Posts Tagged ‘kitchen’

Beyond the Backyard Barbecue: Create Your Own Outdoor Kitchen

Beyond the Backyard Barbecue: Create Your Own Outdoor Kitchen

California Wine Country residents have enjoyed outdoor kitchens for years, and now this once considered luxurious trend is riding a wave of popularity in warm weather states across the nation. As gasoline prices soar, more homeowners are investing in amenities for enjoying good food and friends at home, including high quality grills, outdoor furniture, outdoor fireplaces, and outdoor lighting. Creating an outdoor kitchen in your own backyard also adds to your home’s value, though you probably won’t want to part with your custom kitchen alfresco and may even find yourself out there grilling on weeknights too.

Today’s outdoor kitchens come complete with built in grills that include stovetop style burners, roasting spits, and griddles; bar and service centers with sinks and refrigerators; storage space for cooking gear and dishes; counters for prep work; even built in lighting and stereo systems. Patio umbrellas, custom designed awnings or arbors protect cooking and food prep areas. Outdoor carpets and special rubber chef’s mats cover the “floor” for standing comfortably while cooking. Outdoor fireplaces, patio heaters, and fire pits provide warmth on cool days and evenings. “Exterior decorating” includes wall art and sculpture, and weather resistant outdoor dining sets, couches, and ottomans complete the comfy indoor feel.

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What you include in your outdoor kitchen will depend on your budget and how much you enjoy grilling and outdoor dining. Cost ranges from about ,500 for the basics: a high quality free standing grill and patio dining set, to well over ,000 for a top of the line built in grill, bar, sink, service center, and more. More elaborate outdoor kitchens include automatic dishwashers and special wine refrigerators. Outdoor “cabinetry” is stocked with top quality grilling accessories, grilling spices, and wine tools, and all indoor cooking necessities are included, right down to the paper towel holder.

The heart of the outdoor kitchen is the grill, and experts recommend purchasing the best you can afford. Top of the line outdoor grills made of high grade stainless steel, such as Lynx grills and Twin Eagles grills, come with lifetime warranties and provide professional grade heat output, restaurant style searing marks, and special amenities, including griddles and side burners for whipping up breakfast alfresco on the weekends. These upscale grills are fueled by gas or propane. Budget conscious homeowners will find fueling with bottled propane the least expensive choice with no need for running costly gas lines from the house to the outdoor cooking area.

Efficient layout is just as important when building an outdoor kitchen as it is with indoor kitchen design. Grilling with ease makes the outdoor cooking experience all the more enjoyable. Design experts suggest that the grill and sink flank the food prep area, and that an outdoor refrigerator or food cooler be available to keep ingredients fresh as you assemble your meal. Providing for even the smallest storage space will cut down on trips inside to retrieve barbecuing accessories, cooking gear, and serving dishes. However, a short and easy path to your indoor kitchen may be an important consideration, especially if you often entertain large groups, requiring use of both cooking areas. Making the most of a pleasant view and providing shaded seating may also be important considerations.

To create an outdoor kitchen on a tight budget or enjoy the outdoor cooking experience in a less permanent way before installing built in appliances, outdoor kitchen designers recommend opting for a freestanding grill with rollers, side trays, and storage. Pair with a comfy outdoor dining set, and you’ll have the basics in portable form while considering the kitchen and dining layout best for you. You’ll also enjoy amazing grilled meals while planning your ultimate outdoor kitchen

Stuart Sager is the Founder and President of Outdora, an online retailer that is dedicated to serving all of your outdoor needs. A leader in outdoor home furnishings and design, the team at Outdora knows how to blend high quality with fine design to deliver the very best barbecuing utensils on the market – and all at highly competitive prices. From barbecue tools , to high-end grills and outdoor furniture, Outdora has your entire backyard entertaining, camping and picnic needs covered. Don’t miss their solar-powered lights and portable gas heaters to make your backyard grilling and entertaining experience complete. http://www.outdora.com


Article from articlesbase.com

Kitchen Barbecue

Kitchen Barbecue

If you ever dreamed to have a summer kitchen in your back yard, building one might be easier than it seems at first glance. Clear the area of cooking the hottest trend in residential landscape design, they can vary from a modest fire in the yard for a full open kitchen that will compete with the most lavish indoor cooking, complete with stainless steel appliances and granite counter and fully plumbed sinks clear.

