Melt in Your Mouth Apricot Recipes

Apricot Coolers (Non-Alcoholic)

Apricot Coolers (Non-Alcoholic) by Alicat03's (BakeSpace Member)

In English folklore, it’s thought to be good luck if you have a dream that involves an apricot. While we can’t say for sure if apricots will bring you luck, there’s no question that they’re delicious. Why wait to dream when you can enjoy one right now?

Check out our Apricot Recipes Newsletter featuring recipes submitted by BakeSpace members

Today’s Tip:

When chopping dried apricots in a food processor, toss in a pinch of flour to keep them from sticking to the blades.

When chopping by hand, oil the blade of the knife or kitchen shears. You can also dip the dried apricots in flour.

Homemade Salsa Recipes Your Way

Everyone has their own particular preference when it comes to eating fresh salsa. What’s great about making salsa at home is that you can customize it to fit your pallet. 

 


Mark Bittmans Tomato-Onion Salsa Submitted by BakeSpace Member Sugarchic

 

Mark Bittman's Tomato-Onion Salsa Submitted by BakeSpace Member Sugarchic

 

Mild-Mannered

Try  substituting Jalapenos with a milder type of chili pepper such as Anaheim or Poblano chilis.

You can also cut down on spice by using just 1/2 of the Jalapeno pepper in the recipe, or by seeding the Jalapeno before adding it to the mix.

Hot and Bothered

Craving more sizzle with your sauce? Add 1 to 2 more Jalapeno peppers, or trade in the Jalapeno for an intensely spicy Habanero chili. Just make sure to keep a glass of water handy, because this sauce can get mucho caliente! 

Check out BakeSpace’s Salsa Newslsetter

 

Adjusting Salsa Temperatures
 
Everyone has their own particular preference when it comes to eating fresh salsa. What’s great about making salsa at home is that you can customize it to fit your pallet.
Mild-Mannered
    * Try  substituting Jalapenos with a milder type of chili pepper such as Anaheim or Poblano chilis.
    * You can also cut down on spice by using just 1/2 of the Jalapeno pepper in the recipe, or by seeding the Jalapeno before adding it to the mix.
Hot and Bothered
    * Craving more sizzle with your sauce? Add 1 to 2 more Jalapeno peppers, or trade in the Jalapeno for an intensely spicy Habanero chili. Just make sure to keep a glass of water handy, because this sauce can get mucho caliente! 

Cooking with Orange Juice

Packed with Vitamin C, Orange juice is one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants. It fights infections like colds and flus, and helps the body ward off free radicals that can lead to diseases such as cancer and heart disease. With OJ’s great taste and health benefits, it’s always a great time to enjoy a glass of “liquid sunshine.”

But orange juice isn’t just for drinking… it can also add some zest to just about any recipe!
Caramel Topped Flan by Piday

Caramel Topped Flan by Piday

But orange juice isn’t just for drinking… it can also add some zest to just about any recipe!

Thawing Frozen Orange Juice Quickly

Keeping a few cans of orange juice in the freezer can you help “chill out” during the warm summer months ahead. The only catch is that when the craving hits, you have to wait around for the concentrate to thaw. Here are three easy steps to help you speed things up.

1. Hold the can of frozen concentrate under hot water for a minute or two. This should melt the concentrate just enough so it releases easily from the can.

2. Dump the block of concentrate into a pitcher and add the suggested amount of water.

3. Use an immersion blender to mix the frozen block with the water. The mixer will produce a smooth, lump-free juice… with no waiting. 

For more recipes check out the BakeSpace Orange-infused Newsletter

How to Tell if an Avocado is Ripe

AVOCADOS: TESTING FOR RIPENESS

Super Easy Avocado Burger Topping by pinkbishie

Super Easy Avocado Burger Topping by pinkbishie

THE FLICK TEST – Finding a perfectly ripened avocado at the grocery store can be tricky. Sometimes an avocado that feels ripe is really just bruised. 

Here’s a quick trick: Flick the small stem of the avocado. If it comes off easily and you can see green underneath, you have a winner! If the stem does not come off and you see brown underneath, it’s not.

VIEW ALL AVOCADO RECIPES ON BAKESPACE

Tips for Cooking with Spinach

WORKING WITH SPINACH

Acorn Squash Bechamel Lasagna with Sage Sausage and Spinach by Kathy

Acorn Squash Bechamel Lasagna with Sage Sausage and Spinach by Kathy

SELECTION – For the best quality, select leaves that are green and crisp, with a nice fresh fragrance. Avoid anything that looks limp, damaged or spotted.

