Since March is National Frozen Food Month and we recently wrote about how to freeze soups and stews, we wanted to share one of our favorite spring recipes perfect for freezing! This five-ingredient easy gazpacho recipe from the James Beard Foundation is cool and refreshing with the delicate flavors of spring peas. We like serving it with a dollop of Greek yogurt or crème fraiche, a drizzle of high-quality olive oil, and a couple grinds of fresh black pepper for an elegant and tasty effect.
The best part? You won’t have to sit over a hot stove after you’ve frozen the soup. Simply let it thaw to your desired consistency – it’s supposed to be served chilled, after all.
Combine the pea shells, fennel, onion, and garlic in a large pot. Cover with cold water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain liquid into a clean pot and discard the solids.
Bring the strained liquid to a simmer. Add the peas, and simmer until they are just cooked through and bright green (about 3 to 5 minutes). Strain the peas, reserving the liquid.
Puree the peas in a blender, adding reserved liquid as needed to achieve the desired consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then transfer to an ice bath to cool. Serve chilled.
Cooking mistakes are bound to happen, but knowledge is power! Take a look at five methods for correcting common cooking mistakes (or avoiding them in the first place).
The Problem: You get a craving for banana bread, but the bananas aren’t ripe yet.
The Fix: Use your oven! Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, place the bananas (peels on) on a baking sheet, and bake for about 5 minutes. Check out the full video here.
The Problem: Your soup is bland.
The Fix: Season by “layer.” That means for chicken rice soup, for example, you’ll want to season the onions and carrots; season the rice as it’s cooking; season the chicken; and so on. Remember to taste as you go along to prevent over (or under) seasoning.
The Problem: You thought you had all the ingredients or tools for a recipe, but you don’t.
The Fix: Always, always read the recipe all the way through in advance. You’ll get an idea of what you’ll need and can develop a game plan for perfect execution every time.
The Problem: Your cookies spread too thin when they bake, making them crunchy.
The Fix: Could be the butter! Butter that’s overly soft (like the kind you nuke in the microwave to soften in a hurry) creates a runny consistency that’s more like batter than dough – and shapeless, thin cookies. Instead, try not to rush the process. Let butter sit at room temperature for about 45 minutes to ensure the right consistency.
The Problem: Your guacamole turns brown.
The Fix: Employ a two-part system to prevent your guacamole from oxidizing (aka turning brown). First, toss avocado in lemon or lime juice before you mash. Reserve the juice, then add it back in to taste. Citrus contains ascorbic acid, which delays oxidation. Second, place your guac in an air-tight container and dribble water on top to cover the guac. When you’re ready to eat, drain the water off and serve!
Ok, you messed up once. Common cooking mistakes can be fixed! Here’s how: https://t.co/rMV8x6c9EU #lifehacks pic.twitter.com/GLRINvfhRK
— 1st Lake Properties (@1stLake) January 8, 2016
Every room in your house has the potential to emanate peace and tranquility. How? Through the use of feng shui.
Feng shui is based on the idea that our homes are a reflection of what’s going on inside of us. By aligning the outside space with our inner feelings, you create a harmonious home.
This ancient Chinese method may seem a little bizarre on the surface, but feng shui principles are easy to follow and don’t (usually) cost a dime! We’ve culled a few simple ways to incorporate feng shui into your home.
This is a good practice from a hygienic perspective, of course, but there’s also a feng shui explanation. Feng shui posits that the toilet is a drain – leave the seat up, and you allow good energy to literally drain out of your home.
In the feng shui method, having your back to a door puts you in a compromising position. Try arranging your desk so that it faces toward the door – you’ll feel an instant sense of control and empowerment that could show through in your work!
This is usually a natural spot for arranging couches, but it also has a feng shui purpose: a wall brings a sense of steadiness and security that can help you relax. If there isn’t a wall available, you can place a sturdy console table behind your couch instead.
Square and rectangular coffee tables have harsh lines that point directly at people when seated. A circular coffee table creates a harmonious flow that lets energy (and people) move around more easily.
We devoted a blog post to this feng shui trick. Choosing items that bring you joy helps eliminate clutter and also amplifies positive energy. Move a favorite item to a prominent spot so you see it every time you walk in the room!
In feng shui, mirrors bring good fortune and double the abundance of positive energy. Use them!
According to Feng Shui, shapes are an important factor in the flow of energy in a room. Triangles, for example, are largely unwelcome as they convey a sense of hostility. Round or square furniture is a better choice, though Feng Shui encourages mixing shapes to avoid an overabundance of a single energy.
If you’re a fan of the life aquatic, Feng Shui may be your ideal decorating method. Feng Shui literally means wind and water, so these natural forces play an important role in the practice. Ch’i, the life force, is said to be attracted to water so a well-placed fountain or fish tank is sure to attract positive energy.
A small water fountain or water wall will also attract good ch’i. Small fountains are available in many styles from retailers like Amazon.com and Pottery Barn. Prices, of course, vary, but you can find a nice fountain for your home for between $50 and $150.
America’s favorite starter pet, the fish, and its likeness are associated with success in Feng Shui. Stagnant water, though, is associated with a messy life so keep your fish happy and their water clean. If you’re not up for buying a fountain or new pet, mirrors are said to serve a similar function in Feng Shui.
The best known aspect of Feng Shui is likely the practice of arranging furniture to achieve a harmonious energy in the home. For example, for all rooms in the home, artwork should be hung at eye level, though art should be hung above large pieces of furniture such as a sofa. Beds should not lie under exposed beams or near windows, as this blocks energy flow. The foot of the bed should also be kept clear.
As there are many rules in Feng Shui regarding placement of objects, you may want to research the finer points of the practice as they apply to your specific space, but achieving a more harmonious home is worth the effort.
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Related posts: What is Eclectic Home Decor? We Explore This Design Style, DIY Home Decor Ideas, Home Decor for Small Apartments
Did you know March is National Frozen Food month? The freezer is an incredible tool for preserving foods, but knowing the right way to freeze foods is key. A frozen pizza from the grocery store is easy – just pop it in the freezer and move on – but certain foods take more preparation. That’s why we’re showing you how to freeze soups and stews the right way. To defrost, simply heat and stir, and you’ve got a homemade meal in no time.
A beautiful picture can spark inspiration, which is why we’re obsessed with Instagram. Whether it’s searching for what to make for dinner or scrolling through images of cute animals, spending a little quality time on Instagram is one of our favorite hobbies. We also find it’s an especially good tool for home décor ideas.
Check out our list of the best home décor accounts to follow on Instagram below!
Following brand accounts brings multiple benefits – you’ll see incredible images of gorgeous interior spaces, plus, you’ll know exactly where to buy the products in each picture!
Print magazines and online publications are a great resource for on-trend designs.
New Orleans interior designer Whitney Jones shares design inspiration and DIYs on Instagram. (Photo courtesy whitneyjdecor on Instagram)
In a city full of style and character, these Igers serve up some serious design inspiration.
Take cues from these interior designers’ Instagram accounts – it’s like having a private consultation for free!
A few other favorites we couldn’t resist including.
Be sure to follow our Apartment Decorating board on Pinterest for even more home décor ideas!
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