For this to make yourselfer, modest investment and a little sweat, homeowners can turn this unusable space in the backyard into a stylish entertainment area. There are many different plans available just such things. You can even custom design your own from your PC with the software right, but for the sake of this article we will talk in terms of taking the bull by the horns, so to speak, and solving each part in the process.

You will need to consider such things as patio space, and that you will add as we go forward, here is where you can spend as much or as little as you like and it all depends on how much free space and that your intentions are for the use of your new kitchen yard.

You can add, and it would be, of course <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link/1429896']);” href=”http://www.werever.com/”>barbecue kitchen</a> and such things as filing cabinets, counter tops, outdoor furniture, as well as any type of decor that will complement your home. Some even add an open bar for entertaining. Whatever you decide to make sure that all of this weather influences.

Lighting is another very important thing to consider, solar lighting may be the answer here with a lot of different styles and designs to date, once your yard kitchen on the ground you’ll find it at one of their favorite gathering places for family and friends.

Cooking has always been a gathering place so why not take him in the backyard, just make sure that it’s convenient. Now you need to consider, we want to do everything outside, so we do not have to go back to the house. The answer here will help you design your <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link/1429896']);” href=”http://www.werever.com/”>outdoor kitchen</a>

Try to select the color and furniture, which coordinate with the shades and materials used in your kitchen design. For members use to always keep things like chips and your favorite salsa or dip, drink, and music close by such Party can be pulled together in an instant. And do not forget to always keep ice cubes in her arms, to keep all types of dishes in the cupboards trying to reconcile the model, glass, porcelain, wood and metal until you have enough points on the hand.

Arrange for friends to drink a glass of wine and share good conversation, as soon as your yard kitchen became a place of interest in who knows what your thinking might add. You can even cover the cooking area. The fact is, enjoy your new outdoor kitchen, and I think you’ll agree that this is a very good investment.

We are the outdoor kitchen experts. Get a complete outdoor kitchen package sent to your door. We offer free outdoor kitchen design services. Our weatherproof outdoor kitchen cabinets last a lifetime.


Article from articlesbase.com

Creating Your Outdoor Kitchen With a Built In Barbecue Grill

Creating Your Outdoor Kitchen With a Built In Barbecue Grill

Built-in Barbecue Grills

Are you an outdoors person? If so, built in barbecue grills can be a welcome addition to your home. More people are beginning to extend their living area onto their patios and backyards. Instead of a portable grill and a patio set, the outdoor area is coming into its own with the installation of outdoor kitchens.

Outdoor Kitchens

The trend of outdoor kitchens has become the number one feature many are looking for when they build a new home or consider the purchase of an existing one. Entertaining outdoors is on the rise and what better way to do so than with a built in barbecue grill?

Many people are keeping costs down by opting for small outdoor kitchens with the basics. Others decide they want this kitchen to be along the lines of their indoor kitchen with all the latest in features. Depending on where you live, the kitchen you decide on can be very elaborate or it may need to remain simple.

Areas that have relatively short summers would not be the ideal spot for an all-out luxurious outdoor kitchen. You can still have built in barbecue grills, but you may want to design it to be covered during bad weather. On the other hand, if you live in a mild climate that does not receive a lot of cold weather, snow and freezing temperatures, a kitchen can have as many features as you choose.

Keep in mind, outdoor kitchens can become quite expensive depending on what you decide to include. The kitchen with built in barbecue grills can be the focus of many family get-togethers, entertaining and spending time with your immediate family. The kitchen can be used on a daily basis if you wish. It is so much more fun to eat outdoors.

When deciding on the features your outdoor kitchen will have, you need to consider the set-up of the appliances you will be using and their relation to the built in barbecue grill. If it can possibly be done to make the outdoor kitchen more functional the work area must be in the proximity of the entertainment area. If not, you will feel just as alone when cooking as if you were inside and everyone else is outside.

What Type of Built in Barbecue Grills Should You Consider?

Built in barbecue grills can be made from a variety of materials. They are available in cast iron, stainless steel, cast aluminum and steel covered with enamel. There are even some that are made from several different materials.

