Cooking Basics - Home-Ec 101

Cheese Sauce

Dear Home Ec 101,

My three year old son is allergic to eggs and I’m trying to find a cheese sauce for vegetables that is simple, but not greasy.
Can you help?

Signed,
Cheesin’ in Chester
Heather says,

Most of us who grew up in the 1980s can probably sing the jingle for Velveeta, “Cheddar’s greasy, cheddar’s oily.” I am not sure why I’m encouraging y’all to sing as I am not recommending Velveeta. That stuff is spendy and fake, a mortal culinary sin in the Handbook of Heather.

A little flour, butter, milk, and cheddar make a great kid friendly cheese sauce for vegetables. Ready? Good.

How to Freeze Bell Peppers

Dear Home Ec 101, My neighbor is a gardening whiz and brought over a ton of sweet bell peppers. I don’t want any to go to waste, but there is no way we can eat them all. Can you freeze bell peppers? Signed, ~Peter Piper Gratuitous Pretty Pepper Pic Heather says: Not only can …

Heather says: The only thing not simple about this sausage, peppers, and onions dish are the number of variations that can be applied. Serve it over rice or noodles, on toasted hoagie rolls or with buttered Italian bread. Each simple accompaniment changes the tone and perception of the dish. For a more pronounced difference, vary …

Steamed Broccoli

Dear Home Ec 101, A while ago you posted a recipe for fettucini alfredo and suggested adding steamed broccoli. So, maybe it makes me look an idiot and maybe it doesn’t, but is there a proper way to steam broccoli? Signed, Stymied by Steam Heather says: While you don’t need any fancy tools to steam …

Dear Home Ec 101, I need to get our food budget under control. We spend a ton of money eating out. It’s starting to cause fights. I can’t cook, I can’t plan, and even if I could, I wouldn’t know where to start. Signed, Hopeless in Hopeswell Welcome to part two of this series on …

Heather says: If you load this dish up with steamed broccoli it’s easy to pretend it’s healthy. This recipe makes four servings of alfredo and can create a variety of meals by varying the accompaniments. My favorites are blackened beef, chicken, or shrimp. If spicy foods are not your style, try grilled chicken, shrimp, or …

Summer Squash and Zucchini, Grilled

Heather says: I love zucchini. It’s one of those plants I don’t have to grow to reap the benefits. As the season turns toward summer local gardeners may have more than they know what to do with. In fact August 8th is “Sneak Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Night.” Friends and neighbors, I am here …

Heather says:

Many thanks to Candice of <a href= — Many thanks to Candice of Ragamuffin Designs for letting me use her picture of this recipe.

I was not content with the pizza crust I originally posted, it was good, but not something I felt others would rave about. Consequently I have been experimenting with variations for the past few months. While searching for a simple crust I had some criteria in mind: the ingredients must be both inexpensive and readily available, the directions must be both easy and forgiving, and finally it must taste at least as good as the chain delivery joints. (There are a few independent places who have a fantastic product that would be difficult to recreate in the average kitchen.)*

This crust is chewier and more flavorful than the original with no increase in difficulty.

Ingredients:

1 TBSP active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
3 1/2 cups bread flour + a little more for dusting
1 1/2 TBSP olive oil + extra to grease the bowl for rising
2 TBSP molasses
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Italian seasoning – OPTIONAL
cornmeal for sprinkling

Directions after the jump.

How to tell Green Onions and Spring Onions

Dear Home Ec 101, I’m sorry if this is a silly question, but is there a difference between chives, scallions, and green onions? Can I substitute? Does it matter? Signed, Addled Allicae Heather says: Here’s a brief rundown that should help. Chives: These are the smallest onions and are grown primarily for the leaves. They …

Carrot Raisin Salad

Heather says: This classic pairs well with sandwiches and meals that call Spring and Summer to mind. In its most basic form, the recipe here, it’s low cost and low effort. There are many variations on this recipe, feel free to share yours in the comments. Ingredients: 2 cups coarsely shredded carrot 1/2 cup raisins …