How To Cook Dip Recipes

Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe

Megan Miller — Sun, 06 Feb 2022 22:00:07 +0000

The last time I went to the supermarket with my kids who wanted EVERYTHING, they pointed out lemon curd. I started to reach for it and then thought better of it. Because this lemon curd recipe is so simple, so fresh, and so delicious, I definitely don’t need some pre-made store-bought gunk. When I make lemon curd, my husband and kids want to put it on everything. Make extra because it will go lightning-quick with the plethora of lemon curd uses!

Best Lemon Curd Recipe

Lemon curd is delicious, no doubt about it. But making it yourself is better than anything you’ve ever had. Trust me here, once you make it, you’ll find any excuse to make it again and again!

Lemon Curd Ingredients

Fresh lemon juice – Please squeeze it yourself from real lemons.
Lemon zest – Also, you’ll need real lemons so you can zest them
Granulated sugar – Brings out the sweetness.
Salt – Balances that sweetness.
Egg yolks – Helps give it that gorgeous texture.
Butter – Use unsalted and make sure it comes to room temperature first.

Easy Lemon Curd Recipe

Lemon curd is easy because it requires only a few simple ingredients. And it takes no time at all to prep and cook. The cooling time requires patience but it’s so worth it!

When life gives you lemons…make lemon curd!
Megan

How do you Make Lemon Curd from Scratch?

You want to place a saucepan of simmering water over medium/medium-low heat and put a heatproof bowl on top of that for a double-broiler effect.
Put the egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, zest, and salt into the heatproof bowl, whisking until thoroughly blended.
Keep whisking constantly to keep the yolks from curdling, until the mixture thickens and is like hollandaise sauce in consistency, roughly 10 to 12 minutes.
Then take it from the heat.
Cut the butter into pieces and whisk it into your lemon curd, then pour it into a glass jar or bowl, add plastic wrap that touches the curd on top and let it cool completely before serving.

Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Lemon Curd Every Time

Just keep whisking. This keeps it creamy and prevents the eggs from turning curdy.
Avoid boiling. It’s so important to be vigilant here or you’ll have curdled curd which is no good.
Be patient. Think of it as an arm workout, but your persistence in whisking until it thickens properly will pay off.
See if you need more sugar. Depending on your lemons, your curd may be too tart for your tastes. You can adjust with more sugar if desired.

What is lemon curd made of?

Lemon curd is made of fresh lemon juice and zest, granulated sugar, egg yolks, butter, and salt.

Is lemon curd the same as lemon jam?

No, it’s different because jams and jellies are made by cooking down the whole fruits with sugar while curd is made just with the juices of the fruit plus egg yolks.

Can you buy lemon curd at the grocery store?

Of course you can buy it at the store! However, it is easy to make at home and tastes better because you’re making it without preservatives.

What can I substitute for lemon curd?

Lemon pie filling can be subbed in for lemon curd in a recipe. But if you have the ingredients to make lemon curd, I recommend making it.

How to Cook Lemon Curd?

Lemon curd is cooked on the stovetop using a double-broiler method.

Can I mix egg yolk with curd?

Egg yolks are what you use to make lemon curd, so yes, mix them well and keep whisking them to avoid them curdling.

Why is my lemon curd not thickening?

You may not have cooked it long enough. It takes patience to do this and you should also make sure the temperature is medium too to be hot enough to cook it. Doing this should thicken it up. Plus, it thickens as it cools.

How do I make lemon curd set?

Lemon curd needs to cool properly. At that point, it will set beautifully.

What goes well with Lemon Curd?

There are many wonderful lemon curd uses. Lemon curd is amazing with crepes, pancakes, muffins, in pastries, for lemon bars, in breakfast breads, and other breakfast and dessert formats too.

How to Store Lemon Curd?

Lemon curd will need to be refrigerated. You should keep it in an airtight container to prevent spoiling.

How long does lemon curd last?

In the fridge, lemon curd can keep for up to 4 weeks. If you want to keep it longer, the freezer is best.

Can you freeze lemon curd?

Yes, and the best part? You can freeze it for up to a year. I had a nice stash going for a while until I did some baking recently. Now I will need to make more!

How to Reheat Lemon Curd?

I don’t recommend reheating it but you can let it thaw in your fridge overnight if frozen and then it will be the right consistency for use. If you’d like it less chilled, you can let it sit out at room temperature for 15 minutes before spreading it on toast or whatever you like.

Watch How To Make Lemon Curd (Video)

Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe

This super easy homemade lemon curd recipe is absolutely delicious and prep-time is only 10 minutes! This super tasty lemon curd spread is very versatile and great way to dress up an assortment of dishes.

5 from 1 vote

Print Save

Prep 10

Cook 12

Cooling Time 1 30

Total 1 52

Calories 102

Servings servings

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Ingredients

Equipment

▢
heatproof bowl
▢
Wire whisk

Method

Create a double boiler by place a saucepan of simmering water over medium to medium-low heat and placing a heatproof bowl on top of the saucepan. Add the egg yolks, sugar, lemon zest, juice, and salt into your heatproof bowl and whisk until thoroughly blended. Make sure to constantly whisk to prevent the yolks from curdling. Whisk until the mixture thickens to about the viscosity of a hollandaise sauce, about 10-12 minutes. Once the mixture has reached the desired thickness, remove from the heat.
Cut the room temperature butter into pieces and whisk into the curd. Pour the curd into a glass jar or bowl and place a single layer of plastic cling wrap so that is touches the top of the curd. Allow the curd to cool completely before serving.

Nutrition

Calories102kcalCarbohydrates11gProtein1gFat7gSaturated Fat4gPolyunsaturated Fat1gMonounsaturated Fat2gTrans Fat1gCholesterol66mgSodium23mgPotassium14mgFiber1gSugar10gVitamin A233IUVitamin C3mgCalcium9mgIron1mg

Private Notes

Click here to add your own private notes.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

More lemon curd recipes:

Classic Recipes

Perfect Recipes

Homemade Recipes

Easy Recipes

Never Miss A Recipe!

Join thousands of HowToCook.recipes subscribers and get our best recipes delivered each week!

[mc4wp_form id=”5009″]

You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of emails you receive.

The post Homemade Lemon Curd Recipe appeared first on How To Cook.Recipes.

Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe

Megan Miller — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 18:50:41 +0000

Uh oh…are the kids asking for pizza tonight? Go ahead and give it to them! You can make your own Italian homemade pizza sauce recipe to use on a premade crust or make your own crust. Homemade pizza can be much healthier because you know what’s going into it. So let the family indulge in pizza with this delicious Italian pizza sauce you’ll want to use on everything!

Best Pizza Sauce Recipe

What do those pizza chains use for pizza sauce? Processed stuff, for sure. And ordering from a mom-and-pop place doesn’t always guarantee the sauce is fresh-made. Make the best pizza sauce and everyone will ask you where you ordered from…then you can tell them your secret!