Probably the best choice of these materials is stainless steel. It more resistant to rust than many of the other materials used. There may be less expensive materials for built in barbecue grills, but they will not last as long. Planning this outdoor kitchen is essential to finding the grill that you are going to use. It must fit in the space allotted while still being large enough to cook what you are planning to cook.

If you are going to be preparing meals for large groups, it would be better to buy one with a larger cooking area. Unless you want to stand and cook for hours, which is what will happen with a grill that has a small cooking area, you should opt for the biggest one that you can afford. Do you want a built in barbecue grill with side burners for keeping some foods warm while finishing the preparation on others?

These are all considerations you will need to keep in mind when you are shopping for the right grill. There are many brands available so you may get a little confused. Just remember the main features you are looking for and the name will not really matter.

Of course, you will want to make sure you have the right materials to install the grill if you are going to do this yourself. Making sure it is safe to use is extremely important. If you are not sure about everything it takes to install built in barbecue grills, you may want to call a professional to install it for you. Safety is going to be one of the most important aspects of the grill especially since you will be using it around so many people.

The next step in your outdoor kitchen is to test your choice of built in barbecue grills and enjoy your next meal in the great outdoors. You may never want to eat inside again.

Bill Parson is a multi-generation barbecue enthusiast. Visit Bill’s website http://www.barbecuetipsandtechniques.com for more barbecue secrets, tips, and techniques.


Article from articlesbase.com

Super Bowl Chicken Chili

A delicious, aromatic, and ridiculously great tasting Chili !

Directions and Recipe below or

click here for a link to the video:

http://youtu.be/1IyuIes9UYI

food dog 037 Super Bowl Chicken Chili

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

food dog 0161 Super Bowl Chicken Chili

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs Ground Chicken
  • 1 cup Salsa
  • 1/2 cup chopped FRESH Cilantro
  • 1 large Onion chopped
  • 2 cloves minced Garlic
  • 6 cups Chicken Broth
  • 1 lb dry White Beans
  • 2 tbsp chopped Jalapeno peppers
  • 1 -  5 oz can Tomato Paste
  • 1 – 14 oz can Chili or Spicy style Tomatoes
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 3 tbsp Butter
  • 1 tbsp each – Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Oregano
  • Salt and Pepper to taste. I used approx. 1 tsp each.

Optional Toppings:

  • Fritos Corn Chips
  • Shredded Cheese
  • Sour Cream

Directions:

  • Cover and soak beans in water overnight.

food dog 014 Super Bowl Chicken Chili

  • Heat pot over medium heat , then add oil.
  • To hot oil, add garlic and onion and saute till translucent (3 – 5 minutes)

food dog 019 Super Bowl Chicken Chili

  • add butter and chicken. Stir and saute until chicken is no longer translucent.
  • add Cumin, Paprika, Oregano, Salt and Pepper, and stir continuously for 1 minute.

food dog 028 Super Bowl Chicken Chili

  • add beans, canned tomatoes, salsa, broth, tomato paste, jalapeno, cilantro, mix well.
  • simmer over med-low heat 1 hour, or until beans are soft.

food dog 033 Super Bowl Chicken Chili

food dog 035 Super Bowl Chicken Chili

YOU CAN SERVE JUST AS THEY ARE

food dog 036 Super Bowl Chicken Chili

Or add these optional toppings.

ENJOY!!!

food dog 0371 Super Bowl Chicken Chili

Part 6 of 6: Review

Basic Food Safety Training Videos A “MUST SEE” for all food handlers. The entire 6 video series can be viewed (more…)

Part 5 of 6: Adulterated Food

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Part 4 of 6: Inadequate Cooking and Contaminated Equipment

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Part 3 of 6: Poor Personal Hygiene

Basic Food Safety Training Videos A “MUST SEE” for all food handlers. The entire 6 video series can be viewed (more…)

Part 2 of 6: Holding Time and Temperatures

Basic Food Safety Training Videos A “MUST SEE” for all food handlers. The entire 6 video series can be viewed (more…)

Part 1 of 6: Introduction to Safe Food Handling

Basic Food Safety Training Videos A “MUST SEE” for all food handlers. The entire 6 video series can be viewed (more…)

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