| How to Make Macaroni Salad Posted: 18 Jul 2021 01:00 AM PDT Macaroni salad is an American classic side dish made from macaroni, mayonnaise, veggies, and optional proteins, such as cheese, tuna, and egg. This is a quick and easy dish to take to a potluck, serve as a side dish, or eat as a whole meal. Opt for a classic macaroni salad for something straightforward and simple, or add cheese or tuna for a delicious twist in this old favorite! [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Classic Macaroni Salad - of macaroni pasta
- 1 cup (240 mL) of mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp (30 mL) of white vinegar
- ¾ cup (150 g) of sugar
- 2 tbsp (30 mL) of mustard
- 1 tsp (5 g) of salt, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp (0.5 g) of ground black pepper
- 2 stalks of celery, sliced thinly
- 1 red or green bell pepper, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 carrot, peeled and grated
- 2 tbsp (2 g) of fresh parsley, chopped
[Edit]Cheesy Macaroni Salad - of macaroni pasta
- 1 cup (240 mL) of mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup (120 mL) of pickle relish
- 1 tsp (5 g) of salt
- ¼ tsp (0.5 g) of ground black pepper
- of cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded
- 2 stalks of celery, sliced thinly
- 1 green or red bell pepper, diced
- 4 scallions/green onions, sliced thinly
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
[Edit]Tuna Macaroni Salad - of macaroni pasta
- 1 cup (240 mL) of mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup (120 mL) of pickle relish
- 1 tsp (5 g) of salt
- ¼ tsp (0.5 g) of ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) of lemon juice or 1 tsp (2 g) of celery seed (optional)
- 2 cans of tuna, drained
- 1 small onion or 1 shallot, chopped
- 1 cup (150 g) of peas, fresh or frozen, cooked
- 3 eggs, hard-boiled, peeled, and quartered (optional)
[Edit]Classic Macaroni Salad - Cook the macaroni pasta in boiling water for 8 minutes. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and then add the of macaroni pasta. Reduce the heat to medium so that the water is at a low boil.[1]
- Drain and rinse the pasta with cool water. After 8 minutes, pour the pasta into a colander over a sink to drain the pasta. Then, rinse the pasta under cold water. Place the pasta into a large bowl and set it aside.[2]
- Mix the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Combine 1 cup (240 mL) of mayonnaise, 2 tbsp (30 mL) of white vinegar, ¾ cup (150 g) of sugar, 2 tbsp (30 mL) of mustard, 1 tsp (5 g) of salt, and 1/4 tsp (0.5 g) of ground black pepper in a small bowl. Use a whisk or fork to mix everything together.[3]
- You can substitute apple cider or red wine vinegar for white vinegar if needed.[4]
- Add the vegetables and parsley to the bowl with the macaroni. Put the 2 stalks of sliced celery, 1 diced red or green bell pepper, 1 chopped onion, 1 peeled and grated carrot, and 2 tbsp (2 g) of fresh chopped parsley to the bowl. Stir the macaroni, veggies, and parsley together until everything is well combined.[5]
- You can also customize your veggie mixture however you like! Add a chopped tomato, radish slices, or broccoli flowerets.
- Pour the dressing over the macaroni and veggies. Use a large spoon to stir everything together. Make sure that all of the veggies and macaroni are coated with the dressing.[6]
- Serve immediately or refrigerate the salad for up to 24 hours. Serve the macaroni salad at either room temperature or chilled. If you are not serving the macaroni salad immediately, cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it.[7]
[Edit]Cheesy Macaroni Salad - Cook the macaroni pasta in a pot of boiling water for 8 minutes. Pour water into a large pot and bring it to a boil. Then, add the of macaroni pasta to the pot. Reduce the heat to medium so that the water is at a low boil and cook the pasta for 8 minutes.[8]
- Set a timer so that your pasta does not cook too long!
- Drain and rinse the pasta with cool water. After 8 minutes, pour the pasta into a colander over your kitchen sink. Wait until all of the water has drained out of the pot and colander. Then, hold the colander under the faucet and rinse the pasta with cold water for about 30 seconds. Let all of the water drain out of the colander and place the pasta into a large bowl.[9]
- Pour the apple cider vinegar over the macaroni and wait for 15 minutes. Pour 2 tbsp (30 mL) of apple cider vinegar onto the macaroni. Stir to coat the macaroni in the vinegar and let it sit for 15 minutes.[10]
- Combine the mayonnaise salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Add 1 cup (240 mL) of mayonnaise, 1 tsp (5 g) of salt, and ¼ tsp (0.5 g) of freshly ground black pepper to a small bowl. Mix these ingredients with a fork or whisk until they are well combined.[11]
- Add 1 tbsp (15 mL) of mustard to your dressing for a bolder flavor.
