Cooking with TastyTalk.com

Roast pork (veprova pecene) is a traditional Czech meal usually served on Sundays. Be sure to serve it with Knedliky – Czech Dumpling with Sauerkraut (Zeli).

In a bowl, form a paste using the vegetable oil, mustard, caraway seeds, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Rub over the pork roast, and let sit about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Arrange the onions in the bottom of a large roasting pan. Pour in the beer. Place the roast, fat side down, on top of the onions. Cover the pan with foil.
Read the rest of this entry »

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Cut the pork ribs into three bone pieces.

Brush the ribs with barbecue sauce and place them bone side down in shallow roaster. Add a little water just to cover the bottom of the roaster. Cover and roast for 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Read the rest of this entry »

Water softeners have several seals and pistons that need to be replaced sometimes. The Fleck 5600 line of water softeners has these parts available as a rebuild kit. The seals and pistons are grouped in the valve body, under the control head.

Move the water softener inlet handle to the “Bypass” position, or just turn off the main water supply. Rotate the softener main dial to the “Backwash” position.
Read the rest of this entry »

Get your tap water tested to find out the iron content and pH. Many local health departments will test water for a nominal fee. Water treatment supply stores also offer analytical services for tap water. If possible, have the water analyzed for iron, manganese, sulfide, pH and oxygen content.

Choose a filter system with chlorination and a mechanical filter if you have visible rust particles, or water with more than 10 ppm dissolved iron. These systems typically have a chlorination tank and a cartridge filter, a bag filter or a sand filter. Cartridge and bag filters need periodic replacement, while sand filters require backflushing.
Read the rest of this entry »

The name Calgon is in reality an abbreviation for the expression ‘calcium gone’ and it represents a brand which is manufactured by different companies in form of derivative products. Originally the product Calgon belongs to a company named Calgon Inc. which was based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and held the credit of being the first to introduce the Calgon water softener in 1933. Eventually the company broke up into a number of subsidiaries and the water softener which contains amorphous sodium polyphosphate was repackaged as a dish washer detergent meant to be sold in various parts of the world.
Read the rest of this entry »

When harvested they make even the simplest meal seem like a gourmet delight. By using herbs in your cooking you can easily change the flavors of your recipes in many different ways, according to which herbs you add. Fresh herbs are great in breads, stews, soups or vegetables. Every time you add a different herb you have completely changed the taste.

Read the rest of this entry »

Russet Potatoes – This potato is slender, oval shaped with a rough brown skin and lots of eyes. They have a mealy texture when cooked and cooked russets will start to fall apart when cut due to the low moisture and high starch content. This variety of potato easily absorbs butter, dressings and sauces. They are best used for baking, frying and mashing.

Read the rest of this entry »

One of the most essential points in choosing cookware is the material it is made of. Often, such an important detail is simply overlooked or is considered to be minor. In fact, proper understanding of differences between cookware materials will assist you in making the best choice and further on, will help maintain your cookware in a good shape.

Read the rest of this entry »

Trans fats are created when liquid oils are made into solids by a process called partial hydrogenation. This increases shelf life and flavor stability, but at the cost of increased health risks.

These fats have been found to raise blood levels of LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol. That means a significantly increased risk of heart disease.

Read the rest of this entry »

1 dozen eggs
½ cup milk
Salt and pepper to taste
1 package frozen hashbrowns
1 pound breakfast sausage
1 jar salsa
8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz shredded monterey jack cheese
20 flour tortillas medium size

Read the rest of this entry »