Cooking Corner

I was amazed at how much of cooking was simple. Simple, 101-level stuff that they somehow forgot to tell us in school…but that an intelligent 10-year-old could do.

And once I started learning all these simple things, I could do anything!

I can look at a recipe (because Pinterest has a million recipes…that’s a conservative estimate), and know whether it will work or not.
I can look at a bread recipe and make adjustments before you even start.
I can make pasta. (It is BEYOND easy. You don’t even need a bowl…you can literally mix it on the counter if you want).
Oh, and I now eat delicious food. Better than I’ll ever find in a store or restaurant. Trust me.
When I do eat out, I pick better things on the menu because food is now an adventure of tastes and methods.

Why visit here? After all, there are master chefs out there who can explain bread and know more about the complex history behind bread than anyone. True. But if you’re anything like me, while the history of grain since the beginning of time is interesting, it isn’t going to affect the loaf of bread in front of me.

What is going to affect the loaf of bread is knowing the following: you really only need 4 ingredients to make bread. Everything else is optional.

You can navigate to the sub-pages:
• Ingredients
• Substitutes
• Cooking 101
• Cooking 201

-or- all the posts are below.

How to make perfect cake pops. All the little tips and tricks you need to know. After extensive testing, I have developed the perfect cake pop.

How to Make Perfect Cake Pops: Part 2- Recipe & Instructions

This originally started as a single post. Then I discovered so much information, did so much testing, and researched so ...

Answers to all your cake pop questions. What cake to use. What frosting to use. How to melt the chocolate. What chocolate to use. How to dip. How to decorate.

How to Make Perfect Cake Pops: Part 1- Questions & Answers

This originally started as a single post. Then I discovered so much information, did so much testing, and researched so ...

The Ultimate KitchenAid Mixer Review: Comparison Chart & Everything You Need to Know. Is a KitchenAid mixer really worth it? What you need to know before you buy

The Ultimate KitchenAid Mixer Review: KitchenAid Comparison Chart & Everything You Need to Know

A KitchenAid Stand Mixer is a fairly big investment for the average household. So you're going to want to buy ...

Ever wondering how to improve a recipe that isn’t just quite right? Or develop your own recipe? A step-by-step guide to develop a recipe (or improve one).

How to Develop A Recipe (or Improve One)

I get a lot of compliments on my recipes. I've also gotten constructive criticism. And some not so constructive, but ...

Bread Making 101: how to make bread and everything you need to know. Ingredients, ratios, process, what works, & what doesn't. Plus tips & tricks!

Bread Making 101: How to Make Bread, Everything You Need to Know

There are a few things in the baking world that seem almost magical to others. Bread making is one of those. To ...

Crusty French Bread. How to Bake the Perfect Loaf of French Bread: Step-by-step pictures. Tips & tricks on how to make the perfect crusty loaf.

How to Bake the Perfect Loaf of French Bread

Perfect, crusty French bread. Which is better? The crusty, chewy outside? The soft, delicate inside? The combination together? Whatever your ...

Everything about salt substitutes. Conversion ratios for types of salts, low- and no-sodium alternatives, potassium chloride free options, and non-salt flavor ideas.

Salt Substitutes: Conversion Ratios for Types of Salt -and- Salt Alternatives

Funny story time. Back when I knew very little about cooking, I didn't know salts were different. Salt was just ...

How to measure ingredients accurately: everything you need to know. Are dry and wet ingredients measured the same? Is flour supposed to be packed or sifted? Are you supposed to weigh flour? Plus free printable.

How to Measure Ingredients Accurately: Everything You Need to Know

Do I sift flour before measuring? Is sugar supposed to be packed? Are liquid and dry measurements the same? What ...

Substitutes for leaveners: baking powder, baking soda, yeast, etc. Everything you need to know!

Substitutes for Leavening Agents: Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Yeast, etc.

Leavening agents are fundamental to the recipes that call for them. You may be able to make chocolate chip cookies ...

How to remove pin bones from salmon

How to Remove Pin Bones from Salmon

My husband loves salmon. I dislike the price, but I like a happy husband. And I can admit it tastes ...

Perfect Homemade Wheat Bread (and it works for sandwiches). Tastes better & saves money! Step-by-step pictures and descriptions.

Perfect Homemade Wheat Bread (& it works for sandwiches!)

I love bread. Who doesn’t? Especially homemade bread. The small fills the house. Warm from the oven, smothered with butter ...

13 ways to use your KitchenAid mixer, without buying extra attachments. Make butter, bread, shred chicken, and more. Save time & money.

13 Ways to Use Your KitchenAid Mixer (without buying extra attachments)

I was browsing on reddit the other day and read that I could use my KitchenAid mixer to shred chicken ...

Why does bread rise? Fermentation, leavening, gluten matrixes....explained in English.

Why Does Bread Rise?

As I've been learning more about cooking and baking, I've discovered that understanding the fundamentals behind recipes is vital. Yes, ...

Save Money: 12 Practical Uses for Ice Cube Trays. How to save extra fruits, veggies, buttermilk, herbs, wine, and more that you would normally throw out. #money #save #savemoney #icecubetray

12 Ways Ice Cube Trays Can Save Time and Money

Update 2018: I was browsing through old posts and stumbled across this! First, forgive the image quality. I took these ...

Make Boxed Cake Mix Taste Like It Was Made From Scratch

Make Boxed Cake Mix Taste Like It Was Made From Scratch

I was in a rush the other day...so I gave in and grabbed a boxed cake mix from the shelf ...