SVEC/Tennessee
Magazine/Pick Tennessee Products Cooking School a Success!
Nearly 80 people packed into Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative’s community room in their South Pittsburg office, April 7, braving the threat of stormy weather to hear Tammy Algood, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Pick Tennessee Products spokesperson speak on a variety of informative and entertaining topics related to cooking.
Algood, demonstrated six delicious recipes which varied from a roasted pork tenderloin to a moist lemon tea pound cake to appetizers such as stuffed strawberries and marinated cheese. She also addressed topics such as refrigerator basics, kitchen safety, microwave basics, using spices, the science of leavening, etc. Participants busily took notes on all the helpful information while enjoying Algood’s, easy entertaining style of presentation. Following the program questions were answered and participants were invited to sample the dishes prepared during the class.
Some of the pointers and reminders that Algood gave include:
· A dull knife is a dangerous knife. Kitchen knives should be sharpened with a knife “steel” before EVERY use.
· To make your “non-stick” pan really non-stick, rub in the oil with a paper towel before using.
· To test your baking powder before using mix 1 teaspoon in a cup of warm water. If it bubbles it is active. If it doesn’t it is flat – THROW IT OUT.
· To test baking soda – mix 1 teaspoon in vinegar or lemon juice and again, if it bubbles it is ok to use, if it doesn’t, use it in your refrigerator to absorb odors.
· To keep eggs fresh longer store them in the carton in the middle of your refrigerator not in the cute little holder in the door.
· The door of your refrigerator is made for condiments and juices – foods that are not as sensitive to fluctuations in temperature, such as dairy products.
· Raw meat should be stored on the bottom solid shelf of your refrigerator where the juices can’t drip on other foods.
· Keep a thermometer in your refrigerator and freezer and check them each morning after the door has been closed all night. Place the thermometer in the center of the refrigerator for the most accurate reading. The refrigerator should not be above 40 degrees F. and the freezer should not be above zero degrees F.
· To clean a dirty microwave bring a cup of water to boil in the microwave and let it sit without opening the door for five minutes then open, discard water and wipe clean with a sponge. For a fresher smell, add lemon juice to the water.
· Test you oven temperature frequently and adjust accordingly to make sure you have the proper temperature for your recipe. Then DON’T OPEN THE OVEN while your dish is baking. Use the window and the light.
For recipes used in the cooking school visit the "Watts Cooking" page and for more information on the Pick Tennessee Products program visit http://picktnproducts.org
In lieu of an admission cost, participants donated $10 worth of staples to be distributed to the local food bank. A pickup truck load was donated.