Cooking During Stolen Moments

Canned Green Chilies: an In-Depth Guide

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You’ve seen them in the grocery store. You probably even have a few cans hanging out in your pantry right now. But how much do you really know about canned green chilies? Let’s explore!

Canned green chilies have that specific flavor that cooks can’t get enough of. It imbues the dish with a hot and spicy kick but at the same time slightly crisp and sweet so that it plays on the mouth.

Together with other kinds of chilies (canned and uncanned), these are perhaps one of the most popular ingredients in the U.S. In America alone, at least 120 million people used a can of green chilies. With that said, they will continue to provide a burst of flavors to the dishes that we love.

So how much do you know about canned green chilies?? Not a lot? That might be the case why you’re here. Guess what? Here’s an article that provides a round-up of the essential things for you to know.

What Are Canned Green Chilies?

This might be a “duh” answer but these are green chilies in a can. These are either diced or in one-whole pieces. But canning might be an understatement since green chilies stored in small glass jars still qualify as canned.

Their origin, and other types of canned chili as well, might be traced to 1908. This year saw the introduction of the first canned chili in the market by Willie Gebhardt. You have to thank this guy for that burst of hotness that your sandwich has today.

Types of Green Chilies for Canning

So what chilies do manufacturers use to make canned green chilies? The Anaheim chilies are the most popular for canning. It’s named after the city that it’s native to – Anaheim, New Mexico. These chilies’ hotness is tolerable even for non-chili lovers.

Anaheim chilies are just one variant of green chilies. So what other types of green chilies do manufacturers can? If you ever tasted canned Anaheim chilies that are unusually hot, chances are you might have perceived wrong. Instead of Anaheim chilies, you might have bought canned green peppers made from hatch chilies.

Hatch chilies look somehow similar to Anaheim chilies. The only way to figure the difference is to taste. Always remember that hatch chilies have a stronger punch than Anaheim chilies.

If you used diced green chilies before, it’s possible the raw ingredient that the manufacturer used is Poblano chilies. Poblano chilies look like dark green cashew nuts. Their hotness is 1,000 – 2,500 Scoville units, similar to Anaheim chilies.

You might have used canned green chili made out of Jalapeno chilies for tacos, nachos, salsas, and sauces. Jalapeno burns on the tongue. It’s canned to tone down its hotness a bit. Canned Jalapeno has a smokey and sweet flavor that agrees with a lot of tongues.

Canned green chilies that are sourced from Habanero chilies raise the heat of any dish to extreme levels. Habanero chili is an important component of dishes that test the tongue of the eater such as buffalo chicken wings, burritos, burgers, etc.

Chilaca chilies are rarely canned. It’s because these are better when dried. Dried chilaca chilies have a unique earthy,s smokey, and spicy flavor that’s great for making condiments and stews.

Guide To Canning

Though it alters the hotness of green chilies, canning is advantageous because it destroys microorganisms and autolytic enzymes. That being said, canning will make the green chilies last for days.

You don’t have to buy green chilies-in-a-can from the market all the time. To save money, you may can them yourself all that you need are:

  • A jar or a clean tin can
  • a knife and a chopping board (optional)
  • a pot
  • a stove
  • salt
  • other preservatives (optional)
  • several pieces of green chilies (at least half or more)

1.So how to start? You have to clean the green chilies first. Cleaning will make them sit better inside the can or the jar since it removes impurities.

2.Skip this next step since it’s optional. If you’re not in a hurry, you can opt to slice the green chilies in several pieces to increase serving size. Slicing will also make it easier for the green chilies to absorb salt, which is what you want to happen for preservation.

3.After doing the above instructions, get the pot and fill it with water ( at least filling it up to the middle is enough). Proceed to put the green chilies inside once the pot is filled.

4.At this time, it’s time to let the green chilies experience hotness themselves. Turn the stove on to boil them. Boil the green chilies until the temperature reaches 60 degrees Celsius or 80 degrees Celsius. The idea behind boiling is that it kills microorganisms and enzymes that cause spoilage.

5.Pour the green chilies in the jar or the tin can after boiling. Check if the lid is completely shut then store the jar or tin can in the pantry.

Applications For Green Chilies-In-A-Can

Mexican cuisines will never be complete without canned green chilies. These are core ingredients for the sauces of tacos, burritos, and tortillas. Rellenos, verdes, rajas, chilaquiles, and enchiladas are other dishes that call for canned green chiles.

