How to Clean and Shine Stainless Steel Cookware

1. Put enough water in your stainless steel pan or pot to cover the bottom.
2. Bring the water to boil.
3. Allow the water to boil until you see food lifting off the bottom of the pan. If you have put just a shallow amount of water in the pan, it shouldn’t boil over the sides of the pan. Let the water boil for several minutes, but do not let it boil to the point that the water evaporates. If the water evaporates, it will take you back to square one of food being stuck on.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool.
5. Pour the water and released food out of the cooled pan into the garbage disposal or trash.
6. Use dish soap and a cloth or sponge to wash the pan. A small pan scraper is handy in helping to remove food.
7. If you still have food stuck, sprinkle Bar Keeper’s Friend into the pan. Use a wet sponge or cloth to move the Bar Keeper’s Friend around the pan, lightly scrubbing. This will remove the rest of the food and shine your cookware. You can also use Bar Keeper’s Friend on the outside of the pan to bring shine back and make it look like new.
8. Give your cookware a final rinse and then dry.

Video of the process: Clean & Shine Stainless Steel Cookware

Recipe: One Pan Bacon Cheddar Tots

Bacon Cheddar Tots cooked on just one pan in the oven— yes, please!

My family applauded this dish! It’s so easy to make but is such a delicious treat. Make it for your Memorial Day gathering, family movie night, or take it to an outdoor party.

Serve this as an indulgent meal or a side dish at a party! It's quick and easy, and you will only have to clean one pan!

Ingredients:

• One package of bacon (around 16 oz.)
• One package of tater tots (around 30 oz.)
• 1 to 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour Cream, Ranch Dressing, Hot Sauce, or Buffalo Sauce for dipping
• Green Onion or Parsley for serving
• Salt and seasonings to taste

Directions:

1. Put the bacon on an oven safe pan. You can use a nonstick pan or put foil on a baking sheet or in a glass baking dish.
2. Use kitchen scissors to cut the bacon into smaller pieces to keep it from curling as it cooks.
3. Cook the bacon in the oven at 450 degrees for about 20 minutes or until your bacon is almost as crispy as you like. It will go back into the oven to crisp up more later.
4. When the bacon is cooked, remove it from the pan and let it drain on a paper towel.
5. Place the tater tots on the pan. They will cook in the bacon grease, but you can drain any excess grease.
6. Bake the tots according to their package's directions.
7. Once the tots have baked, remove them from the oven. Top them with shredded cheddar cheese. Use anywhere from 1 to 2 cups of cheese depending on how cheesy you want the tots.
8. Then place the cooked bacon on top of the tots. You can tear the bacon into smaller pieces to make sure there's some in each bite.
9. Stick the bacon cheddar tots back into the oven until the cheese has melted and the bacon has crisped a bit more. You can broil them, but be sure to stand by and watch so the food doesn't burn.
10. Remove the tots from the oven and top with chopped green onion, dried chives, or parsley. Salt and season to taste.
11. Serve with sour cream, ranch, hot sauce, or even buffalo sauce!

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It’s an easy dish, but the recipe link will let you in on all the details. And it will have the ingredients ready to add to your cart!

Recipe link: Bacon Cheddar Tots

Video of me making the tots: Instagram Reel

Recipe: Garlic Dill Chicken Salad

It’s my goal in life to share as many chicken salad combinations as possible. 😋

This “recipe” doesn’t have exact measurements. You’ll need to listen to your heart. Or add the ingredients, take a bite, and see if you need more of each ingredient. You’ll see what I mean…

🧄Garlic Dill Chicken Salad 🍇 

•Chicken

I usually boil chicken, but I also use leftover grilled, smoked, whatever chicken. You can use white or dark meat.

•Mayonnaise

Add mayo a little at a time, making sure to coat each piece of chicken. I don’t like dry salad, so I sometimes add a bit more than I think is needed. The chicken will soak up some of the mayo as it sits.

•Dried Dill

This is where you have to start listening to your heart, er, tastebuds. I LOVE dill, so I go crazy with how much I use.

•Lawry’s Garlic Salt with Parsley

The amount of this will also depend on your personal preference. I add quite a bit. I usually add the dill and garlic, stir it all about, take a taste, and decide if it needs more. If you’re watching your salt intake, you could salt to taste and then add garlic powder and dried parsley.

•Grapes

I have made this a few times without grapes when we didn’t have any in the house. It’s still good, but it is not the same. You must have grapes! The sweet balances out the savory. I used black grapes this time but have also used red and purple grapes. I quarter each grape and add enough to have a sliver of grape in each bite.

I have been making this version of chicken salad for several months now, and I think it’s my family’s favorite. I hope your family enjoys it too!