| How to Use Fish Stock Posted: 19 Jan 2021 04:00 PM PST While not quite as well-known as chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, fish stock can pack a punch in a wide variety of recipes. Typically used in seafood-heavy dishes, fish stock can help enhance the flavors a lot more. You can make your fish stock or use pre-made stock in a variety of tasty dishes that you share with your friends and family. [Edit]Cook up a tasty fish stew with your stock.[1] - Fish stock is perfect for fish stew, since it will bring out all of the briny flavors. While most recipes call for clam juice, you can substitute fish stock as a base for your stew instead. Mix your favorite fish into the recipe, like halibut, cod, or tilapia to create a delicious stew you can share with both friends and family.[2]
- Depending on the recipe, you can throw together a great fish stew in less than an hour.
- For a really simple recipe, simmer some diced tomatoes in your fish stock with some white wine. Add seafood of your choice, simmer some more, and you're done![3]
[Edit]Simmer clams in fish stock for a tasty dish.[4] - Mix some saffron into your fish stock to make it extra flavorful. Use your saffron-infused stock as the base for the recipe. Add some minced garlic, olive oil, onion, or white wine based on your preferences. Cook the clams in this fish stock base, which will give them a delicious, briny flavor. Wait until the clam shells have opened before you serve them.[5]
- You can soften up the garlic, olive oil, and onion first by cooking them over high heat if you'd like.
- The clams should open after 6 minutes or so.
- This may seem strange, but fish stock can provide an excellent base for poached fish recipes. Combine fish stock with bay leaves, thyme, coriander, or parsley and bring it to a boil. Simmer for 20 minutes and poach your fish in the aromatic stock until it's cooked through. If you'd like to jazz up your fish a bit more, pair it with a buttery buerre blanc sauce, which you can drizzle on top.[7]
- You can garnish your fish with some fresh parsley if you'd like.
[Edit]Shake up that clam chowder recipe with fish stock.[8] - Heat some oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced potatoes, leeks, and celery for that classic clam chowder base. Stir for 5 minutes or so, add some dry white wine, and bring it to a boil. Then, add your fish stock and some heavy cream. Cook until the potatoes start falling apart, which should take 50-60 minutes. Add your clams to the pot and cover. Simmer until the clams all pop open.[9]
- You can poach some fish filets in your chowder for a heartier dish if you'd like.
- Season with salt, pepper, thyme, hot sauce, or lemon wedges based on your personal preferences.
[Edit]Make a spicy fish soup with your stock.[10] - Cook some onion, garlic, chili powder, and cayenne for 17 minutes or so. Soak some saffron in white wine, tomatoes, and the stock. Add it to your onion as it cooks and bring the stock to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 45 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. There are a lot of varieties you can try with fish soup, so feel free to get creative.[11]
- If you really want to get fancy, heat some anise liquor in a saucepan, burn off the alcohol, and pour it into your soup right before serving. Be careful. Don't burn your kitchen down if you do this!
- If you're going to make fish soup, don't use a stock with flat-fish bones as the base. Fish like flounder and sole tend to turn bitter when you cook their stock for more than 20 minutes.
[Edit]Whip up a flavorful seafood risotto using fish stock.[12] - Cook your risotto rice in fish stock to give the dish a delicious base. Add some squid, sea scallops, clams, mussels, or other shellfish to your risotto. There are a ton of ways to spice risotto up, so don't hesitate to experiment! A little white wine and crushed tomatoes can give your risotto a little Italian flair if you're in the mood for a heartier dish.[13]
- You can make your risotto a little creamier by stirring in a little butter when your recipe is almost done. Stirring continuously before stirring will release some of the starches and result in a richer dish.
[Edit]Make a complex lobster bisque with fish stock.[14] - Lobster bisque is typically made with a lobster stock, but fish stock makes a great substitution. It's also much cheaper! Melt your butter down, add your chopped onions, carrots, and celery, then stir in some tomato paste and garlic. Pour in some dry white wine, and add your fish stock. Finish by stirring in your heavy cream and lobster bits to craft a bisque with a slightly umami finish.[15]
- If you really want a budget option, substitute the lobster for shrimp, tilapia, or cod. You could even make a crab bisque if you feel like doing something really different!
[Edit]Craft a seafood paella with your stock.[16] - If you're really ambitious, paella is the perfect dish for fish stock. Heat some onion, saffron, fennel, and spring onions in your fish stock until they start to caramelize. Add tomatoes, paprika, and some tomato paste or puree. Stir in some brandy, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring the ingredients to a boil and then simmer for 45-60 minutes.[17] Cook your rice in the stock alongside your shellfish, shrimp, muscles, and clams.[18]
- There are tons of options when it comes to seafood paella. Feel free to get creative with your recipe.
