Submitted by: Kelley Wilson

Many people are looking for some fresh outdoor kitchen ideas that can help turn their plain old back yard into a luxurious dining and entertainment area to be enjoyed by their friends and family. There are many different things one can achieve using the following outdoor kitchen ideas as inspiration.

Barbecue Grills

By far the most popular of all outdoor kitchen ideas is the barbecue grill. All one needs to call a space a kitchen is a way to cook and entertain.

A barbecue grill is certainly a great way to achieve this goal, and one of the most affordable too. Besides, grilling up some hamburgers and hot dogs and spending some quality time with friends and family is a favorite summer activity among many Americans.

Barbecue grills come in various shapes and sizes, but there are only a few varieties to choose from. There is the basic charcoal grill which is a very popular choice among back yard chefs and grilling enthusiasts alike, due to their affordability and the unique flavor that only charcoal can provide.

Another popular choice is the gas grill due to its convenient ability to provide a perfect grilling temperature in a matter of seconds.

A smoker is another popular type of grill that burns wood at low temperatures to slow cook the meat over a period of several hours giving them time to absorb the rich, smoky flavor that wood provides. Different types of wood can be used to alter the flavor.

Counter Tops, Sinks & Storage

If one will be going to be spending a lot of time cooking outside, they may want to consider one of the most functional outdoor kitchen ideas and surround that fancy grill with some counter tops, some cabinet space and perhaps a sink to help keep things nice and tidy.

This kind of setup will eliminate the need to constantly run in and out of the house while cooking in the back yard. Also, counter tops can double as dining tables in situations where space or seating arrangements may be limited.

Fire Pits & Fireplaces

Fire pits and fireplaces are also some of the greatest outdoor kitchen ideas as they are a fun way to turn a back yard space into a relaxing centerpiece where everyone can gather around and enjoy each other s company. Fire pit and fireplace design ranges from a simplistic camp fire type of setup to some of the most elegant craftsmanship one could possibly imagine.

Much like grills, fire pits and fireplaces come in charcoal or wood and gas burning varieties, and they can either be a free standing unit or fabricated using metal, stone, glass, and a variety of other types of non flammable materials.

The only real difference between the two is that fire pits are of an open design and fireplaces are usually closed off on all sides except for the front opening, and they usually have a smoke stack or chimney that is used to funnel the smoke away.

Regardless of the homeowner s personal tastes and preferences, contracting a professional is the best option for making the most out of an outdoor living space such as this.

About the Author: Modern Home Renovation is an expert in

remodeling

,

outdoor kitchen ideas

and

flooring

.

Source:

isnare.com

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By Larry J. Reaves

That blender sitting on your kitchen counter is more than just a fancy umbrella drink machine. With a little bit of creativity and some helpful recipes, you can use your blender to make creamy, smooth, gourmet style soups.

Making your own fresh soup is an excellent way to get your daily servings of vegetables. Blending your own soups is a healthy alternative. Canned soups are loaded with preservatives and sodium. When you blend your own, you control what goes in.

So below are some suggestions for blending your own soup. You’ll need to make sure that your blender is powerful enough to liquefy the contents. It may be necessary to chop or dice the ingredients so that you’re sure to have a good consistency.

Follow these recipes to make some great blender soups.

Zucchini-Soup

1 whole zucchini (or substitute with yellow summer squash)

1-2 whole plum tomatoes or 2-3 small Campari tomatoes

1-2 stalks of celery

1 sliver of red onion (optional, to taste)

1/2 – 1 clove garlic, crushed (optional)

Spices: A dash of dill, some cilantro (fresh or dried). Add a dash of sea salt and pepper to taste.

1 and 1/2 to 2 cups hot water.

Blend the ingredients together until your soup is smooth and thick. Then heat in a soup pan on medium heat.

Tomato-Carrot Soup

1 whole carrot

1-2 whole plum tomatoes or 2-3 small Campari tomatoes

1-2 stalks of celery

1 sliver of red onion (optional, to taste)

1/2 – 1 clove garlic, crushed (optional)

Season to taste trying different combinations of oregano, basil, dill or Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

1 and 1/2 to 2 cups hot water

This recipe will blend and be similar to a vegetable smoothie. Again, blend to the desire consistency then heat on the stove.

Black Bean Soup

1 onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 celery ribs, finely chopped

1/4 large red bell pepper, finely chopped

2 small chicken bouillon cubes

1 -1 1/2 cup boiling water

2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, undrained

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 lemon, juice of

1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

Combine the first six ingredients in a soup pot and simmer on the stove for about ten minutes. Add half a can of beans, the salt and cumin. Cook for an additional five minutes. Puree the soup in your blender. If you have an immersion blender you can do that right on the stove. Add the remaining beans. Combine the cornstarch with 1 1/2 tablespoons of water. Add the lemon and cornstarch and cook until thickened.

If you prefer to make a chilled soup, you can make gazpacho with fresh ingredients. Put fresh chopped tomatoes, a little bit of red-wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar, a few fresh garlic cloves, a dash of cayenne pepper, a dash of extra-virgin olive oil and cilantro into your blender. Customize your soup by adding your choice of fresh summer vegetables such as cucumbers, onions or peppers.

Chilled Cucumber and Dill Soup

1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped (reserve 4 thin slices for garnish)

12 ounces soft or silken organic tofu, drained and cubed

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon dried dill, or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (save a bit for garnish)

1/2 medium sweet onion, chopped

1 to 2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 teaspoon vegan brown sugar

Sea salt and pepper (to taste)

Place all of the ingredients in your blender and blend on medium until the soup is thick and creamy. Place in the refrigerator and chill for at least four hours. Chill four bowls. When ready to serve, put the soup into the bowls. Garnish with the remaining cucumber slices and fresh dill.

These are just a few options for soups made from your blender. Try these out. And when you get creative make up your own recipe and blend it all together.

The results can be amazing.

About the Author: Written by Lawrence Reaves for Hamilton Beach.com, a good thinking company, providing a variety of

slow cookers

and all types of

blenders

for making soup.

Source:

isnare.com

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