| How to Boil Beets Posted: 13 Jan 2020 12:00 AM PST Beets are beloved by many—they contain lots of beneficial vitamins and minerals, work well in a plethora of recipes, and, when cooked properly, boast a rich, earthy flavor. There are many ways to prepare beets, but one of the best methods is boiling, which softens up the tough root vegetable without robbing it of its natural juices. Just throw your beets in a deep pot, cover them with water, add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice, and simmer them until they're tender, about 30-45 minutes. [Edit]Cleaning and Trimming Your Beets - Choose beets that are roughly the same size to ensure that they cook evenly. Pick out a few beets that are a suitable size for the dish you'll be using them in. Bigger beets typically take longer to cook than smaller ones. Using different-sized specimens will therefore make it harder to achieve a consistent texture.[1]
- You can boil beets of any size. However, medium-sized beets tend to work best, as they offer the best balance between heartiness and cook time.[2]
- Pass up beets with noticeable bruises or blemishes or dry, wrinkly-looking skin. These are usually indications that they're past their prime.
- Cut the leafy stalks off of the top of your beets. Lay your beets out on a cutting board one at a time and use a sharp knife to slice off the lush greens growing out of the upper end. Leave about of the stalk intact to avoid cutting into the beetroot itself.[3]
- Raw beets can be tough, which means you may need to apply quite a bit of pressure to get your knife all the way through. Be sure to watch your fingers!
- If you like, you can save your beet greens and use them in other dishes. Beet greens can be prepared much like spinach, kale, collards, and other greens.[4]
- Slice off the roots protruding from the bottom of the beets. Once you've removed the stalks, turn your beets around and do the same for the long, tendril-like feeler root on the lower portion of the vegetable. Make your cut right around the point where the bulbs taper so as not to waste any of the juicy, nutritious meat.[5]
- You can skip this step if your beets came pre-trimmed.
- This part of the beet is technically edible, though it isn't very good on its own due to its tough, stringy texture. However, it could make a flavorful addition to a homemade vegetable stock.[6]
- Scrub your beets with a vegetable brush to remove excess dirt and debris. Run the head of the brush lightly over the outer surface of each beet using short, sweeping motions. Focus on spots that are heavily caked with dirt or sediment. Place the clean beets in a bowl, or set them on a layer of folded paper towels or another sanitary surface.[7]
- Try not to scrub your beets too hard. Damaging the skin could cause some of their color, flavor, and nutrient contents to leach out into the boiling water.
- Beets grow in the ground, so it's important to make sure that they're nice and clean before cooking with them.
- Rinse your beets thoroughly with cool, clean water. Turn on the faucet and run each beet under the stream, using the pads of your fingers to loosen any lingering dirt. When working with large batches, place your beets in a colander or wire strainer so that you can rinse them all at once.[8]
- If you're a stickler for cleanliness, you can also soak your beets in a bowl full of water for around 5 minutes. Add of vinegar or lemon juice to help kill bacteria.[9]
[Edit]Cooking Your Beets - Place your beets at the bottom of a pot or saucepan. A standard saucepan should be big enough to cook 1-4 individual servings at one time. For larger batches, you'll need to upsize to a medium-sized pot, stockpot, or Dutch oven to make sure there's enough room for all of the beets you're preparing.[10]
- Whatever piece of cookware you use should be big enough to hold all of the beets you plan on boiling, plus an equal volume of water.[11]
- Spreading out your beets a bit will allow the heat of your boiling water to better circulate between them.
- Fill the pot with enough water to completely cover the beets. There's no need to measure out a precise amount of liquid. Just turn on the faucet and let it run into your pot until the water sits above the top of your beets.[12]
- Don't overfill your pot. Doing so will cause all that water to take much longer to heat up. You'll also burn a lot of unnecessary energy trying to maintain the optimal cooking temperature.
- Add of vinegar or lemon juice to prevent bleeding. Use a measuring cup or spoon to portion out your acid of choice, then dump it into the pot with your boiling water. It will help lock in the beets' natural juices as they cook. As a result, they'll come out perfectly soft, tender, and flavorful.[13]
- Double the amount of acid you add for every additional of water in your pot.
- Bring the water in your pot to a boil. Set the pot on one of the eyes of your stove and switch on the cooktop to medium-high or high heat. Allow the water to heat up until it reaches a full, rolling boil. This should take around 8-10 minutes, depending on the total volume of your pot.
