Wood Land Country Store» cooking, food, & wine

A Wonderful Stainless Steel Cookware Set

admin — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:29:17 +0000

My new 11-piece stainless steel cookware set is replacing an extra cheap set that I bought in a chain store, and let me tell you it’s like day and night. They are a little more expensive than I was used to spending, but I can tell that these will not disintegrate like my last cheap set. These pots feel very well made and they are all very solid and beautifully finished and the set includes a wide variety of pieces. The set includes everything that I could imagine cooking with and some things that I never thought about owning, like a Dutch oven.

All of the pieces have a lid or have a shared lid that can be used on multiple pans, which is fine because I can’t imagine using all of these pots and pans at the same time – and I don’t have enough burners even if I wanted to. The lids are made of glass, which is a very nice feature to have, and they fit quite snugly. If you want a quality stainless cookware set that won’t disintegrate and won’t set you too far back in the pocketbook, this is a perfect solution.

Traditional Pot Roast Just Seems Like Home

admin — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:45:03 +0000

After a summer of cookouts and picnics, my family usually starts craving my crockpot pot roast when the leaves start to turn. It’s not that summer’s aren’t full of good times and good food; it’s just that there’s something about a cold night and a hot, filling meal that warms the heart. This is the perfect meal for those times when the whole family will be out of the house, working or playing, and looking forward to coming home to warm up. The aromas will make your family just go “ah-h-h… we’re home.”

I do have several crockpot recipes for pot roast, but the recipe I like best is the one I go to over and over. Keeping with the basic ingredients, you know, potatoes, onions, and carrots, maintains the traditional flavors and nostalgic feeling of this crockpot meal. I don’t like to spend a lot of money on the roast because even a less expensive cut will cook up nice and tender. That’s the beauty of pot roasts; they never go out of style because they are delicious, heartwarming, and frugal! An all-around perfect meal.

Pea Soup – Enjoyed Since Ancient Times

admin — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 21:02:28 +0000

Did you know that the simple split pea soup has been made since antiquity? Yes, that’s right even Romans and Greeks have enjoyed this delicious dish. Since then, people all over Europe, Australia and North America have enjoyed this simple soup. It is made from dry peas, which are easy to store and it cooks up relatively fast. The end result is a hardy dish that sticks to your bones and warms you up on a cold winter day.

Because it only requires a handful of ingredients, this is one of my favorite bean and legume recipes. I usually have everything I need to make it sitting in my kitchen. I start the soup, turn it down and just let it hang out at the back of the stove until it is nice and thick. It goes exceptionally well with a nice chunk of homemade bread. My German grandfather liked his pea soup with a side of sausages that have been heated in the soup. For simple variations of this soup, cook some potatoes or rice right along with the peas.

Crock Pot Vegetarian Chili

admin — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:50:49 +0000

When I am feeling lazy in the fall and winter, I make chili in my crock pot. You put all the following ingredients in the crock pot in the morning, set it to low, and walk away. When you get home from work, dinner is ready and the house smells great.

You will need 32 oz. of tomato soup, 16 oz. of tomato paste, 15 oz. black beans, 15 oz. red kidney beans, 32 oz. tomato sauce, 12 oz. meat substitute, and the following spices to your liking: chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt or sugar to lower or raise the acid level. Brands do not matter; just use your favorite brands. Put all ingredients in the crock pot and enjoy your dinner!