March 1, 2010

Convection vs Conventional Ovens… What’s the Difference?

If you are in the market for a new oven and you’ve already begun shopping for one, you’ve probably noticed that there are a few different types. Two of the most popular oven types are conventional and convection, and many newer ovens have the option of cooking food in either fashion depending on the set mode. The difference in these two types of ovens is the way in which the heat in the oven is dispersed during the cooking process.

Convection ovens

A convection oven uses a fan which is usually located on the back side of the oven. The purpose of the fan is to force the heated air inside of the oven and circulate it around the item being cooked. The heated air is constantly pushed over and around the food, and therefore a convection oven cooks food much faster than a conventional oven.

Not only does a convection oven cook food more quickly than a conventional oven, but it can also thoroughly cook food at lower temperatures. The average amount of time saved when cooking with a convection oven is about 20 percent of the food’s normal cooking time. The temperature a convection oven uses to cook food is also about 20 percent lower than a recipe’s suggested cooking temperature.

Typically, convection ovens are known for their popularity in the restaurant industry as well as in commercial cooking facilities. However, it is becoming more popular for individuals to own convection ovens in their homes… or at least a conventional oven that can switch to a convection mode upon request.

Convection ovens are speedier and more efficient than conventional ovens, and therefore may be more expensive. However, professional chefs from around the world swear by them and rely on them for delicious tasting food. Also, since the air circulation in a convention oven is the same throughout, food will cook at the same rate no matter where it is placed in the oven… on the top or bottom rack or near the front or back.

Conventional Ovens

Traditionally, most personal residences in the United States come equipped with a modern conventional ovens. These are the most common types of household ovens, and are used every day by men and women to cook all sorts of meals, desserts, breads, and many other types of food.

Conventional ovens are similar to convection ovens in that they both cook food using heat. They both have the ability to use either gas or electricity, depending on the hook-up in a home. Some may have the versatility to use either gas or electricity simply depending on what is plugged in to them, and some are made to be either gas specific or electricity specific.

The most obvious difference between a conventional oven and a convection oven is the fact that in a conventional oven, air is not forced throughout the oven on a constant basis with the aid of a fan, as it is in a convection oven.

In a conventional oven, the heat circulation in the oven can become blocked by pots and pans inside of the oven. The blocking of the heat can cause uneven cooking. Uneven cooking is especially noticeable when both the bottom and top racks in the oven are being used at the same time. The items on top will cook faster because heat rises to the tops of conventional ovens and when there is a lot in the oven, the heat gets trapped there.

There are pros and cons to both conventional and convection ovens. Conventional ovens have been serving people for years and years and food has been cooked successfully in them for many decades. Convection ovens have many followers and fans, but these types of ovens can be hard to get used to… especially for novice cooks.

Debbie Dragon

Debbie is a full-time online writer and entrepreneur. In addition to her numerous writing endeavors, she also instructs others how to make a career out of writing at MakeMoneyFromWriting.com.

Filed under: Kitchen — Tags: , , , , —

February 21, 2010

Different Types of Cookie Sheets Yield Different Tasting Cookies

Anybody who takes the time to make cookies from scratch obviously wants the cookies to come out perfectly and taste delicious. Mixing ingredients is almost unheard of these days with just about everything being available in pre-mixed or pre-made packages. Most people simply buy a roll of cookie dough, slice it, and stick it in the oven for 15-18 minutes. However, for the individuals out there who still take the time to make their own cookie dough, it’s important to know the differences between all the types of cookie sheets available in stores today. There are a multitude of them, and believe it or not, they all yield different results.

Insulated Non-stick Cookie Sheet
Most insulated cookie sheets are made to be non-stick, and because insulated sheets are sometimes on the more expensive side, they tend to resist scratches, chipping, and peeling. Insulated cookie sheets are basically two sheets that have been connected around the edges, which creates a small pocket of air that cannot escape. The air inside of the pocket heats to the set temperature of the oven when the insulated cookie sheet is placed inside.