- Putting a lid on the pot will prevent excess heat from escaping, which in turn will help the water boil faster.
- Reduce the heat and simmer the beets for 30-45 minutes. As soon as your water begins boiling, turn the temperature down to low-medium heat. Let the beets simmer at this decreased heat setting for around half an hour, or until they reach the desired doneness. Come back and give your beets a stir periodically to keep the heat evenly distributed throughout your pot.[14]
- Be sure to leave the lid on the pot the whole time it's on the stove. Otherwise, the temperature of the water will drop and your cook time will increase.
- Especially large beets or those that have been in cold storage may need closer to an hour to cook all the way through.[15]
- Use a knife to check whether your beets are done. Remove the lid from the pot, reach in carefully, and jab one of the boiled beets with the tip of your knife. If it pierces easily, it's time for them to come off of the stove. If it still feels tough, leave them on the stove for another 10-15 minutes to soften them up.[16]
- Choose a knife with a long blade to avoid burning your hand. It may also be a good idea to slip on an oven mitt if there's a lot of steam escaping from the pot.
[Edit]Peeling Boiled Beets - Fill a large bowl with ice water. Run cold water into the bowl, then add a couple handfuls of ice cubes. Place the bowl on the countertop next to your stove. You'll be using it as an ice bath to quickly cool the boiled beets.[17]
- A spacious serving or mixing bowl will work well for this purpose, but you could also fill up the sink itself if you're working with a large quantity of beets or don't have a suitable container handy.
- Transfer the beets to the ice bath using a slotted spoon or pair of tongs. Once your beets are fully cooked, switch off the cooktop and remove the pot from the hot eye. Scoop the beets out of the hot cooking liquid with your spoon or tongs one-by-one and deposit them in the bowl of ice water.[18]
- Alternatively, you can dump the entire contents of the pot into a colander or wire strainer before transferring the drained beets to the ice bath.
- You also have the option of simply emptying the boiling pot and rising your beets with cold water if you'd rather not go to the trouble of chilling them.[19]
- Let the beets cool in the ice bath for 2-3 minutes. Plunging your freshly-boiled beets into ice water will instantly kill their residual heat and stop them from cooking them any further. The drastic change in temperature will also loosen up the connection between the skin and the meat, making them a breeze to peel.[20]
- You may need to chill your beets in batches, depending on the quantity you've cooked. Be sure to refill your bowl with fresh water and ice after each batch.
- Peel the loose skin off of your beets by hand. At this point, the tough skin will have softened enough to allow you to simply pull it away in large sections. Use the pad of your thumb or thumbnail to scrape away any stubborn clinging spots you happen to encounter.[21]
- It might be a good idea to pull on a pair of latex gloves before you begin peeling your beets to make sure that the flowing juice doesn't stain your fingers.
- Discard the skins immediately to avoid discoloring your clothes, countertops, floors, or other surrounding surfaces.[22]
- Serve your boiled beets as-is with a sprinkle of salt, a drizzle of olive oil, and a few sprigs of fresh parsley. You can also pickle them, use them to top a salad, add them to a gratin or casserole, or mash them with butter, milk, and salt the way you would potatoes.
[Edit]Warnings - Beet juice stains fabrics and other materials very easily. Consider wearing an apron anytime you're working with fresh beets.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Cleaning and Trimming Your Beets - Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Vegetable brush
- Plate or paper towels
[Edit]Cooking Your Beets - Pot or saucepan
- Water
- Measuring cup or spoon
- Wooden or metal spoon
- Knife
[Edit]Peeling Boiled Beets - Large bowl
- Water
- Ice
- Slotted spoon
- Tongs (optional)
- Colander or wire strainer (optional)
- Latex gloves (optional)
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Sleep with Wet Curly Hair Posted: 12 Jan 2020 04:00 PM PST There are several ways you can help preserve your curls if you're sleeping with wet hair, whether you're using a styling product or not. Put your wet hair up into a pineapple, braid it to keep it in place, or create a bun on top of your head to keep your curls bouncy. If your hair needs some refreshing in the morning, spritz it with water or use a leave-in conditioner to add some moisture to your curls. [Edit]Preserving Your Curls as You Sleep - Shower 2-3 hours before you sleep if possible. It's best if you shower a couple hours before you plan on going to bed, as this will ensure that your hair isn't soaking wet. When your hair is partially dry, it'll be easier for your curls to take shape and remain curly overnight.[1]
- Apply your chosen styling product to damp hair. This can be whatever styling product you normally use, such as a curl-defining cream to get bouncy curls, or an anti-humidity oil for hair that tends to frizz. Dab a bit of the product throughout your hair after you come out of the shower to help shape your curls as you'd like them.[2]
- Consider using a leave-in conditioner as your styling product to help your hair retain its moisture throughout the night.