You’ll also love them in 5 Layer Chicken Enchiladas and Chicken Enchilada Chili.

Green chilies provide a sweet bright flavor to Italian cuisine. That’s why some Italian cooks never want a pantry that doesn’t have a can of green chiles in store. Dishes from Italy that always requires you to use a can are Frigetelli, Maccheroni,

You might also want to explore Filipino food called the Bicol Express. Bicol Express should be hot to be appreciated. That being said, a can of Habanero green chilies wouldn’t have a problem achieving this.

Lastly, you can’t underestimate the power of a can of green chilies for making hot sauces. Use a can to increase the spiciness and hotness of datil sauce, buffalo sauce, tabasco sauce, and sriracha sauce.

How Long Do They Last?

Unopened commercial canned green chilies last for 3 – 5 years. Once you open them, their storage duration is reduced to 6 months or 1 year depending on the conditions. Remember to put the leftovers in a separate container then store them in the fridge.

A homemade can of green chilies lasts for 3 – 4 months. It’s because salt is the only preservative used. With that being said, remember not to can too much. Reheating the green chilies is a good idea to increase shelf life. However, this might alter spiciness and hotness.

Conclusion

Green chilies provide a lot of benefits. They balance your blood sugar level, prevent ulcers, improves your immune system, and endows the body with a lot of iron. That being said, a can of green chilies doesn’t only make a dish delicious but healthy too. That’s why it’s not a bad idea to learn about the particulars of this staple ingredient.

How to Cook Barley and More: A Comprehensive Barley Guide

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Find out everything you ever wanted to know about barley, including the different types, how to cook it, the health benefits, and some of the best recipes to use it in, in this comprehensive guide.

Barley is among the most prevalent cereal grains found across the globe. According to ancient historical studies, humans began consuming barley approximately 10,000 years ago.

Although humans began using barley primarily as a food source, it gained numerous other applications, such as serving as animal fodder and making fermented beverages such as beer.

Barley belongs to the Poaceae grass family and can develop well in a variety of environments. This ability stems from barley’s adaptable nature that allows it to thrive in a wide range of climates compared to other cereals.

Barley can quickly grow and attain maturity in at least 90 days and has a higher resistance to a dry climate, allowing it to thrive in semi-arid regions of North Africa.

This article will look at its health benefits, different barley types, varieties, and how to cook barley using 15 various recipes.

BARLEY VARIETIES AND TYPES:

Barley exists in two varieties. You can distinguish these two varieties by looking at the flower rows on the flower spike.

The varieties are Six-row and Two-row barley. The six-row barley contains six barley kennels with alternating sets of triple spikelets. The two-row class has two barley kennels, and only the central spikelets are fruitful and can produce seeds.

uncooked barley in a wooden bowl

When it comes to barley types, there are five primary forms, and they include:

1. PEARL BARLEY

It is polished barley typically sold at local supermarkets and stores. This form lacks some or all of its outer bran layer. Pearly barley helps in creating quick barley that undergoes partial cooking and drying.

2. BARLEY FLOUR

It is a ground form of barley. You can get whole grain flour by grinding hulled, hulless barley and regular flour by grinding pearl barley.

3. BARLEY FLAKES

These flakes look similar to rolled oats and undergo steaming and drying to create easily cookable barley flakes.

4. BARLEY GRITS

When you cut up hulled or hulless kernels into chunks, they become whole-grain barley grits. Grits obtained from pearl barley aren’t whole-grain cereal.

5. HULLED BARLEY

It is slightly processed barley which has its inedible outer hull removed. This procedure is very delicate and avoids removing the bran to ensure the final product is whole grain.

6. HULLESS BARLEY

It contains a loosely attached hard outer hull that typically comes off during harvesting. This barley has high concentrations of germ and bran.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CONSUMING BARLEY

Barley has a chewy texture, is highly packed with nutrients, and offers numerous health benefits. Here are six evidence proved benefits of consuming this cereal grain.

1. IT ASSISTS YOU WITH WEIGHT LOSS

Barley offers a high fiber content that helps keep hunger at bay for longer, which helps in the weight loss process.

  1. IT HELPS PROTECT YOUR GALLBLADDER FROM GALLSTONES

Scientists believe the high fiber content in barley helps prevent the formation of gallstones, which typically require surgery.

