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Surviving the
Holiday Cooking
Rush Hour 
(Family Features) - When it comes to preparing that scrumptious holiday meal for the entire family, a few simple hints can help anyone survive the dreaded holiday cooking rush hour. These include cooking the night before (or earlier) so that dishes only need to be re-heated, and preparing desserts that can be whipped up quickly for last-minute guests. More helpful hints, courtesy of Brook Noel, author of the Rush Hour Cook series, and Lyn Cook, Chief Home Economist for Whirlpool cooking, will ensure that the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. For more information, visit www.whirlpool.com.
Turn Everyday Tools Into Extraordinary Tools
One of the most popular tools in the kitchen is the microwave oven. Forty years since it debuted, the microwave has become a kitchen staple for reheating leftovers or cooking meals. Yet, today's version is not your mother's microwave. For example, new SpeedCook technology from Whirlpool incorporates advanced microwave technology with three other technologies, providing four flexible ways to cook delicious holiday meals and delectable desserts in less time. Holiday cooks can grill, bake, broil and steam, obtaining the results of a traditional oven with the speed and convenience of a microwave.
And, during the busy holiday season, the Whirlpool Gold Velos SpeedCook Oven, with its automatic sensors, can serve as a sidekick chef. Just a few pushes of a button, and the oven will know how long to cook perfectly steamed vegetables, casserole dishes, baked goods and more. The everyday microwave has transformed into today's extraordinary kitchen helper.
Other kitchen staples can change from ordinary to extraordinary tools just by using them in different and innovative ways. Brook Noel, author of the Rush Hour Cook series, explains how:
Mix it up: Go beyond drinks and maximize the blender by pureeing soups and sauces to finish off holiday meals.
Simmer your way to success: The slow-cooker can handle dips, soups, chili, mulled cider, stuffing, dessert fondue and more.
Add some sizzle with your skillet: Electronic skillets are the perfect standalone system for creating delicious desserts or appetizers and keeping them warm. Try meatballs as an appetizer or bananas Foster as a dessert.
Maximize your muffin tin: Muffin tin compartments are the perfect size for desserts and breakfasts. Use muffin pans to create mini quiches or serving-size tart shells.
From Cooking "Flop" to Cooking "Fix"
When bread is too stale for sandwiches and crispy cookies lose their bite, experts say don't be so quick to toss these goodies. Lyn Cook, Chief Home Economist from Whirlpool, comes to the rescue, turning cooking flops into cooking fixes.
Cooking Flop: The bread is too stale for sandwiches.
Cooking Fix: But, it's "fresh" for bread crumbs! Make bread crumbs to enhance meals by putting the bread in a food processor with a little oil and salt. Spread the crumbs in a thin layer on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 1 minute on high. Stir the crumbs and then heat for another 30 seconds until the crumbs are toasted. Use the crumbs to top casseroles, or to bread poultry or fish.
Cooking Flop: Average pastry crust doesn't add flavor.
Cooking Fix: Create a crust with crumbs! Use graham crackers, vanilla or chocolate wafers, cookies or cereal. Bake the pie shell for 5 to 10 minutes to enhance the flavors and firm it up. Cool before adding a favorite filling.
Cooking Flop: Cookies are too crisp and thin.
Cooking Fix: Refrigerate the dough to firm it up before cutting. Then, cut thicker slices for chewier cookies.
Cooking Flop: Freshly baked cookies aren't moist.
Cooking Fix: Add honey to the cookie recipe to keep them moist.
Cooking Flop: Crisp cookies are turning soft.
Cooking Fix: Reheat them in an oven at 300°F for a few minutes.
Cooking Flop: Baked bars are a bust with tough, hard-to-eat tops.
Cooking Fix: Mix dough just until blended. Overmixing results in tough bars with hard tops.
Crispy Onion VeggiesPrepare these crispy veggies for holiday appetizers. 1 to 2 medium zucchini, cut diagonally into 1/4-inch slices 1 1/3 cups French's Original or Cheddar French Fried Onions 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 egg, beaten Heat oven to 400°F. Place french fried onions into plastic bag. Lightly crush with hands or rolling pin. Place flour into separate plastic bag. Toss zucchini in flour; shake off excess. Dip floured zucchini pieces into beaten egg; then toss into crushed onions, a few pieces at a time. Place zucchini on lightly greased baking rack set over rimmed baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes or until tender. Makes 6 appetizer servings Variations Crispy Onion Mushrooms: Instead of zucchini, substitute one 10-ounce package whole button mushrooms, wiped clean. Proceed as above. Crunchy Double Onion Rings: Crush 2 cups french fried onions in plastic bag and toss with 2 tablespoons flour; set aside. Slice 2 large onions into 1/2-inch thick rings. Coat onion rings in 1/4 cup flour. Dip into 2 beaten egg whites, then into crushed french fried onion mixture. Bake according to recipe above. Crunchy Onion Chicken 1 1/3 cups French's Original or Cheddar French Fried Onions 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (about 1 pound) 1 egg, beaten Heat oven to 400°F. Place french fried onions into plastic bag. Lightly crush with hands or rolling pin. Dip chicken into egg; coat with onion pieces. Place chicken on baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes or until no longer pink in center. Makes 4 servings Cooking tip: 1 cup crushed French's Fried Onions = 1 cup breadcrumbs, for any recipe. Cookie Delight! This dessert is a delight in more ways than one. Guests will love it, plus it's very simple and quick to make, especially when unexpected guests drop by. 1 package refrigerated pre-made cookie or brownie dough (such as Nestlé) 1 carton any flavor ice cream Bake cookies or brownies 13 to 17 minutes in a conventional oven at 350°F or 8 to 10 minutes in Gold Velos SpeedCook Oven. Let cookies cool a few minutes or serve warm from oven. Make sandwiches with scoops of ice cream. SOURCE: Whirlpool
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