Cooking Exceptionally With Gin Lee

How to Make Homemade Yeast with Flour and Water for Sourdough Bread A jar of flour and water can grow a culture that leavens bread without store-bought yeast. This homemade yeast is a sourdough starter: a mix of wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria that develops as it ferments. You’ll learn how to mix and feed it, spot signs that it’s ready to bake with, and keep it going. The process may take more or less time depending on your flour, water, and room temperature. Make Homemade Yeast with Flour and Water A sourdough starter needs only flour and water to begin. Use equal weights of each, then feed the mixture regularly as it ferments. A kitchen scale makes it easier to keep each feeding consistent. Choose flour that helps fermentation begin Whole-grain rye or whole-wheat flour is a useful choice for a new starter. These flours supply nutrients and naturally occurring microbes that can help fermentation get going. Unbleached all-purpose flour works too, so use what you have if whole-grain...

Pine Needle and Pine Cone Tea What do pine needles and pine cone tea taste like? Well, in my opinion, it tastes somewhat bitter without adding sweetener. It's earthy and piney, and of course, it smells like you're steeping a pine tree. Pine tea is loaded with vitamin C, and it's the perfect drink for cold and flu season. However, avoid using pine needles and pine cones from Norfolk Island Pine, Ponderosa Pine, and Yew. These pine varieties are toxic. If you don’t have access to green pine needles, you can use dried pine needles to prepare pine tea. In fact, if you were to buy pine tea, you'd find that the pine needles in the tea bags are dried. So, there's no big difference between collecting dried pine needles or buying them already dried. Dried pine needles contain higher amounts of vitamin C than green pine needles. However, if you prefer a milder tea, you would probably prefer using green pine needles.   To prepare pine needle tea, first collect some pine needle...

Three Ways to Make Homemade Pasta Without a Pasta Machine Did you know that the most famous shapes in Italian history were created long before metal rollers existed? You do not need expensive stainless steel equipment to turn flour and eggs into a satisfying dinner. Many traditional shapes actually benefit from the rougher texture that manual tools provide. You can create gourmet meals using only a wooden rolling pin, a sharp knife and your own hands. This process connects you to the food in a way that mechanical buttons never can.  Follow these steps to transform your kitchen counter into a professional pasta station without the clutter and unnecessary costs. Crafting Ribbon Pasta by Hand Pappardelle and fettuccine are the easiest shapes to master when you are starting out. You begin rolling your dough into a sheet with a heavy rolling pin. Make sure you can see the grain of the wood through the thin layer of flour and eggs. Once the sheet is thin, sprinkle plenty of semolina or a...

Easy Recipe for Making Homemade Mayonnaise That Turns Out Creamy Every Time A jar of homemade mayonnaise takes about five minutes to make and needs only a handful of ingredients. This easy recipe for making homemade mayonnaise gives you a smooth, creamy sauce you can season to match your meal. An immersion blender makes the process especially simple, even if you’ve never made mayo before. You’ll get exact measurements, clear blending steps, and fixes for a thin or split batch. You’ll also learn how to store egg-based mayonnaise safely and use it in everyday meals. Make Fresh Homemade Mayonnaise With Simple Ingredients Homemade mayo lets you choose the oil, adjust the tang, and control the salt. Its fresh flavor can taste brighter than packaged mayonnaise, and you can make a small batch when you need it. For beginners, blending in a tall, narrow container is the easiest approach. What makes mayonnaise thick and creamy Mayonnaise forms when oil is held in tiny droplets throughout water-b...

Homemade Cream Cheese Today, I am preparing homemade cream cheese using powdered milk. You can make the cream cheese using regular whole-fat milk if you prefer. The recipe will work using either. So, if you're using whole-fat milk, you'll need to use 3 cups. Since I have powdered milk on hand, that's what I decided to use. Ingredients: 2 cups of powdered milk 3 cups of water 5 tablespoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice (1 lemon will produce 2-3 tablespoons of fresh squeezed juice) 1/2 teaspoons of seasoning salt Instructions: In a pitcher or bowl, add 2 cups of powdered milk. Pour in 3 cups of water. Stir well. In a heavy saucepan, add the milk over medium-high heat. Stir continuously until it begins to boil. Then reduce the heat to a simmer over medium heat. Now, add 1 tablespoon of the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir and wait a minute before adding in the second tablespoon of juice, then add the third tablespoon of juice, wait a minute, then add the fourth tablespoon of...

