| How to Steam Potatoes Posted: 24 Sep 2021 01:00 AM PDT Mashed, fried, baked - there are plenty of delicious ways to eat potatoes. One of the healthiest methods of preparing potatoes is by steaming them. Not only are steamed spuds better for you, they're also easy to make and require very little time in the kitchen. Serve them plain or tossed with melted butter. [Edit]Using a Steamer Basket - Wash the potatoes thoroughly. To do this, simply vigorously scrub the outside of the potatoes with a scrub brush and water to remove any dirt or chemicals.[1]
- You don't need to peel the potatoes. In fact, leaving the skins on will help them keep their shape once they soften.
- Boil of water in a pot with a steamer basket. A metal sieve or colander can be used in place of a steamer basket.[2] Make sure the water is not touching the steamer basket.[3]
- Place the potatoes in the steamer basket with the largest ones on the bottom. The smaller ones can then go on top.[4] If your potatoes don't all fit in the steamer basket at once, cook them in batches.
- You may want to cut the larger potatoes be the equivalent size of the smaller ones. This will help them cook evenly.
- Cover the pot tightly with a lid. This is an incredibly important step - the lid is what traps the moisture in and steams the potatoes.[5] Covering the pot also keeps the temperature inside the pot hotter so that the potatoes can cook faster.
- Cook the potatoes for about 10-15 minutes on medium heat. Keep in mind that larger potatoes may take longer while smaller potatoes could be done in less time.[6]
- You'll know the potatoes are cooked completely when you can easily cut through them with a butter knife.[7]
[Edit]Cooking Potatoes with Aluminum Foil - Scrub the potatoes under running water. Use a scrub brush to get rid of dirt or debris on the skins. Don't soak the potatoes as this can actually remove some of their nutrients. [8]
- There's no need to peel the potatoes.
- Fill a medium pot with of water. You don't need much water, just enough to create moisture when covered with a lid later on. The more water you put in the pot, the longer it will take to boil. A sprinkle of sea salt in the water will add flavor to your potatoes.
- Place 3 balls of aluminum foil in the pot, laying a heat-proof plate on top. Make the balls about the size of a golf ball, or at least big enough that the plate is not in the water. They should all be the same size, too.[9]
- You can use a small baking rack instead of a plate, if desired.
- Bring the pot of water (with the plate inside) to a boil. You'll know it's ready when the water is bubbling and steam is coming out of the pot.[10] If you notice that a lot of the water has evaporated from boiling, pour more in so it doesn't dry up completely.
- Put your potatoes on the plate and cover the pot with a lid. The lid will make sure moisture can't escape.[11] Spread the potatoes out evenly around the plate (don't pile them up in the middle) to make sure they all get cooked evenly.
- Cook the potatoes for 10-15 minutes. Check the potatoes frequently by removing one potato and cutting into it with a knife to see if they are soft.[12] Always cut at the thickest section of the potato because this will be the last part to cook through. [13]
- Baby potatoes work best for steaming. Larger potatoes can take 20 minutes or more.[14]
[Edit]Microwaving the Potatoes - Clean the potatoes with water and a scrub brush. You don't need to use soap or anything else on your spuds. Simply scrub the outsides and rinse with water in the sink. [15]
- Leave the skin of the potatoes intact.
- Put the potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl with water. Only put enough water in the bowl to cover about 1/8 of the potatoes. You can microwave the potatoes without water as well but there's a greater chance they'll dry out.[16]
- Cover the bowl completely with plastic wrap. You can place a microwave-safe plate over the top of the bowl as an alternative.[17] As long as no moisture can get out, any cover will do.
- Cook the potatoes for 5 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the strength of your microwave. The potatoes should be crisp yet easily pierced with a fork when they're done.[18] Check the potatoes every 1-2 minutes so they don't overcook.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to What Are Some Topics to Talk About when Meeting His Parents Posted: 23 Sep 2021 05:00 PM PDT Meeting your significant other's parents for the first time can be nerve-racking. You want them to like you, but what should you talk about? Whether you're frantically searching for conversation topics on the car ride over or you've got a week to prepare, we've got you covered. To help you take the stress out of your visit, read on for talking points and conversation starters you can use to make a great impression on your partner's family. [Edit]Talk about your partner's strengths. - Let his parents know they did a good job raising him. Express that you're proud of your partner's accomplishments and that he treats you well. By showing his parents that you appreciate their son, they'll be more likely to think highly of you![1][2]
- Share a moment when your partner did something you admired: "I feel really lucky to be dating Sam. He's so considerate, and yesterday, he helped a kid fix her bike chain."
- Talk about your partner's success: "I'm so proud that Zamari got promoted. He works so hard!"
[Edit]Start a conversation about your partner's childhood. - Ask what your partner was like when he was younger. This one's a super easy and fun topic, especially if you aren't sure what to say. Parents usually love to talk about their kids, and they might even offer up some funny anecdotes.[3]
- "I bet William was the class clown in middle school. What did his teachers think of him?"
