by Milcarsky's Staff | Mar 11, 2024 | Food, Recipes
St. Patrick’s Day is a time to embrace the rich cultural heritage of Ireland, and what better way to do that than through its traditional and mouthwatering cuisine? Whether you’re of Irish descent or just looking to celebrate the spirit of the Emerald Isle, these three authentic Irish recipes will transport you to the heart of Ireland’s culinary traditions.
Irish Soda Bread: A Staple of Irish Tables
Ingredients:
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 and 3/4 cups buttermilk
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Dust a baking sheet with flour.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Using a wooden spoon, stir until a soft dough forms.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently knead it a few times. Shape it into a round loaf.
Place the dough on the prepared baking sheet and score a deep “X” on the top with a sharp knife.
Bake for 15 minutes at 425°F, then reduce the heat to 400°F (200°C) and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack before slicing. Serve with butter or your favorite Irish cheese.
Irish Lamb Stew: Hearty and Comforting
Ingredients:
2 pounds of lamb stew meat, cut into chunks
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 large carrots, peeled and sliced
3 large potatoes, peeled and diced
2 onions, chopped
4 cups beef or vegetable broth
1 cup red wine
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Brown the lamb stew meat on all sides.
Add the onions and garlic, sautéing until softened.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
Add the carrots, potatoes, thyme, and season with salt and pepper.
Pour in the broth, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the lamb is tender.
Adjust the seasoning as needed and serve hot. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Bailey’s Irish Cream Cheesecake: A Sweet Finale
Ingredients (For the crust):
2 cups crushed chocolate sandwich cookies
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Ingredients (For the filling):
3 packages (24 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup Baileys Irish Cream
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan.
In a medium bowl, combine the crushed cookies and melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to create the crust.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract and Bailey’s Irish Cream.
Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust in the springform pan.
Bake for 55-60 minutes or until the center is set and the top is lightly browned.
Allow the cheesecake to cool in the oven with the door ajar for about an hour, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.
This St. Patrick’s Day, celebrate the flavors of Ireland with these authentic recipes that pay homage to the country’s culinary heritage. From the hearty Irish soda bread to the comforting lamb stew and the sweet indulgence of Baileys Irish Cream cheesecake, these dishes are sure to bring a touch of Irish warmth and hospitality to your celebration. Sláinte!
by Milcarsky's Staff | Feb 1, 2024 | Recipes
Skip the crowded restaurants and celebrate your sweetie with a few homemade “sweets”. We have selected three courses from some of our favorite brands to inspire a nice home-cooked meal for the ones you love.
Brunch
For brunch, surprise your sweetie with a delicious plate of crepes. This Crepe recipe by SubZero, Wolf, and Cove shows just how easy it is to make a restaurant-quality breakfast from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 cup milk
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups flour
Instructions:
Place all ingredients in a blender container or food processor bowl with cutting blade.
Process on high about 1 minute or until smooth.
Allow to rest for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat 6-inch skillet on Wolf cooktop over medium-high heat for 2 minutes or until drops of water dropped into skillet pop.
Using 1/4 cup measure, pour batter into hot skillet.
Cook crepes for about 2 minutes on first side or until edges brown.
Then, carefully turn it over and cook it for one minute.
You can choose to dress up this simple dish with this Fruit and Cream Filling recipe by Taste of Home:
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon confectioners’ sugar, divided
4 teaspoons 2% milk
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup each fresh blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries
In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese and 3 tablespoons of confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Spread 1 rounded tablespoon on each crepe, top with 1/4 cup of fruit, and roll it up. Sprinkle with the remaining confectioners’ sugar.
If you are having Mimosa with your brunch, try this Sparkling Raspberry Lemon Mimosa recipe by Aberdeen’s Kitchen.
4 ounces chilled Brut Champagne or sparkling wine, cork just popped
2 ounces raspberry lemonade, pulp strained out if desired
Fresh raspberries sprinkled with white granulated sugar
Dinner
For dinner, we recommend treating your sweetheart (and yourself) with a perfectly cooked steak! No need to worry if you haven’t mastered the art of the perfect steak. This Ultimate Steak by Frigidaire has a few expert tips and a delicious rub recipe to use on your meal. Pair with your favorite vegetables, and you have a hearty, home-cooked meal worthy of celebrating any occasion.
