Past Cooking Tips!

  • To ensure a bright green color when cooking frozen peas, add 1/2 tsp. white sugar to the water.
  • Always soak wooden skewers in water before using on a hot grill – this will avoid burning and splitting.
  • To cook salmon on the grill, liberally brush oil on the grate and cook over medium high heat!
  • When buying fresh strawberries, always look for plump red strawberries that have green caps.
  • When buying fresh, sweet corn, look for rows of tight kernels and green husks.
  • When storing asparagus, wrap the ends in a wet paper towel, secure with a rubber band and place in a sealed ziploc bag. Refrigerate for up to four days.
  • To peel a fruit with thin skin (such as a peach or tomato), dip the fruit in boiling water quickly and use a paring knife to remove the skin.
  • When purchasing fresh artichokes, look for a bright color and tightly closed leaves.
  • Get your grill ready for spring by cleaning grates with warm water and dish soap.
  • When cooking seafood, add water to the broiling pan to keep the fish moist.
  • When cooking pasta, cook 1 minute less than the package instructions and then finish the rest of the way in the pan with sauce.
  • Add a little orange juice to fresh fruit salad; it adds a touch of flavor and keeps fruits from discoloring.
  • Thaw frozen shrimp quickly by placing in a bowl of cold water – shrimp will be thawed in minutes!
  • When freezing meats, always use freezer bags, squeeze out extra air prior to sealing and label the bag with product, date and quantity!
  • Slow-roasting a whole beef roast can make several dishes and sandwiches all week long! A great timesaver!
  • Enjoy delicious baked wings at home by tossing with olive oil, salt & pepper and bake at 400 degrees on a baking sheet for 50 minutes - once out of the oven toss with your favorite sauce!
  • Make future dinners easy by freezing leftover sauces in ice cube trays. Simply pop out the cubes as needed and reheat in a sauté pan. All the flavor, without the work!
  • To toast chopped nuts, cook in a small dry pan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned (2-4 minutes).
  • Always season fresh meat and fish evenly, this will ensure equal flavoring!
  • Put a healthy twist on sandwich spreads and salad dressings by swapping half the mayo for Greek-style yogurt.
  • Bring luck to 2012 by enjoying these "lucky" foods: pork, grapes, greens, legumes, fish and cakes!
  • Eliminate last minute cooking stress by reading - and then re-reading - new recipes prior to cooking!
  • Prep, prep, prep! Make holiday entertaining easy by doing all the cooking prep work in advance!
  • When adding oil to your sauté pan, always stream it along the edge of the pan – that way by the time it reaches the ingredients it will be heated.
  • To keep pie edges from burning, cover with tinfoil for the first 20 minutes of baking. Remove foil for remaining bake time to allow browning.
  • To ensure enough turkey for the whole family, estimate 1 lb. per person... or 1.5 lb. if you want to have leftovers!
  • Baking with berries?  Be sure to dust with flour to ensure their color doesn't bleed into your batter when mixing. 
  • Looking to incorporate a seasonal vegetable into tonight's dinner? Kale is best during the fall/winter months and is full of healthy nutrients!
  • Out of brown sugar? A quick substitute for brown sugar is to mix 1 cup granulated sugar and 1-2 Tablespoons of molasses.
  • For a quick gravy flavor fix, add a bouillon cube or granules!
  • To create a sweet, golden pie crust, brush with milk and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before baking!
  • To keep tomatoes at their freshest, always store at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Doing this will help keep flavor, texture and overall quality at its best!
  • To keep sweet potatoes fresh, always store in a cool, dry and dark environment.
  • When roasting chicken, turkey, duck or pork, always save the pan juices to use in the gravy - it will provide a rich, complimentary taste at the dinner table!
  • When using a slow cooker, be sure to only fill it 1/2 to 3/4 of the way full. Slow cookers that are over or under filled do not cook the ingredients properly.
  • Honeycrisp apples are available at Karns - a seasonal favorite!
  • Enjoying deli salads this Labor Day? Be sure to keep them at the proper temperature to ensure food safety!
  • Grilling white and dark poultry meat? Start the dark meat first as it takes longer to cook!
  • When using wooden skewers for kabobs, be sure to soak in water for 30 minutes before grilling - this ensures they won’t burn during cooking.
  • Store spices in a cool, dark place - by keeping them away from light and heat, their flavor will last longer!
  • When grilling, pull your steaks out of the refrigerator one hour ahead of time so they can come to room temperature.
  • Keep your fresh basil lasting longer by placing stems in room temperature water.
  • For a quick summer dessert, grill pineapple basted with butter and cinnamon sugar and top with vanilla ice cream!
  • For maximum flavor, always rest your meat hot off the grill!
  • Smash garlic cloves inside a Ziploc bag with the back of a knife. By doing this your cutting board and knife won't smell.
  • To help keep an onion together while dicing, do not remove the root.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan when you're sauteing - it will make your food steam instead.
