Please STOP boiling potatoes in WATER!

 

 

Why You Should Stop Boiling Potatoes in Water

1. Flavor Loss : When you boil potatoes in water, their natural starches and flavors leach out, leaving you with bland potatoes.
2. Waterlogged Texture : Potatoes absorb water as they cook, which can make them mushy and less ideal for recipes like roasting or frying.
3. Nutrient Drain : Water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C and B vitamins escape into the cooking liquid, reducing the nutritional value.
4. Energy Waste : Boiling a large pot of water takes time and energy, which isn’t efficient for everyday cooking.

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The Better Way to Cook Potatoes

Here are some alternative methods that will elevate your potatoes and save you from soggy, flavorless results:

1. Steam Your Potatoes

• Why It Works : Steaming cooks potatoes gently without submerging them in water, preserving their flavor and nutrients.
• How to Do It :
  • Cut potatoes into evenly sized pieces (or leave small ones whole).
  • Place them in a steamer basket over simmering water, cover, and steam for 15–20 minutes, or until fork-tender.
  • Use for mashed potatoes, salads, or casseroles.

2. Microwave Them

• Why It Works : Microwaving is quick and efficient, and it keeps the potatoes’ moisture intact.
• How to Do It :
  • Wash and prick whole potatoes with a fork.
  • Place them on a microwave-safe plate and cook on high for 5–8 minutes, turning halfway through.
  • Perfect for baked potatoes or smashing into crispy smashed potatoes.

3. Roast Them Whole or Chopped

• Why It Works : Roasting caramelizes the natural sugars in potatoes, creating a rich, flavorful result.
• How to Do It :
  • Toss whole or chopped potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  • Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 30–45 minutes, depending on size, until golden and tender.
  • Great for side dishes or adding to grain bowls.

4. Cook Them in Broth or Cream

• Why It Works : Cooking potatoes in broth or cream infuses them with flavor while they soften.
• How to Do It :
  • Add diced potatoes to a saucepan with chicken or vegetable broth (or cream) just enough to cover them.
  • Simmer until tender, then mash for ultra-flavorful mashed potatoes or use in soups.

5. Air Fry Them

• Why It Works : Air frying gives potatoes a crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and fluffy.
• How to Do It :
  • Toss diced or sliced potatoes with oil and seasonings.
  • Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes, shaking halfway through.
  • Ideal for crispy home fries or bite-sized snacks.

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Bonus Tip: Salt Early, Not Late

If you’re determined to boil potatoes (we won’t judge!), at least do it right:

• Use salted water —and we mean heavily salted , like the sea. This helps season the potatoes from the inside out.
• Cook them whole or in large chunks to minimize water absorption.

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Final Thoughts

Boiling potatoes in water is a classic method, but it’s not always the best choice. By switching to steaming, microwaving, roasting, or cooking in flavorful liquids, you’ll unlock a world of tastier, more nutritious potatoes that are perfect for any dish. Whether you’re making mashed potatoes, roasted sides, or crispy fries, these techniques will take your potato game to the next level.

Your turn! Have you tried any of these methods before, or do you have a favorite way to cook potatoes? Share your tips and tricks below—I’d love to hear from you!

Enjoy!

Baked Beans Ground Beef Casserole

 

 

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 tsp mustard
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 (15 oz) cans pork and beans (do not drain)
• salt & black pepper, to taste
• 1 TBS butter

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish with butter.

In deep skillet brown up ground beef until no longer pink. Add in onion and bell pepper and cook until softened. Drain excess grease.

NOTE: you can substitute half of the bell pepper for jalapeno or poblano to give an extra flavor level of heat.

Add in ketchup and stir to combine. Add in mustard, Worcestershire, and brown sugar. Stir to combine. Taste for seasoning and season with salt & black pepper to taste.

Add in pork and beans with the juice. Stir carefully to combine.

Pour baked beans & ground beef mixture into prepared baking dish and smooth evenly. Cover and seal dish with foil.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes.

 Enjoy.

Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs with Potatoes

 

 

Ingredients:

6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)

800g (1.75 lbs) baby potatoes, halved or quartered

3 tablespoons olive oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried)

1 teaspoon thyme

1 teaspoon paprika

Salt and pepper, to taste

Juice of 1 lemon (optional for extra flavor)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).

In a large bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Add the chicken thighs and potatoes to the bowl. Toss well until everything is evenly coated with the marinade.

Arrange the chicken thighs and potatoes in a baking dish or roasting pan in a single layer.

Optionally, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top for extra flavor.

Bake in the oven for 45–55 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temp 75°C/165°F) and the skin is golden brown. Potatoes should be tender and slightly crispy.

Serve hot with a side salad or steamed vegetables.

Tip: You can broil for the last 3–5 minutes to crisp the skin more.

Enjoy!

WENDY’S CHILI RECIPE

 

 

Ingredients:

° 2 pounds beef fresh ground

° 1 liter tomato juice 1 (29 oz) …

° 1 can tomato (15 ounces)

° can red kidney beans, drained 1 (15 ounce)

° can beans, drainer 1

° 1 onion, chop (about 1 1/2 cups)

° 1/2 cup celery cut into cubes

° 1/4 cup green pepper, cut into cubes

° 1/4 cup chili powder (use less for mild chili)

° 1 teaspoon ground cumin (use more for true flavor)

° 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

° 1 teaspoon salt

° 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

° 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

° 1/2 teaspoon sugar

° 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions:

In a large skillet, brown the minced meat. Filter the fat.

Place the beef and remaining ingredients in a 6-quart saucepan.

Cover the pot and allow the chilies to simmer for 1 to 1½ hours, stirring every 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Keto Philly Cheesesteak Roll Ups

 

Keto Philly Cheesesteak Roll Ups .

Ingredients:

• 1 lb thinly sliced ribeye steak
• 
  
• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 
  
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 
  
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 
  
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 
  
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 
  
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 
  
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 
  
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 
  
• 6 slices provolone cheese
• 
  
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

1. 
   
2. In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Sauté the bell peppers and onions for 5-7 minutes until softened.
3. 
   
4. Season the vegetables with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
5. 
   
6. Lay out each slice of steak on a flat surface. Place a slice of provolone on top of each, followed by a spoonful of the sautéed pepper-onion mix.
7. 
   
8. Roll up each steak slice tightly and secure with a toothpick if needed.
9. 
   
10. Place the roll ups seam-side down in a baking dish.
11. 
    
12. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until steak is cooked through and cheese is melty.
13. 
    
14. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
15. 
    
16. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 18 minutes | Total Time: 28 minutes
17. 
    
18. Kcal: 290 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

Slow Cooker Beef & Noodles

 

 

There’s nothing more comforting than a warm, hearty bowl of Slow Cooker Beef & Noodles 🥩🍜. This classic dish is packed with tender, slow-cooked beef in a rich, flavorful broth, combined with soft egg noodles for the ultimate cozy meal 🥣✨. Perfect for busy days, this easy slow cooker recipe requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor 💛. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or just craving a satisfying dinner, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your meal rotation! 😋🍽️

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef stew meat (or chuck roast, cut into chunks)

• 1 small onion, diced

• 3 cups beef broth

• 1 packet (1 oz) dry onion soup mix

• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 8 oz egg noodles

• ½ cup sour cream (optional, for creamier texture)

• Chopped parsley (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Beef: Place the beef chunks in the slow cooker. Add diced onion, beef broth, dry onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

2. Cook Low & Slow: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender and easily shredded.

3. Shred the Beef: Use two forks to shred the beef directly in the slow cooker.

4. Add the Noodles: Stir in the egg noodles and cook on high for 20-30 minutes, or until noodles are tender. Add extra broth if needed.