  1. IT CAN LOWER CHOLESTEROL LEVELS

Barley contains beta-glucans (soluble fibers) that help lower the body’s cholesterol levels by binding bile acids.

  1. IT HELPS PREVENT DIABETES

This cereal grain contains magnesium which helps the body generate insulin that helps you avoid type 2 diabetes.

  1. IT CAN HELP YOU AVOID COLON CANCER

Barley offers you many antioxidants that can prevent the development of cancer. Its soluble fibers also help in binding carcinogens in your digestive system.

  1. IT HAS NUMEROUS VITAMINS AND MINERALS

Whole grain barley contains manganese, selenium, Vitamin B1, Niacin, phosphorous, and other essential nutrients you can enjoy after knowing how to cook barley correctly.

cooked barley salad in a bowl

HOW TO COOK BARLEY

Preparing and cooking barley is a relatively straightforward procedure. Although numerous recipes exist, there are three conventional ways of cooking barley. These techniques include stovetop absorption, rice cooker, and stovetop pasta method.

  1. STOVETOP ABSORPTION:

● Start by washing and rinsing one cupful of barley and combine it with three cups of water. Add a pinch of salt, boil the barley over high heat, and later lower the heat to a simmer.

● Cook the barley for approximately 25-30 minutes if you use pearl barley and 40-50 minutes when using hulled barley. Drain any excess water, and your barley is ready.

  1. RICE COOKER METHOD

● Add 1 cup of washed barley and 1.5 cups water to a rice cooker and let it simmer for 30-50 minutes, depending on your barley type.

  1. STOVETOP PASTA METHOD

● Boil water in a large stockpot, add a pinch of salt, and add your washed barley. Let it cook for 25-30 or40-50 minutes, depending on your barley type.

● Drain the barley’s excess water and serve it hot.

Now, give these 15 barley recipes a try!

  1. Beef and Barley Stew with Mushrooms

It offers you a delicious beef and mushroom stew to eat with your barley.

  1. Summer Barley Salad

A unique barley salad that combines the sweetness of blueberries with the tang of goat cheese.

  1. Barley Risotto

It is a creamy barley risotto with butternut and toasted pecans.

  1. Barley. Chickpea and Zucchini Ribbon Salad

It is a Barley salad with mint and feta that will provide a satisfying texture.

  1. Golden Beet and Barley Salad

A brightly colored treat with alimony dressing.

  1. Barley water

A healthy and cool summer drink for all.

  1. Almond Apricot Barley Pilaf

A rice alternative that’s excellent with roasted fish

Toasted barley with apples and raisins on a plate
  1. Toasted Barley with Apples and Raisins

Toasting the barley creates a deliciously nutty flavor.

  1. Ground Beef & Barley Soup

A simple, flavorful and comforting dish.

  1. Chicken & Pearl Barley Risotto

It offers tender chicken and barley dish with a healthy herby dressing.

  1. Barley, Bacon & Leek casserole

It combines veggies, barley, and bacon into a risotto-like stew.

  1. Pot-roast pheasant with barley

It provides a delicious and impressive barley dish containing pheasant and stuffed onions.

  1. Black barley mushroom broth

It contains kimchi, raw radishes, mushrooms, and sweet black barley.

  1. Barley stuffed peppers

A southwestern kick makes this one memorable!

  1. Lamb and barley stew

It provides a hotpot soup style of preparing your barley with lamb stew.

Barley offers numerous health and dietary benefits.

When it comes to preparing barley dishes, you can use various recipes on how to cook barley.

Additionally, you can cook barley the traditional way and still enjoy its numerous benefits.

Whatever you choose, it’s sure to be delicious!

Bertello Pizza Oven {Review & Buying Guide}

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Wondering if the Bertello Pizza Oven is the best option for making a wood-fired pizza? Is it worth the price and the Shark Tank-hype? Find out in this comprehensive review and buying guide.

ABC/Eric McCandless

The Bertello Pizza Oven was originally introduced to the public via a successful Kickstarter campaign in the fall of 2017.

After that, it rose to fame and widespread prominence as a result of a Shark Tank appearance and subsequent successful deal with “Mr. Wonderful” himself, investor Kevin O’Leary.

But, aside from its time in the spotlight, does the Bertello Pizza Oven really live up to the hype? Is it the best pizza oven for you?

Let’s find out!