Easy Pizza Sauce Recipe

All it takes is 5 minutes of your time and a few ingredients that you’ve already got in your kitchen, most likely. Put it together and add it to your pizza along with all your favorite toppings. You can also use it for calzones or Stromboli, or to dip mozzarella sticks, garlic bread, and more!

Pizza Sauce Ingredients

Tomato paste – It’s thick and rich with the flavor of tomatoes, tomato paste is the perfect base for your pizza sauce.
Tomato sauce – Makes the Italian pizza sauce more saucy.
Fresh oregano – This is what makes all the difference!
Seasonings – From your spice rack, you’ll need onion powder, garlic salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt.

How do you Make Pizza Sauce from Scratch

Use a medium-sized mixing bowl and add your tomato paste and tomato sauce.
Whisk them together, then add in all the herbs and seasonings. That’s it!

You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy pizza. And I’ve never seen an unhappy person eating pizza.
Megan

Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Pizza Sauce Every Time

Use quality tomato products. When picking your tomato sauce and tomato paste, go with a good brand for the best flavors and minimal processing. Making pizza sauce from tomato paste is the traditional base so it is best to use good quality ingredients.
Fresh oregano is best. Yes, you’re also using Italian seasoning which has dried oregano, but the fresh oregano gives this sauce a true pizza parlor taste.
Don’t heat it up. Pizza sauce is raw while pasta sauce is cooked. That’s because the sauce will cook with the pizza in the oven.

What pizza sauce do restaurants use?

Many restaurants use pizza sauce out of a can. While some surely make theirs from scratch, it depends on the restaurant. If you want to enjoy the best pizza, make this pizza sauce.

What’s the best sauce for homemade pizza?

Homemade sauce is always best for homemade pizza. Why go to all the trouble to make pizza from scratch and use jarred sauce? Make it yourself and win!

Is pizza sauce just marinara?

No it’s not. Marinara is a type of cooked sauce while pizza sauce is raw. Surely, you can use marinara sauce for pizza but since it is thinner, you may wind up with soggy pizza.

Can I use tomato sauce instead of pizza sauce?

Of course you can use tomato sauce instead of pizza sauce but don’t expect the same results. Tomato sauce is runnier and will make your dough soggier.

Can I use spaghetti sauce for pizza?

Again, you CAN use spaghetti sauce on pizza but that doesn’t mean you should. It has a thinner consistency which can muck up the pizza dough.

What can I use instead of pizza sauce?

While this recipe is simple, you can always use pesto, ricotta, or olive oil and garlic to adorn any pizza if you don’t want red pizza sauce.

Which sauce is best for pizza?

That depends on how you like your pizza. If you like red sauce, this pizza sauce recipe will be your favorite choice.

Can tomato sauce be used as pizza sauce?

Technically, you could use it, but the problem is tomato sauce is runnier and can make the dough soggy while the pizza cooks. Pizza sauce is thicker and prevents this issue.

What is the best tomato sauce for pizza?

This recipe is the best pizza sauce you’ll find. It’s thick enough not to ruin the dough and is full of flavor that makes you want to eat every last slice.

Should pizza sauce be raw or cooked?

Pizza sauce should always be raw. It will cook when the pizza cooks.

What goes well with Pizza Sauce?

Naturally, pizza sauce is great on pizza. But you can make Stromboli, calzones, mozzarella sticks, breadsticks, and so many other things that can use this pizza sauce too.

How to Store Pizza Sauce?

Pizza sauce needs to be kept in the fridge. Put it in an airtight container or jar.

How Long Does Pizza Sauce Last?

In your fridge, you can keep that pizza sauce for 5 to 7 days. You will want to plan on freezing it after that.

Can You Freeze Pizza Sauce?

Pizza sauce is great for freezing because it can keep for up to 6 months. So if you make a big batch, just store it well and you can use it anytime you want to make pizza.

How to Reheat Pizza Sauce?

You don’t cook pizza sauce when making it, so the best way to get it ready is to let it thaw overnight in your fridge. Then it will be ready to use when you are!

Watch How To Make Homemade Pizza Sauce (Video)

More pizza Sauce recipes:

Classic Recipes

Perfect Recipes

Homemade Recipes

Easy Recipes

The post Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe appeared first on How To Cook.Recipes.

Classic Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

Megan Miller — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 14:32:48 +0000

Want your spaghetti recipe to taste authentic? Then learn how to make your own spaghetti sauce with this delicious homemade spaghetti sauce recipe! It tastes better than anything you’ll get in a jar. Plus, it takes no time at all and delivers such delicious results, your whole family will sop up every last drop!

Best Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

Fresh ingredients and a few pantry staples will help you create the best spaghetti sauce recipe there is. Meaty and flavorful, it goes beautifully over your favorite spaghetti to create a simple from-scratch dinner perfect for any night and good enough for company too.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Ingredients

Lean ground beef – This turns your spaghetti meat sauce recipe into a filling meal, though if you’re vegetarian, feel free to omit it.
Garlic – Pull out the garlic press and mince it yourself for the best taste.
Diced yellow onion – A necessary component in any spaghetti sauce.
Crushed tomatoes – Grab a 28-ounce can of these babies that will make the base of your homemade tomato sauce from scratch.
Tomato paste – Helps create richness in the homemade pasta sauce.
Chicken broth – Make the sauce more “saucy” while adding in another element of flavor.
Butter – Trust in this, it makes your pasta sauce recipe heavenly.
Spaghetti Sauce Seasoning – You’ll want fresh chopped basil and fresh parsley. Also, dried oregano.
Parmesan cheese – What’s homemade pasta sauce without a little shredded cheese thrown in for a complex flavor?
Spaghetti pasta noodles – the best spaghetti recipe isn’t complete without the spaghetti noodles to showcase your pasta sauce.

Eat the spaghetti to forgetti your regretti.
Anonymous

Easy Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

Let this easy homemade spaghetti sauce simmer away and you’ll wonder why you didn’t make it sooner. Your whole kitchen will smell amazing, and it only takes 15 minutes to prep. You can do plenty of other things while the ingredients infuse together on your stove top.

How do you Make Spaghetti Sauce from Scratch

To make your tomato sauce from scratch, you’ll start by lightly browning the ground beef and then drain the excess fat, retaining a small amount in the skillet.
You’ll use that to sauté the onions and garlic.
Then add in the rest of the ingredients, except the parsley which will garnish your finished creation as you serve it atop al dente spaghetti for your family.
You’ll boil the spaghetti meat sauce, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and let it finish for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Every Time

Add the butter. Butter enhances the sauce and makes it taste richer. It’s the secret weapon when making pasta sauce from scratch!
Save that fat. Once you brown the beef, you’ll want to carefully reserve some of that fat in the pan. This will help you sauté the onions and garlic while adding more flavor.
Chicken broth is better than water. If you don’t add a liquid, the homemade tomato sauce won’t be all that saucy. Adding water will dilute the flavors but chicken broth adds its own nuances in, making this one of the best sauces you’ll ever have.