- Choose a product depending on the kind of results you'd like, such as no frizz or softer hair.
- Plop your hair for frizz-free curls. Spread a soft T-shirt on a flat surface upside down with the sleeves close to you. After you shower, flip your wet hair onto the T-shirt so your head is in the middle of the shirt. Pull the bottom hem of the shirt towards you so it covers the back of your head and wrap the arms of the shirt around your head to tie them together, holding the shirt in place on your hair.[3]
- Sleep with the T-shirt tied on top of your head to let your hair dry naturally overnight, leaving you with perfect curls when you remove the shirt the next morning.
- Use a shirt with long sleeves to wrap the arms of the shirt around your head more tightly.
- Braid your curls for wavy curls. Braid your hair into one braid going down the back of your head, or create two pigtail braids instead. This keeps your hair from moving all about as you're sleeping, but be aware that the braid may affect how your curls dry.[4]
- Braid your hair after your curls have dried about 50% to help prevent them from drying in the same texture as the braid.
- Put your hair in a loose bun for natural-looking curls. If you have long hair, this is a good way to keep your curls out of your eyes and prevent yourself from laying on them. Gather your hair up on top of your head and use a hair tie to create a bun, holding your curls in place overnight.[5]
- Make the bun high enough up that you won't squish your curls when you're lying down.
- Create a pineapple on top of your head for looser curls. Flip your hair upside down and gather it up on the top of your head. Use a loose hair tie or scrunchy to secure your hair on top of your head, creating a pineapple shape with all of your curls. This style keeps you from flattening your curls as you sleep.[6]
- Gather your hair up as high on the top of your head as possible—this will add volume to your roots in the morning as well as keep you from squishing your curls.
- Secure your hair in pin curls for bouncy curls. Take each curl or small clump of curls and use your finger to push them up towards your scalp, keeping them in their curl shape as you compress them. Use a bobby pin to hold each curl in place on your head. When you wake up, you'll remove all of the bobby pins to reveal beautiful bouncy curls.[7]
- It's best to cover your head in a silk scarf or satin bonnet before sleeping to keep the pin curls in place.
- Pin curls work well if you have short hair.
- Use bantu knots to create defined curls. Separate your hair into small sections using a comb, and then twist each section from the root up until it forms a spiral. Continue twisting the section until it's in a twist flat against your head, using a bobby pin to secure it. Do this to the other sections of your hair, creating secure curls.[8]
- Consider separating your hair into 8-10 sections to create 8-10 twists.
- Unravel each bantu knot in the morning to reveal your defined curls.
- Cover your hair with a satin bonnet for extra protection. If you put your hair up in something like pin curls or a pineapple, placing a satin bonnet over your hair can help keep it in place and ensure your styling doesn't come undone. Look for a satin bonnet at your local big box store or online.[9]
- The satin bonnet goes over all of your hair with an elastic to stay on your head, keeping your curls from coming undone.
- Exchange a regular pillowcase for a satin or silk one for softer curls. When it's time to fall asleep, use a satin or silk pillowcase to keep your curls smooth. Satin or silk helps prevent friction, meaning your hair will slide smoothly over the pillowcase instead of getting caught on it which creates tangles and bedhead.[10]
- Look for satin or silk pillowcase at your local home goods store or online.
[Edit]Freshening up Your Curls in the Morning - Spritz your hair with water to reawaken your curls. Fill a spray bottle with water and spray a light mist over your hair. This will add some moisture and help revitalize your hair style, giving your curls more volume.[11]
- Spray sections more heavily with water if you want them to re-dry a certain way or are styling them.
- Step into a hot shower to use the steam to help style your curls. If you take a shower in the morning, turn on the hot water and pin your hair on top of your head to avoid getting it wet. The steam will help add volume to your hair so that your curls are full and bouncy by the time you're done showering.[12]
- Add a sea salt spray to your curls to redefine them. Spray a few spritzes of sea salt spray on the mid-lengths and ends of your hair to add texture and volume. If you find that your hair dries out due to the sea salt, add a layer of leave-in conditioner to help add moisture back into your curls.[13]
- How much sea salt spray you use will depend on the specific brand of spray as well as how curly your hair is.