- You can use a 2 to 1 ratio of chicken stock to fish stock for a recipe that's a little softer on the seafood notes.[19] Feel free to add chorizo to your dish if you do this!
[Edit]Freeze your fish stock for 4-6 months if you can't use it now.[20] - If you made too much fish stock, freeze it for later use. Pour your fish stock into an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Label the container or bag with the date and set it in your freezer. When you're ready to use it, thaw it in your fridge. If your fish stock develops an odd odor, flavor, or appearance, toss it out.[21]
- You can store fish stock in the fridge for 3-4 days after making it if you plan on using it soon.
- It's a myth that you can't eat mussels, clams, or oysters that won't open while they cook. These shellfish occasionally don't open even when they're cooked through. If you pry a shell open after the others have popped and the meat isn't jelly-like or stuck to the shell, it's perfectly safe to eat.[22]
- Steamed mussels, Maryland crab soup, and stuffed calamari are also great options if you have leftover fish stock.[23]
- Always wash your seafood thoroughly before cooking it and adding it to your recipes.[24]
[Edit]References |
| How to Apply Epoxy on Wood Posted: 19 Jan 2021 08:00 AM PST Epoxy resin comes in the form of a 2-part liquid that hardens into a shiny, durable coating once it's mixed together. It's great for covering wood to create a protective, beautiful layer on top and is used in lots of different craft projects. To cover wood with epoxy, you'll need an epoxy kit that comes with the resin and hardener, as well as some stirring and spreading tools. While epoxy takes at least 24 hours to harden, the process of applying it to wood is relatively easy and quick. [Edit]Sanding and Positioning the Wood - Sand the wood to create a flat, smooth surface. If the piece of wood you plan on coating in epoxy is rough or uneven, use a sandpaper grit between 120 and 220 to sand the wood. Create an even, smooth surface so the epoxy will go on effortlessly.[1]
- Sand the wood going with the grain to create the smoothest surface.
- Remove the dust and dirt from the wood. Wipe off any dirt or dust from sanding the wood using a clean microfiber cloth. If you choose to dampen the cloth to remove the dust, let the wood dry out completely before coating it in epoxy.[2]
- Use a mini vacuum or brush to remove the excess dust, if you'd like.
- Attach painter's tape to the back of the wood to catch epoxy drips. Turn your piece of wood over and set it on a flat surface. Put painter's tape along the perimeter of the back of the wood, pressing down firmly to make sure the epoxy won't leak under it. This prevents drips from forming on the underside of the wood when you do your pour.[3]
- The tape only needs to go along the edges of the back of the wood.
- Protect your surfaces from the epoxy using cardboard or plastic. Choose an even surface to do your project on, like a kitchen table or work table. Cover the surface with thick, even cardboard or a piece of plastic so the epoxy doesn't ruin your table.[4]
- If you're covering the table in plastic, consider using painter's tape to secure the plastic to the table so it doesn't move around.
- Use a couple of layers of cardboard or plastic, just in case.
- Place the wood on pedestal objects so it's not touching the surface. These could be things like cups turned upside down or wooden blocks–any 2 or 3 objects that are flat, even, and tall enough to raise the wood off of the table. Situate the wood on the objects so it's hovering over the surface with the side that will be coated in epoxy facing upwards.[5]
- Metal cans or cups from the kitchen that are the same height are great options.
[Edit]Mixing the Epoxy - Mix the epoxy in a well-ventilated, dust-free environment. Many types of epoxy have a strong smell, making it important to do the mixing and pouring in an area that gets plenty of fresh air. It's also important to do this in a dust-free area so the dust doesn't mix in with the epoxy and create a cloudy, dirty coating.[6]
- Avoid mixing the epoxy in an area that's chilly, or below , for the best results.
- Measure the resin and hardener into separate disposable cups. Different types of epoxy have different ratios of resin to hardener, so follow the instructions carefully to be sure you pour the correct amount of each. Pour the resin into one disposable cup and the hardener into another.[7]
- Most companies will sell the resin and hardener together.
- Plastic cups are great to use because their indentations make the resin and hardener easier to measure.
- The ratios will be labeled on the package and are often either 1:1, 2:1, or 4:1.
- Wear gloves to make sure your skin doesn't come in contact with the resin and hardener.
