Have you ever attempted to double a baking recipe, only to have the final result come out looking nothing like it did when you made just a single batch? Well, this is actually a very common issue for the home baker. As you’ve likely heard, baking is a science, and calls for exact measurements, which have to be modified when bigger batches are prepared. The next time you’re baking up a storm, keep these calculations in mind to achieve the best results.
Cakes, Muffins, and Quick Breads: These baked goods are the main offenders when it comes to disappointing doubling. Why? The blame can usually be placed on either the baking soda or baking powder. The next time you’re making a double batch, you can simply double all the other ingredients, but re-calculate the baking soda and baking powder based on the following ratio: 1 to 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder per cup of all-purpose flour OR 1/4 teaspoon baking soda per cup of all-purpose flour. Remember, if your recipe contains an acidic ingredient, such as yogurt or buttermilk, include an extra 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda per cup of an acidic ingredient.
Cookies and Bars: Thankfully, cookies, brownies, and bars can typically be doubled without too much of a problem. Keep in mind that if you’re hoping for puffy, cake-like cookies, follow the baking soda and baking powder ratios as outlined above. Also, you can try cooling the cookie dough in the fridge between batches so that the dough doesn’t become too warm and soft in the hot kitchen, as this will cause the cookies to spread more than usual while baking.
Breads and Rolls: Yeast is a much less temperamental agent than baking soda and baking powder. For that reason, yeast-risen breads and rolls can be doubled without needing to adjust any of the quantities in the recipe. If you’re tripling or quadrupling, however, it’s best to weigh your ingredients rather than measuring them by volume to make sure the ratios stay consistent.
Before, we told you about three 10 minute meals to make for dinner, and we’re back with three more for the New Year. It’s a busy time of year for 1st Lake’s New Orleans apartment residents. Super Bowl and Mardi Gras are just around the corner and whether you’re busy working or playing, there may not be much time left over for cooking. That doesn’t mean you can’t whip up a quick, healthy and above all, delicious meal. Try these three recipes that take 10 minutes or less.
Spicy Grilled Shrimp – New Orleans is known for its unparalleled seafood, so residents of New Orleans apartment rentals that 1st Lake offers will be able to take full advantage of this regional bounty! The shrimp will need to brine for about 30 minutes and then marinate in a savory mixture, but the cook time will take no longer than 10 minutes. You can’t go wrong with fresh Louisiana shrimp, and a winning combination of zesty smoke and spices! Make the delicious and easy dinner with this recipe.
Fried Rice – Fried rice is one of the easiest meals to make and also one of the most delicious. It’s made by throwing veggie and protein leftovers together and mixing with some rice and beaten eggs. The trick is to cook the protein and eggs first and set aside, then cook the rice, then throw in the vegetables, cooked protein and seasoning. Delicious!
Apple-Arugula Salad Wraps – This wrap takes hardly any time at all to make and is full of flavor. All you have to do is combine arugula, chickpeas, cheese, apple and dressing together then wrap up in a tortilla. Cooking easy never tasted so good! Use this recipe to make these quick and easy wraps for lunch or dinner.
Recipes courtesy of thekitchn.com.
Hosting An Impromptu Gathering: The Cleaning Short List
It’s Friday afternoon, and you just found out that your friends are coming to visit tomorrow! If your home is not company-ready, check out this cleaning short list of must-dos to keep you sane, and ensure your space is looking its best before your guests arrive.
Short List (stuff to handle the day before or day of): Time Needed: 60 – 90 minutes
Dust mop floors and vacuum rugs.
Dust/wipe all surfaces.
Clean kitchen.
Clean bathroom.
Do a final clutter sweep to make sure all surfaces are clear, all beds are made, and all clothes are put away.
Handling these few items will make your entire house look pulled together, and will keep you from feeling like you’re inviting people into a mess!
The biggest sporting event of the year is coming up soon in New Orleans! Fortunately for 1st Lake residents of the Metairie, River Ridge and Kenner communities, they are in an ideal location to enjoy all the exciting events surrounding Super Bowl XLVII, and Northshore residents aren’t far away! Among the multitude of entertainment and activities that the Super Bowl will bring to New Orleans, here are the main events we’re looking forward to!
Super Bowl Boulevard – If there’s one thing New Orleans knows how to do, it’s putting on a festival, and that’s exactly what this four day long Super Bowl soiree will be. From Jan. 31 to Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3, there will be music, food and fan activities at Woldenburg Park right along the Mississippi River in the French Quarter. The musical entertainment will no doubt be impressive with Quint David in charge, whose portfolio includes producing the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
NFL Experience – This long-running NFL event will give Super Bowl visitors the opportunity of a behind the scenes look into pro football with an interactive theme park including games, displays, kids’ football clinics, free autograph sessions, a huge football memorabilia show and much more. The tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for children 12 and under, and includes all games and attractions. The NFL Experience is open daily from Jan. 30 through Feb. 3.
Super Bowl Gospel Celebration – Some of the biggest names in gospel music will be performing at the New Orleans Lakefront Arena for the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, including Fantasia, Marvin Winans, Lecrae, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Donnie McClurkin and host Kirk Franklin. This will no doubt be a night of incredible, uplifting faith and music two nights before the big game on Friday, Feb. 1.
Super Saturday of Service – On Super Bowl XLVII eve, the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee will hold a city-wide community service event with the NFL, New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC), Young Leadership Council (YLC), the Urban League of Greater New Orleans Young Professionals (ULGNOYP) and the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity. The Super Saturday of Service entails the renovation of five NORDC playgrounds and their surrounding neighborhoods. Those who want to participate in Super Saturday of Service can register to volunteer on the Host Committee website.
Super Bowl XLVII – Of course the whole reason for the aforementioned events is the big game – the 47th annual Super Bowl in New Orleans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The two best NFL teams of the year will go head to head for the Lombardi trophy starting at 5:25 p.m. with Beyonce and Destiny’s Child headlining the half time show.
Start fresh in the New Year by renting a brand new apartment in a completely new community in Covington! Everything about the Brewster Commons apartments in Covington is modern, state of the art and flawlessly designed for the new wave of residents in 2013.
Brewster Commons is located in the River Chase subdivision in Covington, LA. It’s a location that is bright and welcoming and is within walking distance to shopping and entertainment of the Northshore. The Northshore is a wonderful place in Louisiana to live, full of sporting, activities and local charm. Plus it’s just across the bridge from New Orleans, so residents can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Arguably, the most important and exciting time of year in Louisiana is just around the bend. Carnival season is fast approaching and the Northshore is host to several fantastic Mardi Gras parades. Residents of Brewster Commons will have a convenient location close to where the Krewe of Lyra and Krewe of Olympia parades roll. Also nearby is the Krewe of Tchefuncte parade, the only boat parade of Mardi Gras that makes its way down the Tchefuncte River.
Besides its beautiful surroundings and access to New Orleans and many festive Mardi Gras parades, Brewster Commons offers excellent amenities like a resort style swimming pool, hot tub, 24 hour modern fitness center, Wii & yoga room and much more. Check out what one, two and three bedroom floor plans are available and consider Brewster Commons for a new place on the Northshore to call home!
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