- Apply dry shampoo to the roots of your hair for a quick lift. If your curls are feeling flat or your hair is already a bit oily, spray dry shampoo at the roots to add volume or on sections that could use a bit more definition. Dry shampoo is also great for separating clumps of curls because it covers up your hair's oils and prevents the curls from sliding back into one another.[14]
- Look for a dry shampoo at your local drugstore, grocery store, or big box store.
- Spray the dry shampoo generously on the sections you'd like to be more voluminous.
- Use a diffuser on slightly damp hair to reshape curls. If you wake up and your curls aren't looking like you'd like them to, dampen your hair generously with a spray bottle. Use a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer to dry your curls, aiming the air straight up from the bottom of your curls to reduce frizziness while creating natural curls.[15]
- Purchase a diffuser extension at your local big box store or online.
- Consider drying your hair on a cool setting to reduce frizziness even more.
- Give your curls a shake to add volume to your hair. If your curls are already fairly styled when you wake up, flip your hair over and give it a good shake. Use your fingers to lift up the hair at your roots to add even more volume.[16]
- Shake your hair gently to avoid creating tangles.
- Use a serum to smooth any frizzy sections. If your hair tends to frizz overnight, squeeze out a small drop of serum to apply to your hair. Spread the serum lightly over the frizzy sections of your hair, rubbing it in thoroughly so your curls aren't stringy.[17]
- Look for an anti-frizz serum at your local big box store or grocery store.
- Spray a leave-in conditioner in your hair to add moisture. If your curls are feeling dry or in need of extra nutrients in the morning, spritz them with a leave-in conditioner. Spray the conditioner throughout your hair, lifting up your curls to ensure it reaches all of them.[18]
- Look for leave-in conditioners that contain argan oil which helps lock in moisture in curls.
- You can find a leave-in conditioner at a grocery store or big box store.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Preserving Your Curls as You Sleep - Styling product (Curl-defining cream, anti-humidity oil, etc.)
- Soft T-shirt (optional)
- Hair ties (optional)
- Bobby pins (optional)
- Satin bonnet (optional)
- Satin or silk pillowcase
[Edit]Freshening up Your Curls in the Morning - Spray bottle with water
- Sea salt spray
- Leave-in conditioner
- Dry shampoo
- Diffuser
- Anti-frizz serum
[Edit]References |
| How to Start Riding an ATV Posted: 12 Jan 2020 08:00 AM PST Riding an all-terrain vehicle, or ATV, can be a fun and exciting way to explore the great outdoors. But, ATVs are powerful machines, and you need to know how to safely and properly ride one before you start blazing down an offroad trail. Be sure to have the proper safety equipment, choose an appropriate ATV to ride, and don't try any tricks when you're starting out. While you're learning to ride, choose a wide-open space so you can practice picking up speed, shifting gears, and taking turns properly. For the best preparation, take a formal ATV riding course. [Edit]Riding an ATV Safely - Choose an appropriate ATV for you to start riding. A sports quad is a good starter ATV for an adult who can reach the handlebars and gear shift in the footrest. A youth ATV is more appropriate for a younger person getting started because they're lighter and shorter. You could also choose a utility ATV if you plan to use it for work purposes and you need to learn how to ride it.[1]
- Try sitting on an ATV to make sure it feels comfortable and you can reach all of the handles and gears.
- Using an ATV that is too large, powerful, or unwieldy for you could result in an accident.
- Wear protective gear when you ride. ATVs are powerful machines and can cause you serious injury if you're in an accident. To better protect yourself, wear proper equipment. Before you ride, put on a pair of boots, gloves, safety goggles, and a helmet.[2]
- Wearing protective gear will reduce your chances of getting injured, especially if you're new to riding.
- Make sure the helmet and gear fit properly and allow you to see properly.
- You can find ATV protective gear at ATV supply shops, at sports and outdoor stores, and online.
- Use nerf bars when you're learning to ride. Nerf bars are large foot pegs that fit onto your ATV to widen the footing area, which make it easier for you to keep your footing, especially when you're starting out. When you choose your ATV, go with one that has nerf bars or have them installed so you can learn to ride more safely.[3]
- You can find nerf bars at sports and outdoors stores, at ATV supply stores, and online.
- Nerf bars also make it easier for you to learn how to turn, use the clutch, and shift gears.