What is the secret to good spaghetti sauce?

The spaghetti sauce secret ingredient is butter. It adds richness which helps balance those tomatoes. You get a creamy texture without using any cream.

What is the best sauce for spaghetti?

The best sauce for spaghetti is the one you like the most. With this rich and meaty tomato-based sauce, it’s sure to be a favorite for you! If you prefer a creamy pasta sauce you can make this carbonara recipe.

What spices to add to spaghetti sauce?

You should add dried oregano and fresh basil to your spaghetti sauce. Additionally, adding fresh parsley as a garnish makes it amazing.

How do you make spaghetti sauce better?

Spaghetti sauce tastes better when made fresh with wholesome ingredients. Additionally, adding butter and chicken broth will create the rich and delightful flavors you seek to top your pastas with.

How do you make spaghetti sauce more flavorful?

The key is to use fresh ingredients whenever possible as well as herbs. These all come together to give you the kind of flavor that makes it impossible to stop eating.

Do I have to peel tomatoes to make sauce?

Not for this recipe. You’ll be using crushed tomatoes from the can and tomato paste which makes it very easy to get the perfect flavor and texture.

How to Cook Spaghetti Sauce

Spaghetti sauce is cooked on the stovetop. You’ll want to sauté some of the ingredients first and then everything is combined to simmer together for maximum flavor.

How do you make spaghetti sauce thicker?

This recipe will be plenty thick, but if you want to ensure your sauce is as thick as you like, add the chicken broth slowly and stir in to see if you want to use the entire cup of it or keep your sauce thicker.

How long should you let spaghetti sauce simmer?

Once everything is combined and begins to boil, you’ll let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. That gives you plenty of time to boil the pasta and get your other sides ready.

What goes well with Spaghetti Sauce

In addition to spaghetti, you can serve up garlic bread with this meal. A nice green salad will add more nutrition and help contrast the heavy flavors. Got any of this pasta sauce recipe leftover? You can use it for dipping mozzarella sticks or making hot sandwiches!

How to Store Spaghetti Sauce

Spaghetti and meat sauce needs to cool first before you can store it. Once cooled, put it in airtight containers and keep it refrigerated.

How Long Does Spaghetti Sauce Last?

You’ll have 3 to 4 days to use up this bounty of spaghetti sauce when you keep it in your fridge. After that, turn to your freezer for help.

Can You Freeze Spaghetti Sauce?

Yes, which means this is a great meal prep solution. Just seal it well in airtight containers or zippered bags that you can lay flat. You should use it up within 3 months.

How to Reheat Spaghetti Sauce?

From the freezer, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. You can then gently warm it up on the stove until it’s heated through.

Watch How To Make Spaghetti Sauce (Video)

More spaghetti sauce recipes:

Classic Recipes

Perfect Recipes

Homemade Recipes

Easy Recipes

The post Classic Spaghetti Sauce Recipe appeared first on How To Cook.Recipes.

Authentic Chimichurri Recipe

Megan Miller — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 05:17:29 +0000

One of my favorite sauces ever, we can thank Argentina for this yummy condiment. This Chimichurri recipe is made with wholesome ingredients that all come together for a pungent zing, perfect for adding to grilled meats. You can add it to veggies too so get ready for this sauce that my children literally battle over for the last drop!

Best Chimichurri Recipes

Simple, refreshing, and indulgent all in one, this is one of the best chimichurri recipes you’ll find. It takes no time at all and once you put it with your steak, chicken, pork, or veggies, you will wonder why you missed out for so long. But thanks to its simplicity, you can make up for lost time!

Easy Chimichurri Recipe

With just 7 ingredients, this easy chimichurri sauce takes 10 minutes from start to finish. You can whip it up while the meats are cooking, though I do like to get it ready a bit before then so the flavors really come together.

Chimichurri Ingredients

Flat-leaf parsley – Make sure it’s fresh. You’ll also want to firmly pack only the leaves when you measure it out.
Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves give chimichurri its signature pungent zip. I use 5 and that’s plenty, though adding one or two more cloves won’t hurt.
Extra virgin olive oil – Adds to the richness of the sauce.
Dried oregano – Helps sweeten the flavor slightly.
Red wine vinegar – Brings in the necessary acidity.
Red pepper flakes – You can adjust the amount to make it more or less spicy, depending on your taste.
Black pepper – Just a pinch is perfect!

It’s ALL about the sauce.
Megan

How do you Make Chimichurri from Scratch

Assemble the ingredients, then throw them in your food processor. It’s literally that easy!

Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Chimichurri Every Time

Get your parsley the day you make it. Because it needs to be fresh, you want it to be at the pinnacle of perfection.
And measure that parsley out. It’s what makes chimichurri green and beautiful, but if you don’t get the ratio right, it could lead to a more bitter flavor.
Choose quality extra virgin olive oil. Think the kind you could just drizzle onto hunks of bread and devour.
Avoid those parsley stems. If you add them in, it will make your sauce bitter.

What is chimichurri sauce made of?

Chimichurri sauce is made using flat-leaf parsley, fresh garlic, dried oregano, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.

What is chimichurri used for?

Typically, Argentinian chimichurri is used as a condiment most commonly used on grilled meats. But you can use it in so many more ways than just chimichurri steak. We love it on roasted potatoes, pasta, and rice. It’s also wonderful on salads and sandwiches.

What does chimichurri sauce taste like?

Chimichurri is a bit pungent yet tangy. It’s refreshing thanks to the parsley, giving it an earthy feel that works so well with meats.

Is chimichurri spicy hot?

Chimichurri should have a little heat to it, but you can adjust the amount of spice to your liking with the red pepper flakes. Add more if you like spicy, and add less if you don’t.

What is the difference between pesto and chimichurri?

While both use olive oil and are green, pesto uses basil, garlic, pecorino cheese, and pine nuts. Chimichurri has red wine vinegar, parsley, garlic, and red pepper flakes which give it a tangy taste instead.

Do you use parsley stems in chimichurri?

No, don’t use the stems in your chimichurri. It will make the sauce more bitter.

What can I use instead of chimichurri?

There’s really nothing like chimichurri but if you can’t make it yourself, you can use salsa verde for a bit of a tangy, saucy experience.

Why is my chimichurri sauce bitter?

Be careful when using the food processor with the extra virgin olive oil. You only want to just blend it together. Over-mixing can make it bitter. So too can adding the parsley stems. And if you don’t measure out the parsley properly, you could put in too much, upsetting the balance and leading to a bitter batch.

How do you make chimichurri less bitter?

Don’t over-mix the olive oil in the food processor and don’t use the parsley stems. Also, getting the ratio of parsley right like in this recipe will ensure the parsley’s natural bitter tendencies don’t override the flavor.