This recipe will take your steak game to the next level.
Ingredients:
4 x 1 1/2inch thick boneless rib-eye steaks
1 TBSP. butter
3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
3 cloves of garlic
For the spice rub
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup paprika
4 TBSP. sea salt
3 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. ground coriander
2 tsp. onion powder
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. celery seed
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
Instructions:
In a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the spice rub and mix together. Set aside.
Place the steaks on a large cutting board and pat dry with a paper towel. Coat each steak with 2 teaspoons of olive oil and rub them to get the beef well coated. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Rub each steak with about 2 tablespoons of spice mix, ensuring that all sides are well coated. (Any leftover steak spice will be kept in an airtight container for 2 months)
Use a large cast iron skillet and heat over medium-high. Place the steaks in the hot pan and cook for 4 minutes. Flip the steaks over and add 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan. Top the butter with the garlic and rosemary. When the butter has melted, angle the pan slightly so that a pool of butter collects near the base of the pan. Using a spoon, baste the tops of the steaks to get them nicely coated in the flavored butter. Cook for an additional 4 minutes (8 minutes total, for a steak cooked medium rare).
Rest the steaks on a plate for at least 5 minutes to allow the juices to settle. This will result in an extremely moist, succulent steak.
Transfer to a board and slice your rested steak against the grain into thin strips. Serve.
Crank Up your Cooking tip:
For the best sear, heat a cast-iron pan to high heat before adding the steak. The PowerPlus® Burner on the Frigidaire Professional Range will quickly heat the pan.
Desert
Our favorite part of Valentine’s Day is, of course, the desert. And what celebration would be complete without some kind of chocolate, right? Sure, you could go the traditional route and make a chocolate cake or a chocolate mousse of some sort, but why go traditional when you can have S’mores!? Either snuggled up next to a fire pit or by using your Lynx Napoli Oven!
Ingredients
8 graham crackers, broken in 1/2
2 milk chocolate bars broken into squares
8 marshmallows, cut in halves
- Preheat Napoli Oven to Medium for 30 minutes with the door on.
- Lay 1/2 of the broken graham crackers on a cookie baking sheet. Place chocolate pieces on top and 2 marshmallow halves on top of that.
- Bake until the marshmallows are puffed and golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove from Napoli oven and top with the remaining graham crackers, pressing down to make a sandwich. Serve while still warm.
by Milcarsky's Staff | Nov 26, 2023 | Appliances, Design
Introduction
In today’s modern homes, kitchens have evolved from mere cooking spaces into hubs of culinary creativity and social connection. Kitchen appliances are pivotal in shaping our culinary experiences and fostering a deeper appreciation for food. As we look towards 2024, several key trends are poised to transform how we interact with appliances, elevating our culinary experiences to new heights.
Trend 1: Embracing Dual Fuel Ranges for Culinary Versatility
Dual fuel ranges have emerged as the epitome of culinary versatility, seamlessly combining the power and precision of gas and electric cooking technologies. Gas burners offer unparalleled responsiveness and control, ideal for searing meats, simmering sauces, and achieving precise temperature control for delicate dishes. On the other hand, electric ovens deliver consistent heat distribution, ensuring even baking and roasting.
Benefits of Dual Fuel Ranges:
- Culinary Versatility: Dual fuel ranges cater to a wide range of cooking techniques, from quick stir-fries to delicate pastry baking.
- Precise Temperature Control: Gas burners provide instant heat adjustments, while electric ovens maintain consistent temperatures for even cooking.
- Enhanced Performance: Dual fuel ranges offer superior cooking performance, ensuring perfectly cooked meals every time.
Brand Recommendations: Consider renowned brands like Wolf, Viking, and Miele when selecting a dual fuel range. These brands offer a range of top-of-the-line models with advanced features and exceptional craftsmanship.