Introduction to the Bertello Pizza Oven

According to the Bertello website, their pizza oven is the “most popular gas and Neapolitan wood fired pizza oven for achieving authentic brick oven pizza!”

The company was founded in 2017 by brothers Eric and Andy Bert. Their entrepreneurial backgrounds, combined with their love for pizza, created the perfect marriage to successfully launch.

The brothers’ core product is the Bertello Wood Fire & Gas Outdoor Pizza Oven. They designed it to be “the easiest to use, most authentic gas, charcoal and wood fired outdoor pizza oven to everyone at an affordable price!” 

The oven reaches temperatures of over 930 degrees Fahrenheit (500 degrees Celsius). At that temperature, it can cook a Neapolitan pizza in less than 2 minutes!

Features

Cooking at temperatures above 930 degrees Fahrenheit (much hotter than your standard in house oven) results in a pizza with a crisp outside, tender inside and perfectly-fired crust.

The Bertello Wood Fired Pizza Oven runs on gas, charcoal or wood, making it extremely versatile.

There are many features that have made this pizza oven a favorite among foodies, backyard chefs, and everyone in between. These include:

  • High Quality Construction
  • Durability
  • Portability
  • Gas, Charcoal, or Wood Fueled

Every Bertello comes with a durable cordierite baking stone that is designed to handle extreme temperatures so that you can cook authentic brick oven pizzas and achieve a nice crispy finish.

Dimensions, Attachments and Accessories

The dimensions of the Bertello Pizza Oven are as follows:

  • Length: 24 inches (with multi-fuel tray installed)
  • Width: 14 inches
  • Weight: 22 pounds (9.9 kg)
  • Height (with legs extended): 11 inches
  • Height (with legs folded up): 8.25 inches
  • Length with Gas Burner Attached: 33 inches
  • Cooking Surface: 12.5 inches wide x 13.5 inches deep

For an additional cost, you can purchased an add-on gas burner which comes with wood tray so that you can cook with wood and gas at the same time.

You can also purchase three other accessories for your pizza oven. The available accessories are:

  • Bertello Pizza Peel
  • Bertello Weatherproof Cover
  • Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer

Pizza Oven Wood Pellets

Every Bertello comes with an oven tray that allows you to cook with wood, charcoal or wood pellets.

If you prefer to cook with the wood pellet option, you can use any commercially-available wood pellets. This is helpful because it means that you don’t need to make a special purchase.

Wood pellets are a newer option for grilling and outdoor cooking that include many benefits.  They help you grill food easily, more evenly and with less smoke. Additionally, wood pellets give off less acrid smoke as compared to conventional grills and smokers.

Bertello Pizza Oven Varieties & Price

There are four different options you can purchase.

#1 – Bertello Outdoor Pizza Oven – $299.99

This is the original, basic optional. It has the following features:

  • Charcoal and Wood Fired Outdoor Pizza Oven (Optional Gas Burner Attachment Sold Separately) 
  • Cook at over 930 degrees Fahrenheit (500 Celsius)
  • Charcoal, Wood or Pellets (Gas Burner Sold Separately)
  • 12.5″ wide x 13.5″ deep cooking surface
  •  Cordierite Stone included
  • Wood/Charcoal/Pellet Tray included
  • (Note: Gas burner available as separate add-on)
Buy on Amazon Here

#2 – Bertello Outdoor Pizza Oven + Pizza Peel Combo – $319.99

The original, with the addition of the pizza peel. This key piece of equipment makes the pizza making process much easier as you can safely and easily take your fired pizza out of the oven.

The features of this option are as follows:

  • Authentic Gas, Charcoal and Wood Fired Outdoor Pizza Oven. 
  • Cook at over 930 degrees Fahrenheit (500 Celsius)
  • Use Gas, Charcoal, Wood or Pellets
  • 12.5″ wide x 13.5″ deep cooking surface
  • Cordierite Stone included
  • Wood/Charcoal/Pellet Tray included
  • Perforated Steel Pizza Peel
  • (Note: Gas burner available as separate add-on)
Buy on Amazon Here

#3 – Bertello Pizza Oven, Pizza Peel, Weather Proof Cover, Infrared Thermometer – COMBO Pack – $349.99

The combo pack includes all of the available Bertello accessories, with the exception of the gas attachment.