- Keep both feet on the foot pegs at all times. Your feet need to always be placed in the footing area of the ATV to ensure your safety. The footing area is where the clutch and the gear shift is located, so it's important that you're ready to shift gears if necessary. You could also get your foot or leg snagged on something when you're riding if any part of your body is hanging out of the ATV.[4]
- Hanging a leg outside of your ATV can also shift your weight off-balance, which can cause the ATV to tip or you to fall off.
- Avoid riding on paved roads to avoid getting hit by a vehicle. ATVs are meant to be ridden offroad, so driving them on a paved street or highway is actually bad for their tires. You could also accidentally be hit by a passing vehicle. Only ride on paved roads when you're crossing them to get to the other side.[5]
- It's also against the law in many places to drive an ATV on a paved road.
- Don't attempt any wheelies when you start riding an ATV. A wheelie involves leaning your weight back to lift the front wheels off of the ground, and they can easily result in the ATV flipping over onto you. When you're starting to ride, don't be tempted to try a trick that can result in serious injury.[6]
[Edit]Learning How to Ride - Check your local laws regarding ATVs before you ride. Some locations may have designated areas for you to legally drive your ATV. You may also need to have a special license and proof of insurance in order to ride an ATV. Look online for your area's rules and regulations about ATV riding.[7]
- Check your local government's website for a list of rules regarding ATVs.
- Ride in an open area without any obstacles when you're getting started. Choose a large, flat, open space that's free of any hazards or obstacles that you could run into to practice riding your ATV. The controls will take some getting used to, so avoid steep terrain or an area that has a lot of vehicles or objects that you would need to navigate around.[8]
- An empty field or a large backyard would work as a suitable practice area.
- Turn the key and press the start button to start the ATV. Put the key into the ignition and turn it to the start position. Then, press the start button, which is usually located on the right side of the handlebars. When the engine starts, allow it to run for about a minute so it can warm up.[9]
- If you're riding in cold weather conditions, allow the engine to run for 5 minutes so it can heat up before you ride.
- Pull the clutch handle to place the engine into neutral. On the left handlebar is a lever called the clutch. Pulling the clutch puts the engine into the neutral gear, which allows you to shift gears as you build up speed. To start moving, engage the clutch with your left hand so you can put the engine into gear.[10]
- While you're in the neutral gear, your ATV can continue to roll forward, but you will not be able to add any speed.
- You need to place the engine into first gear in order to start moving.
- Use your left foot to raise the gear shift lever to shift into higher gears. With the clutch engaged, use your left foot to shift gears by lifting the lever located in the left footrest. Then, release the clutch to place the engine into gear so you can keep moving. As you build up speed, shift into higher gears.[11]
- Practice riding around, then slowly increase your speed, and work to shift into higher gears to get used to riding.
- Downshift into lower gears as you slow down your ATV. When you're decreasing your speed, you also need to shift back into lower gears. Hold the clutch with your left hand and press down on the gear shift lever with your left foot, then release the clutch. You'll feel the lever click down as you downshift.[12]
- Shift into lower gears one at a time to allow your engine to adjust to the lower speeds and gears.
- Start braking with your right hand and gradually add your left hand. The brakes of an ATV are controlled by levers to the right and left of the handlebars. The lever to the right controls the rear brakes, while the lever to the left controls the front brakes. Always start braking the rear wheels first by squeezing the right handle, and add additional braking power by slowly squeezing the left handle.[13]
- If you squeeze both brakes at the same time, you may tumble forward over the handlebars.
- Squeezing the left handle to brake the front wheels only can cause the ATV to flip over.
- Lean into turns to keep the ATV from tipping. Shift your weight in the direction that you're turning to distribute the weight and keep your ATV from tipping over. If you're turning left, lean to the left side of the ATV. If you're turning right, lean right. Work to get used to distributing your weight so you can take turns at higher speeds.[14]
- It can help to stand up from the seat so you can lean further if you're taking a harder turn.
- Take an ATV riding course to receive formal training. The best way to make sure you're properly equipped to start riding your ATV is to take a course from an experienced rider who can show you the ins and outs of your ATV. Look online for classes in your area that you can sign up for to receive formal instruction.[15]
- Ask your ATV dealer if they provide instruction or can recommend a course.
- You may be required to take a certification course in order to be legally allowed to ride your ATV.
[Edit]Warnings - Always wear protective gear when you're riding an ATV!
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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