Chicago Cutlery Reviews: 18-Piece Kitchen Knife Sets

Confusion can reign in the kitchen when you’re never quite sure where that old chopping knife your Aunt Nora gave you ten years ago is. Either that, or the knives you can find are loosening her grip on reality, health, and safety, thus risking a disaster in the making. Knives are a vital tool that any serious cook should have in their cookware kit. Without a good quality knife set, you risk injury, as well as a subpar level of food and even hygiene when it comes to creating the perfect dish for friends, family or business associates.

So what should one think about before buying new kitchen knives? The first point to consider is how many knives you want and what types of food you want the knife to be used for altogether. A single chef’s knife has a relatively wide reach and can cut through most meats and vegetables. However, this knife won’t be as effective when it comes to breads, cakes, fruits, and the variety of cutting styles involved with peeling, shaving, mincing, and dicing.

If you like to regularly prepare and cook food for family and guests, then the safest and most cost-effective option is to purchase a set of knives, each designed with a different style of cutting in mind. Chicago Cutlery, for example, produces a diverse range of sets, including the Fusion 18-Piece Kitchen Knife Set with Maple Block, which has received rave reviews from previous buyers. A set like this includes the obligatory chef’s knife, as well as a peeler, bread knife, slicer, peeler, steak knife, and among other things, an extremely useful and beneficial sharpening tool for keeping your knives sharp. .

Made from high carbon stainless steel, these food preparation utensils are some of the sharpest and best made knives on the market and Chicago Cutlery reviews have certainly pointed out the benefits of these qualities. The sets also come with an attractive wood block which, when placed inside a kitchen, adds aesthetic charm and decorative elegance to the environment. There is no need to hide your ugly old knives in a drawer anymore as the handles of these knives are a quality asset in themselves that have been specially manufactured for comfort and grip.

Wow Storage Containers Review

The Wow Storage Containers review shows that this product is sold both on the web and through an infomercial played on many cable channels. These storage containers sell for $19.95 plus shipping and handling. Like many of the products you see on TV, they also offer an additional set of amazing storage containers for the additional cost of shipping and handling.

So what do you get for $19.95? You get 40 small containers, 20 medium containers, 16 large containers, and an additional 4 extra large containers, 80 pieces total. Each container comes with a lid. The additional set of free wow containers ships at no charge, you simply pay $7.95 in shipping.

There really isn’t much to say about these food containers, other than the unique feature that separates them from other food containers is that the lids are interchangeable and the containers can be mixed and matched. This, of course, is a great feature because you don’t have to rummage through the kitchen cabinet to find the lid size that fits the container. Actually, the way containers are made, every lid is a container and every container is a lid. This seems to be a great idea. Anyone who has fumbled through their cabinets for food storage containers and lids knows how valuable having the right system can be. The bins are conveniently sized and stack nicely for storage.

The website is pretty nondescript, it’s basically an infomercial on the web. The infomercial plays on the landing page. The customer service page provides a mailing address and a toll-free phone number. Obviously, customer service is available 24/7, according to the website. There is a link you can click to check the progress of your order. Other reassuring information offered is that your credit card will not be charged until your order actually ships.

Quick and easy 5 ingredient pasta recipes for kids

Cooking for your children is a pleasure. You are sure that they only eat the delicious and nutritious food that they deserve. But there are days when you simply don’t have time to prepare something tedious in the kitchen. Fortunately, there are recipes that only require a short preparation and cooking time.

Try these quick and easy 5-ingredient pasta recipes – perfect for busy days!

Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta

What do you need:

• 1 cup pasta of your choice, cooked

• 1 package (a little over 1/4 kg.) smoked turkey sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices

• 2 cups of heavy cream

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning

In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add heavy cream and Cajun seasoning then bring to a boil. When it boils, lower the heat and simmer until the mixture begins to thicken, about 3-4 minutes.

When done, transfer to a serving bowl. Add the Parmesan cheese, and then add the cooked pasta to the bowl. Stir, let cool a few minutes before serving.

Delicious spaghetti with butter

What do you need:

• 1 cup spaghetti pasta, cooked

• 1 can whole peeled tomatoes

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 4 tablespoons of salted butter

• Salt and ground pepper to taste

To make the sauce, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the garlic in the butter for 1 minute. Add whole peeled tomatoes (including juices) and a pinch of ground pepper.

Using a spoon, break the tomatoes into smaller pieces. Stir until ingredients are well combined. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and continue to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally (breaking the tomatoes into smaller pieces).