What does Chimichurri go well with?

I love serving chimichurri with skirt steak though I’ve put it with all cuts of steak, grilled chicken, roasted pork tenderloin, and even oven-roasted potatoes. My kids will ladle it on top of rice too. Leftovers are wonderful to take sandwiches to the next level. You can probably eat your own hand if you smothered it with chimichurri!

How to Store Chimichurri

Chimichurri should be stored in the fridge in an airtight vessel. The first time you make it, you might not have any left because it’s so good. But next time, make more and put it in the fridge.

How Long Does Chimichurri Last in the Fridge?

In your fridge, this chimichurri sauce recipe lasts for a week. After that, you’ll need to freeze it.

Should you refrigerate chimichurri sauce?

Yes, chimichurri needs to be kept in the refrigerator. It will be fine on the table for serving though.

Can You Freeze Chimichurri?

Yes! So make a ton! I like to pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze it first, then dump it into a freezer bag. It’s so much easier this way. It will be good for up to 3 months in the freezer.

How to Reheat Chimichurri?

No need to heat it! Chimichurri that was frozen can simply be thawed in the fridge overnight.

Watch How To Make Chimichurri (Video)

Authentic Chimichurri Recipe

This authentic Argentine Chimichurri is the perfect sauce for any meat fresh off the grill or even as a dressing on you favorite salad. I LOVE Chimichurri sauce because of its delicious taste and versatility!

5 from 1 vote

Print Save

Prep 10

Total 10

Calories 177

Servings servings

Course Sauce

Cuisine Argentine

Ingredients

▢ 1 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves firmly packed
▢ 5 garlic cloves
▢ 2 1/2 tsp dried oregano
▢ 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
▢ 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
▢ black pepper pinch
▢ 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes more if you like it spicier

Equipment

▢
Food processor

Method

In a food processor, pulse together parsley, oregano, and garlic. Then add in the olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Serve immediately over skirt steak or your other favorite dish!

Nutrition

Calories177kcalCarbohydrates3gProtein1gFat18gSaturated Fat3gSodium14mgPotassium140mgFiber1gSugar1gVitamin A1638IUVitamin C26mgCalcium54mgIron2mg

Private Notes

Click here to add your own private notes.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

More chimichurri sauce recipes:

Classic Recipes

Perfect Recipes

Homemade Recipes

Easy Recipes

The post Authentic Chimichurri Recipe appeared first on How To Cook.Recipes.

Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe

Megan Miller — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 21:27:27 +0000

Smoky, tangy, a little bit sweet and a little bit heat…that’s what makes the best BBQ sauce recipe. In this recipe, you’ll learn how to take simple and wholesome ingredients to make your own homemade BBQ sauce that the kids will love dunking your homemade chicken tenders and fries in. Smother it on ribs, top it on chicken for the grill, and stop buying that processed junk all while getting better flavor!

Best BBQ Sauce Recipe

Do you still buy your BBQ sauce from that sauce aisle in the supermarket? The next time you start to throw it into your cart, read the ingredients. If you have some in your pantry or fridge now, go read those ingredients and I bet you’ll throw it in the trash. You do NOT need high fructose corn syrup and preservatives in your life. But you CAN make your own best BBQ sauce without all the garbage. Not only is it simple but it’s also delicious!

Easy BBQ Sauce Recipe

You might already have all these things in your pantry already! Throw them together and faster than you can go to the supermarket and buy a processed bottle of BBQ sauce, you can have your very own fresh-made version.

BBQ Sauce Ingredients

Canned tomato sauce – Surprise! The base is not pre-made ketchup!
Apple cider vinegar – Adds that tangy taste. Necessary for any vinegar based BBQ sauce recipe.
Honey and molasses – Gives it that sweet balance.
Worcestershire sauce – Creates more depth in flavor.
Spices – Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper all unite to bring out a smoky, pungent, and slightly spicy taste.

What is BBQ sauce made of?

Some homemade barbecue sauce has a tomato base, but in this barbecue sauce recipe, it’s from canned tomato sauce. Along with that, honey, molasses, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings like garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper all give it that distinctive flavor.

How do you make your own barbecue sauce?

Homemade barbeque sauce is so simple!
You’ll combine all the ingredients in a sauce pan and simmer on your stove until it’s ready.
Restaurant quality, blue-ribbon style barbecue sauce can be yours without any nasty preservatives!

If you talk to a man about BBQ he will listen for hours.
Megan

Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect BBQ Sauce Every Time

Use raw organic honey. That junk you find in the supermarket isn’t real honey. Know the difference!
Taste it before adding more salt and pepper. This simple bbq sauce recipe calls for a pinch of each. You can surely add more if you wish, but give it a quick taste-test to see.
Let it simmer and lower it. Once it simmers on your stove, lower the heat and stir here and there. You want it to slowly come together.

How to Cook Homemade Barbecue Sauce

BBQ sauce is cooked on the stove top. This allows the honey and the molasses to melt in and brings all those beautiful flavors together to create the best barbecue sauce that is the perfect balance.

How do you make Texas BBQ sauce from scratch?

Texas BBQ sauce is a bit thinner than this sauce. It tends to use hot sauce and cumin to give it a distinctive flavor.

What does Texas BBQ sauce taste like?

Texas BBQ sauce is just a bit thinner than the stickier BBQ sauces. It has more of a tomato flavor as well.

What is the base of BBQ sauce?

Some barbecue sauce recipes use ketchup as the base for BBQ sauce but the best base is canned tomato sauce. This allows you to customize the flavor and make real BBQ sauce from scratch.

What is the best BBQ sauce?

The best BBQ sauce is the one you make yourself without additives or preservatives. Perhaps you’ll even find that this BBQ sauce is best though it is a matter of taste. Texans will favor a tomatoey flavor though southerners will find this more like what they’re used to.

What is the best BBQ sauce for ribs?

The best BBQ sauce for ribs is one that you can smother them in before cooking and have plenty leftover for dipping as you eat. In other words, this recipe will be the best BBQ sauce for ribs you’ll find.

How do you make southern BBQ sauce from scratch?

Southern BBQ sauce has a tang from apple cider vinegar along with a vivid sweetness, usually from honey or brown sugar. Following this recipe will give you a more southern BBQ experience.

Is BBQ sauce made with ketchup?

While some recipes call for the use of ketchup, in this recipe, you use canned tomato sauce. You skip all those gross preservatives and nasty things like high fructose corn syrup by not using ketchup.

How do you make BBQ sauce from scratch without ketchup?

Simple! Use canned tomato sauce. You get the tomato base you need without all the added preservatives.

How can you make BBQ sauce better?

BBQ sauce can be made better by skipping the additives. When you use ketchup, it’s already sweetened but canned tomato sauce is pure and simple, letting you infuse it with honey, molasses, and all the other seasonings to give it a taste of its own.

