| How to Make a Milkshake Posted: 08 Jul 2018 01:00 AM PDT A milkshake is a rich, creamy ice cream treat that pairs perfectly with a burger or fries, or can be enjoyed as a cool dessert on its own. This article will teach you to make an amazing basic milkshake, plus ideas for some fun and tasty alternatives to the classic recipe. - Prep time: 5-9 minutes
- Cook time (blending): 1 minute
- Total time: 10 minutes
EditIngredients - 3 scoops of vanilla (or flavor of choice) ice cream
- 2 oz (60 ml) milk
- Chocolate, strawberry, or caramel syrup (optional)
- Vanilla extract (optional)
- Malt powder (optional)
- Frozen fruit (optional)
- 3 crumbled cookies (optional)
- 1 candy bar, chopped into small pieces (optional)
EditChoosing Your Ingredients - Choose a high-quality vanilla ice cream. For almost every type of milkshake, you will begin with a base of vanilla ice cream, even chocolate and strawberry shakes![1] The vanilla ice cream is just sweet enough that the addition of flavored syrups or ingredients like cookies or candy won't make the milkshake overly sweet.
- Look for a high-density ice cream. Choose two brands of ice cream that are the same size (a pint, a quart, etc.) and hold one in each hand. The one that feels heavier will make the better milkshake.[2]
- Ice creams that are lighter and fluffier contain more air. When you mix the milkshake you'll be introducing even more air, and won't get the thick, creamy consistency you want in a milkshake. Go for the dense ice cream over the extra-churned ice cream so you'll start out with less air.[3]
- You can of course use any ice cream flavor you want, so stray from the vanilla base if you want to experiment. If you want a mint chocolate chip milkshake but don't want to mess with mint extract and chocolate chips, go ahead and use a mint chip ice cream.
- Choose a high-quality milk. Whole milk is preferable for a milkshake, since it has a fuller flavor and will make a thicker shake. But if you prefer skim, soy, or nut milk, feel free to use those instead. Just remember these milks tend to be a little thinner, so you want to either use less milk or add a little more ice cream for consistency.[4]
- If you can, look for a high-quality, locally produced milk. The better quality ingredients you put into your milkshake, the better the milkshake.[5]
EditMaking a Milkshake - Let your ice cream soften to the consistency of soft-serve. The ideal temperature for milkshake-ready ice cream is 20°F (-7°C) and your freezer will probably keep it at about 0°F (-18°C). Allow the ice cream to sit out on the counter for a few minutes--you'll know it's ready when it's soft and easy to scoop, like soft-serve, but not runny or melted.[6]
- If you toss your ice cream into the mixer when it's too cold and hard, you will end up adding too much milk to thin it out. The milk to ice cream ratio is important to making a great milkshake, and too much milk will make your shake runny.[7]
- For the same reason, never add ice to a milkshake. It will water down your shake and dilute the flavor and creaminess. If you prefer a thinner shake, just add a splash more milk instead.[8]
- Add three scoops of ice cream to your blender or milkshake mixer. A milkshake mixer is best because it churns and aerates your milkshake at the same time.[9] But if you're not ready to invest in professional equipment, a regular kitchen blender or immersion (stick) blender will work fine.[10]
- If you don't have any of those things, use a large bowl and a whisk to beat the ice cream and milk together.[11]
- As you begin the recipe, take the glass you plan to use for your milkshake and put it in the freezer. Then it will be nice and chilled when you're ready to serve.[12]
- Pour in 2 oz (1/4 cup or 60 ml) of milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and any additional ingredients.[13] This is when you can transform your vanilla milkshake into a malt, chocolate shake, strawberry shake, or even a caramel-pretzel-chocolate-chip shake.
- Blend your milkshake for about 1 minute. If you are using a blender, don't just turn it on and let it go. Alternate between pulsing the blender and then hand-mixing with a spoon. This will give you the same effect as a spindle milkshake mixer.[14]
- No matter which mixing method you use (whisk, stick blender, professional milkshake blender), you want to make sure your shake remains thick. If you insert a spoon and try to pull it out, the thick shake should give a little resistance.[15]
- If you like a lumpy milkshake, only mix your shake for 30-45 seconds.