- Include 1 tsp (5 g) of sugar to sweeten the dressing.[12]
- Combine the cheese, veggies, and dressing with the macaroni. Add the of cheddar cheese, 2 stalks of chopped celery, 1 chopped red bell pepper, 4 chopped green onions, and 2 medium chopped tomatoes to the bowl of macaroni. Then, pour the dressing over the ingredients.[13]
- Stir everything together with a spoon so that the veggies are evenly distributed and everything is coated in the dressing.
- Cover and refrigerate the macaroni salad until you're ready to serve it. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid. Then, place the bowl of macaroni salad into the refrigerator and chill it for at least 4 hours. The salad will keep in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving.[14]
[Edit]Tuna Macaroni Salad - Cook the macaroni in a pot of boiling water for 8 minutes. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and then add the of macaroni pasta. Turn the heat down to medium and cook the pasta for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, remove the pot from the heat.[15]
- Drain and rinse the pasta. Pour the cooked pasta into a colander over your kitchen sink to drain away the water. Then, rinse the pasta under cold water to cool it down. Let this water drain out of the colander and then place the pasta into a large bowl.[16]
- Combine the tuna and veggies with the macaroni. Open and drain the 2 cans of tuna, then dump these into the bowl with the macaroni. Chop the onion or shallot and cook and drain 1 cup (150 g) of peas. Then, add these into the bowl as well.[17]
- Try a different veggie combination if desired, such as a couple of handfuls of fresh spinach with 2 chopped tomatoes, or a crown of chopped broccoli flowerets and shredded carrots.
- Stir the dressing ingredients in with the macaroni, tuna, and veggies. Add 1 cup (240 mL) of mayonnaise, 1/2 cup (120 mL) of relish, 1 tsp (5 g) of salt, and ¼ tsp (0.5 g) of ground black pepper into the bowl with the macaroni, tuna, and veggies. Stir everything together until the macaroni and veggies are coated in the mayonnaise and relish.[18]
- Opt for sweet or dill relish depending on your preference.
- Add 1 tbsp (15 mL) of lemon juice for a tangier tuna macaroni salad.
- Include 1 tsp (2 g) of celery seed for a stronger flavor.[19]
- Top the salad with 3 hard-boiled, quartered eggs. Peel the hard-boiled eggs, then chop each egg into 4 pieces. Place the eggs on top of your salad and serve![20]
- Hard-boil the eggs a few hours ahead of time and put them into your refrigerator to cool before you peel and chop them!
- Cover and chill the macaroni salad until you are ready to eat it. You can eat the macaroni salad right away if desired, or chill it for a couple of hours first. If you do not plan to eat the salad right away, cover it with plastic or a tight-fitting lid and put the bowl into the refrigerator.[21]
- The salad will keep well for about 24 hours.
- Macaroni salad is always an excellent stand-by for barbecues and large parties.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Large salad bowl
- Cutting board and knife
- Saucepan
- Colander
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Apply Gum Gel Posted: 17 Jul 2021 05:00 PM PDT Gum gel, also known as polygel, is a relatively new innovation in the world of nails. It's a thicker substance that you sculpt on to the nail kind of like putty or tacky glue. The advantage of using gum gel is that it's much easier to control the thickness of your nails and it can be modified to create a matte or glossy finish. Gum gel can be kind of awkward to use, but you'll quickly get used to working with it. Keep in mind, when you buy gum gel it should come with a bottle of adhesive base coat. You cannot apply the gum gel without using a gum gel adhesive designed specifically for that brand's product. [Edit]Cleaning Your Nails - Remove any old nail polish or gel coats. You must apply the gum gel to a natural nail, so grab some polish remover, acetone, or rubbing alcohol and wipe your nails clean. If you have any press-on nails, soak them in hot water and peel them off. Thoroughly wipe each nail before washing your hands and letting them air dry.[1]
- Gum gel will generally last 2-4 weeks depending on how thick you apply it and how clean your nails are when you put it on. This is why cleaning your nails thoroughly is so important.