Trend 2: Indulge in Culinary Creativity with Double Ovens
Double ovens have become indispensable appliances for home chefs who demand versatility and efficiency in their kitchens. These appliances provide ample space for simultaneous cooking, allowing you to prepare multiple dishes at different temperatures. This is particularly beneficial when hosting large gatherings or catering to diverse culinary preferences.
Benefits of Double Ovens:
- Multitasking Mastery: Double ovens enable simultaneous cooking at different temperatures, maximizing efficiency and catering to diverse culinary needs.
- Large Meal Preparation: Accommodate large meals with ease, ensuring that your holiday feasts and family gatherings are well-prepared.
- Optimized Oven Space: Double ovens provide ample space for multiple dishes, eliminating the need for overcrowding and ensuring even cooking.
Brand Recommendations: Explore innovative double oven models from brands like KitchenAid, Thermador, and Dacor. These brands offer advanced features like smart cooking technology, multi-level cooking, and precise temperature control, making cooking a breeze.
Trend 3: Elevate Your Beverage Experience with Undercounter Beverage and Wine Refrigerators
Undercounter beverage and wine refrigerators redefine beverage storage and elevate the home entertaining experience. These dedicated appliances provide optimal temperature zones for preserving the quality and taste of your beverages, ensuring that your favorite wines and drinks remain fresh and flavorful.
Benefits of Undercounter Beverage and Wine Refrigerators:
- Preserved Quality: Dedicated temperature zones ensure that your wines and beverages are stored at optimal temperatures, preserving their aromas, flavors, and quality.
- Enhanced Aesthetics: Seamlessly integrate these stylish appliances into your kitchen décor, creating a sophisticated and elegant space.
- Convenient Access: Enjoy effortless access to your favorite beverages, whether you’re hosting guests or simply craving a refreshing drink.
Brand Recommendations: Elevate your beverage experience with undercounter beverage and wine refrigerators from brands like Marvel, U-Line, and True Refrigeration. These brands offer a range of stylish and functional models that complement any kitchen design.
Trend 4: Embrace Bold and Colorful Cabinets for a Vibrant Kitchen
Bold and colorful cabinets inject vibrancy and personality into modern kitchens, transforming them from functional spaces into dynamic expressions of personal style. These cabinets add a touch of whimsy and creativity, setting the stage for culinary adventures and lively gatherings.
Benefits of Bold and Colorful Cabinets:
- Personal Expression: Bold and colorful cabinets allow you to showcase your unique style and personality, creating a kitchen that reflects your individuality.
- Design Versatility: These cabinets complement a variety of appliance finishes, from stainless steel to matte black, adding visual interest and depth to your kitchen.
- Dynamic Kitchen Spaces: Embracing bold colors
Trend 5: Personalize Your Kitchen with Appliances that Reflect Your Style
Choosing appliances that align with your personal style and preferences is crucial for creating a harmonious and inviting kitchen space. From sleek and minimalist designs to rustic and traditional accents, appliances can inject personality and character into your kitchen.
Benefits of Personalized Appliances:
- Curated Kitchen Aesthetic: Carefully selected appliances that reflect your style create a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing kitchen.
- Expression of Individuality: Appliances serve as extensions of your personal taste, allowing you to curate a kitchen that reflects your unique style.
- Diverse Style Options: Explore a wide range of appliance styles, from modern and contemporary to farmhouse and vintage, to find pieces that resonate with your preferences.
Brand Recommendations: Indulge in personalized appliance options from brands like SMEG, Bertazzoni, and BlueStar. These brands offer appliances in various styles, colors, and finishes, catering to diverse tastes and preferences.
Conclusion
As we look toward 2024, the kitchen appliance landscape is poised for an exciting transformation, driven by trends emphasizing culinary versatility, personalized style, and enhanced beverage experiences. Dual fuel ranges, double ovens, undercounter beverage and wine refrigerators, bold and colorful cabinets, and customized appliances are just a few of the trends that are set to redefine the modern kitchen. Embrace these trends, explore the latest innovations, and create a kitchen that reflects your unique culinary passions and personal style.
by Milcarsky's Staff | Jan 29, 2023 | Food, How To's
You probably know that preparing food is a great way to eat healthier and lose weight. If you love to cook, that’s an added bonus. If you’re uncomfortable in the kitchen, it can be challenging to stop relying on dining out.