- If your shake seems too thick, add a splash of milk.[16]
- If your shake seems too watered down, add another scoop or half-scoop of ice cream and mix.[17]
- Pour the milkshake into your chilled glass. If the milkshake is the right thickness and consistency, you should need to use the spoon to get it out of the blender and into the glass. If it slides out easily, it's too thin or over-mixed and you'll want to add more ice cream.[18]
- Top your milkshake with a healthy squirt of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.[19] Or garnish with a little extra of your chosen ingredients (like a fresh strawberry for your strawberry shake).
- Serve with a spoon and a straw.[20]
EditTrying Variations - Make a Chocolate malt. Add 3 scoops vanilla ice cream, 2 oz (1/4 cup or 60 ml) of milk, and 1 oz (30 ml) malt powder to the blender.[21]
- Look for malt powder, not instant malted milk or liquid malt flavoring. Malt powder provides the most authentic taste.[22]
- Make a chocolate shake. Add 3 scoops vanilla ice cream, 2 oz (1/4 cup or 60 ml) of milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and about 2 oz (1/4 cup or 60 ml) of chocolate syrup to the blender.[23]
- Look for a chocolate sauce with a high cocoa unit for the best flavor.[24]
- Make a strawberry shake. Use 1 cup hulled strawberries or 2 oz strawberry syrup, plus 3 scoops vanilla ice cream, 2 oz (1/4 cup or 60 ml) of milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.[25]
- Make a cookies-and-cream-flavored shake. Add 3 cookies of your choice (crumble them up a little in your hand first) to a blender with 3 scoops vanilla ice cream, 2 oz (1/4 cup or 60 ml) of milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.[26]
- Make a milkshake with your favorite candy. Make a basic shake with 3 scoops vanilla ice cream, 2 oz (1/4 cup or 60 ml) of milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Before blending, add a handful of your favorite candy or a candy bar cut into small pieces.[27]
- Make a salted caramel pretzel and chocolate chip shake. Add squirt of caramel and a handful of crumbled pretzels and chocolate chips to a basic malt recipe of 3 scoops vanilla ice cream, 2 oz (1/4 cup or 60 ml) of milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.[28]
- Make a banana cream pie shake. Put 3 scoops vanilla ice cream, 2 oz (1/4 cup or 60 ml) of milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 banana and 1/2 packet of vanilla pudding mix into a blender.[29]
EditThings You'll Need - Blender, milkshake mixer, or whisk
- Tall glass
- Straw
- Spoon
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| How to Use a Gas Stove Posted: 07 Jul 2018 05:00 PM PDT Gas stoves are valued for their quick heating response and simple temperature adjustment. If you've never used a gas stove, however, you may feel a little confused when first operating one. But once you get the hang of using a gas stove, they are just as easy to use and maintain as their electric counterparts. As long as you take good care of your gas stove and use safety precautions while cooking, you should be able to use it with ease. EditTurning on a Gas Stove - Do a body safety check before turning on your gas stove. To prevent any fires while using your gas stove, roll up your shirt sleeves above the elbow and tie back long hair with a rubber band. If you have any jewelry on, remove it before starting the stove.[1]
- If you're wearing footwear, make sure it is nonslip to prevent cooking accidents.
- Turn the stove dial on to light the stove. Most gas stoves are equipped with a dial that lights the burner. You can usually adjust the heat to low, medium, and high depending on what you're using the stove for. Twist the dial and wait for the burner to light, then adjust it to your desired heat setting.
- In some cases, the fire may not light right away. This is common in old stoves and is nothing to worry about—try turning the stove dial on again until the burner lights.
- Try cleaning your burner holes and igniter if it does not light immediately. If your burner is clogged with food residue, it may not light automatically. Clean the burner and the igniter with a stiff toothbrush (without water or cleaning solutions) to remove any grease or crumbs.[2]
- Use a needle to get food out of hard-to-reach places, like the burner holes.
- Call a home repairman if cleaning your burner does not seem to help. Your igniter may be broken and need replacement.
- Light the gas stove manually as an alternative. If your gas stove igniter is broken, most gas stoves can be lit with a match or lighter. Turn the gas dial to medium, then ignite your match or lighter. Hold the match or lighter close to the center of the burner, then wait 3-5 seconds until the burner ignites. Remove your hand quickly to prevent getting burned.[3]
- For the safest option, use a long-handled lighter. Long-handled lighters can be found at most craft or hardware stores.
- If you have never lit a gas stove before or seen someone else do it, you may not want to do it on your own. Lighting a gas stove manually can be dangerous if you have never done it before.
EditUsing Gas Stoves Safely - Check your stove's pilot light if it is an older model. Most older gas stoves are equipped with pilot lights, which stay on constantly even if the stove is off. Check with your stove manufacturer to see if your stove has a pilot light. For models with a pilot light, remove the burner grates from your stove and open the cooktop panel. The pilot light should be a small flame located directly below the stove panels.
- If the pilot light is out and you can smell sulfur, leave your home and call emergency services, as your stove may be leaking gas into the home.[4]
- Always keep your stove attended when it's on. When cooking with your gas stove, never leave the room. A fire can start within seconds if your food is left unattended, and it is important to keep your burners in sight at all times.[5]
- Use your gas stove for cooking only. Gas stoves are made to be used only for cooking food. Never use your stove for heating your home, as keeping the stove lit for extended amounts of time increases the likelihood of a gas leak.[6]
- If you have a gas oven, it also should not be used for heating rooms.
- Watch for a hissing sound or the smell of natural gas. If you smell a sulfurous, "rotten egg" odor or hear a hissing sound coming from your stove, exit your home immediately and call emergency services. Your stove may be leaking natural gas, which can be deadly if it is not fixed immediately.[7]
- Do not light a match, use a flashlight, or turn any electric switches on or off if you suspect your stove might be leaking gas.
- Stock your kitchen with a fire extinguisher in case of emergency. Keep a fire extinguisher in a cabinet near your gas stove in case of grease fires. Store baking soda in the same cabinet as well, as pouring baking soda on the flames can stop small grease fires.[8]
- Never throw water on a grease fire. Grease fires flare up and may spread if they come in contact with water.
- Avoid placing flammable materials near your stove. Flammable items, like low-hanging towels or curtains, can cause accidents if placed too near your stove. Keep flammable materials away from your stove, and avoid using flammable items like cigarettes while cooking.
- Turn the stove off after every use. To prevent fires or burns, remember to switch the stove dial to "off" after you use it. If you have trouble remembering to turn the stove off, try placing a sticky note reminder on your fridge or a cabinet near your stove so you don't forget.
EditCleaning a Gas Stove Routinely - Remove your stove's burner grates and clean them separately. Take your burner grates off of the stove and place them in the sink. Then, fill the sink with hot, soapy water. Let your burner grates soak for several minutes, then clean them off with a wet sponge or dishcloth.[9]
- Place your burner caps in the water as well and wash them in the hot, soapy water.
- Brush any crumbs off of the stovetop with a dry cloth. After all of the crumbs are brushed away, spray your stovetop with a spray bottle filled with a 1:1 water-white vinegar ratio. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then wipe it off with a wet sponge or dishcloth.[10]
- Put the grates and burner caps back on. After wiping off any crumbs and stains from the stovetop, dry off burner grates and caps. Place the grates and caps back in place to reassemble the stove and make it ready for use again.[11]
- Clean the stove knobs and back panels, if needed. Wipe off the stove knobs and back panel with a wet washcloth to remove any dust or minor stains. If there are larger food stains on your knobs or panels, spray them with the vinegar-water mixture and let it sit for several minutes before wiping them off again.[12]
- Use the back burners instead of the front ones as much as possible to prevent nudging your pans over the edge.[13]
- Inspect your smoke alarm and install a carbon monoxide detector so you can use your gas stove safely.
- To keep your stove in its best condition, clean it at least 1-2 times a month.