It includes:

  • Bertello Pizza Oven, Pizza Peel, Weather Proof Cover, Infrared Thermometer.
  • Pizza Peel: 12″ wide x 14″ long Stainless Steel Perforated Blade with Wooden Handle. Overall length of 23.7″.
  • Weather proof cover for the Bertello Oven and propane gas burner. (Covers both the Oven and Gas Burner, while gas burner is attached)
  • Infrared Non-contact Thermometer to measure the stone temp. Up to 1000 degrees F.
  • Pizza Stone
  • Standard wood tray for use of charcoal/wood chunks or kindling
  • (Note: Gas burner available as separate add-on)
Buy on Amazon Here

#4 – Bertello Outdoor Pizza Oven – Full Bundle – $399.99

You’ll get everything you need with this full bundle, including the gas burner attachment.

This bundle comes with all of the following:

  • Gas Burner & Wood Tray for Gas Burner included (Allowing you to cook with wood and gas at the same time)
  • Cordierite Stone included
  • Wood/Charcoal/Pellet Tray included
  • Perforated Steel Pizza Peel
  • Authentic Gas, Charcoal and Wood Fired Outdoor Pizza Oven. 
  • Cook at over 930 degrees Fahrenheit (500 Celsius)
  • Use Gas, Charcoal, Wood or Pellets
  • 12.5″ wide x 13.5″ deep cooking surface
  • Cordierite Stone included
  • Wood/Charcoal/Pellet Tray included
  • Perforated Steel Pizza Peel

What users have to say:

Three out of the the four Bertello Pizza Oven packages are available on Amazon. The Full Bundle is only available at Bertello.com.

Of these three options, they have an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from Amazon reviewers. Portability, ease of assembly, and value for the money are the most frequently mentioned top features.

Here is a sampling of what some Amazon reviews have to say:

 I love that the fuel tray is quite large so I don’t constantly need to add fuel. I also like that I can burn pellets, charcoals, wood chinks, etc. I have found wood chunks to be my favorite and to use a small, USB powered fan to blow into the fuel chamber to give a hotter burn. The oven is fairly light and easy to transport if needed (we have taken it camping). Build quality is nice and sturdy.

Danielle, 5-stars

Easy to use, great quality, outdoor pizza oven that cooks pizzas to perfection. I like that you can use charcoal or wood/pellets. We also use the oven for a lot more than just pizzas, super fun to use. I really like the look of it as well, sharp design and extremely portable, very lightweight. A great buy – I would HIGHLY recommend! We enjoy cooking pizzas with the entire family – And the kids love the pizza!

John, 5-stars

We love this pizza oven! It makes homemade pizza that is better than pizzeria pizza. The oven is compact and portable. We opted for the propane option with the wood chip insert. It’s a little tricky to light, and you need to practice to get the cooking method just right. We live in a hot, humid climate that can be windy at times, so you need to take the weather conditions into consideration when cooking pizzas. Because the oven operates at such a high temperature, you need to work quickly and rotate the pizza about every 30 seconds to avoid overcooking the crust. Once you get the process down, you will be amazed at how good your pizza is. We look forward to pizza night at least once a week!

Kristine, 5-stars

The oven arrived in perfect condition and was simple to get ready. There not much documentation on using the oven but i did find some useful you tube videos. This was a Christmas present and so far has only been used once. You really do have to plan on 90 minutes to get it up to temperature and even then the crust wasn’t as crispy as I’d hoped. More work to be done there. I think this will be more of an event gadget than an everyday option; fun for a pizza party gathering but not for dinner after work.

Ernie, 4-stars

Only a half dozen pizzas in, but this little oven is anything but easy to use. Does not come with any instructions for how to light and maintain heat successfully so be prepared for some frustrating time getting this going and keeping the heat for your pizzas. Some of the black paint is already peeling. Love the idea and will keep working on perfecting the process, but not much to help me along the way.

Skye, 3-stars

Pros and Cons

Overall, the general consensus of the Bertello Pizza Oven is that it is an awesome option for making wood fired pizzas at home.

The most frequently mentioned “pros” are:

  • Is easy to set up and use
  • Makes a great pizza
  • Is extremely portable
  • Is quality-made
  • Is a good value for the money

And the most frequently mentioned “cons” are:

  • There may be a learning curve if you’re not familiar with making wood-fired pizzas.
  • The cooking area is a little small.

What can I cook in a Bertello Pizza Oven?

