The 'How to Cook' Blog

Darjeeling Tea is my absolute favorite type of tea. This tea hails from the area of West Bengal, India. This is not a native plant to India, and was first cultivated using Chinese tea plant seeds. It is often considered to be a black tea, as it looks like a black tea when it’s brewed, but it is technically more of an Oolong tea since it doesn’t have complete oxidation  [ Read More ]

Ahhh…the dilemma of over-ripe bananas… Well, it doesn’t have to be a dilemma…just bake something amazing or make a smoothie! Today, I’m showing you a recipe from scratch for Peanut Butter Banana Muffins that you’ll be so excited not only to make, but to devour. These are really tasty tidbits, and I made the small sized muffins today for a change.  They are adorable and delicious too.  Plus, they were  [ Read More ]

Even if you’re not a full-fledged vegan or vegetarian, you may still be a serious nut lover… …And Rightly So!  People are “nuts” about nuts! If it’s been a struggle to find good quality nuts at your grocer or in your area, you can always check online at places like nutsite.com for a wide variety of good quality, fresh nuts and seeds. There are often times I will buy nuts in  [ Read More ]

Oolong tea is one of my favorite teas to brew… …Why? Because it has a really cool flavor, it helps you lose weight, is a de-stressor, encourages healthy bones & teeth, and gives you energy! Most of the Oolongs I have had the opportunity to try in Canada have a flavor profile similar to that of buttered popcorn to me. However, the exact same tea is lemony to my mother.  [ Read More ]

When you’re looking for a non-caffeinated alternative to black tea, Rooibos is the way to go. Rooibos is actually a black tea from South Africa that is naturally non-caffeinated, and it has less tannins in it than black tea does, so it doesn’t stain your teeth in the same way black teas do. Rooibos literally translated means “red bush” and it’s a plant that is broom-like, and in the legume  [ Read More ]

This morning, I was ready to start my day and kick it off with yet another cup of amazing tea! Today, I want to share with you How to Brew a Perfect Cup of White Tea, and you will find an instructional video below. White tea comes from the same plant as black or green tea, Camellia sinensis, but it is harvested differently. White tea comes from both the leaves  [ Read More ]

If you have never had Vegemite before, then you haven’t experienced the potential of it’s deliciousness! LOL It is certainly an acquired taste. When I lived in Australia, the friends I lived with ALWAYS ate Vegemite, which is a Kraft product. In fact, Vegemite is an Australian staple, much like peanut butter and jam is in North America. This is what people eat for breakfast there in their favorite way  [ Read More ]

I have been getting a lot of comments and questions about chopping Onions… …How much people hate doing so because they smell bad, it’s difficult, the onions make their eyes water, and so on. Onions are your friend! Not only are they very healthy for you. You can even Get Rid of Your Cold with Onion! They are the basis to MOST ethnic cuisines around the world, and the basic  [ Read More ]

It is my pleasure to present to you today my very 1st special guest on my show, my mother – Ingrid Turner from IngridTurnerToday.com to show you how to bake a coveted family recipe that’s been passed down many generations to make it to your screen today, and hopefully, into your home & heart. This is a Russian or German Mennonite recipe called Pirozhki. Now, today, we will be filling  [ Read More ]

Although we’re certainly looking at some warmer, Spring-time weather, it’s quite gloomy and cool today. It’s the perfect time to make a great soup, in my personal opinion, and a bag of green split peas is what sparked me today to create one of my traditional favorites, Green Split Pea Soup. Experiment with different meats and liquids (water, teas, broths) you’d like to add, if you so choose. You’ll enjoy  [ Read More ]

This morning, I want to show you exactly how to brew black loose leaf teas in a cup or teapot. In the video below, I used a black looseleaf tea that’s Cranberry flavored, with actual dried cranberries mixed in. This tea is from Lauriam Tea House in Bowmanville, Ontario, and was lovingly given to me by one of my sisters, as she knows I really love tea. Also, today I’m  [ Read More ]

I’ve been looking at this bag of bulk dark rye flour in my pantry for a few weeks and today, it vexed me that I hadn’t made rye bread yet with it. In fact, I haven’t made rye bread in a while, probably because a combination is what I was looking for, but nothing sparked my interest in my head, until I saw a bottle of flat cola in my  [ Read More ]

Bread crumbs…something you’ll need to cook in your kitchen at some point… …what a pain in the booty to have to run to the store and buy a container of bread crumbs. Especially when you can easily make them in your own kitchen from scratch in less time than running to the store and back to buy them. You may use whatever type of bread you prefer or whatever you  [ Read More ]

I was wandering around my backyard today and noticed our rhubarb plant growing out of control. So, I chopped down a heap of it and need to create some rhubarb recipes for you. Since it`s a weekend, I`m going to create a treat – Rhubarb Poppyseed Yogurt Muffins from Scratch with his fresh rhubarb. If you`re not into muffins, do try my Rhubarb Moos Recipe! It`s a classic family favorite.  [ Read More ]

There are times when you’re just looking for a quick snack or meal without having to get in the kitchen to cook, especially when it becomes nice and warm outside. This is a recipe you can complete in 10 minutes without having to cook. I really enjoy making chicken salads and tuna salads with different, interesting ingredients that make them sing on your palate. Here’s a Lemon Poppyseed Garlic Chicken  [ Read More ]

As you may already know from following me here @ CookingWithKimberly.com, I love tea…I am a tea connoisseur of sorts. LOL When it starts becoming warm outside, I start craving iced tea…The same goodness of my favorite tea, PG Tips, but cold with amazing flavors! Now, here is my most basic, but so amazing all on it’s own, Southern-Style Sweet Brewed Iced Tea Recipe, if you want to start off  [ Read More ]

This morning, I thought I’d create a twist on an old favorite breakfast treat, Hot Water Cornbread… …Instead of the basic recipe for Southern Hot Water Cornbread, I decided to make it Mediterranean Style by adding feta cheese, onions, red peppers and parsley to the dough, and topping it with tzaziki sauce. This turned my “typical breakfast” creation into a brunch-style meal option that’s hearty and flavorful. Do try this  [ Read More ]

One of my favorite ways to use extra bread is to make bread pudding. Not only is it super easy, but it’s inexpensive and really tasty as well. Being that I lived in Texas & Louisiana for University, I learned a lot about Soul Food Recipes & Southern food in general. This is a real All-American dish, not just because it’s bread pudding, but because Smores is a very Americana  [ Read More ]

The most effective, easiest and inexpensive way to impart flavor into your whole bird (albeit a chicken, duck, turkey, hen) is to use a brine. If you’ve never brined a chicken or turkey before, you really don’t know what you’re missing. The increased flavor intensity, as well as the moisture it imparts, and the dark, crispy skin it lends itself to, make brining an amazing trick in your flavorful kitchen.  [ Read More ]

When you go to the grocery store, I’m sure there are times you roll by the fish counter with your shopping cart… …You notice some great, big, beautiful fish and stranger things like whole squid that are available. Ever wonder what the heck you do with squid? Ever wonder how to prepare it properly? When I lived in Australia, I got hooked on squid, also called calamari. Squid is not  [ Read More ]