That’s especially true if you grew up without many culinary role models and now think it’s too late to learn. On the other hand, you might be eager to bake cookies and fry bacon, but you draw a blank about what to do with asparagus and brown rice.
The truth is healthy cooking can be a lot of fun. Try these suggestions for changing the way you eat and enjoying the process.
How to Make Healthy Cooking Easier:
It’s natural to feel frustrated if you have to look up half the words in a recipe or run to the store for missing ingredients. You’ll be happy to hear that there are many quick and simple ways to make healthy cooking faster than takeout.
Try these techniques:
1. Organize your kitchen. If you can’t afford expensive renovations, you can still do many things to make your space more efficient. Put your essentials within easy reach and install racks to expand your cabinet storage.
2. Check your equipment. Some essential tools can speed up meal preparations. Keep your knives sharp. Invest in a slow cooker and a food processor that fits your budget.
3. Stock up on staples. Fill your pantry and freezer with ingredients you use frequently. That may include olive oil, tomato paste, and flour.
4. Cook in batches. Shorten your cooking time by preparing multiple servings and freezing the leftovers. You can heat them up later for quick dinners.
5. Play music. Research shows that music can make any task seem more effortless. Turn on the radio or invent your own playlists.
6. Minimize clean-up. Does your kitchen look like a disaster area when you’re through? Prevent messes by using parchment paper, and spoon rests. Soak dishes as you go along or load them into your dishwasher.
How to Make Healthy Cooking More Social:
Food is even more delicious when you share it with others. Invite your family and friends to join you.
Use these strategies to combine cooking with socializing:
1. Take a class. Check the calendar at local cooking schools or browse online for courses at Udemy or BBC Food. Encourage your partner to join you or surprise them with what you learn.
2. Teach your kids. Healthy cooking is one of the most important life skills you can nurture in your children. You’ll teach them habits that support a longer and more active life.
3. Post your creations. Take photos of your prized creations. You deserve to show off a little.
4. Write a book. Assemble an album of your personal recipes. Add pictures and stories to make it more personal.
5. Send gifts. Homemade food can be a thoughtful and affordable present for any occasion. Bake and decorate low-sugar cakes for birthday parties. Hand out bags of chocolate-dusted almonds for wedding favors.
6. Throw a party. Entertain in style without having to pay a caterer. Depending on your skills, you can arrange a fish taco night or take your turn hosting a formal Thanksgiving dinner.
7. Prioritize family meals. Try to sit down with your family for at least one meal a day to share conversation and wholesome food. If dinner is challenging to coordinate, gather for breakfast.
You can enjoy making nutritious meals and snacks with practice and creativity. In addition to eating healthier, you’ll save money and create more opportunities to spend quality time with your loved ones. And if you ever need a little meal inspiration, check out our recipe page here on the website.
by Milcarsky's Staff | Dec 24, 2022 | Appliances, How To's
Conserving energy is important for many reasons. Wise use of resources is important for preserving and protecting our environment. It’s also important for protecting your pocketbook from skyrocketing utility bills. Thankfully, a few wise choices and small changes in your daily routine can significantly lower your energy bill.
Energy Efficient Bulbs
If you replace the light bulbs in your home with energy-efficient light bulbs, you can dramatically lower your electricity costs without any noticeable change in your lifestyle. In addition to lower utility bills, these light bulbs need to be replaced far less often than conventional ones.
In addition, some energy-efficient light bulbs are brighter than conventional bulbs. This means you can use only one bulb in a light fixture that usually requires multiple bulbs.
Turn off Appliances When Not in Use.
Develop a habit of turning off the light when you leave a room. Often, a large part of wasted utility costs is keeping all the lights in your home on at all times. Teach children and other family members to turn off the lights also.
If you’re in the habit of keeping your television on for background noise, try turning it off when it’s not in use. You may find that you enjoy the peace and quiet, and your pocketbook will definitely thank you for it!