Insulated cookie sheets are very reliable for evenly baked cookies. Because the air inside the sheet heats to the temperature of the oven, it allows all the cookies on the sheet to cook and brown at the same rate. The evenly heated air prevents the cookie sheet from being hotter in certain spots, which is a common occurrence with regular cookie sheets. In addition to yummy cookies, most insulated cookie sheets are easy to clean because of their non-stick surfaces.

Aluminum Cookie Sheets

Aluminum cookie sheets are very commonly used. Aluminum conducts heat well which is why cookie sheets made of this material usually produce an evenly baked cookie. The only down side to aluminum is that it sometimes prevents cookies from reaching the perfect shade of brown.

Cookie sheets made of aluminum are very sturdy and they won’t rust even if they have to be soaked in water for and extended period of time. Heavy aluminum baking sheets are better to use than the thin types that are available for less money. Thin aluminum sheets can bend and/or warp in a hot oven which can cause cookies to cook unevenly.

Non-Stick Cookie Sheets

When non-stick cookie sheets were invented, a whole new world of baking emerged. The ease of cleaning a cookie sheet with a non-stick surface is amazing, and it practically eliminates the need to butter the sheet before cooking. Washing a non-stick cookie sheet is a breeze and hardly requires anything but a quick scrub.

Non-stick cookie sheets have a surface coating that makes them easy to clean, yet they are still able to produce delicious cookies. Keep in mind that the darker the non-stick surface, the quicker the cookies will brown. Therefore, it’s important to read the instructions that come with the cookie sheet to find out if the manufacturer recommends that the oven’s cooking temperature be lowered to compensate. It may be necessary to lower the temperature of the oven by about 25 degrees.

In conclusion, cookie sheets can be made of a number of different types of materials, or even a combination of materials. Every cookie sheet will yield a different end result for the same exact cookie recipe. The darker the cookie sheet, the faster the cookies will brown because a dark cookie sheet absorbs heat more readily and transfers the heat directly to the cookies. Aluminum cookie sheets are good conductors of heat but are not good for ensuring that the cookies will brown. Insulated cookie sheets will ensure evenly baked cookies no matter how they are spaced on the sheet. For best results, try out a cookie recipe on all three types of sheets and determine which yields the desired results.

Debbie Dragon

Debbie is a full-time online writer and entrepreneur. In addition to her numerous writing endeavors, she also instructs others how to make a career out of writing at MakeMoneyFromWriting.com.

Filed under: Kitchen — Tags: , , —

January 10, 2010

Impress Dinner Guests – Make Lattes at Home

With an espresso machine in your kitchen at home, you can make your own latte’s to enjoy for yourself- and to impress your dinner guests! Some people look at the price of a home espresso machine and change their minds, but if consider what you typically pay when you buy a latte at your local coffee shop, whether it is a mom & pop shop or a chain (like Dunkin’ Donuts), you’re spending anywhere from $2 to $4 for a latte! Your espresso machine will more than pay for itself in a short time of making your lattes from home. Having your own espresso machine means having the ability to make latte’s for much less than you spend on them when you go out. Plus you can enjoy them anytime- not just when you’re on the road. Also, lattes are a wonderful after dinner complement- particularly when you have guests over!

Making a latte is all a part of the fun of having an espresso machine. While some people like to drink espresso shots right out of the machine, most people would prefer to make a latte or cappuccino to sit and enjoy with a good book, or good friends and conversation!

The espresso machine will grind your espresso beans fresh for every cup, giving you the fresh taste latte lovers have come to recognize as an integral part of the latte. Depending on your particular brand of espresso machine, you’ll probably dispense about 7 grams of espresso into the handle. Once you’ve extracted the espresso shot into the provided espresso shot pot (usually stainless steel, with a pouring spout), you can start steaming your milk!

