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Sous vide cheddar burger


Sous vide is a great way to cook burgers, especially huge ones.  It is also perfect for cooking a burger stuffed with something else.  Today we sous vide an 8-ounce burger filled with aged cheddar.

We learned this time around to check the melting point of the cheese.  In this example, the cheese softened but did not melt. Next time we’ll use different cheese to see what happens!

Ingredients:

  • (2) 1/4 pound beef patties (85/15 angus recommended)
  • 3 year aged cheddar
  • 1 slice American cheese
  • Hamburger bun

Instructions:

  1. Heat sous vide bath to 134 F
  2. Slice cheddar
  3. Lightly press cheddar into one beef patty
  4. Put second patty on top and press down gently
  5. Press a little more firmly around the perimeter to ensure contact between the two patties
  6. Optional – Get a strip of plastic wrap about 2 inches wide
    Tip: We like to get a 4 inch section and fold it in half
  7. Optional – Wrap around edges of burger
    Tip: This aged cheddar doesn’t melt at 134 for 1 hour, so the wrap is not necessary. For other cheeses it may be useful to prevent leakage.
  8. Season with salt and pepper
  9. Seal in vacuum bag on moist setting
  10. Cook for 1 hour in sous vide bath
  11. Heat grill or pan to medium high heat
  12. Remove from sous vide
  13. Remove plastic wrap
  14. Sear  1st side 15 seconds
  15. Flip
  16. Add American cheese
  17. Sear for 15 seconds or until cheese melted to your taste
  18. Put it on a bun
  19. Enjoy!

Implements used:

#cookingvideo #cookingvideos #irenelovescookingvideos #icookwhatiliketoeat #easier4me #yummy #fresh #foodvideos #youcancook #recipe #recipes #ilovefood #food #foodporn #foodstagram #foodblogger  #sandwichgram #burger #cheeseburger #sandwichporn #lunch #itswhatsforlunch #lunchtime #sousvide @anovaculinary #anovafoodnerd #cheddar #cabot #cabotcheese @cabotcheese #rösle

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Chicken Cutlets 20180117

A post shared by easier4 me (@easier4me) on


Chicken cutlets are the best.

They are delicious and versatile serving as the star in many other dishes and good for days after the original meal.

Ingredients:

  • 3-4 chicken breasts
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 Tbsp. milk
  • 1 cup Progresso Italian Breadcrumbs http://amzn.to/2rfChTf
    or
    1 cup Progresso Italian Panko Breadcrumbs http://amzn.to/2DfwzT2
    Tip: Use Italian breadcrumbs without dried cheese.  Progresso is the go-to here at easier4.me.
    or make them gluten-free
    1 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs (recipe: http://bit.ly/2pYHnTf)
  • 1/2 cup olive oil

Instructions:

  • Cut chicken
    • Cut off 1/3 pointy end
    • Butterfly remaining 2/3 section
  • Pound chicken
    Tip: Optional, but highly recommended for best results!
  • Heat oven to 225 F
  • Heat oil in large frying pan or electric skillet to medium-high ~ 335 F, at least 1/8″ oil coating entire surface
  • Combine eggs and milk, mix well
    Tip: Blend if you have time
  • Coat chicken with egg mixture
    Tip: You can coat them one at a time or coat them all in a large bowl
  • Coat each side of chicken with breadcrumb mixture
  • Add to pan trying to leave at least 3/4″ between pieces
  • Flip when you can see the outer edges beginning to turn whitish and the bottom is golden brown.
    Tip: Wait a few seconds between picking up the cutlet and putting it back down to let oil distribute below it
  • Cook until internal temp hits 165
  • Place on paper towel lined plate, uncoated paper plate, or perforated drying rack
  • Store in oven until all cutlets are cooked
  • Serve
  • Enjoy!

Implements used:

Leftover ideas:

  • Chicken Parmigiana
  • Cold as-is
  • Heated as-is
  • In a sandwich
  • On top of a salad

#irenelovescookingvideos #icookwhatiliketoeat #easier4me
#yummy #fresh #foodvideos #youcancook #recipe
#recipes #ilovefood #food #foodporn #foodstagram
#foodblogger #sandwich #leftoversforlunch #leftoversfordays
#friedchicken #nom #nomnom #chickencutlets

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Birch Benders Paleo Pancake Mix Review


Birch Benders Paleo Pancake Mix http://amzn.to/2D5SrQA

The results as prepared to the package directions:
Pancakes – Good
Waffles – Fail

Pancake notes:

Prepared as directed these make fine pancakes, and they were good with fruit added. I found the mix to be a bit thick especially after a few minutes. You may need to add a little water to get a good consistency. It also seemed to make fewer pancakes than I expected. I didn’t measure but felt it was less compared to a normal off the shelf just add water mix.
They got a little brown at the typical 365 I cook pancakes at but were better (although slower) around 350-355.

