Floundering In The Kitchen

Recipe for success: one part fish, eight parts seasoning. Photo: Charlie Teich Sep 04, 2022 — Let me preface this by saying that I give Charlie and his friend a ton of credit for coming up with their Saturday plan, and then carrying it out. Charlie is my son.  He’s 14.  About to start his freshman year in high school, as are his three co-conspirators.  Yesterday was the last Saturday before school started, and the four of them decided they were going to go fishing.  Simple enough.  Potsdam is small enough and we live close enough to the river that they can easily grab their gear and walk, Opie and Andy Taylor-style, down to the Raquette River.  They’ve done this plenty of times throughout the summer.  There was one key difference on this particular Saturday, however: they planned to cook and eat their catch. Before we get to their interesting morning, however, a flashback:  I was probably in third or fourth grade when my friend Darryl and I decided we wanted to make something in the kitchen.  From a recipe.  Up until that point, my kitchen prowess was mostly linked to opening bottles of cranberry juice and sometimes pouring them successfully into a glass.  But a few months before, I had been given a cookbook, called something like The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Kids in the Kitchen Cookbook.  And if there’s anyone who knew their cooking, it was a World War I flying ace and kid who routinely got all his clothes knocked off by a baseball line drive.  Darryl and I perused our options, and decided that the most fourth grader-friendly recipe was for “Jelly Cinnamon Toast.” Now, the 53-year-old Mitch could look back at that recipe, which involved bread, butter, cinnamon, and jelly, and ask, What could possibly go wrong?  And I suspect Charlie Brown, or Snoopy, or Charles Schulz, or whoever actually wrote the cookbook, probably thought the same thing..

But in this easiest of easy recipes, nowhere did it actually spell out the order of operations – specifically, when do you add the butter, the cinnamon, and the jelly? The one saving grace to that experience was that we had a toaster oven, and not a top-loading toaster, or my mom might still be cleaning her kitchen, 44 years later.  But still, it added up to the very definition of a hot mess. Back to Charlie and his friends: they set out at the crack of dawn – rods, reels, and tackle at the ready.  They stopped at Stewarts’ and bought ice and a Styrofoam cooler to transport their catch home.  And they spent the morning fishing, catching five or six pumpkinseeds and bluegills to comprise their lunch.  They found a recipe for breaded fish filets online, involving no comic strip characters, and stopped at the IGA on their way home to buy seafood seasoning. To their great credit, Charlie and his friends fileted their catch on a piece of flagstone in the backyard.  They found a YouTube video that advised them to use a spoon to scrape the scales from the fish, and then they occupied the kitchen.  My daughter and I were watching a soccer game in the living room (it was actually on TV), our dog was staring out the window, and my wife, was – sensibly – at work, 10 miles away.  It was not long before the scent of frying oil and fish wafted in from the kitchen.  And not long after, it was the scent of seasoning.  Spicy seasoning.  Pungent, spicy seasoning.  A lot of pungent, spicy seasoning.  I started coughing.  My daughter started coughing.  Our eyes watered.  The dog barked at a UPS truck. This went on for a good 15 minutes before I ventured into the kitchen.  Like the recipe for jelly cinnamon toast so many years before, the fish recipe assumed a common language surrounding the seasoning – the understanding that it would come with bread crumbs, cornmeal – something.  Lacking any of this, Charlie and his friends tried to make a bread-like coating out of what they had – seafood seasoning, hot Hungarian paprika, and cayenne pepper.  It required quite a lot.  Like, half of the 8-ounce jar of seafood seasoning.  And, because one of his friends “likes hot things,” they added some jalapenos. Pro tip for other kitchen novices: that switch above the stove is an exhaust fan. But as I said, they deserved credit not only for catching the fish and cooking it, but then going the extra mile and eating it as well.  And surviving.  Altogether, it was a productive couple of hours in the kitchen, which they are hoping to repeat on Labor Day, with a new recipe, provided the smoke has cleared by then.  I’ll try to find them the Doonesbury Cookbook.