Cinnamon Cake Bars Recipe These cinnamon cake bars are so delicious, you won't be able to stop at just one! Enjoy! Ingredients: 1 cup of cake flour 1/2 cup of sugar 1/4 cup of butter 1 egg 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt 1/2 cup of milk 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (optional) Instructions: In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the egg and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine the cake flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and kosher salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Then add the chopped nuts (optional). Pour the batter into a greased baking pan. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool before cutting into bars and serving. For added flavor, you can sprinkle a mixture of granulated Splenda, sugar, and ground cinnamon on top. If desired, you can also drizzle the bars with a cinnamon glaze. E...

Homemade Mozzarella Cheese Without Rennet Ingredients: 1/2 gallon of whole milk 7 tablespoons of white distilled vinegar Instructions: Add 1/2 gallon of whole milk into a large pan. Over medium-low, stir and heat the milk until it reaches 115-120 degrees.  Add 7 tablespoons of white distilled vinegar in the pan with the warm milk. Stir with a slotted spoon for about 40 seconds, you'll begin to see the mixture begin to curdle. Turn the burner off and place a lid over the pot. Allow the mixture to set for 5 minutes. Gather the curds with a large slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl. Using your clean hands squeeze the liquid out of the cheese curds. Place the cheese in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Squeeze the liquid out, then microwave for another 20 seconds more.  Press and stretch the cheese with your hands. Then shape it into a ball. Place the cheese in cold water. Allow it to cool. Then take the cheese out of the water. Pat the cheese dry with a paper t...

Crispy Grits-Crusted Fish Cakes Hey there, foodies! If you want to wow your friends and family with a tasty and one-of-a-kind dish, you've got to try my Breaded Grits Fish Cakes recipe. These fish cakes are packed with flavor and have a crispy coating made from grits. They're fried up in a non-stick skillet with butter for that perfect golden brown finish. Ingredients for the fish cakes: 1 pound of boneless white fish filets, such as cod or tilapia 1 cup of crushed crackers 1/4 cup of mayonnaise (plus a little more if needed). 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder 1 1/2 teaspoons of onion powder Seasoning salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Ingredients for the breading: 1 cup of flour 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup of dry, uncooked grits; you can also use cornmeal or breadcrumbs as a substitution. You'll also need about 4 to 6 tablespoons of butter to cook the fish cakes. Instructions: Cut the boneless fish filets into tiny chunks or mince them in a ...

Let's Make Apple Cider Vinegar Cheese! Hey there, cheese lovers! Today, we're going to learn how to make a simple homemade cheese using apple cider vinegar. It's a fun and easy process that results in a mild cheese that you can use in all sorts of dishes or just enjoy on its own. Ingredients: 1 gallon of milk – you can use raw or pasteurized, skim or whole. (Hint: Whole milk will make tastier cheese). 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar (you can also use white or white wine vinegar) Teaspoon of salt and your favorite herbs 2 Large pots Cheesecloth or an old bandanna Colander Ingredients: No need for a thermometer here! Just heat up your milk until it's boiling. Then, turn off the heat and add the vinegar. The milk should start separating into curds and whey right away. You want to make sure the whey is clear and yellowish, not milky.  Once it's separated, pour everything into a colander lined with cheesecloth over another pot (don't waste that whey!).  Mi...

Let's Make Hungarian Goulash! Hey there, foodie friends! Today we're going to learn how to make Hungarian goulash. But first, what exactly is Hungarian goulash? What is Hungarian goulash? Hungarian goulash is a traditional stew that originated in Hungary. It's made with stew meat, root vegetables, and lots of delicious spices. The key ingredient that gives Hungarian goulash its unique flavor is Hungarian paprika, a type of spice made from dried peppers. When seeking Hungarian paprika, be sure to choose a variety made from Hungarian peppers and clearly labeled as such. This will guarantee that you are receiving the genuine flavor and superior quality that Hungarian paprika is renowned for. Ingredients: 2 pounds of beef stew meat 2 onions, chopped 2 cloves of garlic, chopped 1 teaspoon of ground caraway seeds 1 teaspoon of oregano 3 to 4 tablespoons of sweet Hungarian paprika 4 cups of beef broth 2 tablespoons of tomato paste 4 potatoes, coarsely chopped 2 cups of carrots, sl...