right? For those who like the bottled variety, we know how annoying it can be when you have a frosty beverage in your hand, but no way to open it. Never lose your bottle opener again with these bottle opener rings. They take a little practice (and turn your finger a little green), but they're really fun and convenient and only about $8.

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Keep \’em Cold

Don't have a place to set your beer down? No problem. These magnetic beer coozies are so great. Now you'll never have to ask, where did I put my beer? A four-pack costs about $20.

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Relax in Style

There's nothing wrong with that camp chair you bought at the drugstore for $20, but you gotta admit, this director's chair is pretty sweet. It's even got a side table and costs about $42.

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Environmentally Sound

Disposable plates and cups are convenient, but can be a bit of a waste. Melamine dinnerware and acrylic barware is inexpensive — especially when you think you won't need to buy the disposable stuff again. Plus, it's durable, so you can just throw the dirty dishes in the empty cooler and put them in the dishwasher when you get home. Under $10

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Lots \’o Burger Patties

Make lots of burgers fast at home and ahead of time with this non-stick burger press. Just pack them up and throw them on the grill when you get to the venue. Costs about $20.

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Stackable Storage

To keep your favorite beverages cold, or hot food warm, try these Shortstack coolers because they're shallow, so you can keep foods stored at different temperatures separate, and you don't have to go digging around in the ice to find that thing way in the bottom. Costs $20-$60.

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Stay Warm

Autumn can be cold in many parts of the country — especially when you're just lounging around in your fancy director's chair drinking a cold one on a cold, damp day. These warm and washable blankets are great to throw in the back of the car to cover up with when jackets and sweaters aren't enough. Costs $90-$150.

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Own the Tailgate

OK, so this is a MAJOR splurge, but for the tailgaters who take their tailgating seriously, and for those who have plenty of disposable income, have I got the ultimate tailgating gadget for you. This thing hitches up to your vehicle, has six burners, two ice chests and plenty of counter space. It may not be practical for most, but it's pretty cool! Find it at www.csnstores.com.

Cast Iron Skillet Recipe: Lasagna

Main Dishes

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April 21, 2020

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This one-pot cast iron skillet lasagna is a delicious and easy weeknight meal. It's filled with cheesy comforting goodness, tomato-y richness, and crisp caramelized edges. It has all the things to love about it as a traditional lasagna–but it comes together within half an hour!

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Things You\’ll Need

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1.1 pounds (500 grams) roasted vegetables: zucchini, red peppers, eggplant (or your choice of meat filling)
4 cups tomato passata
1 teaspoon dried oregano or basil
7 ounces (200 grams) (about 7) dried curly lasagna noodles
1/2 cup parmesan, finely grated
1/4 cup smooth ricotta, cream cheese, or mascarpone
1/2 cup fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
A handful of basil leaves
Salt and pepper

Step 1: Cook Onion & Vegetables

Heat the oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and a pinch of salt. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Add the roasted vegetables, stir them in and cook until just beginning to take on some color and turn translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Make Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add in the tomato passata, dried oregano or basil, and another pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is just simmering, 5 more minutes.

Step 3: Add Noodles

Roughly break up half of the lasagna noodles. Push them into the sauce mixture, distributing them evenly throughout the pan. Cover the cast iron skillet with a large-fitting lid and gently simmer until the noodles are tender and the sauce has thickened, 10 minutes.

If dry, add a few tablespoons of water at a time to loosen the sauce. Stir in the parmesan cheese.

Step 4: Add Cheese

Dot tablespoons of the ricotta, cream cheese, or mascarpone over the top, then layer over the mozzarella slices. Sprinkle over the basil leaves and season again with salt and pepper.

Step 5: Cook Until Simmering

Re-cover the skillet and return it to the heat. Gently continue to simmer until the mozzarella has melted, another 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 6: Serve & Enjoy

Let the lasagna rest uncovered for about 5 minutes before serving!

