EatSavvy Blog

Thermolon “Rocks”

March 11, 2010
Denise Smith

As more research became available on the dangers of using particular non-stick cookware products, I became more diligent about replacing my old, well-used non-stick cookware and ovenware with new, safer products (for both my kids and the environment). I do a lot of baking and cooking, so over time my baking sheets, muffins tins, and frying pans do show some wear and tear.

Big fans of the ‘original’ environmentally-friendly GreenPan cookware, we were very excited to receive a sample from GreenPan’s new line of professional quality ovenware. I volunteered to test it out. The thing that makes these products revolutionary is that they are the first environmentally-friendly, PTFE-free, non-stick cookware that contains Thermolon Rocks. Thermolon Rocks is the latest non-stick, ceramic based coating which can be used to cook in extreme temperatures without damaging the product and contains no toxic substances that can be released at that heat. This, along with the fact that Thermolon ovenware releases 60% fewer greenhouse gases during production than other non-stick products is good news for moms.

With a crisper full of fresh vegetables, I decided to give the new GreenPan rectangular oven tray a try. The end result was very impressive. The vegetables roasted evenly, top and bottom, they didn’t stick to the pan, and the clean up was a breeze. Baking peanut butter cookies are next on my to-do list (they obviously are not going into the school lunches!).

GreenPan products are available in gourmet kitchen supply stores everywhere.

Naturally Clean

March 25, 2010
Denise Smith

My wooden cutting boards get more use that any other item in my kitchen. I love them because they’re practical and some are beautiful enough to leave out on display.

Without proper maintenance and care though, wooden cutting boards and other wood products can lose their shine, absorb stains, smells and bacteria. With time and general use, they can also dry out and crack. The cost to replace a good wooden cutting board is substantial, so I have implemented a regular maintenance schedule in the form of three simple steps to help prolong the life of my wood products.

1. Wash each piece immediately after use with a mild detergent, rinse and dry completely. Never submerge or let water sit on wood products. No matter what others say, wood is not dishwasher safe! If there are any stains on the wood, sprinkle the area with salt and leave it for an hour or so. If the stains are deep, use half of a lemon as a scrub brush and rub the salt over the stain with the lemon. Lemon serves as a natural cleaner, deodorizer and bleach.
2. After washing, sanitize cutting boards and salad bowls with white vinegar. Vinegar is another natural cleaning product that disinfects and deodorizes. Use a spray bottle, or wipe down the wood with white vinegar on a cloth to ensure there are no harmful bacteria left behind.
3. Seal or treat the cutting board each month or two (depending on how it looks) with a food-safe oil product. Apply mineral oil or beeswax, using a clean cloth (or your hands). Work it in and then let it soak into the wood overnight. Your wood will look as good as new!

What are your natural cleaning tips or tricks?

It’s in the Bag

July 22, 2010
Denise Smith

I don’t know if it’s because there is more local fish available at this time, or because I prefer to eat a lighter meal during the summer months, but for whatever reason I tend to cook more fish now than any other time of the year.

If I am cooking a fish that is light in texture (or falls apart easily), I prefer to take the safe route and pan fry it. When cooking a firmer fish, I tend to switch back and forth between baking and broiling, depending on the sauce or side dish. The biggest challenge I have when cooking any type of fish is preventing it from falling apart.

While strolling through the aisles of my local grocery store last week, I came across the perfect solution—PaperChef’s Parchment Paper Cooking Bags. As an avid baker, I am quite familiar with the advantages of using parchment paper. I guess I could cut and fold the rolled paper to make my own bags, but why would I? Culinary parchment cooking bags make cooking fish (or vegetables) so much easier.

Some of the advantages to using parchment paper cooking bags include:

• Quick and easy clean-up
• Healthier alternative to cooking with oil
• Oven safe to 425 degrees F
• Non-stick properties
• Made from renewable, sustainable sources
• 100% biodegradable and compostable

Here is a simple recipe for cooking fish in parchment paper cooking bags.

Fish & Summer Vegetable Pockets

You’ll Need

• 4 halibut or tilapia fish fillets, 6 oz each
• ½ cup yellow or green zucchini, sliced
• 1 cup green or yellow beans
• 1 red pepper, sliced thinly
• 1 sweet onion, sliced
• Olive oil
• Juice from one lemon
• Fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper

Prep and Cook

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Place fish fillets on a single layer inside a cooking bag (link) and place on a baking sheet.
3. Combine vegetables, olive oil, lemon, thyme, salt and pepper and place inside cooking bag with fish.
4. Fold over the end of the bag twice and bake for 15 to 20 minutes (bag will puff up).
5. Be careful when opening the bag to avoid being burned by the steam.

PaperChef Culinary Parchment products are available at specialty cooking stores and in Loblaws stores across Canada.

What will you be cooking in your cooking bag?