What goes well with BBQ Sauce

Goodness, I could go on all day about what goes well with BBQ sauce! Homemade chicken tenders, BBQ chicken, anything on the grill, ribs, burgers, sandwiches, fries…there are endless ways to apply your BBQ sauce.

How to Store BBQ Sauce

Your BBQ sauce is best stored in a mason jar or another airtight container. Keep it in the fridge, but let it come to room temperature first before storing it.

How Long Does BBQ Sauce Last?

This homemade BBQ sauce will be good for up to a week in your fridge. I recommend not making more than you need for the week unless you freeze it.

Can You Freeze BBQ Sauce?

Yes! That’s the best way to make sure your BBQ sauce doesn’t go to waste. Put it in an airtight container and tuck it in the freezer.

How to Reheat BBQ Sauce?

Just let it thaw out in your fridge overnight. Your BBQ sauce will be ready to use in no time!

Watch How To Make BBQ Sauce (Video)

More BBQ recipes:

The post Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe appeared first on How To Cook.Recipes.

Classic Tartar Sauce Recipe

Megan Miller — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 04:44:21 +0000

When it comes to crispy fried foods, tartar sauce is the perfect accentuation. If you want to recreate those signature fast food fried fish sandwiches, it’s a must. But who knows what those weird artificial ingredients are in the store-bought versions? Make this homemade tartar sauce recipe for more flavor and better health for your happy family!

Best Tartar Sauce Recipe

Creamy and tangy, tartar sauce makes a great dip for all kinds of goodies. Once I figured out how to make an old fashioned tartar sauce recipe myself, I’ve never bought it from the condiment aisle ever again and now neither will you!

Easy Tartar Sauce Recipe

This easy tartar sauce recipe takes only 5 minutes to make! From there, you can use it on so many wonderful things. Make a big batch or keep it small to keep it fresh if you’re not going to use it that often.

Homemade Tartar Sauce Ingredients

Mayonnaise – the creamy base you start with.
Sweet relish – to give it a slight sweetness with crispy chunks. You can also substitute dill pickles if you do not have sweet relish.
Capers – ah, the savory element is all here.
Lemon juice – use fresh to add that tang.
Worcestershire sauce – a key element in rounding out the rest of the flavors.

How do you Make Tartar Sauce?

Simply round up all the ingredients and mix them together.
Add salt and pepper to taste and you’re ready to serve your homemade tartar sauce.

Got tartar sauce?
Anonymous

Is tartar sauce the same as mayonnaise?

No, it’s not, though tartar sauce is typically made with mayonnaise as the base.

Who makes the best tartar sauce?

With this recipe, it will be you that makes the best tartar sauce. You can always buy it ready-made from Hellman’s or Kraft, but it will taste so much better when you mix it up fresh yourself.

Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe

Choose quality ingredients. Always!
Don’t skip the lemon. It adds that tang that cuts up the creaminess of the mayo.
Use both the sweet relish and the capers. This balances the flavor between sweet and savory so neither is too cloying. Making a tartar sauce recipe with capers really takes it to the next level!

Is tartar sauce made with cream of tartar?

Some recipes do use cream of tartar to make tartar sauce. This recipe does not include it as an ingredient. It is not a mandatory requirement of making tartar sauce to include cream of tartar.

What to Serve with Tartar Sauce

Fried foods go great with tartar sauce, especially seafood. Fried fish, clam strips, shrimp, crab cakes and fish sticks. Even a grilled fish sandwich is a match with tartar sauce. Hushpuppies and fries are fun to dip in this sauce too.

How can I make store bought tartar sauce better?

Adding capers plus the brine will make any store-bought tartar sauce taste way better off the bat. Additionally, a pop of coarse-grained mustard may be able to help, especially if you don’t have any capers.

What is a good substitute for tartar sauce?

You can use mayonnaise and aioli if you’d prefer instead of tartar sauce.

How to Store Tartar Sauce

Since it contains mayonnaise, tartar sauce must go in the refrigerator. If you’re serving it at a gathering, only portion out a small bit and refill as needed to keep it from spoiling.

How Long Does Tartar Sauce Last?

When you put it in an airtight container, your tartar sauce will last up to 2 weeks. If you’re making it for an event, make it the day before so all the flavors have a chance to meld.

Can You Freeze Tartar Sauce?

Tartar sauce isn’t the best item to freeze because of the mayonnaise. It will separate some.

How to Thaw Frozen Tartar Sauce?

It’s not recommended you freeze it in the first place. If you do go against the grain, freeze the other ingredients sans mayo, then thaw them in the fridge. Once thawed, you can add in mayonnaise.

Watch How To Make Tartar Sauce (Video)

Easy Classic Tartar Sauce Recipe

This homemade easy tartar sauce recipe is simple to make and is so much better than store bought. Its creamy, delicious and goes well with a variety of seafood dishes!

5 from 1 vote

Print Save

Prep 5

Total 5

Calories 34

Servings servings

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Ingredients

Equipment

▢
Small mixing bowl

Method

Stir all ingredients in a small bowl until thoroughly combined. Add the salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition

Calories34kcalCarbohydrates3gProtein1gFat3gSaturated Fat1gCholesterol2mgSodium264mgPotassium5mgFiber1gSugar2gVitamin A63IUVitamin C1mgIron1mg

Private Notes

Click here to add your own private notes.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

More tartar sauce recipes:

Classic Recipes

Perfect Recipes

Homemade Recipes

Easy Recipes

The post Classic Tartar Sauce Recipe appeared first on How To Cook.Recipes.

Pico De Gallo Recipe

Megan Miller — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 16:11:19 +0000

For Super Bowl or any other gathering, I’m always asked if I’m serving my homemade pico de gallo recipe. I have to double it or else it’s gone within the first 15 to 30 minutes of serving. Everyone loves it, and when you make fresh salsa like this you will never get that jarred junk again.

Best Pico de Gallo Recipe

Pico de gallo salsa is a type of salsa fresca but it’s chunkier. The key to the best pico de gallo is using super-fresh ingredients. You can’t go wrong with that, and while it tastes so good, it has plenty of good-for-you nutrients too!

Easy Pico de Gallo Recipe

This authentic pico de gallo recipe is so easy, you can make it just minutes before guests arrive and they’d never know. In only 10 minutes from start to finish, you’ll have fresh pico de gallo that no one can resist. Plus its very versatile making it the perfect condiment.

Is Pico de Gallo healthy?

That’s the best news of all, is that Pico de Gallo is a healthy choice. Brimming with fresh veggies that bring you lots of antioxidants and vitamins, it’s a wonderful way to add flavor while promoting your well-being.

What’s in Pico de Gallo?

Pico de Gallo has simple and fresh ingredients that include tomatoes, white onion, jalapenos, fresh cilantro, and fresh lime. A little bit of salt is also used.