The basic recipe is 1 to 2 ounces of espresso to 8 fluid ounces of milk. Put your milk into the frothing jug, and slide the entire container over the steam arm nozzle. Make sure you keep the nozzle as close to the bottom of the container as possible to avoid making a lot of foam out of your milk. Use a thermometer so you know when the milk reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Now you are ready to pour your steamed milk into the serving cup. A glass latte cup will look the best, and really impress your friends! Pour the steamed milk into the glass, using a spoon to hold back most of the foam that forms on the top of the milk. Once you’ve filled your cup with the milk, allow some of the foam to lie on the top for a “professional coffee shop latte” look.

Your final step to preparing a latte at home is to take your espresso shot and pour it slowly down the inside of the latte serving glass. Some of the espresso will mix with the milk at the bottom of the glass and some will layer itself in between the milk and foam. You’ll have cloudy areas and several different shades of “latte brown”, making for a wonderful presentation that rivals that of the best coffee house. Only you won’t be paying $4 a cup, and you can make it and drink it in your pajamas if you want to!

If you really want to make the presentation impressive, place your guests’ lattes on a cute little serving tray, with a decorative plate of fancy cookies. Biscotti’s are typically served with lattes, but you can be creative and serve anything you like. Maybe you could make some tiramisu using your espresso to make it from scratch for dessert, and enjoy slices of tiramisu with your homemade lattes! Your guests will want to come for dinner all the time once they experience your after dinner lattes.

Debbie Dragon

Debbie is a full-time online writer and entrepreneur. In addition to her numerous writing endeavors, she also instructs others how to make a career out of writing at MakeMoneyFromWriting.com.

Filed under: Kitchen — Tags: , , , —

December 15, 2009

Modern Managers Missing the Message

We all appreciate and understand the many benefits of the use of email. It’s quick, easy, the language used is informal, we can send attachments, it’s lowered mailing costs, etc. And the pitfalls? We are now more savvy and alert to the evils of spam emails and vigilant about using virus protection. However, there is another, more insidious, pitfall – the loss of human contact between a manager and their front line troops.

In our rush to embrace this time-saver, we may have forgotten the most basic of human needs – needs that Abraham Maslow thought important enough to include in his well publicized Hierarchy of Needs – the need to belong to a group and share its successes and failures, and the esteem need – needing to be recognized and acknowledged and valued.

There is no doubt that email, when used correctly, is more time efficient. However, the one question modern managers often fail to ask of themselves is “What is the best use of my time?” A manager will always find projects to fill up the day, but how effective is that manager if targets are not being met because the people who do the work are unmotivated, uninspired and lacking leadership?

For many internal communications email is ideal. An identical message can be delivered simultaneously to all staff, over long distances. Provided the message is carefully worded, there should be no misinterpretation or misinformation. Everyone is on the same page. A manager shouldn’t be wasting time visiting people and tediously passing on the same pieces of information, should they?

MBWA (Management by Wandering/Walking Around)

The 80’s management theory – MBWA or Management by Wandering/Walking Around – should be considered here. Along with other populists theories, it had its moment and departed, but let’s revisit to see what made it worth being considered as a valid management style at the time.

Tom Peters, management legend and guru to thousands of companies world-wide, believed that by physically wandering around the office or plant, managers had an opportunity to build relationships with the ground floor troops and in so doing, receive information about the business that was “unfiltered” i.e. it wasn’t being sanitized by a succession of managers as it progressed further up the chain of command.

Not only did this method of communication flush out problems and solutions, it also gave the lower echelon workers an opportunity to be heard which in turn, increased their sense of self-worth and often resulted in productivity and morale increases.

Tom Peters is still delivering this message in his presentations, albeit updated to suit the 21st century. He now talks about “Eight Courtesies” that he believes are the core of a successful business, and number 1 is:

Stay in Touch (MBWA)

Notice he didn’t say “Stay in Touch by Email.” Organisations are still hanging off his every word, just as they were in the 1980s, and he has a new management book coming out early in 2010, so his theory shouldn’t be dismissed without examination.

If, in the quest to squeeze a few more minutes of “efficiency” out of the day, a manager has withdrawn from human contact behind email software, the opportunity to “wander” around the place to find out just what is going on has been squandered.