Beyond making fantastically delicious pizzas, the Bertello is also a multi-purpose oven. There are many other things that you can cook in it when using a cast iron skillet.

For example, you can cook delicious cast iron steaks or vegetables. Give lobster or fish a try, too!

FAQs

How do you bake a Bertello Pizza?

Because the Bertello heats up to 930 degrees F, you can bake up your pizza in just 2 minutes!

What are the dimensions of the Bertello Pizza Oven?

The oven is 24″ long by 14″ wide and it weighs 22 pounds. The cooking surface is 12.5″ wide x 13.5″ deep.

Is it worth the price?

If you think you’ll use the Bertello Pizza Oven on a regular basis (at least one a month, or multiple times per month over the summer), it’s definitely worth the price. It’s a value option compared to other pizza ovens on the market but the overall quality is just as good.

Note: this post contains affiliate links. If you purchase an item after clicking on one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

What To Do With Leftover Bread Crusts

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Whether cutting the crusts off of your kids’ sandwiches or for a specific recipe, you’ve likely found yourself wondering what to do with leftover bread crusts. You’re in luck! Read on for 10 great ideas and recipes.

There are so many ways to use up leftover bread crusts!

I realize they might not be a common occurrence in every house, but I tend to have an abundance of them when making homemade uncrustables or our family favorite recipe of mini-blinis.

We also tend to have a lot of leftover “heels” from loaves of bread. So I collect those, cut them into strips and toss them in a plastic bag I always have in the freezer for just that purpose.

10 tasty ideas for using leftover bread crusts

I’ve experimented with many ideas over the years for what to do with leftover bread crusts. Here are my 10 favorite options.

#1 – Make homemade breadcrumbs.

This is probably the easiest option of all. Making homemade breadcrumbs with leftover crusts is a simple, three-step process.

  1. Toast crusts in a 250 degree oven for about 2 hours, until they’re completely dry and crispy.
  2. Crush into breadcrumbs. To do this, you can either: a) put the toasted crusts in a large plastic food storage bag and crush with a mallet or rolling pin, or b) place the crusts into a food processor and pulse until desired consistency.
  3. Store your homemade breadcrumbs in an air-tight container (metal or plastic works best) for up to 2 weeks.

I love to use homemade breadcrumbs in this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole.

#2 – Make homemade stuffing

This is another simple option. All you need to do is cut the crusts into smaller pieces (I usually stack them all up and cut into 4 or 5 pieces) and then toast in a 250 degree oven for about 2 hours, until completely dry and crispy.

Then, use in place of store-bought stuffing/dressing bread cubes to make homemade stuffing.

#3 – French toast sticks

Whisk together some eggs, milk and vanilla and stir in a few handfuls of leftover bread crusts. Stir to coat and then place the crusts individually onto a heated griddle or skillet coated with a little melted butter. Cook until done on one side (about 2 minutes) and then flip and cook on the other side (about 90 seconds). Easy, peasy and super tasty!

#4 – Use in bread pudding, baked french toast or strata

Use leftover bread crusts in place of bread cubes in your favorite bread pudding or strata recipe.

One thing to note if you do this – the taste will be exactly the same but the dish might not look as “full” and pretty as it does with bread cubes.

I’ve used bread crusts successfully in Berry Baked French Toast and Apple Bread Pudding.

#5 – Savory snack or croutons

To use this option, you can keep the bread crusts whole for a tasty, savory snack or cut them into fourths for croutons.

The basic method to do this is:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil and/or melted butter for every 3 cups of leftover bread crusts
  • salt, pepper and your choice of any of the following spices and seasonings: garlic powder, paprika, oregano, dill, taco seasoning, chili powder, Italian seasoning, thyme, grated Parmesan cheese, etc.

Put all of your bread crusts in a large bowl and pour in the olive oil and/or melted butter. Sprinkle on your desired seasonings and toss to combine well.

Spread the crusts onto a cookie sheet and bake at 250 degrees for about one hour, until crispy. Enjoy!

#6 – Make cinnamon-sugar bread crusts

This is our all-time favorite way to use up leftover bread crusts! These are so good! They turn out flaky and crispy with just the right amount of sweet.