Pico de Gallo Ingredients

Fresh tomatoes – use the reddest and ripest ones you can find!
Onion – white onions give the best, most authentic flavor over red onion.
Jalapeño – gives it a little kick. If you don’t have jalapeno pepper you can substitute a serrano pepper.
Cilantro – fresh is best though dried will do in a pinch.
Lime juice – squeeze it fresh for the best taste.
Salt – just a little bit unites all the fresh flavors.

What is the difference between salsa and pico de gallo?

Basically, it comes down to the texture. Traditional pico de gallo is chunkier than tomato salsa though they do share the same ingredients.

How do you Make Pico de Gallo from Scratch

All it takes is a food processor! Add all the ingredients, turn it on and chop! That’s it!

I seriously could have chips and salsa for dinner everyday.
Megan

Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Pico de Gallo Every Time

Fresher is better. The fresher your ingredients, the better the taste will be.
Use white onions. They have a sharp flavor but it works so well with the citrusy lime and tomatoes for perfect contrast.
Red tomatoes are a must. Don’t settle for pink tomatoes in this recipe! They should be as red as possible.
Skip the garlic – Fresh garlic is great in guacamole. But for pico de gallo, skip it.
Mango is a great addition – if you’ve never had mango salsa, you have to try it. Simply add in fresh diced mango to the recipe. It adds a delicious sweetness!

What Tomatoes are Best for Pico de Gallo?

The type matters a bit less than what they look like. I recommend choosing what’s seasonally fresh by you. Vine-ripened and heirloom are great summer options but even Roma tomatoes are a go. They just need to be as red as can be for any tomato you use.

What onion is best for Pico de Gallo?

White onions make for the best pico de gallo. They have a sharp taste but that is tamed by the other ingredients for a perfect pairing.

What can I add to Pico de Gallo to make it better?

It’s all in the lime juice and cilantro. Make sure they’re fresh, and that your tomatoes are fresh too. Even if you hate spicy things, don’t skip the jalapeno. Adding just a little bit in will round out the flavor.

How do you make homemade Pico de Gallo spicier?

Add more jalapeno! This will definitely kick it up in heat. However, do taste it first as-is before adding more jalapeno in there.

How do you keep Pico de Gallo from getting watery?

The salt draws out the water in the vegetables. If you’d like to avoid watery Pico de Gallo, you can serve it immediately. Or use the salt on the tomatoes first, then drain them so they don’t water down your creation.

What to Serve with Pico de Gallo

The options are endless! Put it on the table next to guacamole, cheese dip, or avocado salsa with tortilla chips as a snack. Serve it with any Mexican food main dish like tacos, burritos, fajitas, enchiladas, burrito bowls, and quesadillas. Stir it in scrambled eggs or an omelet. Top off burgers with it too!

How to Store Pico de Gallo

A pico de gallo salsa recipe needs to be kept in the fridge in an airtight container. Don’t let it sit out too long!

How Long Does Homemade Pico de Gallo Last?

It’s best to eat your pico de gallo in the same day. It’s rare I’ve had any leftover after making it because it’s so good. You can make it ahead of a party too, but it needs to be used before 3 days are up.

Can You Freeze Pico de Gallo?

Technically, you can freeze pico de gallo. You’ll have a different texture though from the tomatoes and cilantro. Be sure to drain any excess juice before freezing. It should keep up to 3 months.

How to Thaw Frozen Pico de Gallo?

Simply put it in the fridge to thaw. It should be ready to dig into the next day.

Watch How To Make Pico de Gallo (Video)

Easy Pico De Gallo Recipe

This super easy Pico De Gallo recipe is perfect for a chips and salsa appetizer or used as a topping for your favorite taco or burrito dish. This is the same fresh quality of our local Mexican restaurant that helped me perfect this recipe!

5 from 1 vote

Print Save

Prep 5

Cook 5

Total 10

Calories 48

Servings servings

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mexican

Ingredients

▢ 1 1/2 lbs tomatoes roughly chopped
▢ 1 white onion roughly chopped
▢ 2 jalapeno peppers roughly chopped
▢ 2/3 cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped
▢ 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
▢ 2 tsp salt

Equipment

▢
Food processor

Method

Combine all ingredients into a food processor until finely chopped and thoroughly combined. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories48kcalCarbohydrates11gProtein2gFat1gSaturated Fat1gSodium1174mgPotassium492mgFiber3gSugar6gVitamin A1672IUVitamin C39mgCalcium23mgIron1mg

Private Notes

Click here to add your own private notes.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

More salsa recipes:

Classic Recipes

Perfect Recipes

Homemade Recipes

Easy Recipes

The post Pico De Gallo Recipe appeared first on How To Cook.Recipes.

Homemade Salsa Recipe

Megan Miller — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 21:19:27 +0000

Once upon a time, I used to buy pre-made salsa. But then I got curious about the ingredients in it and realized I could make restaurant style salsa myself without any additives. Since then, I’ve never had a jar of salsa fresca in my kitchen that came from the supermarket shelf. Bring the fiesta with this simple and fresh salsa recipe that you’re going to sign up to bring to every potluck from here on out!

Best Salsa Recipe

What makes for the best salsa recipe? For me, it needs to have a balance of texture, flavor, and spice. This Mexican salsa recipe gives you all that and disappears quick. You might want to make double for a big party!

Homemade Salsa Ingredients

Tomatoes – All salsa starts with tomatoes and this recipe uses fresh and canned.
Jalapeno pepper – use 2 if you want it spicy.
Red onion – adds a pungent contrast.
Garlic – everything is better with garlic!
Lime juice – the quintessential acidity all salsa needs.
Fresh cilantro – you can use the dried version too, but fresh is best.
Spices and seasonings – these add depth to the mix.

What Tomatoes are Best for Salsa?

The firmer and fleshier the tomatoes, the better they are for salsa. You can feel free to use whatever tomatoes you have on hand though I’ve chosen Roma tomatoes when making a fresh tomato salsa recipe because they tend to be pretty firm.

Easy Salsa Recipe

Don’t open that jar! All it takes is 10 minutes of your time with a few simple ingredients in your food processor to knock out this easy salsa recipe. Get the tortilla chips ready!

I could eat chips and salsa for dinner everyday.
Megan

How to Make Salsa from Scratch

Salsa from scratch requires a mix of mostly fresh ingredients with diced tomatoes and seasonings from your spice rack. All you need are fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and seasonings. Simply combine them in your food processor, blend, and serve!

Do I have to peel tomatoes to make salsa?

No, you don’t. When learning to how to make salsa dip for tortilla chips, simply combine all the ingredients in the food processor.

Should I seed tomatoes for salsa?

Some people do but I do not seed tomatoes when making fresh tomato salsa. It’s a matter of preference though seeding them makes it feel more like pico de gallo than salsa.

Should you cook tomatoes before making salsa?