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| How to Teach a Child to Ride a Bike Posted: 07 Jul 2018 09:00 AM PDT Learning to ride a bicycle is a rite of passage for children around the world, as it is for the parents or other adults who teach them. While you may have learned by adding training wheels, experts now usually advise removing the pedals instead and working on balanced gliding. No matter the training technique you choose, remember that your job is to guide them, not hold or push them; and to encourage them, not intimidate them. Keep it fun and reward them (and yourself) with ice cream afterward! EditEquipping Your Child and Their Bike - Start training when your child is physically and emotionally ready. Some kids have the balance and physical skills to ride a bike by age 4, and most do by age 6. But each child is different, so wait until your kid seems physically agile enough to handle balancing on a bike.[1]
- Some kids may take a bit longer to be emotionally ready to teeter along on a bike, and that's okay as well. Don't rush or force them; encourage them instead, and start training when the time is right.
- Use a bicycle that lets them place their feet on the ground. For most kids around age 5, a bike with wheels is ideal. When they straddle the seat, their feet should be flat on the ground with their legs straight.[2]
- Training on a bike that's too big or too small will only delay the process.
- Remove the pedals from the bicycle. This may sound a bit strange at first, but taking off the pedals lets kids focus first on balancing on the bike during forward movement. They'll just push off and stop by using their feet on the ground.[3]
- You'll typically just need a wrench to take the pedals off, but follow the instructions that come with your bike.
- You can also buy "coasting" or "balance" bikes that come without pedals, but this is typically an unnecessary expense.
- Work with training wheels sparingly if at all. When you add training wheels, kids learn the components that tend to be easier for them first — pedaling, steering, and braking. But this leaves the hard part — balancing — for them to learn all of a sudden right at the end.[4]
- If you work on balancing first, the other elements will seem like a piece of cake later on.
- If you really prefer to use training wheels, however, try not to use them for more than a week or two. Otherwise, the child will learn riding habits that they'll have to unlearn to ride without training wheels.
- Choose a flat, open, paved training area. Sidewalks and streets offer too many distractions and potential dangers to make ideal training grounds. Instead, look for an empty parking lot on flat ground.[5]
- A level grass field may seem tempting because it will cushion falls, but grass is usually too difficult for smaller kids to get moving in — either by foot or pedal power. The ground is also much bumpier than a typical parking lot.
- Use a properly-fitted helmet and other safety gear. Choose a helmet that is designed for biking and for a child's head. It should fit snugly, and there should be no more than 2 finger widths' distance from the child's eyebrows to the front brim of the helmet.[6]
- Also use knee pads and elbow pads designed for kids. Bicycling gloves can help prevent scrapes from falls as well.
EditStarting with Balance Training - Lower the seat a little so your kid can push off the ground. For typical riding, you want the seat high enough that their legs are straight when their feet are flat on the ground. For pedal-less training, though, their knees should be slightly bent when their feet are flat.[7]
- You'll usually use a wrench to loosen the seat for adjusting, but your bike may come with a quick-release seat latch instead.
- Support them, not the bike, without holding too tight. Lay your hand(s) on their shoulders, back, or neck without gripping tightly. If they need a bit more support, place your hands beneath their armpits.[8]
- Your goal is to steady them, not hold them upright or push them forward.
- Support them instead of holding onto the bike's handlebars or seat.
- Let them push off and glide with your gentle assistance. Instruct them to use both feet to propel themselves forward. They'll probably be very wobbly at first, so guide their body in a balanced position. Let them manage the handlebars so they can get used to controlling them while moving.[9]
- Catch them and guide them down whenever they start to fall, instead of holding them upright. Otherwise, you are simply replacing what training wheels do.
- Once they get the hang of coasting, tell them to use their feet to stop when they begin to slow down.
- Instruct them to look ahead, not down. Their instinct will probably be to look down at their handlebars or front wheel, and possibly even the pedals later on. Practice having them look out ahead as they coast forward.[10]
- If you have a second person available, have them stand several feet/meters in front of the bike and back up as the kid coasts forward. Tell the child to watch that person.