Do you leave your computer on all the time? Even a small change like turning your computer off overnight can positively affect your energy bill next month. Small changes can add to significant savings without affecting your lifestyle.
One or the Other
Do you like to surf the web while watching television? To save money on your energy bill, try an experiment. When you’re watching television, turn the computer off. When you’re surfing the web, turn the tv off. When trying to do both simultaneously, your focus is limited. Plus, you’re wasting energy by trying to do both at the same time.
Also, consider watching your favorite television shows online. Many of today’s most popular sitcoms and reality shows are broadcast in their entirety online one or two days after they air on television. This will keep you from splitting your focus and save on electricity if you remember to turn the TV off while you watch your favorite program online.
Regulate the Thermostat
During the hot summer months, it’s tempting to crank up the air conditioner so that you can cool off. The cooler temperature in your home is refreshing but also expensive. To lower your monthly electricity bill, keep the thermostat temperature closer to the outside temperature.
In the summer, keep it a few degrees warmer than usual. In the winter, keep it a few degrees cooler. This puts less stress on the air conditioner and furnace and requires less power.
Many modern appliances are designed to use less energy than older models. It can be more expensive to buy energy-efficient appliances upfront, but the monthly savings may be worth it. Eventually, your new appliances will pay for themselves with the money you save on your utility bills.
If you’re willing to make a few small changes, you can save money on your electric bills. All it takes is a willingness to do something different and a desire for more cash in your pocket! Thankfully, you can begin to experience the benefits of your efforts on your next month’s bill.
by Milcarsky's Staff | Sep 1, 2022 | How To's
No matter where you live, chores are a necessary task to maintain the cleanliness of a home. Some people love to do laundry, while others despise doing it. Getting your laundry done is essential so you can have clean clothes to wear for every occasion, from your finest suit to the fire-resistant clothing you wear at work. Today, we will go over five unique challenges you may have to face when doing laundry.
Challenge #1: Cleats, Shin Pads, and Helmets
One of the toughest laundry challenges is washing sporting equipment. Sporting equipment can get particularly smelly, and it is more complicated to clean than the average piece of clothing. Remember to brush off excess debris before putting these into the washing machine. Check the instructions first to ensure your equipment can be washed in the washing machine. It is best to put shin pads and similar padding in a pillowcase or sack to protect them during the wash cycle.
Challenge #2: Fire-Resistant Workwear
When it comes to fire-resistant clothing, always separate these items from your regular clothes. Use laundry detergent (not soap) to wash fire-resistant clothing. Consider turning them inside out to help them last longer and resist color fading.
Challenge #3: Tangled Strings
If you have to wash anything with strings, it is not uncommon for those strings to get tangled with other clothes in the machine. Luckily, there is a pretty simple solution to prevent this problem. Get wash bags and place any clothing items with strings into those to keep them separate from everything else in your load of laundry.
Challenge #4: Blood Stains
Blood stains can be particularly frustrating and difficult to remove from clothes. Handle blood stains with care and begin by cleaning them with cold water as soon as possible. Use your fingers or an old rag to help the blood separate from the clothing. Next, use an enzyme-based stain remover to clear the last remnants of blood on your clothes and put them in the washing machine.
Challenge #5: Skunk Spray
Dealing with stinky smells on your clothing is always a challenge, but skunk spray is one of the worst things. A combination of hot water, laundry detergent, vinegar, and baking soda can do the trick for this laundry challenge. It might take multiple washes for the smell to come out of your clothing, so be patient with the process.
After reading this brief guide, we hope you feel more equipped to deal with unusual laundry stains and challenges. Whether you are cleaning sports equipment or fire-resistant clothing for work, it is imperative to tackle clothing stains as soon as possible. The best practices we shared will keep your clothes neat and clean for years to come. If you are in the market for a new washer or dryer, come to Milcarsky’s Appliance Centre in Lake Mary, Florida. You can also browse through our inventory online before coming to our store.
The Milcarsky's Appliance Centre' team wants to help answer any questions you may have. We'd also like to let you know when we publish a new blog post or have some great news to share.