No, you do not need to cook tomatoes before making salsa. You’ll use fresh chopped ones plus diced canned tomatoes to get the ideal taste and texture.

Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Salsa Every Time

Fresh AND canned – The key to the best salsa is adding in that can of tomatoes with the fresh ones.
Spice it up – Fresh cilantro also adds a little extra something and that jalapeno can’t be skipped.
Heat – If you don’t like spicy, just use one jalapeno.
The missing ingredient – Don’t forget the lime to add acidity or else it will feel like it’s missing something.

What makes a good salsa?

Fresh ingredients mixed with pantry staples give the right balance of flavor for good salsa. You want canned tomatoes and fresh ones, fresh herbs and also spices from your spice rack. It gives it a perfect restaurant-worthy taste!

What can I add to salsa for flavor?

I am a firm believer that fresh cilantro and lime juice are what it takes to liven up a tomato salsa recipe. Don’t skip those ingredients.

What onion is best for salsa?

Red onions are the best for salsa because they add a pretty color and a pungent flavor without overpowering. I also use green onions for a different layer of flavor.

How do you make salsa more spicy?

Add jalapeno. If I’m having a big party, I’ll make 2 versions…one that has 1 jalapeno and another that has 2 jalapeno peppers for a more spicy salsa recipe.

What to Serve with Salsa

Tortilla chips is the obvious and favorite answer to go with a restaurant salsa recipe, but you can do so much more. Serve it with a tray of veggies to dip, quesadillas, tacos, burritos, even top off burgers or a mountain of cheese fries. Oh, and don’t forget nachos either!

How to Store Salsa and How Long It Lasts

Homemade salsa with fresh tomatoes needs to stay in the fridge. You shouldn’t let it sit out for longer than an hour, so serve some up at your party and put the rest in the fridge, refilling as needed. Keep it in an airtight container and it will last for 10 to 12 days.

Can You Freeze Salsa?

Homemade salsa freezes beautifully too. You can put it in a freezer-safe container and wrap that with foil. It will be good for a max of 4 months.

How to Defrost Frozen Salsa

Before you want to use your frozen salsa, thaw it in the fridge until it’s completely thawed. You’ll want to drain it a little bit prior to serving because it will be a little more watery than when it was fresh.

Watch How To Make Salsa (Video)

More salsa recipes:

Classic Recipes

Perfect Recipes

Homemade Recipes

Easy Recipes

The post Homemade Salsa Recipe appeared first on How To Cook.Recipes.

Classic Hummus Recipe

Megan Miller — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 20:36:41 +0000

Hummus is one of our favorite dips! The kids love it just as much as my husband and I do. The best part is that it’s a healthy choice you can feel good about. Hummus is made with chickpeas which are a natural source of antioxidants. Plus, it’s full of fiber so this snack will really tame your hunger. Fresh homemade hummus is head and shoulders above generic grocery store hummus!

Best Hummus Recipe

Once you make the best hummus recipe, you’re never going to buy it pre-made again. Made with real ingredients, you can feel good about serving it and eating it. When everyone wants a snack or you’re having friends and family over for the big game or a holiday, hummus is the perfect people-pleaser!

Easy Hummus Recipe

One of the best things about making homemade hummus is that it’s so easy. It takes just 15 minutes and only requires your blender to combine the 7 ingredients. You’ll have it ready faster than going to the store to pick it up!

Homemade Hummus Ingredients

Chickpeas – The star of the hummus show! If you want your hummus creamier, you can peel them, but you don’t have to if you don’t want to. Garbanzo beans can also be used as a substitute if you cannot find chickpeas.
Fresh lemon juice – For that lovely acidity!
Tahini – This condiment, made from sesame seeds, can be enjoyed on its own, but it is essential in making any authentic hummus recipe with tahini.
Garlic – One of the best ways to add that kick of flavor to any garlic hummus recipe.
Olive oil – Used in the blending of the hummus as well as on top as is traditionally served.

What is hummus?

Hummus is used as a dip or spread, made with mashed chickpeas that get blended along with lemon juice, tahini, and garlic. Olive oil is often used as well, particularly drizzled on top. Garnishes can vary from simple fresh parsley to ground herbs, nuts, and seeds. It originated from the Middle East and has been a popular dish ever since.

What is traditional hummus made of?

Traditional hummus is made with blended chickpeas, tahini, garlic, fresh lemon juice, and sea salt. It is topped with extra virgin olive oil and usually fresh parsley.

How Do You Make Hummus from Scratch?

There’s no magic or mystery to making authentic hummus. Simply open your cans of chickpeas, add them to the blender along with the other ingredients, and blend until it’s smooth and creamy. You’ll then scoop it into a bowl and add a drizzle of olive oil and garnish it off with fresh parsley and ground sumac.

Words cannot express hummus I love you.
Anonymous

Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Hummus

Save that chickpea water – Known as “aquafaba,” it gives your hummus a more concentrated flavor rather than just adding water. Also, add liquid back in slowly. This will ensure you get that perfect texture of smoother hummus that’s creamy and delightful.
Quality is key – Choose the best ingredients each time and you will never be disappointed with your own homemade hummus.

Hummus Recipe Variations

There are tons of ways to vary your hummus. I recommend making it once the original way and getting a feel for it. Then you can fine-tune it with your own favorite things like sun dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, pesto, roasted garlic, spinach and feta, and plenty more. It’s so much fun to get creative with hummus!

How do you make hummus taste better?

Taste is definitely in the mouth of the beholder for hummus. Whether you want to adjust your homemade version or one you’ve gotten from the store, you can add Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, more tahini, herb oil, chives, rosemary, ground cumin, toasted pine nuts or anything else fresh and lively.

Do chickpeas need to be cooked for hummus?

If you buy the canned chickpeas, you will not need to cook them. If you bought dry chickpeas and you don’t have time to soak them overnight in cold water, you can boil them for 30 minutes on the stove top with some baking soda to help breakdown the chickpea skins, cool them, and then they will be ready. Alternatively, you can use a pressure cooker to cook them as well.

Is hummus vegan?

Yes, hummus is completely vegan so everyone can enjoy it.

Is hummus fattening or good for you?

The good news is that this is a healthy hummus recipe since it has good fats from the olive oil and tahini. It also has lots of plant-based protein and fiber which will keep you fuller longer, making it a great snack.

Why is my homemade hummus bitter?

If your hummus tastes bitter, you’re not using enough tahini or using the right brand. You can always make this hummus recipe without tahini, but tahini is what makes it authentic to traditional hummus.

What can be used instead of tahini in hummus?

You can make homemade hummus without tahini. Replace it with any nut butter such as cashew or almond. Sunflower seed butter is a nice replacement for tahini. Sesame oil and sesame seeds may be used instead of hummus as well.

Which tahini is best for hummus?

Joyva Sesame Tahini is what I used in this recipe. It’s salty and savory, perfect for a traditional hummus recipe.

