It’s a Great Day To… Cook!

“Re-Set” Meal Ideas

We’re all eating more meals and snack in these days. I’ve had Friends ask me for some ideas and I thought that I would pass a few recipes and ideas that are working for us and have over these years. I’ll start with some basic kitchen ‘Givens’ (think back to your high school Geometry class when I use that term). For those of you who are regularly in the kitchen like myself, you won’t need these, but for your kiddos, sometimes, hearing from someone else, is just reinforcement of what you are saying. Here we go:

Be Prepared…

If you have long hair, ALWAYS put it up or wear a cap over a pony tail. You’ll notice that in any photo of me preparing food, my hair is ALWAYS up. A non-negotiable for me, in fact, it bothers me to see people cooking on videos or on tv with long hair not pulled back.
WASH YOUR HANDS CONSTANTLY!!! This is primary, but I don’t want you to wash your hands then put your hair up and out of the way. Have soap right at the kitchen counter and wash after handling meat, eggs, etc., & after using the bathroom, even after washing in the bathroom, another “GIVEN” for me.

Clean As you Go…

Clean up as you go seems to work for me. I have people tell me that they like to cook but they don’t like the clean-up. If you clean up as you go, I actually call it ‘getting to ground zero,’ there is not the huge mess at the end. If the other works for you, go for it.
Make sure to clean counter surfaces frequently, especially when using meats, chicken & fish & eggs, like a good surface cleaner, or dilute your favorite all-purpose cleaning solution, following directions on the packaging. Also, switch out your cutting boards frequently.
Change out your kitchen towels and dishcloths VERY frequently.

Get Ready…

Read over your recipe a few times before starting and make sure you have all ingredients and everything you need. I know this seems crazy, but I can’t tell you how many times I have started a recipe, only to realize that I didn’t have a key ingredient or special pan or utensil.
This next tip goes hand and hand with the previous one, but getting all ingredients, pans & utensils out and ready to go is so helpful. Wash all produce and cut, chop, etc. Having everything out allows you know you have everything needed and makes cooking/baking go much quicker and smoother as well.

Mary Yana Burau 6/26/23 Mary Yana Burau 6/26/23

☀️ Summer Entertaining Outdoors ☀️

Summer entertaining is a picnic…Here are a few tips to make your next outdoor gathering run smooth…

Mary Yana Burau 6/21/23 Mary Yana Burau 6/21/23

🍋 Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Quick Bread🫐

🍋 I like to have something delicious to snack on and easily accessible, sitting on the counter in a cake dome…Here’s something that fits the bill…

Mary Yana Burau 6/19/23 Mary Yana Burau 6/19/23

🥭Mary Yana’s Mango Kiwi 🥝Salsa🍅

So, what’s your ‘Thing’ that you take to parties? For a while, I was known for my Mango Kiwi Salsa. Check out this delicious adaptable recipe that doubles as an appetizer an an accompaniment.

Mary Yana Burau 6/12/23 Mary Yana Burau 6/12/23

🍋 Grilled Lemon Dill Salmon Dinner 🍴

A “something simple, something good” dinner for a lovely summer evenings…

Mary Yana Burau 6/5/23 Mary Yana Burau 6/5/23

🥚 Basic Egg Salad 🍴

It’s hard to beat a classic Egg Salad. It fits the bill for a “Marvelous Monday”, something simple, something good…

Mary Yana Burau 5/29/23 Mary Yana Burau 5/29/23

🇺🇸 One Last Thought On Your Memorial Day Gathering 🇺🇸

The menu has been selected…