When done, season with salt and then add the cooked spaghetti. Stir until the pasta is covered with the sauce. Serve warm.

Healthy Pumpkin Fettuccine

What do you need:

• 1-1/2 cups egg fettuccine pasta, cooked

• 2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

• 5 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 cup pumpkin puree (canned pumpkin)

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Sauté the garlic in a skillet over medium-high heat (preferably over butter) for 1 minute. Add the whipping cream and the pumpkin puree. Simmer for 3-4 minutes and then add the cheese.

Add the cooked pasta and cover with the sauce. Add water if you want a thinner consistency, and season with salt and pepper if necessary.

These delicious dinners will put a smile on your little one’s face. Try these quick and easy 5-ingredient pasta recipes for kids!

The employee mindset

Maybe you’ve seen the ads, the sales videos, the exaggerated promises online.

“Push a simple button and the ‘magic software’ takes care of everything else for you!”

“Just follow my copy-paste model for business success.”

“Get this business system in a box and start making money in your sleep tonight!”

Maybe you have even tried some of these products in the past.

However, I can tell you right now that things like this often turn out to be much more disappointing than you expect. Why is that?

It’s because being an entrepreneur isn’t about following a proven system, a miracle push-button, or some other way turning off your brain.

Being an entrepreneur is about being actively involved in your own business and being willing to feel yourself through tough situations and go with your gut.

But even more troubling is the belief that you should cede control of your business to someone else or something else.

In my opinion, this all goes back to the mindset that so many employees have. They simply look to their boss or supervisor for what they should be doing.

They are more like cogs in a machine rather than people capable of making moment-to-moment decisions on their own.

And when an employee decides to enter the business arena, they often come with this mindset that only seals their fate to plummet to failure.

Essentially, they want someone else to be the CEO of their company while they can just sit back and reap the financial rewards of business ownership. That’s what makes many of these successful automated systems seem so attractive.

However, I am here to be the sobering voice of today’s reality. You will not find success in running a business or getting clients unless you get out of this mindset and get involved in your business.

You have to know your business and your customers better than anyone, and you have to be willing to make the tough decisions instead of waiting for some guru or system to do it for you.

Yes, you can and should learn from others ahead of you, but you should not use them as a substitute for your own judgment and responsibility.

Get immensely intimate about your business. Learn why certain things work. Learn why others don’t. Take charge and really and truly “own” your business.

After all, whether you like it or not, you are the one in the driver’s seat and if you don’t take control, you will end up driving it straight into the ditch.

Benefits of drinking non-alcoholic beverages

Non-alcoholic beverages are gaining popularity because they offer the same satisfaction as an alcoholic beverage without its ill effects. They serve as a healthy substitute for their alcoholic counterparts.

Alcohol-free beer:

Non-alcoholic beer is just as healthy as its traditional counterpart, rich in vitamins and minerals and fat-free. And yes, it’s a perfect substitute for beer when you need to drive. Non-alcoholic beer is really a benefit for all beer lovers because it does not contain alcohol and will be totally harmless to the body except for a little bit of calories. People have yet to accept the type of beer on a grand scale, as drinkers around the world are known to hold two extreme views when it comes to the non-alcoholic beverage. Non-alcoholic beer was made to quench the thirst of beer lovers. There are many people who love the taste of non-alcoholic beers. This is because non-alcoholic beer tastes the same as alcoholic beverages.

Non-alcoholic beer is known to show positive effects during lactation. It also helps reduce anxiety and induces better sleep. It is also beneficial for heart health, a good stress reliever, and has shown signs of fighting cancer.

Non-alcoholic sparkling red wines:

Non-alcoholic sparkling red wines are the healthier, vitamin-enriched alternatives to alcoholic sparkling red wine. These drinks have no adverse effects on the health of wine drinkers. If you are one of those people who enjoy the great and electrifying taste of wine, then you should make sure that you have tried non-alcoholic wine. The similarity in the taste of these drinks can make you fall in love with this variety of drink that you can serve as you like.

The health benefits of this drink include that it helps lower blood pressure in men who are at risk of heart attack.

Hence, we see that the best way to enjoy a party is by sipping non-alcoholic drinks. This is because you can remain tension free when you consume them. These drinks serve as a great alternative to alcoholic drinks to celebrate any event. The biggest advantage of these drinks is that they keep the person’s body and nervous system safe from the negative effects of alcohol.

The next time you need a drink to have a good time, make it great by opting for a variety of non-alcoholic beverages. Make every occasion memorable with non-alcoholic beverages.