What to Serve with Hummus?

Pita bread or chips are always a good thing to scoop up creamy hummus with. You can also cut up fresh veggies like carrots, celery, cucumbers, and bell peppers to dunk into your homemade hummus. Try using your hummus on sandwiches and in wraps too for a healthier way to bring them together.

How to Store Hummus?

You’ll need to keep your homemade hummus refrigerated. Use a good airtight container and you can count on it for about 4 to 7 days. You can also freeze hummus if you keep it in a heavy-duty freezer bag.

Can you freeze hummus?

Yes, you can freeze hummus. Just put it in an airtight container that is freezer-safe. Don’t fill it all the way to the top either since it will expand during the freezing process.

Watch How To Make Hummus (Video)

More hummus recipes:

Classic Recipes

Perfect Recipes

Homemade Recipes

Easy Recipes

The post Classic Hummus Recipe appeared first on How To Cook.Recipes.

Best Guacamole Recipe

Megan Miller — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 00:13:03 +0000

I don’t know about you, but when a homemade guacamole recipe hits the table, I’m ready for the fiesta! Why wait though when you can make it yourself? This authentic guacamole recipe is quick, easy, and delicious and is still my favorite appetizer on Super Bowl Sunday.

Best Guacamole Recipe

You’ll love this classic guacamole recipe because it’s going to be your go-to when your guac cravings strike. It’s perfect for game-day, for holiday or family gatherings, snack time, or to accompany your Mexican night at home.

Easy Guacamole Recipe

This super simple guacamole recipe is easy to make and this will show you just how easy it is to make homemade guacamole with just a handful of ingredients. You will never buy that pre-made glop from the store ever again! Now go pick up a few pounds of avocados and lets get started!

What is traditional guacamole?

A Mexican guacamole recipe is simply defined as mashed avocado with fresh ingredients. As such, traditional guacamole can vary by recipe as everyone seems to have their own way of making it.

Guacamole Ingredients

Haas avocados – You can’t have guac without them! Hass avocados at room temperature are the best avocados for good guacamole.
Lime – As mentioned, it keeps it from turning brown and also adds great zesty flavor!
Red onion – Perfectly pungent without being overpowering.
Serrano or jalapeno peppers – Guacamole needs a hint of spice, even if you keep it mild. If you love spicy guacamole, just add a bit more pepper.
Fresh cilantro – This delightful herb is the key to making authentic guacamole!

How to pick ripe avocados?

The ripening process for avocados is fairly simple. Look for that bulbous end of your avocado. It should give way to firm pressure. Also, make sure that brown stem piece is still intact. Otherwise it will let air into the avocado and it will get overripe. This might not be a big deal if you’re going to make guacamole as soon as you get home, but if you’re waiting a day or two, it will be.

The Best Way to Cut an Avocado

You’ll want to cut your avocado lengthwise. The pit will be easier to pop out. Then you can scoop out the flesh with a spoon onto your cutting board and chunk it up.

How do You Make Guacamole from Scratch

The key to perfect guacamole from scratch is:

Finely dice – the ingredients should be in little pieces so you’re not getting giant chunks.
Lime juice – this keeps the avocados from turning brown and adds a authentic flavor boost.
Control your spice – peppers can add zing without spice if you watch the seeds.
Make it less watery – I don’t mind, but if you want your guacamole with a pastier texture, keep the tomato seeds and pulp out of it.

You guac my world.
Megan

Expert Tips and Tricks for Guacamole Success!

Use ripe avocados – If they aren’t ready yet, they will have a weird texture and flavor. And too ripe means they will have that weird lipstick-like taste. Yuck!
Keep it chunky – Some people make guacamole blended but it’s more authentic with chunks of the fresh ingredients in every bite. Chunky guac is more authentic and adds texture.
Use fresh ingredients for flavor – You *could* use dried or powdered seasonings but fresh garlic, peppers, tomatoes, and cilantro make the taste so much better!

How do you make guacamole taste better?

Guacamole tastes best when you use the freshest ingredients you can find. Fresh garlic, cilantro, serrano peppers, and onions are far superior to using dried herbs. You’ll have the best guacamole dip when you stick to fresh!

What to Serve with Guacamole (Side Dishes)

If you’re having guacamole as a snack, you need tortilla chips. But you can also serve it with your favorite Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and burritos. Guacamole is additionally an amazing sandwich condiment to kick up your typical lunch with a Mexican flavor.

Other Ways to Use Guacamole

If everyone is all taco-ed out, you can use that leftover guacamole on toast for avocado toast. Use it to make deviled eggs, serve with fried fish, dunk fries into it, make nachos the next day…there are seriously so many yummy ways to enjoy this fresh guacamole that you should have no problem using it all.

Should guacamole have tomatoes?

While there are many recipes that don’t include tomatoes, this guac recipe uses them. It’s a small amount and adds more nutrition and flavor to your meal.

What can I substitute for lime juice in guacamole?

No lime? No problem! In this healthy guacamole recipe, you can substitute lemon juice or vinegar for lime juice. Lemon is a bit preferred over vinegar but at least you have options for adding the acidity you need to balance out the flavor.

Is guacamole just smashed avocado?

No, guacamole involves more than simply smashing an avocado. You need to add pungent elements like garlic and onions, fresh herbs, and a bit of acidity to make it the authentic way.

Is avocado spread and guacamole the same thing?

No, they’re not the same at all. Avocado spread is plain with just a little spice and citrus juice or vinegar to keep it from browning. Guacamole is distinctive with fresh herbs and other vegetables like onions, tomatoes, and peppers.

What’s the difference between avocado dip and guacamole?

The difference is that avocado dip is merely mashed avocados while guacamole’s base is of avocados combined with garlic, onions, tomatoes, peppers, and fresh herbs and spices with citrus juice to prevent it from changing to an unsavory color.

Is guacamole gluten-free?

Yes. When you make it yourself following this recipe, you can be sure you’re having a gluten-free experience.

Is guacamole vegan?

Yes, guacamole is 100% vegan. That’s worth throwing a fiesta for all on its own!

How to Store Guacamole

Even when you add lime, you will get some browning if you store any leftover guacamole in your fridge. It is better to use a piece of plastic wrap actually pressed over the guacamole to remove all air trapped inside.

Or you can use an airtight container and smooth the guac over at the top to get rid of any air pockets in side as well. Then add just half an inch of water to cover the surface of your guacamole. Make sure it’s covered tightly and then pop it in the fridge, but be sure you eat it within 2 days.

How do you keep guacamole from getting brown?

Avocados naturally brown when exposed to air. You can’t stop it but you can slow it down using lime juice. If you can’t find lime juice, lemon juice works well too. Also, cover your guacamole with a think layer of plastic wrap actually touching the guacamole so no air is in between and seal off all the edges. These simple tricks will keep your guacamole green much longer!