5. Make it Creamy (Optional): Stir in the sour cream for a richer texture.

6. Serve & Enjoy: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm!

Note 📝:

• For extra flavor, sear the beef in a hot skillet before adding it to the slow cooker. 🔥🥩

• If the noodles soak up too much liquid, add more beef broth as needed. 🥣

• Prefer a creamier texture? Stir in ½ cup of sour cream or cream cheese at the end. 😋

• This dish pairs well with crusty bread or a side of steamed veggies for a complete meal. 🥖🥦

• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

Put raw shrimp in a slow cooker with these 3

 

 

Put Raw Shrimp in a Slow Cooker with These 3 Ingredients — It’s Seafood Heaven! 

There’s something truly magical about a meal that’s both effortless and delicious. And when it comes to easy seafood recipes that pack a punch, this slow cooker shrimp dish takes the crown. Imagine tender, juicy shrimp infused with bold, buttery, garlicky goodness — all made with just three simple ingredients and zero stress.

Yes, you read that right. Toss raw shrimp into your slow cooker with a handful of pantry staples, and in just a short time, you’ll have a restaurant-worthy dish that tastes like seafood heaven.

In this article, we’ll walk through the method step by step, plus bonus tips to level it up and make it your new go-to seafood sensation.

The Power Trio: Only 3 Ingredients Needed

You’ll be amazed at how much flavor you can get from just three basic ingredients:

1. Raw Shrimp – 1 to 1.5 pounds, peeled and deveined (tail-on or tail-off depending on preference)
2. Unsalted Butter – 1/2 cup (1 stick), cut into cubes
3. Minced Garlic – 5 to 6 cloves (or 2 tablespoons pre-minced)

Optional but highly recommended: a pinch of red pepper flakes, lemon juice, parsley, or Old Bay seasoning to customize the flavor.

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Step-by-Step Method: How to Make It

Step 1: Prep the Shrimp

• If using frozen raw shrimp, make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry with paper towels.
• Peel and devein the shrimp if they’re not already cleaned.

Step 2: Add Ingredients to the Slow Cooker

• Place the raw shrimp in the bottom of a small slow cooker (a 3- to 4-quart size works well).
• Sprinkle the minced garlic evenly over the shrimp.
• Distribute the butter cubes on top of everything.

Optional Add-ins (at this point):

• 1 tsp red pepper flakes for heat
• Juice of half a lemon for brightness
• 1 tsp Old Bay or Cajun seasoning for extra depth

Step 3: Slow Cook

• Cover the slow cooker with the lid.
• Cook on LOW for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and fully cooked.
• Do not overcook, or the shrimp will turn rubbery. Check after 1 hour and stir once to coat the shrimp evenly in butter and garlic.

 

Step 4: Stir and Serve

• Once the shrimp are cooked through, give everything a good stir to coat them in the garlicky butter sauce.
• Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, grated Parmesan, or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.

How to Serve This Heavenly Shrimp

This versatile dish can be enjoyed in many delicious ways:

• Over steamed rice or garlic butter noodles
• With toasted baguette or crusty bread to soak up the buttery sauce
• As a protein-packed topping for salads, grits, or zucchini noodles
• Paired with roasted veggies for a light, low-carb meal

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Tips and Tricks for the Best Results

• Don’t cook on HIGH — shrimp are delicate and low, gentle heat is best.
• Want it creamy? Stir in 2 tablespoons of cream cheese or a splash of heavy cream in the last 10 minutes.
• Use wild-caught shrimp for a firmer, more flavorful bite.
• Add a few cherry tomatoes or chopped spinach during the last 20 minutes for color and nutrition.

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Why This Dish Works

This slow cooker shrimp recipe is a weeknight lifesaver. The slow cooking process lets the shrimp absorb every ounce of flavor from the garlic and butter while staying juicy and tender. It’s rich, savory, and aromatic — and the best part? You barely have to lift a finger.

With just 3 ingredients and minimal prep, you get a gourmet-level seafood dish that impresses every time. It’s comfort food with an elegant twist, perfect for everything from casual dinners to special occasions.

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Would you like a printable recipe card, or maybe a spicier version with Cajun heat or Thai inspiration? Let me know — seafood heaven has no limits!