Interestingly when I cooked with no grease I got a smooth surface on the pancake, what you’d expect.
When the same pan was greased before cooking the pancakes had a rough surface.
The taste wasn’t affected, just making the observation.

Waffle notes:

Prepared as directed this mix does not make acceptable waffles. The resulting batter only filled about 2/3 of my waffle iron. The waffles took longer to cook than typical batter. The resulting waffle had an okay surface finish/crust, however, was barely edible. The waffle crumbled and fell apart and just didn’t taste good overall, not at all what I would have expected.
I will give them one more try before I permanently ban the mix from waffle making forever.

Conclusion:

This mix is a good choice for those looking for a gluten-free pancake mix. The pancakes were decent enough that I would eat this instead of the other regular mix found in our pantry.

Related items:

#cookingvideo #cookingvideos #irenelovescookingvideos #icookwhatiliketoeat #easier4me
#yummy #fresh #foodvideos #youcancook #recipe
#recipes #ilovefood #food #foodporn #foodstagram
#foodblogger #breakfast #goodmorning #foodreview #glutenfree @birchbenders #birchbenders
#costco

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Bagel bacon mozzarella sandwich


Not a fan of eggs? You can still enjoy a breakfast sandwich.

Try this quick breakfast – bagel bacon mozzarella sandwich!

Ingredients:

  1. Split and toast your bagel
  2. Coat one side with olive oil
    * Tip: You can also use bacon grease, butter, or any combination of the two putting different fats on the two sides.
  3. Coat the other side with cream cheese
  4. Add bacon
  5. Add mozzarella
  6. Lightly salt the mozzarella
  7. Add second layer of bacon
  8. Add a second layer of mozzarella
  9. Add a third layer of bacon
  10. Put the top on
  11. Smoosh it down
  12. Enjoy!

Implements used:

#cookingvideo #cookingvideos #irenelovescookingvideos #icookwhatiliketoeat #easier4me

#yummy #fresh #foodvideos #youcancook #recipe

#recipes #ilovefood #food #foodporn #foodstagram

#foodblogger #breakfast #breakfastsandwich #noeggs #bacon

#bacongrease #californiaoliveranch #evoo #extravirginoliveoil #goodmorning

#breakfastofchampions #soulfood #hangovercure #creamcheese #philadelphiacreamcheese


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Reheat a Chicken Dinner 1



One of the best reasons to cook a chicken or turkey meal is so that you can eat it again (and again).

Here’s easier4.me leftover chicken, savory, moist, and delicious!

Ingredients:
• Leftover chicken
• Leftover gravy
• Leftover mashed potatoes
• Leftover stuffing

Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 350
2. Coat bottom of oven safe dish with gravy
3. Put in mashed potatoes and stuffing
4. Coat mashed potatoes and stuffing with gravy
5. Microwave 1 minute on high
6. Add chicken
7. Coat with gravy
8. Cover with foil
9. Bake 15 min at 375 Tip: 350 ok for just white meat pieces
10. Remove foil
11. Bake 5 minutes uncovered
12. Serve and enjoy!

Implements:
Pampered Chef baker: http://amzn.to/2D1gr7B

http://bit.ly/e4merhchix1

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Grilled Cheese 20180110


Make a classic American Grilled Cheese

You can pretty it up a million ways, but American cheese + white bread is timeless.

easier4.me enjoyed this grilled cheese with a Burlington Beer Wizard and Thomas Hooker No Filter.

We aren’t sure where this great crusty dense white bread is from but it was on the rack with star bread from Balboni’s so we’ll speculate they should get credit!

Did you know you can reheat grilled cheese and it is almost as delicious as the original meal?  Scroll to the bottom for instructions.