- Combine the resin and hardener into the same cup. Once they're properly measured, pour the resin and hardener into the same disposable cup to begin mixing them together. Use a plastic or wood rod to scrape the sides of the cup so that you get all of the resin and hardener out of each container.[8]
- Either pour the resin into the hardener or the hardener into the resin, whichever is easiest.
- Stir the two ingredients together slowly for 5 minutes. Use the plastic or wooden rod to slowly stir the resin and hardener together. Avoid stirring too vigorously or quickly so you don't create air bubbles. Set a timer and continue stirring for 5 minutes.[9]
- If you do see air bubbles forming while you're stirring, don't worry—these can be removed later on using heat.
[Edit]Covering Wood in a Layer of Epoxy - Pour the epoxy over the wood starting in the center. After the epoxy is all mixed, pour it over the wood carefully. As this is the first layer, don't worry if it's not perfectly even. Start in the middle and pour enough to cover the entire piece of wood in a thin layer.[10]
- Pour the epoxy onto the wood as soon as you mix it because it doesn't have a lot of time before it starts to harden.
- It doesn't matter how you pour the epoxy on the wood during the first layer, just as long as it covers the whole piece of wood.
- Some people like to pour a large pile of epoxy in the middle of the wood and spread it out, while others pour thin streams of epoxy all around the entire piece of wood.
- Use a foam brush to pull the epoxy towards the edges of the wood. Place the foam brush in the puddle of epoxy and begin using the brush to pull the epoxy over the edges using back and forth motions. Try to create as even of a layer of epoxy as possible, making sure the whole piece of wood is coated.[11]
- Wipe off any excess epoxy from the sides using the foam brush.
- Get rid of air bubbles by moving a heat source over the epoxy. Air bubbles are an inevitable part of pouring epoxy, but you can get rid of them using a heat gun, torch, or hairdryer. Turn the heat source on and hold it roughly from the epoxy's surface to pop the bubbles. Move the heat source back and forth slowly over the surface until you see the bubbles pop.[12]
- Continue moving the heat source instead of holding it in one place or you could burn the epoxy.
- Let the first coat sit for 4 hours. Set a timer for 4 hours and let the first coat of epoxy begin to harden. While it won't be completely dry and hard, it should feel tacky as it cures, letting you know it's time for a second coat.[13]
- If you see more air bubbles within the first 30 minutes, use your desired heat source to pop them if possible.
- Apply an additional coat of epoxy for extra protection. Mix another batch of epoxy using the correct ratio of resin to hardener, just as you did with the first one. Pour this coat into the center of the piece of wood before taking a spatula or spreader and creating an even surface. Drag the spatula through the epoxy slowly, pulling it to the edges of the wood and creating an even layer. Pull the spatula or spreader back and forth over the entire piece of wood as many times as it takes to form a flat layer of epoxy.[14]
- If you don't have a spatula to use, any other straight, hard surface will work to drag the epoxy across the wood evenly.
- Pour enough epoxy to cover the edges of the wood as well, wiping up any excess or drips using the foam brush.
- Using a foam brush to drag the final coat of epoxy over the wood won't create as even of a surface as a plastic spreader or other hard, flat object.
- Wait 24 hours for the epoxy to harden before removing the painter's tape. Epoxy takes 24-36 hours to completely harden. Once it's hardened to the touch, flip the piece of wood over carefully and pull off the painter's tape to reveal your beautiful epoxy-coated wood.[15]
- Avoid touching or moving the wood as the epoxy is hardening to make sure it isn't messed up.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Preparing the Wood - Sandpaper
- Clean cloth
- Painter's tape
- Cardboard or plastic
- Pedestal objects
[Edit]Mixing the Epoxy - Resin and hardener
- Gloves
- 2 cups
- Plastic or wood stirring rod
- Timer
[Edit]Covering Wood in a Layer of Epoxy - Foam brush
- Heat source
- Timer
- Resin and hardener
- Plastic or wood stirring rod
- Spatula
- Any type of craft epoxy or epoxy resin that you purchase as a two-part kit will work well on wood, though it's best to choose a non-toxic one if possible to help prevent breathing in unhealthy fumes as you pour. If you want to be able to see the wood through the layers of epoxy, choose an epoxy labeled as "clear."
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Dance Corridos Posted: 19 Jan 2021 12:00 AM PST Corrido is a genre of music that developed in Mexico during the 1800s. Corrido songs are typically folk-ballads that tell fictional or historical stories.[1] Due to the genre's foundation in rural traditions, corrido dances share a lot in common with traditional western line dances.[2] While there isn't a specific singular set of steps used to dance to corridos, there are several distinct sequences of steps that are often combined together. These sequences include the sideward step-close, the grapevine, and the soldado side-step. [Edit]Step-Closing Sideward - Face your partner with of space between you. You can choose to either hold hands or simply face one another. This set of steps can be completed in a line-dance formation, but in corrido you'll usually do this while facing your partner.[3]
- Your partner will mirror your steps in the sideward step-close.