What to do next?

No-one is suggesting the end of email as a means of communication. It’s efficient and effective. However, a manager must still regularly schedule in time for human contact, not only with employees, but with clients and other stakeholders.

It’s a fine line between unnecessarily wasting time through idle chit-chat, and prudently greasing the wheels. Use whatever efficiencies technology brings to the workplace, but never lose sight of the role of a leader, i.e. to inspire, motivate, challenge and improve. Technology will assist managers to be more effective leaders, but only if used in conjunction with interpersonal communication skills – unless of course, you decide to employ robots.

KarenPayne

Karen Payne is a freelance writer specializing in corporate writing, web content, articles and blog posts on a variety of topics. She writes for Trifecta Strategies and Reliable Writers. Further information is available at www.karenpaynewriter.com.

Filed under: Business — Tags: , , —

November 20, 2009

Flexible Spending Plans Faced with Imposed Limits

Flexible spending plans are tax free accounts offered by employers to their employees. These specialized accounts assist individuals paying for items that are not covered by insurance coverage. The idea of the flex plan is that you decrease your taxable income and increase the income that you can spend without imposed taxes. Typically co-pays, vision, dental work, specialized equipment and prescriptions are expenses often paid for with flexible spending plans. Flex spending accounts are reported to save individuals thousands of dollars a year, depending on their individual contributions and usage.

Regulations on Accounts

Currently there is no federal regulation placing a cap on these flexible spending accounts. Although employers that offer these plans sometimes impose a set limit, there is no federal regulation that requires it. Flexible spending plans are used by workers to save income before taxes and use it for medical expenses. The money is saved and used tax free. There are stipulations to the use of the plan as well as guidelines for allowable expenses and a time frame for use of the tax free funds limited to a calendar year.

Capping the Account Arguments

The proposed Health Care Reform Bill is a topic of much conversation and controversy. Health care reform is a complex topic with many pieces that make up the puzzle of proposed reform. One piece of this legislation that has not been in the media spotlight includes the proposal to place a federal cap on all flexible spending accounts. Although it is estimated that the amount that most working people contribute to flexible spending accounts is modest, more that 80 percent of employers with over 500 workers offer the benefit of a flexible spending plan.

Those in favor of the cap argue that it is necessary because many individuals will use the tax free money just because it is there – not necessarily because they need it. Availability is thought to contribute to misuse of medical care, which in turn increases overall health care costs for everyone. Instituting a cap on flexible spending contributions would raise billions of dollars in a ten year time frame allowing the government to use this money for the overall health reform package. While flexible spending plans are thought to benefit the individual, the cap on the tax free money is thought to benefit the masses. The amount of tax free money is proposed to cap at $2500 if this bill passes.

The argument in opposition to the cap on flexible spending plans is that it is one of the few tools that individuals have to plan for and control their medical expenses. The plan allows workers to save for extreme medical conditions with relief from tax. For many working Americans the flexible spending plan is a money saving plan that allows families to pay for uncovered or unplanned medical expenses that may otherwise be unaffordable.

The imposed limits proposed to flexible spending accounts is quickly become a topic of controversy. The idea of the money being taxed as opposed to untaxed money; and the regulations around how it is spent is quickly becoming as much of a human rights issue as it is a financial one. The decision by Congress on the overall health care reform bill will be the deciding factor on the future of the flexible spending plan.

Christine Barton

Christine Barton is a freelance writer who specializes in articles and blog posts on a number of topics, including personal finance and small business topics. She is a writer for Trifecta Strategies, LLC and one of the content writers for Reliable Writers.

Filed under: Health — Tags: , , , —

November 3, 2009

12 Gifts You Can Make for Under $12 Each

Soapylove / Flickr

Soapylove / Flickr

The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and many family budgets are already stretched beyond the limits just keeping up with living expenses.  Office holiday parties, teachers, bus drivers, babysitters and neighbors – they’re all people you may like to show your appreciation for during the holidays by exchanging gifts but it can become extremely expensive to give to an extended list of friends and associates. This year, instead of maxing out more credit cards to buy gifts for everyone on your list, you might consider putting together gifts you can make yourself – for under $12 each.