- Clean and push your cuticles to remove the dead skin. Grab an orangewood stick or a cuticle tool and hold it like a pencil. Gently press against your cuticle to push it and expose any dead skin hiding near the base of your nail. Then, use an orangewood stick, flat scraper blade, or curette to gently scrape away any dead skin. Take 5-10 minutes to really clean all of your cuticles out.[2]
- Wipe your nails clean with a clean, dry brush to remove any dead skin. Thoroughly clean a makeup brush by washing it out and letting it air dry. Alternatively, grab a brand new brush. Wipe each nail by brushing back and forth along the tips of your fingers. Brush each individual finger 4-5 times to knock away any dirt, residue, or dead skin that's hanging on your nails.[3]
- You can file your nails after doing this if you really want some strong adhesion, but it's not mandatory.
[Edit]Adding the Adhesive Base Coat - Brush your nails with the gel gum base coat. Unscrew the cap on the gum gel base coat. Rub the bristles on the cap's brush against the inside of the bottle to knock off any excess base coat fluid. Carefully apply the base coat to your nails using wide, straight strokes to cover the middle of the nail. Then, gently outline the back of your nail using a single circular stroke. Do your best to keep the base coat off of your skin.[4]
- Repeat this process for each of your nails.
- You don't need a thick layer of base coat, but you do need to cover each portion of the nail.
- If you do get base coat on your skin, use a cleanser or wet wipe to rub away the adhesive fluid before it dries.
- Cure the base coat under a UV lamp for 30 seconds. Turn a UV lamp on and slide your fingers underneath the light. Let your nails cure for 30 seconds to give the base coat time to stiffen and adhere to your nails. The base coat will still be tacky and sticky when you take your fingers out, so avoid touching your nails.[5]
- You can usually use an LED lamp for this adhesive as well, but check the label on your gum gel base coat just to make sure. Typically, you can hold your nails under an LED lamp for 15-20 seconds to cure the base coat.
- Unfortunately, you cannot apply gum gel nails if you don't have a UV or LED lamp.
- Apply a second layer of the base coat if you want extra adhesion. It's entirely optional, but adding an additional base coat will make your gum gel nails last even longer. If you don't want to do your nails again after a few weeks, feel free to repeat this process and apply another layer of base coat to your nails. Cure them under the UV lamp the same way you cured the first coat.[6]
- Gum gel nails typically last 2-4 weeks, but they may last a little longer if you use a second base coat.
[Edit]Creating the Gum Gel Nails - Place a thick drop of gum gel in the middle of your first nail. Squeeze the tube firmly to slowly push out a pea-sized dollop of the gum gel. Place the gum gel on to the tip of an orangewood stick. Then, use the tip of your stick to carefully wipe the gem gel off of the stick and on to the middle of your first nail. Gently tap the gum gel down using the broad side of the stick to flatten it out a little.[7]
- This is where the oddity of gum gel will really become apparent. The gum gel itself is a thick, putty-like substance. It can be molded, shaped, and pushed around, but it's kind of a weird substance to work with. Don't worry—you'll get better at working with it as you continue to get practice.
- It's kind of hard to figure out how much gum gel you need for each nail. Don't worry if you get it wrong the first time. You can always add more gum gel to a nail or scoop some excess gel off.
- This stuff is pretty dense, so it can take a bit of pressure to squeeze the gum gel out of the tube.
- Dip a small nail brush into some cleanser or isopropyl alcohol. Take a clean nail brush and dip it into some liquid cleanser. Blot the brush on a paper towel to wipe the excess cleanser off. Get the brush damp, but not soaking wet. The cleanser will temporarily soften the gum gel and make it easier to work around, so reload your brush whenever the gum gel starts hardening.[8]
- Tap the gum gel down using the damp brush to spread it out. Hold the brush at a 10- to 20-degree angle and repeatedly tap the top of the gum gel. Continue doing this until the gum gel flattens out around the middle of the nail. Stop once the gum gel gets within of the skin on the sides of your finger.[9]
- This may be a little hard to do your first time working with gum gel, but try to keep the gum gel thicker in the middle of the nail and thinner around the edges of the nail.
- Brush the gum gel around to shape it to your nail. Use the nail brush to sculpt the gel on your nail. You can hold the bristles perpendicular to the gel and move it from above to make minor adjustments, or push the gum gel around faster by spreading the gel with the brush at a 25- to 35-degree angle. Take your time to work the gel up through the tip of your nail and towards the back of the nail near you cuticle.[10]
- You may be tempted to use a stiffer tool to force the gum gel around, but this will make it harder to get an even texture. You're much better off taking a little more time to spread it out evenly with the brush.