- Return the pedals and seat to their proper positions. Once the child is able to coast in a balanced position for as far as their foot-on-ground power will propel them, they're ready for pedaling. Put the pedals back on as per the bike's instructions, and raise the seat so that they are flat-footed and straight-legged when straddling it.[11]
EditGuiding Them as They Pedal Off - Teach them the "ready position" for starting. Spin the pedals so that one is slightly above and forward of the other. Looking from the side with the front wheel to your left, the pedals should be roughly in the 4 o'clock and 10 o'clock positions.[12]
- If they're right-handed, the right pedal should be forward, and vice versa.
- Let them build their own forward momentum. While supporting them but not gripping tight, have them put their dominant foot on the forward pedal. Tell them to push on it as they lift their other foot onto its pedal. Remind them to control the handlebars and look ahead as they do so.[13]
- Don't push on them or the bike to "get them started." Practice with them until they can build up their own forward momentum.
- Loosen your contact but remain alongside them. Your kid's first attempts at pedaling forward will likely be short-lived. Eventually though, they'll be able to sustain forward motion. As they improve, reduce your contact with them steadily while walking or jogging beside and slightly behind them.[14]
- As before, catch them and guide them down during a fall instead of holding them up.
- Make sure they know how to steer and stop. Practice making slight balance corrections and gentle turns with the handlebars both before and while they're in motion. If they turn too sharply and begin to fall, guide them down and try again.[15]
- Likewise, practice how to use the brakes — whether they're pedal or hand brakes — both before and while the child is in motion.
- Stay close by until they are confident riding solo. Some kids will want to take off and leave you in the dust, while others will feel better with you right beside them even after they've mastered pedaling forward. Act as a source of confidence, not as a crutch that holds them up and keeps them pointed straight.[16]
- Accept that they'll fall a few times. Even when they're ready to ride without you by their side, they will almost certainly "wipe out" here and there. If they're on a flat surface, going at a low speed, and — most importantly — wearing the proper safety equipment, their chances of serious injury are minimal.[17]
- Check that they're okay, but don't go overboard with coddling or consoling them.
- Say something like "Whoops! Are you okay? Everything seems alright, so let's get back on the bike and give it another try — you're doing great!"
- Learning that you can fall and get back up is a valuable biking lesson and life lesson!
EditKeeping It Fun - End a training session when it stops being fun. Some kids will master biking in an hour, but it will take several sessions for others. If they're losing confidence or interest during a training session, call it quits for now and try again later in the day or the next day.[18]
- Some kids may be eager to practice for hours on end until they get the hang of it, but most often you should plan for single sessions to last for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Don't set artificial deadlines or exert undue pressure. Help your kid learn to ride at the pace that's right for them. Trying to force them or shame them into learning quickly may turn them against the entire notion of learning to ride. Don't say things like:[19]
- "All your friends ride bikes, so it's time you learned too."
- "Your sister learned to ride in an hour, and so can you."
- "We're going to stay out here all day until you learn this."
- "You want to be a big kid, right? Well, big kids ride bikes."
- Be positive and encouraging at all times. Learning to ride a bike should be fun, not a chore. Praise them every time they achieve a new milestone along the way, and offer a pick-me-up whenever they struggle or fall. Say things like:[20]
- "That's the way to hold the bike steady — good job!"
- "Wow, you really coasted a long way that time — and straight ahead!"
- "You did a good job catching yourself from falling off the bike that time. Try not to turn the handlebars so sharply next time."
- "We'll be ready to bike together to the ice cream shop soon!"
- Let someone else do the teaching, if necessary. Some kids simply respond better to a teacher who isn't a parent. If they're close with a relative or family friend who'd be happy to help out, let them give it a try. [21]
- Don't feel bad — remember that the goal is to get them riding. Once they do that, you can go on lots of bike rides together!
- Don't force your child to ride a bike if they don't want to. If they aren't interested, they won't learn no matter how much you force them to try.
- Instead of removing the pedals, consider buying a pre-bike. This is a lightweight two-wheeler without the complication of pedals, etc. The child learns to balance, scoot, and then glide along, potentially from a very young age. When you child is ready you can then introduce a bike with pedals.
- Make sure that the brakes are working properly and tires are in good conditions.
- Always make sure your child wears a helmet when riding their bike.
EditThings You'll Need - Correctly-sized bike
- Safety helmet
- Knee and elbow pads
- Biking gloves
- Patience and a good attitude!
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