- "What was Kuhan like when he was younger?"
[Edit]Inquire about family photos. - Get the story behind a framed photo or even a screensaver. You can learn more about your significant other's family history or childhood by starting a conversation around a photo. Just be sure to keep your comments respectful, and understand that a photo might capture a really meaningful memory of a loved one or place.[4]
- Point out resemblances: "Is that Ishaan's grandfather? They have the same eyes."
- Ask about photo locations: "Where did you take this photo? It's so beautiful."
[Edit]Ask about family vacations or activities. - Keep the conversation fun by inquiring about past, present, or future travel plans. If your partner's family hasn't gone anywhere specific, you can ask about where they'd like to vacation. You can even ask about family traditions or local trips if his parents don't travel.[5]
- Get the scoop on family traditions: "Jacob told me you do family picnics every Sunday. Where do you go?"
- Learn about past trips: "How was your backpacking trip?"
- Find out about future plans: "What would your dream vacation look like?"
[Edit]Get them talking about where they grew up. - Start with a simple question to learn about their city or region. Then, you can ask more specific questions about their favorite things to do in the area, how they ended up somewhere else (if they moved), or how they decided to stay (if they're in the same place now). People like to talk about themselves, and you'll get to learn more about the family who raised the person you're dating. If you can do a little research ahead of time, you can even look up the place and then ask them about a specific feature of their hometown.[6]
- If you're not familiar with the area, ask, "What did you like most about growing up there?"
- If you know something about the area, follow up with a specific question like, "Wow. They have that great stadium there, right? Did you ever go to a game?"
[Edit]Ask for book, movie, or music recommendations. - Learn about their tastes and see if you have things in common. Talking about popular media is a great entry-level conversation topic if you don't know much about his family. Once his parents let you know about their interests, ask follow-up questions to show that you value their perspective and to keep the conversation going. You can even share a book, movie, or band you like that seems similar to what they're mentioning.[7]
- "Have you read anything good lately?"
- "What's the best movie you've seen?"
- "What music do you like listening to?"
[Edit]Bond over shared interests. - Ask your partner beforehand about his parents' interests. Interests can mean hobbies, skills, background, etc. If you have anything in common, prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask about that bit of common ground. Keep in mind, you'll want to stay authentic, so don't pretend to like something for the sake of making conversation. They want to get to know the real you.[8]
- "Marcel mentioned that you're interested in gardening. I'm starting an herb garden. Do you have any tips?"
- "I want to study to become a doctor. What do you like about your career?"
[Edit]Bring up your partner's other family members. - Show his parents you're interested in learning about his family. Whether or not you've met your partner's siblings, you can ask about how they're doing or what they're like. If there's a beloved family pet, you can ask about where they got the pet, how they named the pet, and ask to see cute pictures of the animal.[9]
- "Your daughter is studying to be a nurse, right? How does she like her school?"
- "I've never gotten to meet his older brother. What's he like?"
- "Harvey seems like a great dog. Do you have any puppy pictures of him?"
[Edit]Give compliments and express thanks. - If you're ever unsure what to say, try this. Pick out a nice aspect of the family home/venue, a unique decoration, or delicious part of the meal and genuinely express your admiration and gratitude. You'll win your partner's family over by being polite, and you can use the object as a jumping off point for conversation. Follow up your compliment with an open-ended question about the thing you're admiring.[10][11]
- Compliment décor: "This living room feels so bright and welcoming. Where did you get that sofa?"
- Mention the meal: "Thank you so much for dinner. Where did you learn how to make this?"
[Edit]Stay away from controversial topics. - Steer clear of family drama, religion, and politics. If someone else brings up a controversial topic and you disagree with what they're saying, consider whether it's worth weighing in. If you feel super strongly about the cause or issue, you can voice your opinion in a respectful and well-informed way. Alternatively, if you're not comfortable expressing disagreement, wait to share your opinion until you know his family better.[12]
- Express polite disagreement by saying, "I have a slightly different perspective on that," which is more subtle than "I disagree."[13]
- Laugh off awkward comments or say, "I really don't know what to say!"[14]
[Edit]Avoid complaining or criticizing. - Whether you're asked about movies or your work, stay positive. If someone asks you about something you don't like, try to redirect the conversation. It's okay to express a little bit of dislike or to state when you disagree, but do it tastefully and with moderation so that you don't seem rude.[15]
- You can redirect the conversation by asking a question about someone else's life, "That class wasn't my favorite, but I learned a lot. What's something that stuck with you from college?"
- If you feel strongly, try to temper your criticism, "Oh, that movie wasn't my favorite, but I thought the music was really beautiful."