The Best Juicers To Turn Your Kitchen Into A Juice Bar

Many of the top-rated juicers below are discounted during the holiday weekend. Also, check out our list below of the best Labor Day deals for even more savings opportunities. There’s nothing quite like a glass of fresh, homemade juice—but in order to get one, you’re going to have to have one of the best juicers on hand. Sure, you could go out and buy a bottle of OJ, but the price will likely be steep—and anyway, it won’t compare to the fresh-squeezed stuff. The best juicers are simply worth it: Fresh juice is packed with tons of vitamins and minerals, it doesn’t include all of the sugar that you’ll find in a store-bought bottle and it simply tastes better. Of course, if you’re going to take the plunge and splurge on a juicer, you’re going to want to opt for a good one. Our top pick is the Breville Juice Fountain Plus Centrifugal Juicer, which is powerful and easy to clean, but we’re sharing details on several other great options ahead. With one of the best juicers on the market, such as the Breville Juice Fountain Cold XL, you can ... [+] easily whip up fresh, nutritious varieties at home. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / IMAGE: RETAILERS The main thing to remember is that not all juicers are created equal. For that reason, before you choose one to buy, figure out exactly what you’re looking for. Centrifugal juicers, like the Breville Juice Fountain, are ideal for grating hard fruits and vegetables (think apples and carrots). Masticating juicers, like the fabulous Omega Quiet Dual-Stage Slow Speed Masticating Juicer, are excellent for softer leafy greens, like spinach or kale. Keep in mind that juicers can take up a ton of space, so consider how much room you really have. And finally, if you don’t think you’ll use the device too frequently, opt for a more budget-friendly model; if you think it’ll become an oft-used staple, splurging on a pricier model might be worth it. From compact and affordable models to more upscale options, here are the very best juicers on the market. Move over electric kettles, blenders and coffee makers—there’s a new beverage magician in town. Best Centrifugal Juicer A Micro-Mesh Filter And Front Separator Ensure Smooth, Tasty Juice Breville is known for its high-quality kitchen appliances, so it should come as no shock that the brand’s Juice Fountain Plus is one of the best you can buy. It’s powered by a 850-watt dual speed motor, and the cutting disc is surrounded by a micro-mesh filter to extract 30 percent more juice than comparable appliances. The feeder chute is three inches wide, allowing you to feed larger pieces of produce into the machine. It also has a built-in froth separator to ensure your juice is foam-free. Plus, reviewers say it’s easy to disassemble and clean, unlike many other commercial juicers. “This Breville model comes apart easily in five components, making it super easy to clean with nothing more than warm soapy water,” writes one buyer. “We lay out a drying mat on the counter and let [the components] air dry for the next juicing session.” Pros: Large chute means produce doesn’t need to be chopped small Easy to clean Can be made more compact for easy storage Cons: Some reviewers say it can produce a lot of pulp Best Masticating Juicer Super Quiet And Extremely Versatile The Omega Masticating Juicer is a top-rated masticating juicer that also operates very quietly. It uses cold press technology to really extract the maximum amount of nutrients and antioxidants from your fruits and veggies, using a slow speed of 80 revolutions per minute to reduce heat buildup. And while this is obviously great for making juice, it’s also more versatile than many other options on the market. Five extraction settings allow you to use it for other things as well, like grinding coffee beans, mincing garlic, creating nut butters and even extruding pasta. This makes it more than worth the storage space. Reviewers love how quiet this masticating juicer is during operation. “The first thing I noticed is that it's quiet. My two dogs didn't even bark when I turned it on, and they bark at everything. This also means I can juice and not wake up the whole house.” Pros: Quiet operation Versatile and can be used for other things Uses cold press technology Cons: Best Value Juicer An Amazon Bestseller Under $100 Finding a high-quality juicer at a great price can be tricky, but the Austria Juicer from Mueller fits the bill. It combines stainless steel blades with two speed options—12,000 to 15,000 rpm (for soft fruits) or 15,000 to 18,000 rpm (for harder fruits)—so you can customize your juice yield as you go. It also has a micro mesh filter that keeps out unwanted pulp, so there’s no extra straining required. This juicer is equipped with enhanced safety features including a locking bar and an automatic on/off switch. If it overheats or isn’t secure, it will automatically shut off for your safety.  