Category Archives: Snacks

Baked Recipe Ideas For Your Electric Smoker

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Baking with an electric smoker can be just as fun and as rewarding as using a conventional oven. These best electric smoker reviews include the top brands that are suitable for smoking as well as baking!

If you already own a quality electric smoker, the baked recipes that follow are a great place to start trying something other than smoked salmon! With an electric smoker you have so many options to air fry, sear, roast, bake and sauté many different kinds of recipes! Keep reading to see our favorite recipes!

1. BAKED PEANUT BUTTER PIE

  • Prep Time: 20mn
  • Cooking Time: 20mn
  • Serves: 8 – 12

Move over s’mores lovers! This Smoked baked peanut butter dessert by Amanda Haas can be done either right in your electric smoker or on your grill. A steady fire at 350 degrees fahrenheit with the door sealed will ensure your recipe comes out just right!

2. BAKED PIZZA

  • Prep Time: 30mn
  • Cooking Time: 1hr, 30mn
  • Serves: 6 – 8

Wood-fired pizza is a classic Italian recipe that can be easily transferred to an electric smoker. Hickory or maple wood chips can add a touch of sweet smoky goodness to pepperoni, ham pr bacon toppings as well.

Use your own homemade dough recipe or purchase your favorite brand of prepared pizza dough to save time in this recipe by Kristi Croddy.

3. Baked Potatoes

  • Prep Time: 20mn
  • Cooking Time: 1hr

The great thing about baked potatoes is that they are infinitely versatile. Add just about any topping you like, your electric smoker can turn out delicious baked potatoes with that smoked wood flavor.

Salt, pepper, butter, potatoes and some flavored wood chips (hickory, oak, pecan), along with your favorite meat or vegetables and sauce, are all you need to give your baked potatoes some zest. Watch this helpful YouTube video by the Typical Family to learn how to bake potatoes in an electric smoker.

VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QafbtJaKPY

4. BAKED APPLE COBBLER

  • Prep Time: 30 – 40mn
  • Cooking Time: 20mn
  • Serves: 6 – 8

Suitable for either your grill or electric smoker, this apple cobbler recipe from the Food Network draws on traditional ingredients, but adds that fruity smoky flavor produced by apple wood chips. Besides your smoker, you’ll need a quality, oven-friendly skillet as well.

Topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and strawberries, this classic dessert is a sure winner at any outdoor gathering.

5. BAKED BEANS (BAKED)

  • Prep Time: 15mn
  • Cooking Time: 1hr
  • Serves: Up to 8

Texas style baked beans are an American classic, and a great side dish that can be served alongside pork, poultry or beef. Pecan or hickory wood chips will add extra savoriness to your beans. Add some bacon, cook low and slow for about an hour, then serve with salad and meat for a satisfying smoked meal!

6. GLUTEN-FREE BAKED MACARONI AND SMOKED HAM 

  • Prep Time: 20 mn
  • Cooking Time: Approximately 30mn.
  • Serves: 4 – 6

Turn boring old mac & cheese into a savory dish that excites your taste buds! Adapted from a recipe by Boar’s Head, suppliers of delicatessen meat, this gluten-free recipe is fairly simple and can be completed within an hour. Use maple wood chips for extra flavoring.

The earthy, aromatic flavoring of blanc grue combines with well-aged and cured vermont cheddar to give your macaroni added texturing and creaminess. Gluten-free macaroni is widely available and fairly inexpensive. If you’re not used to gluten-free baking, there are a few considerations to keep in mind.

Bake this dish in a conventional oven or in your electric smoker in a 9” x 13” oven-friendly casserole dish at a steady 375 degrees fahrenheit for optimum results.

Finding the right electric smoker can really make the difference in delivering mouth watering meals you cook yourself. Take the time to get familiar with your smoker, and it never hurts to check out the newest models on the market.

Thankfully there are lots of choices, and don’t forget the important of choosing your woodchips! Beginners can check out these tips for selecting the right wood chips for their electric smoker, as any pro will tell you, the right wood chips can really make or break a brisket!

Give your baked recipes a try with the smoker and see what amazing combinations you can come up with!

6 Food Station Ideas for Your Next Corporate Event

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Corporate events are usually social gatherings sponsored or funded by companies and businesses. They’re mainly held to boost the company name and create more business connections and marketing networks. This is the reason why firms spend so much on venue and food to showcase a corporate event.

In these gatherings, food arrangements and offerings almost always take the center stage. Food presentations have become more elaborate and eye-catching as people’s taste buds get picky. That’s why food preparations for corporate events have become more and more challenging.

If you have an upcoming corporate event, you may be looking for food ideas that will make it more interesting and memorable. The best corporate catering services in the business now offer a number of interesting food station options that will add a bit of fun to any event. Get your guests up and excited to eat with these six great food station ideas.

1. Cheese, Meats, and Crudités

Everyone loves a good cheese and meat board to pick and choose from. Sources are plenty if you talk about cheese, like ordering it from The Chuckling Cheese Company or from your long-time favorite cheesemaker. In your cheese and meat board preparation, you can have cold cuts delight to complement your cheese. Add in crudités with dips like hummus, baba ganoush, and pimento cheese and you got yourself a trifecta of goodness.