  • When preparing pasta, add salt to the water to reduce stickiness.
  • Plunge vegetables in ice water after blanching to maintain a bright color.
  • Give store bought lemonade a fresh, fruity twist by adding muddled raspberries to the pitcher before serving!
  • Enjoying grilled steak or chicken this holiday weekend? Be sure to allow meat hot off the grill 5 minutes to rest prior to cutting. This locks in flavor and moisture.
  • For creamy healthy dressings, substitute half the mayo with Greek yogurt.
  • Enjoy corn on the cob fresh from the grill! Remove husks, coat lightly with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic; wrap with aluminum foil. Grill over medium for 15 - 20 minutes.
  • When picking out a fresh cantaloupe, look for defined "netting" and a sweet aroma. Athena Cantaloupes are now in season - so enjoy!
  • Enjoy cooking for a crowd with a well marinated flank steak - but to ensure the best quality cut across the grain for serving!
  • Want extra flavor in your Easter Ham? Pick up a bone-in ham - the bone itself gives ham added flavor the whole family will enjoy!
  • For a sweet grill treat, slice fresh pineapple, drizzle with melted butter, cinnamon & brown sugar. Grill on both sides & enjoy!
  • Sweeten up traditional bacon by sprinkling with brown sugar and bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.
  • Enjoy strawberries at their peak by eating within 3 days of purchase - and resist washing until right before use!
  • To ensure a fresh start to the BBQ season, fire up your grill on high for 15 minutes & wipe it down once cooled with a clean rag.
  • Keep grapefruits fresh by wrapping them in a plastic bag and placing them in the vegetable drawer for up to 2 weeks.
  • The term "Corned" Beef comes from the English word "corn" meaning a small particle of salt that is used in the brine.
  • Fastnacht Day is March 8 - place your order today!
  • Enjoy a fresh Pummelo this week at Karns! Pummelos have a flavor profile similar to a grapefruit but tend to have a milder, sweeter taste.
  • Karns sausage is made from fresh ingredients right in the store - ensuring you fresh flavor with every bite!
  • Karns has football party trays for every taste! Order yours today!
  • Dark leafy greens are currently in season and add a nutritious punch to any meal!
  • Enjoy fresh 4H Farm Show Lamb - orders being accepted at all Karns locations with pick-up starting Saturday, January 15.
  • Keep your sweet tooth satisfied while keeping fit with fresh Clementines!
  • For a unique, sweet twist on New Year's sauerkraut, add chopped apples!
  • Avoid overcooking your shrimp this holiday! When boiling shrimp use the following guidelines: Medium shrimp 2-2.5 minutes - Large shrimp 3 minutes. Shrimp are done when they are pink and curled!
  • Karns Shrimp Trays takes any gathering from ordinary to extraordinary!
    Order yours today!
  • Make holiday cookies last all season long - after baking cookies, carefully pack cookies in a freezer bag or container. Then, take cookies out as desired and enjoy all season long! Cookies will keep their freshness up to 4 weeks in the freezer.
  • Keep your immune system strong this winter with lots of Fresh Vitamin C from the Karns Citrus Case Sale! Order now!
  • When selecting a turkey for your family, estimate 1 lb. per person to ensure the right amount!
  • For an easy and refreshing appetizer - cut a local cantaloupe in 6 wedges, then lay a strip of Prosciutto over sliced wedges. Easy and delicious!
  • Slice fresh local peaches and sauté them with butter and brown sugar as a delicious summer ice cream topping.
  • How to Pick the Perfect Peach: Select peaches that are still firm to touch but yield to gentle pressure and have a fragrant smell.
  • When cooking kabobs it's best to keep chicken, shrimp and steak on separate skewers since each item has a different cooking time. This ensures each is prepared to perfection!
  • Have you tried a Plout? This fresh fruit is a delicious combination of a plum and an apricot.
  • Did you know: For easy meat marinating be sure to use a Ziploc zip-seal bag in the refrigerator.
  • For a quick school night meal pick-up a Noble Romans pizza at Karns & bake it fresh in your oven! Great taste at a great price.
  • Use the Karns Lobster Bisque as an easy and delicious pasta sauce!
  • When baking an apple pie mix sweet and tart varieties to ensure a balanced flavor!
  • Stay warm this fall with a slow cooker - not only does it make dinner time a snap it creates delicious cold weather meals the whole family will love.
  • When selecting a squash to cook look for a long neck to yield the most "meat."
  • Broccoli Rabe is a delicious leafy green that can be enjoyed sautéed, steamed or fried!
  • Did you know - Bosc Pears have a sweet-tart flavor perfect for baking or enjoying fresh!
  • When baking brownies add extra punch by pouring half the batter into the pan, sprinkle chocolate chips on top and then cover with remaining batter!
  • Enjoy toasted pumpkin seeds by placing seasoned seeds in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes!
  • When selecting Sweet Potatoes to cook the color of the skin is a good indicator of its sweetness - the brighter the sweeter!