- If you run out of gel, push out a small drop of gum on to your orangewood stick and rub it off on the area where you need more gum gel.
- Reload your brush with cleanser or isopropyl alcohol as needed to keep it damp and make the gum gel easier to work with.
- Touch up the edges of the nail and remove any gel that gets on your skin. Use the tip of your brush to push small amounts of the gel around the edge of your cuticle. Carefully spread the gel out around the edges of the nail and coat the underside of the free edge if you have one. If you get any gum gel on your skin, scrape the gel up with your orangewood stick or cuticle tool and wipe the area with a cleansing wipe.[11]
- The gum gel won't start to dry until you cure it under a lamp, so you have plenty of time to spread it out, touch the sides of the nail up, or remove it from your skin.
- Repeat this process to add the gel to the rest of your nails. Once you've finished your first nail, continue this process until you've covered each of your nails. Scoop up a small dollop of gum gel, apply it to the center of your nail, and spread it around with your brush. This may take you 20-30 minutes, but the finished product will look incredible![12]
- One of the benefits of gum gel is that you have total control over the thickness of the nail. You can build your nails up for a thicker look, or use a thinner amount to create a smoother acrylic style.
- Cure your nails under a UV lamp for 2 minutes. Once your nails are completely covered, slide them under a UV lamp for 2 minutes. This will cure the gum gel and adhere it to your nails. Your nails will still be a little sticky after they've cured, but this is entirely normal. Don't cure them under the lamp for more than 2 minutes to get this stickiness off.[13]
- If the label on your gum gel notes that you can use an LED lamp, hold the nails under the lamp for 60 seconds.
- Wipe your nails with a cleanser wipe to remove the sticky layer. To remove the sticky layer on the surface of the gum gel, grab a cleanser wipe. Gently rub the surface of each nail with the wipe to erode the tacky texture on the top of the gum gel. This will leave a beautiful matte look behind and leave your nails with a smooth finish.[14]
- When you're done, you can leave the nails as they are for a matte finish. Alternatively, you can cover the nails in a standard clear coat to add some sheen and make them look glossy. It's really up to you!
- You can remove the gum gel at any time using a file and cuticle tool to scrape the gum gel off.
- There aren't a lot of companies that make gum gel products. If you can't find it at a beauty supply store, look online. Most of the manufacturers are based in the United Kingdom and may ship internationally.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Gum gel
- Gum gel base coat
- Orangewood stick
- Cuticle tool
- Liquid cleanser
- Cleanser wipe
- UV or LED lamp
- Isopropyl alcohol (optional)
- File (optional)
[Edit]References |
| How to Increase the Range of Your Wifi Posted: 17 Jul 2021 09:00 AM PDT It's always such a pain if you're trying to browse the Internet but can't connect to your wifi network. A lot of things can affect your wifi's signal and range, but luckily there are some really easy fixes you can try. We'll start with some simple changes you can make to your router's placement and settings and move on to some other devices that can help boost your signal! [Edit]Place your router in a central location. - Routers near exterior walls won't have as much range and coverage. Try to put your router in a main area of your home so it's unobstructed and able to send a strong signal in all directions. Run a long ethernet cable to the wall port or modem to plug it back in.[1]
- When you first get your router, the technician setting it up will usually help you find the most effective spot to keep it.
- If you mainly use wifi in a media room, try placing the router there instead so you have the strongest, most consistent signal.
- In a 2-story home, keep the router on the first floor close to the ceiling so your entire home gets the best signal.
[Edit]Keep the router on a shelf. - Routers send signals better to things that are below them. Routers aren't great at sending signals upward, so look for a place that's elevated off the ground to keep your router. Somewhere like a countertop or top shelf of a bookcase both work great for routers. Make sure your router is only surrounded by open air so it doesn't overheat and provides the strongest wifi. [2]
[Edit]Move objects away from your router. - Anything between your router and device weakens your signal. Objects that cause the most interference with your wifi network include concrete, metal, cordless phones, and microwaves. Even wood, water, and brick can absorb your wifi signal and reduce the range. When you're placing your router, avoid putting it on the floor, next to a window, or near an exterior wall. Check that there's nothing directly next to the router so you don't weaken the signal.[3]
- Avoid storing your router inside of a closed cabinet.
- Whenever you use wifi, keep any doors open between you and the router to help improve your signal.