Cheeses to include: Smoked Cheddar, Goat Cheese, Irish Porter, Red Leicester, Sage Derby, Port Win

Pair with: Seasonal Fruits, Jams, Baguettes, Crisps

Meat selections: Prosciutto, Chorizo Sausage, Capicolla, Salami, Serrano Ham, Mortadella, Soppressata

Pair with: Olives, Pickles, Mustard, Cheddar Herb Focaccia, Seed Crisps

Crudités to serve: Sliced Carrot, Beetroot, Bell pepper, Asparagus, Cucumber, Radish

Pair with: Jalapeno and Cheese Dip, Blue Cheese Dip, Ranch Yogurt Dip

2. Asian Inspired

Both traditional and fusion Asian cuisines are popular choices for food stations. The combination of exotic flavors is a gratifying treat to the palate. With a healthy smoothie and fruit juices to pair it with, your choice of great food is ready for a great party. Choose one or more of these delicious options:

  • Dumplings (chicken, shrimp, or mushroom)
  • Coconut Green Curry Chow Mein
  • Ginger Chili Kimchi Friend Rice
  • Albacore Tuna Tataki
  • Fried Chicken Bao Steamed Bum

3. Street Food

In the past couple of years street food has become a favourite of foodies worldwide. Add a little fun to your event with these mouth-watering options:

  • Spicy Chorizo Taco with roasted pineapple and pickled shallow slaw
  • Philly Cheese Steak on a sesame brioche
  • Chicken or Falafel Shawarma Laffa
  • Gnocchi Poutine with beef cheek ragu and pickled jalapeños
  • Street Corn Salad with roasted chilis and lime crema

4. Liquid Nitrogen Sorbet Bar

Dessert is where you can really have some fun. Liquid nitrogen creates plumes of cold smoke that will wow guests and keep them entertained. Your caterer should be professionally trained to handle the nitrogen. Some sorbet options to consider:

  • Mango Lime
  • Raspberry
  • Toasted Coconut
  • Grapefruit Rosemary
  • Mint Chocolate

5. Concession Stand

Depending on the theme of your event, a concession stand that offers treats like the ones you get from movie theatres could be a great choice. Include these yummy items to maximize the effect:

  • Salted caramel popcorn
  • Cotton Candy
  • Sprinkle Doughnuts with vanilla butter glaze
  • Assorted Candies like sours and gummies, pretzels, and M&Ms

6. Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches

If you’re corporate event takes place outside or is summer-themed, consider serving up ice cream cookie sandwiches to help your guests cool off. They’re also extremely delicious and long-time favourites. Here are some tried-and-true cookie flavours:

  • Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip with spiced chocolate ice cream
  • Salted Butter with popcorn ice cream
  • Double Chocolate with vanilla bean cheesecake ice cream
  • Ginger Molasses with salted caramel ice cream
  • White Chocolate and Walnut with berry cheesecake ice cream

More to Discover

An expert corporate caterer will be able to work with you to come up with creative food station ideas that will go well with your event.  Your food station must look great, but the food must be beyond compare. Preparing never-tasted-before finger foods for your food stations will leave a good impression on your guests and future consumers.

There are more food choices to discover, making them more unique and healthier every time. The best in the business will be able to use locally sourced ingredients to create amazing meals that leave your guests more than satisfied.

Your corporate event will become the talk of your business circle for a long while. Not only will your food and the station’s creativity be remembered, but your business name and what you do will always be linked together.

How To Clean A Popcorn Machine

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Whether it’s a movie night at your best friend’s house or a PlayStation championship at your boyfriend’s place, popcorn is one of the best and go-to snacks to munch on!

Being a big popcorn-eating country, it is no wonder that popcorn business is booming and popcorn stalls are no longer confined at the movie entrances.

If you are an owner of a popcorn stall, you have to ensure that your machines are well-maintained at cleaned. These babies are not cheap, and as an entrepreneur, you have to protect your investment. Here are a few tips on how to ensure the cleanliness of your popcorn machine, so that there’s no stopping’ your poppin’ business.

Before anything else, unplug. 

Unplugging your machine is essential so as to prevent any incident that might result in electrocution. 

Rest for 30 minutes to an hour. 

Allow the machine to rest for a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes. Remember that the temperature of the machine has to be extremely high to pop the kernels. So by allowing it to cool off, it will be safer to clean and prevent burns.

Wipe with a soft, damp sponge, or towel. 

Never submerge the kettle in water as this will damage its electrical connections and components. Get a clean wet sponge or cloth to wipe down the kettle and the insides of the machine. For the interior part, it is better to use non- ammonia-based cleaners. Because you are cleaning the inside of the machine and this touches food, ensure that the cleaner you are using is safe and non-poisonous.

Use food-safe glass cleaner to wipe the surface. 

After cleaning the inside, don’t forget to clean the outside surfaces as well. A dirty popcorn machine will get a frown from the customers, and no matter how pleasant the buttery smell of your popcorn is, they won’t like it. Use food-safe glass cleaner to wipe the surface of your machine with a clean towel. Make sure to use a clean cloth so as to prevent tiny particles from scratching the panels of your beloved popcorn machine.

Some additional tips for you, make sure to remove any kernels that didn’t pop every time you finish cooking up a batch. This way, you prevent serving burnt popcorn to your customers. A degreaser is a popcorn machine’s best friend. Grease is a very stubborn thing to deal with and sometimes merely wiping it off won’t do the trick. A cheap and perfectly safe degreaser is vinegar mixed with equal parts of water. Just spray it on the surface and allow it to sit for about 5-10 minutes before wiping it off with a clean tissue.

Afterward, get your trusty towel and wipe everything off. No additional expense for you, and you’ll be back to popping your popcorn in no time. How often should you clean your machine? Well, you must clean your machine as regularly as possible. This is so the grease, and the popcorn kernels will not build up in your machine. Every day or if the schedule does not permit, every other day should be clean up your machine.