GRANITE – Past, Present and Future

Granite is an igneous rock, with a crystalline base, hard and tenacious. It can be polished, shaped, cut, and honed to create many useful products. Granite is very durable and suitable for any type of internal structure. It is in great demand in the field of construction, covering a series of uses in shops, buildings and homes. Deposits of mica, quartz, and feldspar attribute the beauty of the granite, which is available in various colors.

It all started in ancient Egypt, where the Egyptians extracted granite to use it in various constructions. Most of its beautiful monuments were built with limestone and granite. For example, the recently unearthed statue of a New Kingdom pharaoh was made entirely of granite. Many of these relics, representative of the outstanding civilization of the Egyptians, were built with granite blocks. Due to the extraordinary sculptural skills of the Egyptians, the granite blocks of these statues were built in such a way that not even a piece of paper could slip between the rocks.

This igneous rock is part of a historical legacy that goes back thousands of years, but finds relevance in our time and in the distant future. Known for its wide use, especially in the beautification of buildings, let us discover one by one the other uses of this beautiful resource.

First of all, granite is a favorite when it comes to its use in kitchen countertops. Here, solid slabs of granite are cut to size, polished and embellished with quality finishing edges. Due to the increase in demand for this product in the average income household, installation fees that cost a pump are now affordable for the average person as well.

Granites are widely used in the construction industry. Here, the granite is quarried and turned into blocks with the sides roughened or in some cases polished to a certain degree. Due to this, the blocks come together and fit together perfectly giving the exterior a rough and resistant texture that is becoming ‘in fashion’ in today’s architectural design. Museums, churches, palaces and universities are few of the many that have been built with granite blocks. Large construction projects, such as the Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington, DC, which spans the Potomac River, use granite as both a structural element and decorative fencing. Therefore, granite blocks are also used for structural purposes.

Granite countertops are widely used as pavers, also called pavers; this makes the tickets and boxes very colorful and interesting. This highlights the beauty of this magnificent material which, when combined with professional craftsmanship and expert design, becomes a true masterpiece.

A very creative use of granite can be seen in Mount Rushmore, which is a granite monument in South Dakota made as a tribute to Theodore Roosevelt, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson, the former US Presidents. This huge monument is carved directly into the mountain.

Another common use of granite is as a memorial stone; mainly as a tombstone in many countries.

Great sculptures start with a small piece of rock. While you may not be into sculpting, your reason for this article definitely means that you have something on your mind that has to do with this beautiful material. As a kitchen surface or material for your next construction project or for a rock statue on your table, granite is a beautiful piece of rock that is simply a must have!

5 Tricks You Never Know To Make Fried Food Healthier

Fried food is the ultimate comfort food for many people. Whether it’s fried chicken, fried cheese sticks, or French fries, everyone has at least one fried food that’s on their guilty pleasures list.

The fact is that frying food makes it taste delicious, but it has great potential to diminish the nutritional value of food if not cooked properly.

If you are looking to eat in a healthier way, without giving up fried food, then be sure to follow these tips.

make use of olive oil

The best type of oil that you can use to make fried food is olive oil. There are many health benefits of olive oil, making it a good option compared to its other competitors. Olive oil is more stable at high temperatures compared to sunflower oil, soybean oil, and corn oil, which means it can be used longer than other oils for frying because it maintains its nutrition and quality. The best olive oils that you should use are virgin or extra virgin olive oil.

Remember to keep your oil clean

It is essential that you keep your frying oil clean and in good condition. If you let the oil age and collect scraps, the oil will start to burn and your food will taste burnt as well.

Making use of the old oil means there is no food left in it, so don’t be stingy and change the oil as soon as you start to see traces of other cooked food in it. If you want to keep the old oil and get more out of it, it’s best to scrape the oil and reuse it, but it’s a good idea to change the oil every three or four days.

make your dough better

Having a perfect batter for your meal is very important to have a better tasting meal, but the question is how will the batter determine whether your fried food will be a greasy mess or a healthy treat?

Many people use all-purpose flour for their dough. All-purpose flour is a good choice as it contains gluten which helps it stick very well to food, however it can absorb a lot of oil.

So instead of using all-purpose flour, try using gluten-free ingredients, like rice flour or cornmeal in your dough.

Make use of baking soda or carbonated liquid

Another famous way to improve the quality of fried battered foods is to use baking soda or carbonated liquid in the batter. The way it helps your food cook is that it releases bubbles of gas as it cooks so the food doesn’t absorb a lot of oil.

