Cabin Fever Cooking: How to Spice Up Your Kitchen!

by | Jan 31, 2023 | All, Home Improvement, Housewares

Are you feeling a bit cooped up? Has the winter weather got you down in the dumps? Well, we’ve got a surefire recipe for shaking off those cabin fever blues! All you need is to elevate your kitchen with some new appliances from your Owenhouse ACE Hardware. Your appliances may not be “stale” like that loaf of bread in your cupboard, but a new appliance can unleash your inner creative chef and help break you out of the winter cooking doldrums. This blog is about some of our favorite kitchen essentials we carry at Owenhouse Ace with new recipes you can experiment with in the kitchen. Spice up your kitchen this year!

Air Fryer

Air fryers are the hottest kitchen tool around, and you need to get one yesterday already! They use next to no oil compared to traditional frying methods yet still manage to give food a delightfully crispy outer layer. You also cut down on cooking time by over 35%. Making restaurant-level food has never been simpler or easier with an air fryer.

One of our favorite, super easy treats is some tasty mashed potato balls. Start by mashing your boiled potatoes and adding a little flour to bind them together. Next, form the mixture into balls of whatever size you want and dip each one in egg white. Then coat with breadcrumbs before putting them in the air fryer for about 10-15 minutes at 375°F. Et voila! Delicious, crispy mashed potato balls that would make any chef proud. Ready to try? Follow along with the recipe!

 

Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Cast iron is one of the most durable materials used for cookware! If you get a good quality cast iron dutch oven (like the Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven) and season it regularly, your favorite piece of cookware could actually last you an entire lifetime. If you want to try out your new cast iron dutch oven, why not whip up a loaf of classic white bread? Although patience is required while the bread rises and the oven heats up, it’s pretty straightforward.

If you’re intimidated by bread-making,  we have you covered! We baked the perfect loaf and wanted to share the goodness with you in this bread recipe

While baking bread at home may seem daunting, this overnight bread recipe will make you look like an artisan baker. But be warned. You’ll never want to settle for store-bought again after you taste homemade bread baked in your kitchen with an extra touch of love. View the full recipe and step-by-step instructions on our blog!

 

Multi-Peeler Tool

You won’t believe how easy it is to prepare an apple pie with the Amco Houseworks Stainless Steel Multi-Peeler! Apple pie is the perfect dessert for any occasion. In the past, it’s just taken so long to make because you’ve been peeling your apples by hand. This amazing product removes the biggest hassle of making an apple pie – peeling and coring the apples.

The Multi-Peeler does it all in a fraction of the time, with amazing efficiency and precision. A julienne blade slices apples into thin strips for that classic top, while the swivel blade will create easy work out of any size apple. Whether you are a professional chef or a home cook looking to impress your family, this tool is a must-have. Nothing can beat biting into a fresh homemade apple pie, served warm with vanilla ice cream (of course!). Now that preparation isn’t an issue anymore, there’s no stopping you! Treat yourself and your family to one of our favorite apple pie recipes!

 

Cast Iron Tea Set

Tea time! You probably already know there’s no single water temperature when it comes to making that perfect cup of tea, but how do you make sure you’re getting the right one? Here’s a quick tip for all your brewing adventures: green, black and white teas all have different recommended water temperatures, not to mention brewing times. Don’t fret! All you need is a trusty tea kettle and a few minutes of patience.

 

 

Get the best flavor out of your brew by perfecting the process.

  1. Begin by heating up the desired water temperature in your kettle.
  2. Remove both the lid and infuser basket.
  3. Pour some of the hot water into your teapot and cover it with its lid.
  4. Let your tea sit for two or three minutes before disposing of the leaves to get the right flavor profile.

That’s it! Sip away happy knowing that you’ve made your ideal cuppa tea.

 

Instant Pot

For those chilly Montana winters, nothing beats a hearty bowl of chicken noodle soup. And with an Instant Pot, you can make it in no time! Start by tossing in some chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Use your Instant Pot to cook the vegetables on Saute mode until they become tender. Add diced chicken, broth and some herbs of choice–we recommend thyme, sage and oregano. Pressure cook on high for 7 minutes. After your Instant Pot has naturally released, you’ll add the noodles to let them simmer. Your delicious homemade instant pot chicken soup will be ready in less than 45 minutes! Enjoy it with a side of crusty bread, and cheddar cheese sprinkled on top; trust us, you’ll be glad you made it.

 

 

What’s Cookin, Bozeman?

 

Winter can be the perfect season to try out some fun, cozy recipes in your kitchen! Our collection of kitchen essentials is an excellent way to start your culinary journey and make meal times more exciting. We have the best kitchen tools for all your cooking needs – whether it’s Air Fryers for Mashed Potato Balls, Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Ovens for bread, multi-peelers to make easy apple pies, Le Creuset tea kettles for perfect tea, or Instant Pots for warmed chicken noodle soup. Who knows what else you might come up with! It’s all in the name of fun, so let your imagination run wild and explore the wonders of cooking! With Owenhouse Ace offering everything you need right at your fingertips – and our friendly staff ready to assist with any questions you may have – what are you waiting for? Visit us at Owenhouse Ace if you have any questions, and we’ll help bring your vision to life!