How to Make S\’mores Pie Pops

Sweet Treats

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April 20, 2020

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$How to Make S\’mores Pie Pops$

During the summer, nothing beats homemade s'mores by the campfire. The combination of graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows is as nostalgic as it gets! But if you're feeding a crowd or don't have access to a campfire, try these s'mores pie pops instead. The flaky pie crust is topped with graham cracker crumbs and encases gooey chocolate and marshmallows. Meanwhile, the lollipop sticks make it easy to eat them on the go, or wrap 'em up as party favors. Ready to make your own batch? Check out the recipe, below.

$S\'mores pie pops recipe$

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Things You\’ll Need

2 pie crusts
3/4 cup mini marshmallows
4.4 ounce XL Hershey's Chocolate Bar (room temperature)
1 or 2 graham crackers
1 beaten egg
1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional)
6-inch lollipop sticks

Tip

This recipe makes enough for 12 to 14 pie pops, depending on how big you make them.

$Ingredients for s\'mores pie pops$

Step 1

Pre-heat oven to 375° F.

Break up the graham crackers and place them in a food processor or high-powered blender. Crush the crackers into fine crumbs. If you don't have a food processor, put the graham crackers in a resealable plastic bag and crush with a glass.

Step 2

Cut the XL Hershey's bar along the scored lines.

$Slice Hershey\'s chocolate bar$

Step 3

Roll out one pie crust on a lightly floured surface. Place four pieces of chocolate on the dough. Leave enough space to cut rectangles slightly bigger than 3 inches wide and 2 inches high.

Optional: Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on the dough before adding chocolate.

Step 4

With a pizza cutter or knife, cut four rectangles slightly bigger than 3 x 2 inches. Set aside the scrap dough.

Tip

You will eventually fold each rectangle in half. Alternatively, you can layer two separate pieces of dough on top of each other. This option is explained in steps 8 and 9.

Step 5

On each rectangle, place a lollipop stick and 4 marshmallows on top of the chocolate piece. You can squish the marshmallows to help them fit into the pie pop.

Step 6

Fold the rectangle in half to cover the chocolate and marshmallows. You may need to reposition and hold down the marshmallows to help them fit. Next, press down the edges with a fork to seal.

Repeat with the remaining three pieces.

Step 7

Roll the scrap dough into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, flatten the dough with a rolling pin. You should be able to make 1 or 2 more pie pops with this leftover dough.

Step 8

Cut a rectangle slightly bigger than 3 x 2 inches. On the remaining dough, add a piece of chocolate, marshmallows and lollipop stick. Press the rectangle on top (this is the alternative way to make a pie pop).

Step 9

Trim away the excess and press down the sides with a fork.

Step 10

Place the pie pops on a metal baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 11

Brush with beaten egg.

Step 12

Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly, then gently press the lollipop sticks into chocolate. Sprinkle with sugar and graham cracker crumbs. Enjoy warm.

This recipe is easy to customize, so don't be afraid to experiment with different fillings. For example, you can spread peanut butter on the dough before adding chocolate. Another idea is to replace the Hershey's chocolate with Kit Kat or your favorite chocolate bar. Or, drizzle melted chocolate on each pop for an extra sweet touch. Yum!

$S\'mores pie pops recipe$

Make Homemade Donuts Using This Easy Pancake Mix Recipe

Sweet Treats

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April 20, 2020

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Make Homemade Donuts Using This Easy Pancake Mix Recipe

Did you know that you can easily make homemade donut holes from a pancake mix? Breakfast time just got easier! These tasty treats are light, moist and rich — and are so simple to make. Covered in a sweet cinnamon sugar, they truly taste just like the real thing.

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Things You\’ll Need

1 x 325 gram / 11.4 ounce box or bottle of pancake mix
3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
3/4 cup plain milk
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
6 cups vegetable oil, for frying

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Measure and prepare all the ingredients that you will need.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Pour the pancake mix into a large bowl. Mix in 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of the ground cinnamon.

Pour in the milk, followed by the egg and vanilla extract. Stir until the batter is smooth and lump-free, and then set the bowl aside.