[Edit]Point the antennas up. - Try this for more even coverage if your router has external antennas. Antennas help direct your wifi signal, but you'll get less strength in any other direction. Bend the antenna so it points straight up to make the signal spread evenly throughout your home. If that doesn't work, just try turning the antenna toward the weak spot to see if the range improves.[4]
- If your router doesn't have an external antenna, you may be able to buy one and plug it into your router to help improve the signal. Check electronics stores or online to see what's available.
[Edit]Disconnect unused devices. - The devices connected to the Internet use up your router's bandwidth. Make sure all of the devices you aren't using are completely turned off so they're not eating up your wifi signal. When you're finished, try connecting to your wifi again to see if you get better performance.[5]
- You can also log in to your router on a computer to see all of the connected devices and remove the ones you don't want on the network.
- If you don't recognize the devices connected to your router, someone else may have logged into your wifi and is using your Internet. Remove the devices and immediately change to a stronger password.[6]
[Edit]Change to a 2.4 GHz frequency. - A 2.4 GHz frequency passes through walls easier and increases range. Most routers have 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies that you can connect to separately. Check the available wifi networks your device can connect to and select the one labeled "2.4." If you don't see it listed, log into your router settings on a web browser using the address on the back of your machine. Manually change the frequency to 2.4 GHz for more reliable speeds and range.[7]
- While 5 GHz gives you a stronger signal, it doesn't travel through walls or ceilings as well, so it doesn't give you the best range.
[Edit]Change the wifi channel. - Other nearby wifi networks can cause interference on the same channel. Log into your router on a browser window using the IP address on the back or bottom of the machine. Look through the settings for the wireless channel information. Look through the list of available channels and select a different one than the one you're currently connected to. Test using your device again to see if there's a noticeable improvement to your wifi. Try the rest of the channels on the list to see which one works the best for you.[8]
- The location of the channel menu depends on the router you're using.
- Your router will usually try to connect to the strongest channel automatically.
- You can run a wireless scan on your computer to find the channels that are the strongest.[9]
[Edit]Update your router's firmware. - Firmware updates might improve your router's overall performance. Search online for your router's model to see if there are any updates listed on the manufacturer's website. If you find an update, log in to your router on a new browser window and find an option labeled "Firmware Updates" or something similar. Install the file on your router and let it update completely before trying out your wifi again.[10]
[Edit]Try rebooting your router. - A hard restart refreshes your router so it works better. Turn off the device you're trying to connect to your wifi. Then, unplug your router from power and leave it alone for at least 30 seconds so it completely powers down. Plug your router back in and let it boot up, which may take a couple of minutes. Turn your device back on and try connecting to your wifi again to see if the range improved.[11]
- If your modem and router are separate from one another, unplug your modem before the router. Let the modem boot up completely before plugging your router back in.
[Edit]Place foil on the opposite side you want the signal. - Foil reflects your wifi signal in the direction you want it to go. Wrap a piece of aluminum foil around something rounded, such as a water bottle or a soda can to help shape it. Set the piece of foil vertically so it's directly behind your router to keep the signal from going in that direction. Your wifi will reflect off of the aluminum foil and possibly increase the range and speed of your network.[12]
- For example, if you don't want your wifi signal absorbed by a wall or window, set the foil between it and your router.
[Edit]Plug in a wifi extender. - Wifi extenders amplify your router's signal to a wider area. You can buy a wifi extender online or from any electronics store. Plug the extender into a wall plug in a spot that's close to where you're having trouble but still has a good signal. Connect your computer or mobile device to your wifi network as normal. The extender will capture your wifi signal and spread it out even further so you're able to connect no matter where you are in your home.[13]
- If you place an extender somewhere that already has a weak signal, you still may have slow speeds while you're browsing the web.
[Edit]Switch to a mesh wifi system. - Mesh systems use multiple routers to make a consistent signal. Get a mesh wifi system from your local electronics store. Plug one of the mesh system devices into the back of your router to connect it to your network. Place the remaining mesh devices throughout your home wherever you're having trouble connecting to the Internet. The mesh devices all give off full-strength signals to make your wifi network larger and more reliable.[14]
- Mesh wifi systems usually cost around $100–200 USD.
[Edit]Get a new router. - Older routers don't perform as well as newer models. Start by reaching out to your Internet service provider and asking if there are any updates or new router models they can provide you. If they don't have anything to offer, visit an electronics store and look for a router labeled "802.11ac" or "802.11ax" since they're the most current and reliable. Connect your new router to your modem and set up your network.[15]
- Use a mobile app, such as Heatmapper or inSSIDer, to help you locate dead spots in your wifi signal.[16]
[Edit]References __LIST__ |
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