Ingredients:

  • Dense white bread
  • 3 thick slices Land of Lakes or Hilldale American Cheese
    Tip: These two brands are our favorite plain white American cheese and have similar flavor profiles to our palate.
  • 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • Salt (in a grinder)

 

Instructions:

  1. Melt butter
  2. Paint butter on outside of two pieces of bread
  3. Create a double layer of cheese between the pieces of bread
    Tip 1: It will generally take 2-3 slices for average sandwich sized bread.
    Tip 2: Don’t be afraid to break up that cheese into small pieces to cover the entire surface!
  4. Heat griddle or pan to medium / medium low heat
    Tip: Put a weight on top of the sandwich during cooking. We suggest a ramekin, small glass bowl, or even a coffee mug.
  5. Cook until bottom side golden light brown with some spots beginning to turn brown.
    Tip: Your cooking surface will determine the time.
  6. Flip
  7. Cook until other side is golden light brown with some spots beginning to turn brown.
  8. Test for doneness by trying to pick up the top piece of bread. If it is stuck to the bottom you are done. If it peels up but cheese is stringing or dripping from the top it is done.  If there is still a large section of un-melted cheese, go to step 7.
  9. If both sides are golden and the cheese isn’t cooked, make sure the heat is on medium low.
  10. Cook on each side 15 additional seconds until the tests from step 6 are successful.
  11. One crank of salt on each side of the sandwich
    Tip 1: You just want a very light sprinkling.
    Tip 2: A pinch of popcorn salt also works well!
  12. Enjoy!

 

Implements used:

 

Re-heat instructions:

  1. Heat griddle to medium / medium high heat
  2. Microwave on high for 25-30 seconds
  3. Cook each side 40 seconds
  4. Enjoy!

 

@burlingtonbeer #burlingtonbeerco #hookernofilter @hookerbeer #hookerbeer

#irenelovescookingvideos #foodstagram #cookingvideos #cookingvideo #easier4me

#icookwhatiliketoeat #yummy #foodvideos #youcancook #ilovefood

#food #foodporn #foodstagram #foodblogger

@landolakesktchn #landolakes #nofilter

#grilledcheese #grilledcheesesandwich

#itscomplicatedbeingawizard #craftbeer #craftbeerporn #balbonibakery

 


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Sous vide PSA – Cooking in store sealed vacuum bags

Can you buy something at the store in a vacuum sealed bag and drop it right in your sous vide bath at home?

At easier4.me we say no way! Always double bag the contents or remove and seal in your own bag.  You don’t want what’s cooking to spread in your bath, and you don’t want your bath seeping in to ruin your meal.

The marinated steak tips shown were purchased in a vacuum bag and frozen.  We then put this inside another vacuum bag before dropping in the sous vide bath.  The cook was 132 F for two hours.

You can clearly see how the liquid has seeped from the store sealed bag into our vacuum bag.

It took us two experiences with chicken to learn our lesson.  Since then we’ve seen this happen many times, fortunately we double bag and it does not affect us.

We also recommend washing the original package before double bagging.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Heat sous vide to 132 F
    Tip: Lower temperature is better because the tips will cook when seared.
  2. Insert marinated beef packet into vacuum bag and seal.
  3. Cook 1 hour (2 hours if frozen)
  4. Remove
  5. Pat dry
  6. Coat with olive oil
  7. Sear
  8. Enjoy!

Implements used:

These beef tips are from the Butcher Boy Market in North Andover Massachusetts, a first-rate butcher shop with excellent meat!  http://butcherboymarket.com/

 

 

 

#steak #steaktips #beef #butcherboymarket @butcherboymarket

#irenelovescookingvideos #foodstagram #cookingvideos #cookingvideo #easier4me

#icookwhatiliketoeat #yummy #foodvideos #youcancook #ilovefood

#food #foodporn #foodstagram #foodblogger

#foodhacks #cookinghacks

#sousvide

#anova @anovaculinary #anovaculinary #anova #anovafoodnerd

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Slicing Cucumbers


easier4.me to slice cucumbers!

Sometimes we don’t feel like chasing cucumbers rolling off the knife, or falling in the path of the next stroke.

We pretty much never feel like taking out the mandoline for a single cucumber.

For easy and consistent cuke slices we use a high quality egg slicer.