Pile of cinnamon sugar bread crusts on a pink plate

Cinnamon Sugar Bread Crusts

  • Crusts from one loaf of bread (roughly 5-6 cups of bread crusts or sliced bread heels) *thaw first if frozen
  • 1/2 c. butter, melted
  • 3/4 c. sugar
  • 1 1/2 T. cinnamon

1. Place bread crusts in a large bowl. Pour melted butter on top. Toss to coat. Pour on sugar and cinnamon and toss to coat again. Spread onto a cookie sheet and bake at 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes, flipping at least once during the baking time, until golden brown and crispy.

We love these as a snack and they usually don’t last too long.

However, they will stay good about 3-5 days in a metal cookie tin or plastic bag. (They’ll retain their crispness best in a tin but they still taste great if stored in a plastic bag.)

Do you ever have extra bread crusts or heels of bread on hand? If you do, how do you use them?

The Best Cooking Network Shows

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Whether you’re a kitchen novice or a seasoned pro, watching the best cooking network shows is a great way to learn some new tricks. Check out this list to help you schedule your DVR or find your next binge.

When it comes to watching cooking shows, there are two main TV networks that you can turn to – Food Network and Cooking Channel.

Both of these networks provide a variety of cooking-related shows. You’ll find everything from world famous chefs to home cooks, game shows to talk shows, and everything in between.

About the only thing these networks are missing are sitcoms, dramas and movies centered around cooking. Come to think of it…those would probably be pretty popular. Maybe someday!

How to choose the best cooking network shows

This is really a personal choice based on your own preferences and levels of experience in the kitchen.

That being said, there are definitely shows out there for everyone!

When you’re trying to decide which cooking show you should binge next, here are a few questions you might want to ask yourself:

  1. Do I like professionally-trained chefs or home cooks?
  2. Do I want to learn basic skills, advanced skills, or somewhere in between?
  3. Do I relate better to someone that is funny or that is serious?
  4. Do I like multiple people/hosts in one show?
  5. Am I watching to learn, to be inspired or to be entertained?
  6. Do I like foods I am familiar with, or do I like learning about new foods?
  7. Do I prefer game shows, reality shows, or basic cooking shows?

Knowing your answers to those questions will help you pick a show that you’re bound to love.

And since there’s no limit to the number of cooking shows available, you can always try something different.

Honestly, you really won’t know what types of shows you’ll like until you start watching. So, pick something, watch a few episodes and then decide if you want to continue or not.

After all, this isn’t rocket science. We’re just talking about cooking shows here. No need to be so serious!

That being said, we’ve rounded up this Baker’s Dozen list of the best cooking network shoes anyhow. Pick one to binge or give them all a try!

Best shows on Cooking Channel

#1 – The Best Thing I Ever Ate

This show originally aired on Food Network but moved to Cooking Channel after it was cancelled. The first episode aired on June 22, 2009.

The premise of the show is a continually revolving stream of chefs discussing some of their favorite foods.

We love it because it’s great to hear how these pros describe foods, and it’s also a bit of a guilty-pleasure when you can fantasize about some over-the-top or world’s best foods.

Some of the chefs that have been featured include: Sunny Anderson, Giada deLaurentis, Bobby Flay, Curtis Stone, Emeril Lagasse, Cat Cora, and dozens of others.

#2 – Food Truck Nation

Food Truck Nation premiered in 2018.

Cooking Channel describes the show as: “Chef and food truck aficionado Brad Miller travels across the country to find the latest and greatest bites on wheels. He highlights the innovative chefs who push the boundaries of food and their customers’ curious palates.”

Not only do you get to virtually visit some amazing and innovative food trucks, you also get the recipes for the tastiest, messiest and most-irresistible street food in the country!

#3 – Good Eats Reloaded

Do you remember the classic Good Eats? It originally premiered on the Food Network in 1999 and lasted through 14 seasons.

It starred host Alton Brown and, as Wikipedia describes it, featured “a combination of classroom methods and wacky comedy sketches to explain not just how to whip up an excellent dish, but also why the ingredients interact as they do when you put them all together.”

The show was a gem of comedy, science and food all rolled into one!

Well, now Alton Brown is revisiting these classic episodes, with some fun updated twists and behind-the-scenes info.

#4 – Man Fire Food

If you love cooking with fire, you’ll love this show!

Cooking Channel describes this “hot and smoky” favorite as:

“From small campfires to creative custom-made grills and smokers, we visit home cooks, pitmasters, and chefs who are fascinated by fire and food. The smoke signals take host Roger Mooking across the country, including the American South for different styles of regional barbecue, the Pacific Northwest for a tribal salmon bake, and New England for a unique seafood feast. Man Fire Food celebrates the passion for building and cooking with fire.”