[Edit]References |
| How to Store an Exercise Ball Posted: 23 Sep 2021 09:00 AM PDT An exercise ball is a great tool to work out at home with. However, these are big and bulky, and they never stay where they're supposed to when you're not using them. But don't worry—your exercise ball doesn't have to roll all over the place when you aren't using it! There are lots of DIY and store-bought storage solutions you can use to keep your exercise space clean and tidy. [Edit]DIY Solutions - Hide the ball in a closet if you have space. This might seem too simple, but it's a great way to keep the exercise ball from rolling around and getting in the way. Try making some extra room in a closet, and just toss the exercise ball in when you're done with it.[1]
- You'll probably have to tidy up the closet a bit to make the exercise ball fit. Clear any clutter off the floor so you have plenty of room.
- If you have an exercise room in your home, try clearing out a whole closet for your other equipment. This way, the whole room will stay nice and neat.
- Hang a bungee cord in a corner to rest the ball on. There's a lot of space on your walls for extra storage. Drive 2 screws or nails into the wall at opposite sides of a corner, then attach a bungee cord to the mounts. This creates a little makeshift shelf for your exercise ball to rest on.[2]
- This could also work with a plain string or rope.
- If you have more than one exercise ball, then you can mount more bungee cords above or below the first one. This gives you more vertical stacking space.
- Attach a large net to your wall for a simple hanging option. A large net can help keep your exercise ball out of the way. Simply find a stud in your wall and drive in a screw or nail. Then hang the net over the nail. This way, you can toss your exercise ball in there when you're done with it.[3]
- Make sure the net is in a spot where you won't bump into it. A corner is always a good place.
- You could also mount the net inside a closet, if you have room, to keep your exercise ball off the floor.
- Nets are also good for storing other light exercise equipment like mats, straps, and bands.
- This won't work for heavier items like medicine balls, so stick with light equipment.
- Toss the ball in a large bin to keep it from rolling around. Any kind of storage bin or garbage can will work fine, as long as the exercise ball fits. Just throw the ball in there to prevent it from rolling around the room and getting in your way.[4]
- Make sure the bin is clean so you don't pick up any germs while you're working out.
- This takes up a bit of floorspace, so it might not work if you have a tiny room.
- Build a PVC storage rack for multiple exercise balls. This is a bit more involved, but it's a good way to store multiple exercise balls and other equipment. You can build all kinds of racks with PVC pipe. Just cut the pipes to the correct length to make a rectangular box that fits all of your exercise balls. Make 2 rectangles by screwing the pipes into 3-way elbow joints. Then attach support pipes into the joints at the corners and fit the 2 rectangles together. Now you can enjoy your handy new storage rack.[5]
- For more storage, build multiple levels for the rack. This way, you can stack more equipment or boxes for lots of storage space.
- You could also build a smaller, square structure to hold a single ball. This keeps the ball in place without taking up a lot of room.
[Edit]Storage Tools - Use a balance base to keep your ball in one place. A balance base is a small platform with a notch that an exercise ball can sit in. This keeps your ball in place so it doesn't roll around. If you want a simple solution for a single ball, then a balance base is a good option.[6]
- Balance bases cost around $30, so they're a cheaper solution than other storage tools.
- Get a stability rack to stack your exercise balls. Sporting goods stores have all kinds of pre-made racks to store exercise balls. These range from small mounts that hold single balls to large cases that can hold a lot of equipment. If you really want to keep your gym organized, a rack would be a good choice.
- You'll probably have to assemble these racks, so follow all the instructions to do it correctly.
- For vertical storage, there are racks that can stack a few exercise balls above one another. This is great if you don't have a lot of floor space.
- There are also shelves that can hold lots of exercise balls of all different sizes. They can also hold heavier equipment like medicine balls.
- These racks can cost a few hundred dollars, depending on how big they are, so keep that in mind if you're on a budget.
- Mount an exercise ball holder onto your wall if you prefer raised storage. There are several types of wall mounts designed for exercise balls. Most hold a single ball for easy storage. Choose a rack and attach it to your wall with a screw or nail. Then toss your exercise ball into it when you're finished with it.[7]
- Always follow the installation instructions for any rack you use.
- You could also get a larger wall rack for multiple exercise balls.
- Repurpose a stuffed animal holder to store exercise balls. You've probably seen stuffed animal holders in toy stores. These are simple boxes with stretchy bungee cords for walls. While they're meant to hold toys, they're also great for storing exercise balls. Throw the ball in there when you're done for a simple storage solution.[8]
- These can take up a lot of room, so they might not be right if you have limited floorspace.
- There are also smaller stuffed animal holders that can mount to your wall. This is a good choice for limited space or a single ball.
- You also deflate your exercise ball and store it easily in a drawer or closet. However, you probably don't want to keep filling and deflating your ball every time you want to use it.[9]
- Watch out if you mount your exercise ball on your wall! This will stick out and you might bump into it.
[Edit]Warnings - Exercise balls can roll around when they aren't stored, so be careful not to trip on yours.
[Edit]References |
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