With thousands of positive reviews, it’s a bestseller on Amazon, and users say they’re impressed with how efficient it is—especially for the price. “As an avid juicer, I’ve bought more than a few over the last 22 years. I’ve used [a] high-end, expensive model and found the Mueller to be so similar in use and quality at half the price. Very happy with this product and will purchase again!” Pros: Budget-friendly Safety locking arm and auto shut-off for safer use Cons: Can be difficult to clean Best Cold Juicer A Compact Option Designed With “Cold Spin Technology” MOST POPULAR Because produce tends to lose some of its beneficial nutrients when heated, many people prefer cold juicers, which aim to keep ingredients at a low temperature during juicing. The Breville Juice Fountain Cold XL uses the brand’s “Cold Spin Technology” to push produce through its cutting disc and mesh without increasing the juicer machine’s temperature. Compared to Breville’s Juice Fountain Cold Juicer, the XL has a wider chute for fitting bigger pieces of produce (and thus, resulting in less prep time) and comes in an array of display-worthy colors. It’s equipped with Quiet, Fast and Boost modes, depending on the type of ingredients you’re juicing (and perhaps the time of day you’re doing so). As an added bonus, the appliance comes with the “Seal and Store Juicing Jug,” which keeps juice fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days. Pros: Wide chute means less chopping Has a quiet setting Comes with a jug to store jucie Cons: Expensive The cord sits under the pitcher Best Slow Juicer Slow Operation Ensures Optimal Nutrient Retention Another popular type of juicer is the slow juicer, which uses a lower speed to extract more juice from ingredients and process greens and soft fruits more thoroughly. The Hurom H-AA Slow Juicer is a top pick in this category, operating at just 43 revolutions per minute to ensure your juice retains all of its beneficial nutrients.  This sleek slow juicer comes with both fine and coarse strainers so you can control the amount of pulp in your drink, and it excels at juicing leafy greens like kale, spinach and herbs. “This juicer is amazingly quiet and efficient. I find it pretty easy to clean, too,” writes one buyer. “The most astonishing part, however, is how well it extracts greens down into juice.” Pros: Self-cleaning Quiet Can be used to make other things, like ice cream Cons: Expensive Only one setting forbes.ComBed Bath and Beyond Coupons | 20% Off In September 2022 | Forbes Best Juicer For Beginners Simplify Juicing And Save Counter Space It’s easy to feel intimidated by juicers, especially huge, complex-looking ones. For beginners who are just starting to make their own juice, the Shine Cold Press Vertical Slow Juicer is a great option. It’s an easy-to-use masticating juicer that uses a slow speed to keep produce cool while juicing, which helps deliver a tremendous amount of nutrients and even helps your juicer last longer. It’s very durable and also has a triple-shift to help eliminate leaking. A big bonus is that it’s compact in size, especially compared to other juicers. It’s only 5.5 inches in diameter, with a 2.5-inch chute that makes it easy to push fruits and veggies through. It comes with a produce slicer, cleaning brush, a pulp container and a pusher that helps you safely nudge your ingredients down to the blades. “[I’m] new to juicing so this device has made a believer out of me,” writes one buyer. “So easy to use, works amazingly and is easy to clean up.” Pros: Budget-friendly Compact size Uses cold-press technology for maximum nutrients Cons: Chute isn’t as big as other juicers Best Juicer For Whole Fruit Save Prep Time (And Dishes) By Dropping In Whole Fruit Whole pieces of fruit are no match for the Kuvings Whole Slow Juicer. This powerful juicer uses low-speed masticating technology to extract as many vitamins, minerals and enzymes as possible by crushing the food, then pressing it so that it never aerates it. The extra wide chute accommodates large pieces of fruits and veggies so that chopping becomes a thing of the past, which shortens prep time considerably. A large pulp outlet decreases the amount of pulp you’ll experience and makes the machine easier to clean, and it’s versatile: you can use this to make smoothies, baby food and nut milks, among other things. It doesn’t hurt that this juicer is also nice to look at. A sleek leather-like finish means it isn’t an eyesore on your countertop, and it comes in silver or gold. There’s also a flap-gate system meant to keep little hands from getting stuck. Pros: Quiet Easy clean-up Versatile use for other foods as well Cons: Expensive Requires attachments bought separately for certain uses (like smoothies) Best Juicer For Greens A Three-Step Masticating Process Squeezes The Most Juice From Produce Unlike centrifugal juicers, masticating juicers make the most out of leafy greens. This pick from Greenstar has a three-step mastication process and is equipped with sharp stainless steel gears designed to break down food into small pieces, ideal for processing and juicing. It utilizes magnetic and bioceramic technology and the motor spins at 110 rpm to help retain the most nutrients and prevent oxidation. Plus, there are options to adjust the pressure for the pulp ejector to help keep it clean and running smoothly.  “The volume of juice I get from it is terrific. The pulp is very dry, so I feel confident that I'm getting the maximum possible amount of juice out of each fruit or vegetable I put in,” one 5-star reviewer says. Pros: Has a reverse function to prevent jamming Can also be used as a food processor to make other types food Cons: Best Juicer Blender Combo A Multitasking Appliance You’ll Want To Keep On Your Countertop The aptly-named Breville 3X Bluicer Pro is a juicer and blender in one, making it one of the only combos on the market. Like the Juice Fountain, it’s equipped with Breville’s Cold Spin Technology, plus it has a 1,100-watt base and ten speeds that help you get the most yield from your produce with optimal nutrient extraction. The extra-wide feed chute makes it easy to toss in ingredients of varying sizes without a lot of prep. When you want to switch from juices to smoothies, the blender can be attached to the same base as the juicer. You can operate it manually or choose from one of its preset programs: Green Smoothie, Smoothie, Pulse/Ice Crush or Frozen Cocktail. Aside from the convenience of having a juicer and blender in one, users also love how easy the Bluicer Pro is to clean. “I have had other juicers over the years. All were a hassle to clean up after use. The Bluicer is easy to set up, easier to use and cleanup is a breeze! This machine juices anything we try and does it well!” Pros: Wide chute for less prep time Auto clean function Space saver Cons: For even more Labor Day weekend savings opportunities, head over to our Labor Day coupon page to check out the sales from some of our favorite brands. Which Kind Of Juicer Retains The Most Nutrients? If you want to know which juicer machine retains the most nutrients, it depends on who you ask. Masticating juicers are often touted as the gold standard. “A masticating juicer pushes less air into your juice, so it stays fresh and nutrient-rich longer than juice from a centrifugal juicer,” says Dr. Kellyann Petrucci, MS, ND. With that said, centrifugal juicers can be just as effective in retaining nutrients. “A common misconception with centrifugal juicers is that their high speed causes heat and oxidation, reducing the amount of nutrients in the juice,” says Leah Forristall, RD, LDN. “While high heat can destroy some nutrients, it is unlikely the speed of a centrifugal juicer will create enough heat for this to happen. Any effect would likely be insignificant.” What's The Difference Between A Masticating Juicer And A Centrifugal Juicer? There are quite a few options on the market, but the two of the most common types of juicers you’ll encounter are centrifugal juicers and masticating juicers. Centrifugal juicers grind up ingredients with tiny teeth on a rapidly spinning basket, and masticating juicers use augers with sharp metal teeth to “chew up” produce. The former work more quickly and are best used for hard fruits and veggies, but are often loud and produce more foam; the latter style takes longer but extracts more juice from the pulp, especially if you’re working with leafy greens like wheatgrass, spinach and kale. Which Type Of Juicer Is Best For Me? A centrifugal juicer is often a better choice for people who are just beginning to juice or don't have a lot of time to prep the fruits and vegetables. “They typically have larger chutes, reducing the need to chop up the produce into smaller pieces,” says Forristall. “They also have higher rotation speeds, meaning the job will be completed faster.” A masticating juicer is a good option for someone who has more time on their hands, as there is typically more prep work involved. “This type of juicer has a smaller chute and can only handle smaller pieces of produce,” adds Forristall. Are Masticating Juicers Really Better? Many prefer masticating juicers because the quality of the juice is thicker and less foamy than with centrifugal juicers, according to Forristall. Masticating juicers also tend to produce a higher juice yield so you’re getting the most out of your fruits and vegetables. “They’re definitely a better bet if you want to get the maximum amount of juice, because they do a more thorough job of extracting juice than a centrifugal juicer does,” says Petrucci. “Masticating juicers are [also] very versatile; for instance, you can also use them to chop meat or make nut butters.” With that said, masticating juicers tend to be more expensive, so they might not be a better option for you, depending on your budget. Centrifugal juicers typically make juice faster and are more budget-friendly. At the end of the day, the best juicer really depends on what you’re looking to put in and get out of it.