STORAGE - Fresh spinach should be dried and packed loosely in a cellophane or plastic bag, and then stored in your refrigerator’s “crisper” compartment. If stored properly, it should remain fresh for 3 to 4 days.

PREPARATION - Spinach grows in sandy soil, so make sure to wash it thoroughly to get rid of dirt particles. Tear off the stem and separate the leaves before placing them in a large bowl of water. Gently wash the leaves, and let the dirt particles drift to the bottom of the bowl. Remove leaves from the water, and repeat the process with fresh water until the leaves are clean.

VIEW ALL SPINACH RECIPES ON BAKESPACE 

Vote for BakeSpace – in 2009 Webby Awards!

webby logo

Grassroots Startup BakeSpace.com has been nominated for a 2009 Webby Award!

Now your vote can also help us win the coveted “People’s Voice Award”

If you’re not familiar with the Webby Awards, they’re considered the Web’s equivalent of the Oscars… but without the long speeches. Being nominated as one of just five finalists in the Social Media category is a big deal for any Web site, especially a grassroots community like BakeSpace!

As a Webby nominee, we’re also eligible to win the “People’s Voice Award,” which is voted on by the public. We need your help to win… so please take a moment to cast your vote for BakeSpace at http://pv.webbyawards.com. The deadline to cast your vote is April 30, but the sooner, the better. We’re competing against some pretty big, well-financed companies, so we really appreciate your support!

To vote, simply:

  • Visit the Webby’s People’s Voice Awards
  • Register… it takes just a few seconds, and you can use whatever name you like (so long as you use a valid e-mail address)
  • Once registered, you will receive a validation e-mail – it’s instant, so if you don’t see it in your inbox check your spam folder.
  • Click on the validation link to activate your account.
  • Once logged in, select BakeSpace in the pull down menu at the top of the page. That will take you directly to the “Social Networking” category where you can vote for BakeSpace.
  • Place your vote & that’s it! Easy as pie!
  • If you have an extra minute, please leave a comment too! Simply click on the orange “BakeSpace.com” link in the voting box. Share your thoughts on why our community should win.

On behalf of our small team here at BakeSpace, thanks for your support, and for helping show the world that our community is helping save the world one recipe at a time. BakeSpace is the only food-themed site in the running and the only one founded by a woman. Getting your vote and helping to spread the word can make all the difference in the world.

BakeSpace on the LA Morning News

The BakeSpace Food Mentor Program

The BakeSpace Mentor Program makes it easy to share knowledge about all things food-related!

The BakeSpace Mentor Program connects members who have specific culinary skills with those who are eager to learn. The goal is to share knowledge and get inspired while discovering new friends along the way. Visit the BakeSpace Food Mentors

Some recent mentors:

Celebrate National Pound Cake Day

Mojito Pound Cake & Photo by BakeSpace Member Girlieerin

Mojito Pound Cake & Photo by BakeSpace Member Girlieerin

Today (March 4th) is National Pound Cake Day. The term “Pound Cake” comes from the original 18th Century recipe for the cake, which consists of one pound each of butter, sugar, flour and eggs.

While most pound cakes today start with these basic ingredients, they are anything but traditional. Check out the following variations. And don’t worry if you like your pound cake the old fashioned way… we’ve thrown in a couple of tried and true recipes as well!

Check out our Pound Cake Newsletter

Tips for Cutting and Storing Brownies

Peanut Butter Fudge Bars by BakeSpace Member Jmgallo

Peanut Butter Fudge Bars by BakeSpace Member Jmgallo

Feeling inspired to make brownies? Here are a few tips for cutting and storing leftovers so you can savor them well after they come out of the oven.

Cutting Brownies:
Brownies are easier to cut if you place the pan in the freezer for several minutes before cutting the first piece. Dip a sharp knife in hot water, wipe it dry and move it across the pan in an up-and-down sawing motion.

Storing Brownies:
After you cut the brownies, either cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil or remove the brownies and place them in an airtight container. At room temperature, they’ll keep for three to four days, unless they have perishable ingredients such as cream cheese (in that case put them in the refrigerator right away). In general, brownies will last in the refrigerator for about five days.

Brownie Tips

Brownie Recipes on BakeSpace