Caring For Your Wooden Cutting Board

Writen by Daniel Urmann

Researchers have found that bacteria have a tougher time surviving on wood cutting boards. However, plastic cutting boards are less porous than wood, making it less likely to harbor bacteria over a long period of time, but only if it is immediately cleaned. Here are a few tips to caring for your cutting board.

1. It is best to apply the oil slightly warm and with a soft cloth in the direction on the grain. Warming the oil allows it to penetrate deeper into the wood. "Season" your board by applying mineral or butcher block oil and letting it soak into the wood for 15-30 minutes. Apply 4-6 coats before using the board.

2. Oil your cutting board when it looks dry, sometimes as frequently as once a week. If you allow your board to become dry it may begin to crack.

3. Scrub and wash your cutting board with soap and water but don't immerse it completely in water. In addition, don't put your wooden cutting board in the dishwasher because it will warp the wood.

4. Spraying vinegar on your cutting board with a spray bottle is a good way to sanitize it. Using bleach on a wood cutting board isn't a good idea because it is not as effective because the organic composition of wood neutralizes the disinfectant quality of bleach.

Daniel Urmann is a contributor and author for the website Vermont Cutting Boards.

Quick And Easy Rush Hour Tips For Your Holiday Cooking

Writen by Brook Noel

Clean as you go. Fill your sink with hot sudsy water and clean all assembly and prep dishes, as you finish using them. Or rinse and put in your dishwasher. Before you enjoy dinner run that first load of dishes. Have an extra roll of paper towels handy to clean up spills and mishaps as they happen. Paper toweling is also more sanitary than sponges, dish towels, and kitchen clothes. To keep your stovetop and counter clean, use a small plate or a paper plate, as a 'spoon rest' for your cooking utensils.

Skip the scrubbing. Prep your casserole dishes with non-stick cooking spray for easy clean up.

Cut like a pro. Make sure carving knives and kitchen knives are correctly sharpened for maximum efficiency. The three most versatile knives are: A French Chef Knife, a serrated 'bread' knife, and a paring knife. Utilize two cutting boards: one for meats and one for vegetables.

Safety comes first. When using your stovetop, make sure all handles are out of high-traffic areas. When there are too many cooks in the kitchen, an errant elbow or a traffic jam could easily spill the pot, creating a serious accident and a trip to the emergency room. This also applies to electrical appliance cords, such as electric skillets, buffet warmers, etc.

Turkey Talk: If turkey is on your holiday menu, don't miss this site. Everything you need to know about cooking and preparing a turkey is here. http://www.eatturkey.com/consumer/thanks.html

Visit www.rushhourcook.com/holiday.htm for a full holiday meal plan with shopping list and www.changeyourlifechallenge.com for a free weekly newsletter with sanity-saving solutions.

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Planning For Those Holiday Meals

Writen by Teresa Ruddock

It is that time of year again when everyone begins to think and prepare for the large family dinner parties.

If this is the year that you have been chosen to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for the entire family you may be feeling overwhelmed. But, as long as you prepare and have everything ready beforehand, your dinner could be that special wonderful meal and will turn out to be a joyous time to remember for you and your family.

Start planning your Thanksgiving dinner around Halloween. Yes, that is correct about one month in advance. You will need to choose what recipes you plan on serving. You will have plenty of time to scout for new recipes and maybe try a few on your family. You may wish to order either a turkey or ham that has already been prepared or you may prefer a fresh turkey to a frozen one. A fresh turkey does have a better taste than those frozen ones and they are easier to prepare, so go with this option if you can.

Go through your pantry and see what you have in the way of spices and flavorings that you may need to prepare some of your favorite dishes including all of those unique dessert and cookies that everyone loves. If you do not have everything that is in the recipes, write a list and begin to shop. Yes, it is fine to shop for your holiday meal three weeks before it is time to cook. If you wait until the last minute to find out that you are out of brown sugar, you may get to the grocery store and find out they out also sold out. So, plan ahead and have all the ingredients you need ahead of time, except for the items that can perish like the turkey. You can even order your fresh turkey from the grocery store and tell them the day you will pick it up. If you buy frozen, it will need to thaw in the refrigerator for at least 48 hours before roasting.

About two weeks before Thanksgiving, check to see that you have your china ready and any other eating utensils and serving trays, cleaned and ready for use. At this time you can also decorate your home with all the colorful and unique holiday decorations. This is also the best time to get out the card table or add a leaf to your dining room table. You do not want to wait until Thanksgiving Day to prepare your home for your family. If you need to, you can even rearrange your furniture to accommodate the guests.

A couple of days before the dinner party, you can begin to prepare things like the vegetable tray, the cheese balls, or other appetizers that will be able to last a couple of days. The day before Thanksgiving, you can bake all of your pies, cakes, cookies, and other yummy treats. Now, on the big day you can roast your turkey or bake your ham. And begin to set things out such as appetizers.

Now, all you have left to do is wait for your family to arrive and enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner.

Teresa Ruddock Is editor of a number of websites including http://www.247cookware.com and http://www.greenteahealth.info