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We are going to share our experiences, recipes and techniques to prepare something which taste better than what Rachel Ray could cook in 30 min and easier than what Martha could produce in 1 hour show!!
Cooking your new village is one place for all of us!!!
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has added a new journalI wanted to start off this village with simple but tasty recipes because I know that most people would like food that is quick to make.
AMERICAN GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH
2 Slices of Bread
Margarine/butter
Cheese Slice
STEPS
1. Butter the bread on one side of each piece of bread.
2. Lay the slices so that the butter is facing the OUTSIDE
3. Put a cheese slice in the middle.
4. Place the sandwich on a warm frying pan on medium heat.
5. After a minute or so, check the underside. If it is done, flip the sandwich around and heat the other side until it is golden brown as well. (NOTE: I personally like my sandwich a little crispy, but others may prefer theirs soft)
VARIATIONS
There are so many variations because you can fill the sandwich with anything.
Here are just some of the thing you can put in the middle.
- Tender chicken strips with parmesan cheese
-Cooked shami kebabs, onions, tomato and ketchup
-Thin beef fillet strips with cheese and sauteed onions
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has added a new journalWhat do you need to start cooking? If you are starting out in kitchen life, for example a student moving out of the home or a newly wed, you might be wondering what on earth you should stock your kitchen with. Most people know to buy pots and pans but what else?
Here is my list and I hope people will add to it.
1. A large deep non stick frying pan. A frying pan that is at least two inches deep is perfect for multiple uses. I use mine to boil, fry, saute, toast, warm up, reheat and even have made rice in it. If you are limited in finance or space, this is ideal. Make sure it has a lid though as that is vital for boiling etc...
2. A food processor. If you like to cook like I do, buy the full size one, otherwise a small one is fine. I am always making chutneys, chopping onions, grinding meat in it. Be warned, most processors are not good for grinding anything.
3. Wooden spoons. These are a must if you are using non stick pans.
4. 2 Chopping boards. I am a big stickler for hygiene so I recommend you buy at least two chopping boards. One for meat and one for veggies. In my home I have a red one for the meat and a green one for the veg, so its easy for everyone to remember which one to use. Do NOT buy wooden boards unless you will bleach after every use as wood actually retains germs in the cuts.
5. A good large knife. The trick to buying a knife? Look at the blade. A good knife will have the blade and the handle joined without any breaks. If you have a blade that has been inserted into say a plastic handle, it is weaker and more likely to break.
6. A knife sharpener. People dont realise that you should sharpen your knives regularly. I tend to sharpen mine every time I am about to do a heavy duty task, e.g. cut meat. Keeping your knife sharp will actually save you time chopping.
7. Strainer. You need to drain rice, pasta, wash meat, veg...etc..gotta havea strainer to do that. Again i would recommend two different colored ones for hygiene.
8. 2 mixing bowls. I use one mixing bowl to mix things and the other to store my trash, for example peelings. Its a good idea to have a bowl only for collecting all the garbage in one place and not the sink or the countertop.
9. Tea towels. people dont realise it but tea towels are a must in a kitchen. You can use them to keep your hands clean (all chefs have one attached to their waists), to grab hot dishes and even to clean up countertops etc... keep a bunch handy.
I am sure there are more but I will add as I remember. What would you recommend?