It’s a fun watch for everyone, even if you’re a little hesitant about cooking with fire.

#5 – Carnival Eats

Who doesn’t love funnel cakes, fried Snickers and cheese fries? This show is bound to make you hungry.

We love this show because you get to watch all of these amazing carnival eats and fair foods being made without worrying about all of the calories and fat.

Which now that we think, it’s also what we dislike about this show. You can see those yummy foods but not eat them or even smell them. It’s a little unfair, to be honest!

#6 – Yum & Yummer

This tasty show is hosted by American chef and former cornerback, Eddie Jackson.

Each episode finds Eddie tracking down the yummiest, most satisfying and most decadent foods, dishes and cuisines around the world.

You’ll definitely find your travel and food cravings satiated by the end of each show. Just remember to not lick your screen, no matter how good the food looks!

Best shows on Food Network

#1 – Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

This classic, much-loved show is hosted by Guy Fieri, the chef that, admittedly, a lot of people love to hate. We’re not in that camp as we’re honest-to-goodness fans, but Guy definitely has his share of critics.

Since premiering on November 6, 2006, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives has spotlighted over 1000 tasty places to get your grub on from around the country.

Commonly referred to as Triple D, it’s one of the best cooking network shows to help you find the next must-try place, as well as to make sure you walk away hungry. That makes it the perfect binge while eating!

#2 – Chopped

This fun, reality game show boasts a huge fan base and it’s even been spoofed on SNL.

Wikipedia describes Chopped as:

Four chefs call on their culinary skills as they face off against one another to prepare a spectacular three-course meal consisting of an appetizer, entree and dessert. The catch? In each round, they have to use all the ingredients the show provides them, however unlikely they might be (Gummi Bears, anyone?). At the end of each course, a panel of three guest judges “chops” one chef who fails to measure up in terms of taste, presentation and creativity. The last chef standing takes home bragging rights and a cool $10,000. Ted Allen hosts.

#3 – Beat Bobby Flay

Renowned chef and tv-favorite Bobby Flay acts as host and competitor in this fun show that will inspire you to have some fun in the kitchen.

Two talented chefs go head-to-head for the chance to Beat Bobby Flay, then battle the celebrity chef himself.

The two original chefs battle each other to create a dish using an ingredient chosen by Flay before the winner goes on to challenge Flay to prepare a signature dish that is unknown to Bobby (but selected by his competitor) until the start of the round.

#4 – The Pioneer Woman

Ree Drummond, aka The Pioneer Woman, got her start a one of the first “celebrity” food bloggers. She grew a huge (and hungry) audience of raving fans with her down-home, ranch cooking before getting her own show on the Food Network.

Fans enjoy the show because Ree’s recipes are easy to make for even beginner cooks, and her carefree attitude makes her easily relatable.

#5 – Guy’s Grocery Games

A game show + cooking show in one! What more do you need to know?

Just watch this show. It’s fun. It highlights delish dishes. And Guy Fieri is in his element as the host.

#6 – Barefoot Contessa

Ina Garten has been hosting this fan-favorite show since 2002!

Before becoming a chef, Garten was a White House nuclear policy analyst for President Richard Nixon. Now, she shares recipes for picnics, parties and dinners as well as other touches to make a meal or event a success.

It’s an interesting contrast, but it definitely works. 27 seasons speaks for itself – Ina Garten knows her way around a kitchen. And Barefoot Contessa will help you learn your way around the kitchen, too!

#7 – The Kitchen

This talk show is so much more than just talk!

Wikipedia describes it as:

Looking for recipes and meal tips from an all-star lineup of Food Network hosts? Then “The Kitchen” is for you. The hourlong show, featuring hosts Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee, Jeff Mauro, Marcela Valladolid and Geoffrey Zakarian, shares simple dinner recipes and family meal tips, plays trivia games, and answers viewer questions in addition to just shooting the breeze about all things food. With a roster that includes a “Food Network Star” winner who specializes in making sandwiches, an Iron Chef, and a Tijuana native who is known for her Mexican cuisine, there’s sure to be something of interest for all home cooks in Food Network’s “Kitchen.”

It light, breezy and easy to binge!

Did we miss any shows that make your list of the Best Cooking Network Shows? Be sure to let us know!

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