Check out our blog for the model:
Blog: http://easier4.me/quickslicecukes

Follow us on YouTube:

http://bit.ly/2Dmp5xh

Ingredients:

  • English cucumber

Implements used:

Can’t mention cucumbers without Original Spike! our favorite cucumber seasoning. (not shown)

#irenelovescookingvideos #foodstagram #cookingvideos #cookingvideo #easier4me

#icookwhatiliketoeat #yummy #foodvideos #youcancook #ilovefood

#food #foodporn #foodstagram #foodblogger #cucumber

#cucumbers @spikemagicseasoning #spikeseasoning #eggslicer #eggslicers #fresh

#cookingtips

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Reheating Penne Typical


Penne Typical is a delicious local dish from Typical Sicilian Ristorante.

When you bring it home and reheat the leftovers, it’s just not the same.

Fortunately, it is easy to bring it closer to the original flavor by adding a little bit of Teriyaki sauce.

Two things to consider:

  • The sauce is going to separate, which is normal.
  • The pasta is going to be soft, which is normal.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
    Tip: Convection preferred!
  2. Put leftover Penne Typical into an oven safe dish
    Tip 1: Microwave for 30-45 seconds or microwave just the dish for 60-90 seconds
  3. Cover with aluminum foil
  4. Bake 12 minutes
  5. Remove foil
  6. Bake additional 3-5 minutes
  7. Remove from oven
  8. Add 1 tsp of teriyaki sauce per serving and stir well
    Tip: The key is to add the teriyaki after cooking, it will have a stronger impact on the taste.
  9. Top with grated cheese
  10. Enjoy!

 

Visit Typical Sicilian Ristorante http://www.typicalsicilian.com/

 

#typicalsicilian @typicalsicilian #pennetypical @pennetypical #leftovers #pasta #teriyaki #irenelovescookingvideos #foodstagram #cookingvideos #cookingvideo #easier4me #icookwhatiliketoeat #yummy #foodvideos #youcancook #ilovefood #food #foodporn #foodstagram #foodblogger #italianfood #italianfoodbloggers

 

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Gluten-free Buffalo Chicken Bite Platter



Yield: Approximately 75-100 bites

Ingredients:
For a single meal for 4 people scroll to the bottom for ingredient quantities!

Instructions:

  1. Heat oven to 425 F
  2. Add buffalo chicken bites seasoning mix to breadcrumbs in a bowl, mix well
    Tip: For more consistent bites divide your mix in two and add new mix as you go along.  Otherwise the mix will tend to pick up flavor from the marinade and get more flavorful as the quantity of breadcrumb mix becomes less.
  3. Combine Frank’s RedHot, Worcestershire sauce, and olive oil in large bowl to create marinade
    Tip: Worcestershire sauce can be substituted by gluten-free soy sauce, or more Frank’s RedHot sauce.
  4. Cover a baking sheet or oven safe container with foil or parchment paper
  5. Lightly oil the baking sheet with olive oil
    Not required if using parchment paper
  6. Cut chicken into bite sized pieces
  7. Toss chicken in marinade until all fully coated
  8. Bread each piece of chicken
  9. Place pieces on the baking sheet leaving space between the bites
    Tip 1: The less space you leave, the less crispy your bites will turn out. You are better off using multiple sheets.
  10. Spray chicken lightly with olive oil
    Tip: Less is more.  Too much oil will result in soggy or gummy bites.
  11. Bake @ 425 F for 9 minutes
  12. Remove from oven
  13. Spray again lightly with olive oil
  14. Flip each bite
  15. Spray again lightly with olive oil
  16. Turn pan around 180 degrees and return to oven
  17. Bake @ 425 for 5 additional minutes, internal temperature should be 170 or above
    Tip: Measure the temperature a few of the largest nuggets, internal temperature can vary widely!
  18. Serve with blue cheese dressing, accompany with carrot and celery sticks if desired
  19. Enjoy!

Implements used:

#noeggs #breadcrumbs #cookingvideo @cookingvideos #cookingvideos for a feature #irenelovescookingvideos #icookwhatiliketoeat #easier4me #foodvideos #youcancook #recipe #recipes #ilovefood #food  #foodblogger #breadcrumbs #glutenfree #yummy #friedchicken #wings #chickennuggets #nuggets #oliveoil #appetizer #appetizers #bonelesswings #popcornchicken

 

Adapted from this #skinnytaste recipe:

https://www.skinnytaste.com/baked-buffalo-chicken-nuggets/#zbUYqpZbMRPZQjKd.99

Thank you to Gina @skinnytaste for the inspiration!

 

 

Single meal:
Yield: Approximately 24-30 bites

Ingredients: