| How to Grill Plantains Posted: 09 Jun 2019 01:00 AM PDT Plantains, sometimes called cooking bananas, are a major African, Caribbean, and Central American food staple. A starchy and versatile fruit, they are naturally neutral in flavor, and take on a soft texture when cooked. Because of their neutral flavor, they can be flavored many different ways, from sweet to savory. An easy, simple, and delicious way to prepare them is to grill them! EditPreparing the Plantains - Select yellow plantains with dark brown bruises. Ripe plantains will look like very ripe bananas but will still feel firm. Plantains are even edible when their peels have turned brown or black! The perfect plantain to grill is a starchy, yellow plantain. It may be hard to find perfectly ripe plantains at your local grocery, so if you plan to grill some, you may want to buy some beforehand and let them ripen at home.[1]
- You can store green plantains in a paper bag or near other ripe fruit, like apples, to speed up the ripening process.
- Cut the unpeeled plantains in half lengthwise. Plantains can be cut a number of different ways, depending on how you plan to prepare them. But when it comes to grilling, the best method is to cut them lengthwise, and keep the peel on so that they do not fall apart when grilled.[2]
- Use a cutting board on a stable surface and a sharp knife.
- Cut both ends off and discard.
- Place the plantains on the cutting board and slice them in half from top to bottom.
- Season the plantains with dry seasonings of your choice. Even though a lot of your flavor will come from the sauce you use later in the grilling process, it is still important to sprinkle some dry seasoning on top of your plantains ahead of grilling them.[3]
- A quick and easy option is to coat the plantains in olive oil with some salt and pepper.
- If you're looking to add a little spice, you can season with cayenne, red pepper flakes, or other spicy seasonings.
- If you plan to make your plantains sweet, you can season them with cinnamon or brown sugar before you put them on the grill.
- Make a sauce to baste the plantains with while they are grilling. Plantains can be seasoned and flavored however you like! You can flavor them with a simple butter and brown sugar glaze for a sweet version, or you can try a spicy, garlicky sauce for a savory edge.[4] Part of the beauty of cooking plantains is their versatility. Find what flavor works for you!
- Wait until you are grilling the plantains to apply the sauce it as it may cause them to stick to the grill.
- Make a sauce thick enough to coat the plantains without running down into the grill.
EditGetting the Grill Ready - Scrub the grilling surface clean with soap and water. First thing's first, whether you are grilling on a stovetop or on an outdoor grill, it's important to make sure that the grilling surface is clean and clear of debris. A dirty grilling surface can add unwanted flavors to your dish. Use soap and water, cleaning rags, and a grill brush, if you are using an outside grill, to scrub down the grilling surface.[5]
- Remove any built up grease.
- Clean blocked gas ports if you're using a gas grill, as this can be a fire hazard.
- Be sure to turn off the gas before you start cleaning if you are using a gas grill!
- Make sure you are using the appropriate scrub if you are cleaning a grill pan as some cleaning materials can damage the surface of the pan.
- Apply a thin layer of cooking oil to the grilling surface with a brush or napkin. Plantains are a very starchy fruit, and they can easily stick to the grilling surface. A simple way to avoid this issue is to lightly oil the grilling surface with an oil that has a neutral flavor and a high smoking point, which keeps it from burning and altering the flavor of the plantains. Simply brush or wipe the grilling surface with a light layer of oil![6]
- Vegetable oil is always a good option to use as it does not have a strong flavor and will not burn easily.
- Be sure you apply the oil before you start to heat the grilling surface and allow it to reach peak cooking temperature to burn off the excess oil.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, or about . Setting the grill at the right temperature is key to achieve the crispy sear on the outside of the plantain while keeping the inside soft.[7] Allow the grilling surface to reach the peak temperature before cooking on it as this will ensure a good sear and will prevent sticking.
EditGrilling the Plantains - Sear the plantains to get a good char on the outside of both sides. It is best to sear the exposed fruit first, so you want to place the plantain on the grill with the cut side down. After about 5 minutes, check that the plantain has formed a good sear and is not sticking to the grilling surface. Flip the plantains with a spatula or a pair of tongs and allow them to sear for 5 more minutes.[8]
- Be sure to use a metal spatula or tongs on an outdoor grill.
- Add the sauce you made to the seared side to create a glaze. After the initial flip, it's time to start adding your sauce! Simply coat the exposed side with a baster, brush, or spoon after flipping it. Once you flip the plantain again, coat the other side.[9] As the plantain continues to cook, the sauce coating will turn into a delicious, sticky glaze.
- If you're using a sauce that has butter or fat in it, be careful that you do not drip too much into the grill as this can cause the fire to flare up and possibly overcook the plantains.
- Even the peel side should have a glaze!
- Flip the plantains every few minutes for a total of about 20 minutes of cooking time. After the initial sear, it's important to keep rotating the plantains so that they cook all the way through. This also allows you to continue to add the sauce with each flip to create an even outer coating.[10]
- Remove the cooked plantains from heat to rest on a plate. After twenty minutes, the plantains will be fully cooked. Remove them from the grilling surface and place on a plate. Allow your plantains to cool for a few minutes before removing them from their peels.[11] Then serve and enjoy!
- If you have sauce left, you can drizzle it on the grilled plantains as they cool.
EditReferences
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| How to Cover Acne Scars with Makeup Posted: 08 Jun 2019 05:00 PM PDT If you've struggled with cystic acne or regular breakouts, you know that not all makeup products can help you look and feel your best. If you want to completely cover up your acne scars for the day, you'll need products that are mattifying, full-coverage, and long-lasting. Instead of swiping makeup onto your face, try pressing foundation, concealer, and powder into your skin to achieve smooth, even coverage. Combine these products and techniques with color-correcting fluids and scar filling products to instantly camouflage your scars. Have fun using these products to boost your confidence and let your beautiful self shine! EditSelecting Makeup Products - Match your makeup to your skin tone. A close match between your concealer, foundation, and skin tone will give you the most natural look. Look at your inner wrist under natural light to determine whether you have warm, neutral, or cool undertones. Visit a beauty store and test out a variety of products that are designed to flatter your shade and undertones.[1]
- Note that some products change color slightly after 1-2 hours of contact with the oils in your skin. For instance, the perfect shade of foundation might get yellowy by the end of the day. Try out samples to see what looks and feels the best after a full day of wear.
- If your skin gets paler or darker depending on the season, pick one set of products to match your summer skin tone and another for your winter shade.
- Opt for mattifying concealers, liquid foundations, and setting powders. Makeup products that create a matte finish will visually soften and smooth the texture of your skin. Refrain from using dewy, luminous foundations and powders all over your face, since these tend to emphasize the texture of your skin.[2]
- Pick products that are labeled as non-comedogenic or oil-free. Unfortunately, some makeup and skincare products can clog your pores, which can make your acne worse. Read the labels on the products you choose to make sure they say they're non-comedogenic or oil-free. This means they shouldn't clog your pores.[3]
- Most products will have this listed on the front, but it may be on the back label.
- Choose lightweight, blendable, full-coverage products. Full coverage cosmetics are desirable as they will create an even canvas of color across your face. This will make any indentations less noticeable. Look for a full-coverage product that still feels lightweight and blendable on your skin. Products that offer moisturizing or emollient properties will blend nicely without leaving a dry, cakey residue.
- Products with words like "camouflage" in the title are designed to cover up areas of discoloration, from dark spots to tattoos. These could be a good solution if your acne scars are significantly darker than the rest of your face.[4]
- If you want full coverage over your scars but lighter coverage on the rest of your face, try using a medium-coverage foundation or even a highly pigmented tinted moisturizer that is designed for layering.
- Select long-lasting formulas. Many foundations and powders promise "24-hour coverage" or "long-lasting" coverage. Stick with a product like this to avoid midday touch-ups. Additionally, if you anticipate sweat, tears, or being around water, select waterproof cosmetics. However, don't wear waterproof products often, as they can clog your pores.[5]
- If you wear waterproof products, make sure you use a makeup remover that's formulated to remove them. If you leave makeup on your face, it may clog your pores.
- Choose a "pore-eliminating" foundation primer for your base layer. Makeup primers and foundation primers create a uniform base layer that other cosmetic products can be layered onto. Many primers enable long-lasting wear, and a primer described as "poreless," "pore-eliminating," or "skin-smoothing" will establish a smoother skin texture.
- Primers help keep your makeup in place so it lasts longer.
- Primers won't literally remove your pores but will instead fill them in, helping mask the indentations left by acne scarring and creating the appearance of a smoother canvas for cosmetics to be applied to.[6]
- Try concealers that are specially formulated for use on acne scars and breakouts. Look for product containing phrases like "breakout concealer" or "acne concealer" on the labels. These are designed to treat current breakouts and prevent future irritations.[7] For deep scarring, silicone-based acne scar fillers apply a layer of silicone to the surface of your skin.[8]
- The silicone fills in any indentations from your scarring and leaves a smooth surface that you can apply foundation and other makeup products onto.
- Use a color-correcting concealer to cancel out dark spots. Acne has a cool tone, so using warm shades can balance it out. If you have light skin, use a golden peach concealer. For medium skin, choose a peach undertone. If your skin is dark, opt for a dark orange tinted color-corrector. Stipple the color-corrector onto clean, moisturized skin and seal it with a finishing powder. It might look a little odd at first, but once you layer foundation over the color-correcting product you'll see the dark spots disappear.[9]
- Try not to blend the foundation into the color-correcting product below. The goal is to keep these layers separate so that they each do their job separately.
- Try airbrush makeup or spray-on foundation. Airbrush makeup kits are typically sold at professional-level prices and will require some practice before you achieve a flawless, evenly layered finish. But you can pick up a spray-on foundation product to get similar results. These types of products deliver a fine mist evenly across your skin, which can be layered for the perfect amount of coverage.
- Mist and spray foundations are pricier than liquid formulas but they allow you to emulate the look of airbrush makeup at home without the equipment investment.[10]
- Airbrush makeup tends to photograph well, so consider booking the services of a makeup artist for a special event.[11]
- If you're a makeup artist, consider airbrush equipment an essential part of your kit. Clients typically pay more for airbrushing services. Your clients with acne scars may appreciate having the option to experience the pampering and uniform finish.
EditPreparing and Priming the Skin - Cleanse your skin first. Start with a clean, fresh face before putting on any makeup. You might rinse your face off with water or use a daily cleanser – follow whatever skincare routine your dermatologist recommends.[12]
- Exfoliate your skin with a chemical exfoliator to remove dead skin cells. Choose a product that contains salicylic acid or a similar exfoliator. Apply a dime-sized amount to your face and scrub it into your skin. Rinse with cool water to close your pores.[13]
- The exfoliator will scrub away dead skin cells so your skin feels smoother and your pores are less likely to get clogged. Additionally, it will help fade your acne scars.
- You can use your exfoliator once a day until your skin looks clear. After that, it's best to use it just 2-3 times a week so you don't damage your skin.
- Moisturize your skin with a lightweight, hydrating product. Again, follow your dermatologist's recommendations for the right daily moisturizer. It should contain SPF to prevent your acne scars from sun damage. Select something that melts into your skin and doesn't leave a greasy residue.[14]
- It's also a good idea to moisturize your face at night. Just make sure you're using the lightweight, oil-free moisturizer recommended by your dermatologist.
- Treat your skin with a serum that contains vitamin C or hyrdroquinone. Pick a healing serum that contains a lightening agent like vitamin c or hydroquinione. Additionally, check the label to see if it contains antioxidants. Apply a thin layer of serum to your face before you apply primer. Then, let it sit for a few minutes so it soaks into your skin.[15]
- You can also apply your serum at night before you go to bed.
- Apply primer to smooth your skin's texture and provide a solid base. Foundation primers create a receptive base for the rest of your cosmetics to latch onto. Select a primer that has smoothing and "pore-eliminating" properties. Apply it all over your face with a stippling brush, pressing gently into your skin.[16] Let the primer dry and set before layering on other cosmetics.