Maintain oil temperature

One thing many people get wrong when preparing a healthy fried dish is that they don’t really hold the temperature of the oil. The perfect temperature for frying food oil is between 350°F and 400°F.

If the frying oil is not hot enough, the food will not cook as fast as it should, it will take longer, and therefore it will absorb more oil. If you continue to cook too hot, it will cause the oil to burn and smoke, which will make your food taste horrible and is also a huge safety risk.

Some other basic tips to keep in mind are to use the best air fryer instead of using a wok or skillet. This will reduce safety risks, plus it will be easier for you to maintain the temperature and condition of the oil. Remember that you don’t have to forget about eating chips to eat healthy, all you need to know is how to do it right!

What do the professionals use to paint cabinets?

Paint is one of the most important aspects to consider when updating your kitchen, bathroom, or other interior space. It can hide blemishes and give you a fresh new look without breaking the bank. However, it’s not always easy to know what type of paint would be best for your project. This article will teach you all about the types of paints professionals use on cabinets and how they differ from DIY paints so you can make an informed decision before beginning any project!

Paint has many benefits, such as giving your home an updated look while hiding blemishes, but there are different types of paint for different needs. Professionals use specific paints to paint cabinets; this post will talk about those differences between professional grade paints.

Emerald Urethane has numerous benefits for homeowners, DIYers, and contractors. It’s the perfect solution if you’re looking to increase the value of your home or property with a fresh coat of paint. Emerald Urethane features include being durable, easy to maintain, scratch resistant, water repellent and more!

Emerald Urethane is a clear, solvent-based protective coating for wood. It is the best option to protect your cabinets from stains and scratches. The application process can be done by yourself or with the help of professional contractors. Some key features of this treatment include: scratch resistant, water repellent and dries in 2 hours to 24 hours depending on the thickness applied! Your kitchen will look like new in no time!

Emerald Urethane for Cabinets – Waterproof and Scratch Resistant Coating

Farrow and Ball glitter

Farrow and Ball paint is a gloss paint specially designed for use on wood, metal, plaster and other surfaces. The company offers more than 200 colors of this paint in its catalog, including the popular White – White Rose. This blog post will talk about some of the benefits of using Farrow and Ball Paint, as well as different ways to apply it to your home or project.

This blog post discusses how farrow and ball gloss paint can be used on furniture, walls, cabinets, or any number of surfaces, but also delves into what makes this particular type of gloss finish so great. There are three main ingredients in all Farrow and Ball paints: linseed oil (for bonding), pigment (for creating colour), and resin (for bonding).

Benjamin Moore Advanced Interior Satin

Benjamin Moore Advance Interior Satin is a versatile finish that can be used for cabinets, trim, furniture and more. This shade of green is very popular with homeowners today because it is not too dark and not too light.

Benjamin Moore Satin Paint has a low sheen that gives it a sleek appearance while being durable enough to withstand high-traffic areas in the home. The clear coat adds depth and dimension to the color, so even if you have lighter colors on your walls, this color will still stand out against them.

Advance Indoor Sateen offers many different benefits that are perfect for homeowners looking to create a welcoming space in their homes.

These are the 3 paints that most professional cabinet painters use. The only true way to know what you prefer and what paint is easiest for you to use is to try them out and learn from experience.

Easy decorating tips that help sell your home

Buyers are emotionally drawn to homes that look modern and feel “warm” and inviting. Homes not only have to be clean, bright and spacious, but also have new and updated touches to attract buyers. Here are some items to consider:

1. Slipcovers: If your home has old or patterned upholstery, seriously consider adding solid-colored slipcovers to refresh and update it. Neutral colors are your best bet.

2. Paint: A fresh coat of paint to cover up harsh walls or strong colors will go a long way in giving your home that “clean, light and bright” look.

3. Remove Wallpaper: Wallpaper is generally too personal to attract buyers, unless it’s a neutral fabric. The best thing is to remove the wallpaper and repaint the walls with off-white, sage green, gray or beige colors, according to current trends.

4. For marred or scratched kitchen cabinets/tables, use a wood finishing product like Restorzit to make them look like new again, without sanding or restaining.

5. Get rid of bathroom toilet seat covers and mats, which scream “granny” and “germs.” Bathrooms should have white or ivory shower curtains and towels for a super clean look.

6. Use a standard window cleaner OR two teaspoons of vinegar in a liter of warm water to make the windows shine.

7. If you can’t afford to replace outdated chandeliers and chandeliers, paint them with silver or bronze spray paint made for metal and add new shades of white. You can also use a hot glue gun to add trim bands to the bottom of the blinds for a more elegant look. Another option is to hang magnetic beads from chandeliers.