1. Coffee Mug Treats

Simple to make and extremely versatile, you can put together a coffee mug of treats for a large number of people on your extended gift list! Purchase holiday or themed coffee mugs from the dollar store, yard sales, or in bulk for multiple gift making – and then fill them with candy or goodies of your choice.

You can make chocolate covered pretzels and strawberries and fill coffee mugs lined with plastic wrap for a classy treat anyone would love to receive.

2. Recipe Album

If you are constantly praised for being a good cook or baker, and asked often for your recipes, this may be a great idea for a gift you can make. Write or print your favorite recipes on 3×5 cards and slide them into the pages of a 3×5 photo album. Include blank cards for gift recipients to add their own recipes to the album, too.

3. Stationary Sets

Sure, you can purchase already-made stationary sets fairly inexpensively, but where’s the fun in that? Find notecards, pens, envelopes and sealers in designs you like or that match the gift recipients personality and wrap them all up together with a piece of raffia or ribbon.

4. Gardening Kits

For the people in your life who love to plant things, you can create cute gardening kits. Gardening tools, knee pads and seeds can be placed inside a watering can or planters box for a fun and useful gift. The Christmas Tree Shop and dollar stores sell these items inexpensively.

5. Snack Lovers

During the holidays, you’ll start noticing gift baskets and packages of snacks available in all the stores. Often, you pay a premium for these gift-packaged items that you can put together yourself far less expensively. Try getting cutting boards from your dollar store, and adding a small box of crackers, summer sausage and a package of cheese, followed by wrapping with plastic wrap and a ribbon to make your own.

6. Pasta Lovers

Purchase an inexpensive colander and fill it with various sizes of jars you’ve filled with different types of pasta. You can include homemade or store bought sauces, Parmesan cheese, pasta ladles and finish by decorating with ribbon or raffia.

7. Cookie Kits

Take the dry ingredients for your favorite cookie recipe and measure them into a mason jar. Add a note card with the recipe tied around the jar with country or holiday style ribbon. You can decorate the lid with fabric pieces and more ribbon if you want to dress it up a bit. The gift recipient can simply dump the contents of the jar into a mixing bowl and add the wet ingredients and bake!

8. Video Cards

If you have friends or family who don’t live near by, you can create a video “card”. Record your family or make a compilation of short video clips from recordings you’ve made already, and send the video cassette or DVD to your friends and family.

9. Card Games

For the younger crowd, or even for adult game-lovers, you could put together a deck of cards and book of card games to play. If you can’t find inexpensive books of card game instructions, you can always make your own by printing out game instructions found online.

10. Home baked Breads and Jams

Use mini-loaf pans and make 3 mini-loafs from each loaf recipe of homebaked bread. Once the bread has cooled, wrap in plastic wrap and a ribbon, and give with a small jar of jam. Don’t forget to include the recipe for the bread in case the recipient wants to make more!

11. Handmade Candles

If making a number of gifts, you can buy the materials to make candles from the local craft store (wics, scents, and candle wax) and create a variety of candles to give away as gifts. You can either purchase candle molds; or use pretty teacups and saucers you’ve collected from thrift stores, yard sales, or flea markets.

12. Handmade Soap

Making soap is fairly simple and can be done in bulk to make a number of inexpensive gifts. Soap making supplies are available at most craft stores – and you can select a variety of soap molds, scents, and colors to create fun gifts that serve a purpose.

*photo credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/soapylove/ / CC BY 2.0

Debbie Dragon

Debbie is a full-time online writer and entrepreneur. In addition to her numerous writing endeavors, she also instructs others how to make a career out of writing at MakeMoneyFromWriting.com.

Filed under: Holidays and Gifts — Tags: , , , —