Step 3: Combine the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar with the remaining 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Set the bowl aside.

Step 4: Fry the Donut Holes

Place the vegetable oil in a heavy bottom saucepan or deep-fryer. Heat the oil until it reaches 180 Celsius / 375 Fahrenheit.

Warning

Make sure to keep a close eye on the oil as it heats. The oil will heat slowly at first but will excel rapidly as it comes to temperature.

Using a tablespoon sized scoop as a measure, drop balls of the dough into the hot oil, frying no more than five donuts at a time. Fry for 2 minutes or until evenly golden brown in color. Then using a slotted spoon, remove the donut holes from the hot oil and place them on a large plate lined with paper towels to remove any excess oil.

Step 5: Coat the Donut Holes

Whilst the donut holes are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon sugar and generously coat them.

Step 6: Serve and Store

Time to eat! These donut holes are best served warm and straight after frying but they can keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.

Easy Gluten-Free, Low-Carb Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Sweet Treats

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April 20, 2020

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Easy Gluten-Free, Low-Carb Pumpkin Pie Recipe

If you follow a restricted diet, then you definitely understand how holiday potlucks can be a source of fear and dread. Not only will you be bombarded by temptation from every direction (I'm looking at you, Rice Krispies treats), but you're at a loss as to what to bring that both you and others can eat — especially if you're short on time and/or kitchen skills. Well, the answer to your problem could, quite literally, be as easy as pie. If almonds are on your OK-to-eat list, try out this fool-proof, grain-free, sugar-free, low-carb, pumpkin pie recipe that uses erythritol (a natural sweetener) for sugar and almond meal for wheat flour. You can also make a couple alterations to make it dairy free as well. The end result is a rustic pie with a rich and creamy pumpkin filling in a crumbly almond crust with only about 4.75 grams of net carbs per serving!

Things You\’ll Need

15 ounce canned pumpkin
½ cup of granulated sweetener, erythritol preferred (I suggest Swerve) plus an additional 1 tablespoon granulated sweetener for crust (optional)
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk (for dairy free)
3 eggs (two for the filling, one for the crust)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups almond meal (or blanched almond flour, if you prefer a less mealy crust)
2 tablespoons softened butter or coconut oil (for dairy free)
Sea salt

Step 1: Make the Filling

Preheat your oven to 325° Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, combine all the filling ingredients (using only two of the three eggs). That's right, just dump them all in together in any old order. (I told you this was fool proof.) Now, mix away until it's good and blended. Once it's done, set it aside and start making your crust.

Tip

If you want to use coconut milk instead of cream for its terrific health benefits but are afraid your pie will taste too coconut-y, I wouldn't worry. The spices do a good job of masking the coconut flavor. However, you may want to add an additional ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and ½ teaspoon of nutmeg if you're really not into coconut.

Step 2: Make the Crust

Talk about a no-fuss pastry crust. This one requires no rolling out, and only has three ingredients: one egg, butter (or coconut oil) and almond meal (or almond flour). Slightly beat your egg in a mixing bowl, then add the butter and almond meal.

Mix the crust ingredients until they clump together. You'll find that your hands are the best tools for this job.

Step 3: Press into Pie Pan

Take your pie crust "dough" and put it into a greased pie pan. Then, press it into the pan in an even layer.

Add a decorative edge, if that's how you roll. I like to flute mine. Or go with the rustic look and keep the edges unadorned.

Step 4: Pour Filling into the Unbaked Crust

Pour the filling into the crust and even out the top with a spatula. Now it's oven ready!

Step 5: Bake

Bake your pie at 325° Fahrenheit for about 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the crust edges are starting to get a bit too brown during baking, remove the pie and cover the edges with foil, then return the pie to the oven. When done, pull your pie from the oven and let it cool to further set. I know it's hard, (smells heavenly, doesn't it?) but be patient! To serve, top with a dollop of whipped cream or coconut cream and enjoy your cheat-free treat.