EditApplying Concealer and Foundation - Dot a color-correcting concealer onto dark spots and set with powder. If you're going to use a peach or orange toned color correcting product to cancel out the cool, dark undertones of your acne scars, stipple it over the dark areas using a brush. Cover the centers and outer edges of the dark spots. Softly blend the product out at the edges using your fingertips. Push loose or pressed finishing powder into the product using a kabuki brush or powder puff.[17]
- Apply a mattifying, full-coverage concealer to your scars. As with the color-correcting product, use a stippling brush to press the concealer gently into your skin. Apply it selectively to the areas you'd like to cover up. Use your fingertips to gently pat the product into your skin.[18]
- If your concealer comes with a click-brush or sponge tip applicator, you can use this instead of a separate brush.[19]
- Stipple a full-coverage mattifying liquid foundation to your entire face. Applying foundation with swiping and smearing motions will draw attention to the bumpy texture of your skin and won't deliver even layers of coverage. Instead, press the product into your skin to make sure it gets into the deeper parts of the scarring.[20]
- Alternately use a beauty blending sponge in the same stippling motions. Make sure to wash it after each use to prevent bacterial growth.[21]
- You can layer buildable products for more coverage over darker spots. Allow the base layer to dry and then apply another layer to those specific areas.[22]
EditSetting Your Makeup - Set the foundation with a matte pressed powder or loose powder. Tap a kabuki brush or powder puff into your chosen powder to pick up a thin layer of product. For loose powders, shake out a little product into the jar lid and press the brush into the lid. Then deliberately press the brush or powder puff into your skin. Move across your face until you get a complete layer of coverage.[23]
- Choose a translucent powder to set your makeup for a natural day look. If you're doing a night look, pick a powder that matches your skin tone for additional coverage. However, using a powder that's your skin tone can create a heavy look.
- Refrain from dusting powder all over with rapid motions. You might smudge some of the foundation or concealer you just carefully placed.
- Place highlighter strategically onto smooth areas of your skin. Although luminous products won't provide good coverage for scarred areas, a dash of fluid or powder highlighter can restore a glow to your matte face. The trick is to place highlighter sparingly on smooth parts of your skin. It will help your favorite features stand out while drawing attention away from the scarring.[24]
- Try dotting highlighter along the tops of your cheekbones, above your browbone, or at the tip of your nose. You can also dab it in your inner eye and across your lid.
- Finish your look with a setting spray. A long-lasting setting spray will lock your makeup into place all day and all night.[25] That is, until you completely remove your makeup with a cleanser or makeup removing wipe.[26]
- You can actually use setting spray in lieu of powder if your skin tends to dry out.[27] However, a pigmented powder will add an extra layer of coverage.
EditThings You'll Need - Foundation primer
- Foundation
- Color-correcting fluid
- Concealer
- Stippling brushes
- Pressed or loose powder
- Kabuki brush or powder puff
- Setting spray
- Highlighter
- Cleanser or makeup removing wipes
EditReferences
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| How to Get Dust Out of the Air Posted: 08 Jun 2019 09:00 AM PDT Dust in the air of your home can cause breathing and allergy problems for all of your family members. However, there are several very effective ways to minimize the dust and purify your air. You can filter the air, clean your home properly, and control your environment so that dust doesn't accumulate in the first place. In fact, with a combination of these approaches, you can ensure that the dust in your house will be at an all-time low. EditFiltering the Air - Put new filters in your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. The air in your home can become overly dusty if the filters in your furnace and air conditioning systems are old and dirty. Change out the filters every 2 to 3 months and put a new filter in when you turn on a system for the first time each year.
- How often you need to change out your filters does depend on your specific heating and cooling system, what kind of filters you use, and what the conditions in your home are. For example, if you have several cats or dogs, you should be changing out your filter every 3 weeks.[1]
- If you are unsure, talk to the person that services your HVAC system about how often you should be changing your filters out.
- By putting a new filter in you will be filtering your air every time you turn on your heating or cooling system.
- Purchase a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) air purifier. HEPA air purifiers are the best for getting rid of dust because they filter out even fine matter in the air. These air purifiers are widely available at big box stores and from online retailers.[2]
- Typically HEPA air purifiers are stand-alone units that plug into a wall outlet.