8. Replace outdated switch plates with chrome or white.

9. Replace outdated towel bars and curtain rods. Wood and clear plastic curtain rods are outdated.

10. Create an inexpensive designer look on a coffee table by filling hurricane vases or apothecary jars with polished stones, glass beads, colorful candies, or seasonal items like acorns, pine cones, or Christmas decorations. A grouping of three always pleasant looks.

11. If you don’t have a headboard in the master bedroom, create the look of one by hanging one large horizontal canvas or three square or rectangular canvases. Alternatively, make an inexpensive headboard by having a big box home store cut three panels of 3/8″ plywood

18″ by 18″ (or two 30″ x 30″ panels) for a queen bed, then paint and hang on the wall. Black or dark brown paint/stain will give the appearance of a wood headboard.

12. MirrorMate frames are a great product for upgrading “standard of construction” frameless bathroom mirrors.

13. Replace outdated brass hardware with chrome, brushed nickel or bronze faucets or knobs.

14. Organic Touches: Artificial plants, trees, and flowers add real warmth and beauty to any space. If you have a green thumb, by all means go for the real ones. Pier One, HomeGoods, and Michael’s are excellent resources for fake flowers.

15. Bring on-trend accessories like vases, fancy boxes, bowls with decorative balls, dark wicker baskets, white candles and candle holders, a new welcome mat, and maybe some new pillows for chairs, sofas, and beds.

16. Hang solid, light-colored curtains (or curtains with a color band that coordinates with another color in the room) in a fabric that suits the season: sheer, linen, or polyester (looks like silk for a lot less money) for the spring and summer, thick cotton for winter. Hang them at ceiling height when ceilings are the typical 7- or 8-foot height, to visually “extend” windows. Keep the curtains to one side to let in the most light and show the view.

Now, buyers will be drawn to the beauty of your home, remember it, and hopefully start bidding! Happy staging and selling!

The easiest way to paint your kitchen cabinets like a pro

How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets – Easy Guide For Weekend Warriors And DIYers

We always suggest hiring a professional to do the job for you for multiple reasons including experience and the assurance of quality work! But for those who want to know how to paint kitchen cabinets without a professional sprayer, here’s how you can get professional-looking results for less than $200.

How to achieve professional results when painting your kitchen cabinets

I’ve been getting a ton of questions lately about one of our Facebook posts about painting our kitchen walls and cabinets. Most people are curious and want to know how to paint kitchen cabinets and how much does it cost to make them look like new.

Our house is very old and so are our cabinets. It didn’t bother us at first, but eventually we got tired of seeing that ugly sheet metal look, so we decided it was time for a makeover.

It’s not very difficult to paint over veneer, you just need the right prep work. If you do hire a professional, I suggest you try to do as much as you can yourself, such as remove the doors and hardware and perhaps lightly sand them with a 220 grit sanding block. A light scratch will do (imagine you are cleaning a window). That will save you a few bucks. But if you decide to do it on your own, here are some tips on how to paint kitchen cabinets and get amazing and long-lasting results.

Preparation when painting kitchen cabinets

After removing the doors (or just masking the hinges), lightly sand or abrade the surfaces to be painted with a 220 grit sanding block. Use a type of degreaser such as Windex or Zep Citrus Degreaser.

You then have 2 options: you can either use a 220 grit sandpaper and lightly roughen the surfaces or use Krud Kutter-Gloss Off which you can wipe clean and let sit for 10 minutes. Your surfaces will be dull without sanding.

Your next step is to prime the surfaces with the appropriate primer. I used a coat of “INSL-X Stix” which is a urethane acrylic. You can find it online or at your local Benjamin Moore provider. Check with your local hardware store.

Using a good quality paint will help you get the best possible finish. I suggest using Benjamin Moore Advance Alkyd. It is very easy to work with and dries to a hard, durable finish.

Using a 2-inch nylon brush, begin cutting around the hardware (if you didn’t remove the doors) and anywhere your Whiz™ roller won’t reach. Then use your Whiz™ roller to apply your ALKYD polish. Try to paint in the same direction as your grain (if your cabinet has a faux wood pattern). Let it dry overnight and repeat. You can hang the doors now, but keep in mind that although the glaze will dry overnight, it still takes 30 days to fully cure, so be careful and try to avoid rubbing them off before those 30 days.