- Put your new air purifier in the room that feels the dustiest. Often this will be your bedroom, as the linens and the amount to time you spend in there creates a lot of dust.
- Clean or replace the filters in your air purifier often. As a filter gets dirty, it's less able to filter out dust in the air. Follow the directions that came on your air filter for how often to clean it. However, don't be afraid to clean it more often than recommended.[3]
- Many air purifiers come with a pre-filter and a filter. The pre-filter will often be washable but the larger main filter needs to be replaced when it gets dirty.
- Whether a filter is cleaned or replaced depends on your specific air purifier. In general, it costs more for cleanable filters but you will save money over time by not having to replace your filter.
- Don't buy houseplants thinking they will remove dust in the air. Many people believe that houseplants improve air quality in a home but they don't make the air less dusty. In fact, the soil that plants live in can add to dust to the air and some plants will even add pollen and other particles to the air.[4]
- This doesn't mean that houseplants aren't great to have in your home! They just aren't a magical solution for dust problems.
EditEliminating Dust by Cleaning Properly - Vacuum your house twice a week. Vacuuming regularly is one of the best things you can do to eliminate dust in the air. Surfaces that you should be vacuuming include rugs, carpets, sofas, under beds, window sills, and baseboards.[5]
- When you vacuum it removes all of the debris and dirt that gets kicked up into the air when you walk around or when there is air movement.
- Make sure you are using a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter in your vacuum. This will help ensure that the dust that your vacuum sucks up isn't pushed through the filter and back out into the air.
- Mop hard floor surfaces twice a week. Dirt and debris that builds up on your hard floor surfaces also gets kicked up into the air. To prevent this, use a damp mop to clean floor areas that can't be vacuumed.
- You can also use a dry dust mop on your hard surfaces. However, they do not remove as much dust as a wet mop does.
- Use a microfiber cloth or duster to dust hard surfaces. Microfiber products are great at trapping the dust that they collect from surfaces. You can either get your cloth slightly damp or use it dry, depending on whether the surface you are cleaning can get damp.[6]
- Traditional old feather dusters do not do a good job at trapping the dust they have collected. Instead, they tend to throw a lot of dust into the air and onto other surfaces.
- Wash your sheets weekly. Since we all spend a lot of time in your sheets, they tend to collect a lot of dust and grime that comes off of our bodies. However, if we wash our sheets every week, the dust and grime doesn't have a chance to get into our air.
- Washing your sheets weekly also reduces the number of dust mites, bacteria, and other allergens in your bed that can impact your breathing negatively.[7]
EditReducing Dust by Controlling Your Environment - Remove your shoes when you come into your house. Controlling the amount of dirt and grime that comes into your home can greatly reduce the amount of dust and allergens that end up in your air. When you wear your shoes inside, the dirt and allergens from outside get transferred to your floors and end up in your air.[8]
- Keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible. A lot of dust and dirt can come into your home through open windows and doors. Although it may be tempting to get a fresh breeze blowing through your home, remember that that breeze includes dust and allergens that will settle on your home surfaces and get kicked up when you walk around.
- How much dust will come into your home through an open window or door depends a lot on where you live, what time of year it is, and what the air conditions are currently. Some areas normally have more dust and debris in the air than others, so take your specific location into consideration.
- Seal cracks or gaps in your house. Dust can get into your home through all openings. Take the time to caulk or spackle any holes in your walls so that your home is more airtight. Also, seal up gaps around doors and windows with weatherstripping.[9]
- Close your chimney flue. If you have a fireplace, it's important to keep the flue closed when it's not in use. Closing it will help seal out the outside and keep dust in the air at a minimum. This is especially important if it is windy outside, as the wind can go down your chimney and push dust and debris from the chimney into your home.
- Reduce the clutter in your house. Having a lot of irregular surfaces in your home makes it hard to clean effectively. Start by getting rid of that you don't need. Then clean up needed items by putting them away in closets and cupboards. Get rid of items that you don't need and you will have open spaces that can be dusted or vacuumed quickly and regularly.[10]
EditReferences
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