- The sideward step-close is a good starting position to switch into other steps, since it's the simplest sequence you'll use in corrido.
- Lift your right foot and step to your right on the 1 count. Raise your right foot completely off of the floor. Step directly to the side, dipping your right shoulder as your foot lands.[4]
- If your partner is facing you, they'll start with their left foot.
- Raise your left foot and step to your right on the 2 count. Your foot should stay off of the floor as it moves. Bring your left foot to your original standing position while maintaining between you and your partner.[5]
- Naturally allow your shoulder to level out as you bring your left foot towards your right.
- Lift your left foot and step to your left on the 3 count. Repeat the first step, this time moving to your left instead of your right. Keep your steps symmetrical by moving your left foot at the same speed and distance that you moved your right foot on the 1 count. This time, dip your left shoulder as it lands.[6]
- Return your right foot to the starting position and choose a direction on the 4 count. Bring your right foot to your left. At the end of your 4 count, you can choose to either go back to your right, or continue to the left.
[Edit]Perfecting the Grapevine - Stand with your feet apart, parallel to your shoulders. You need a solid and even base before starting the steps. Bend your knees and straighten your back. If you're dancing with a partner, they can either face you and mirror your steps, or stand beside you and move in the same directions.[7]
- Cross your right foot over your left on the 1 count. Lift your left foot and slide to your left in a line. Raise your right heel off of the floor and slide your right foot in front of your left foot so that your legs are crossed. Keep your knees bent as you're sliding your leg so that you don't trip yourself.[8]
- If your partner is facing you, they'll reverse the steps and start by sliding their left foot over their right.
- Don't rotate your body as you move. Even though you're crossing your feet, you want to maintain a straight back as you dance.
- Swing your left foot behind your right on the 2 count. Without moving your right foot, lift your left heel off of the ground and then swing it behind your right. Return your left foot to your starting position where your feet are apart.[9]
- Cross your right foot behind your left on the 3 count. Lift your right foot and start to slide it behind you in a half-circle. Try to spread your right foot apart from the left at a similar distance as you did in the first cross at the 1 count.[10]
- This can feel kind of awkward if you've never done it before. Keeping your knees bent will alleviate some of the unfamiliar tension that you may feel in your hamstring muscles.
- Bring your left foot back to the standing position on the 4 count. Leaving your right foot planted where it is, swing your left foot in front of your right. Return your left foot back to the original standing position.[11]
- Hold for a moment before reversing the steps in the opposite direction. Wait for the song to return to the 1 count and repeat the first step. Slide to the right. Then, cross your left foot in front of your right foot. Finish the remainder of the steps before reversing your feet again.[12]
[Edit]Moving Side-Step in Soldado - Start with your feet apart and bend your knees. The soldado side-step requires multiple steps in a diagonal direction without lifting your feet off of the floor, so you'll need to keep your knees flexible. This set of steps can either be completed with your partner facing you and mirroring your movements, or in a line with your partner next to you and completing the same steps.[13]
- Slide your right foot behind you on the 1 count. Without lifting the ball of your foot off of the ground, slide your foot across the dance floor behind you at a 45-degree angle. Your right foot should come to a rest at the end of the beat.[14]
- The distance that you choose to slide has a lot to do with how tall you are. If your legs are longer, you can slide a longer distance. The key is to make sure you stop moving at the end of the first beat, regardless of how far away your foot is from the starting position.
- Bring your left foot back to meet your right on the 2 count. Again, without taking your foot off the floor, bring your left foot to meet your right by moving it at the same angle. Once your foot comes to a rest, you can do a quick shuffle in place by lifting each heel off of the ground and stamping it in place in an alternating pattern.[15]
- Stretch your right foot out to your left on the 3 count. You're going to repeat the first 2 steps, but moving forward this time. Stretch your right foot out and to your left. Don't raise the ball of your foot off of the floor as your move. Stop moving your foot at the end of the 3 count.[16]
- Take your left foot and slide it to meet your right on the 4 count. Return your feet to the starting position with your knees still bent. You can shuffle again in place if you'd like.[17]
- You'll notice that you're moving to your left as you complete these steps. You can reverse the order and move in the opposite direction if you run into any obstructions or other dancers on the dance floor.
[Edit]Combining Your Steps - Use the sideward step-close as a starting position and way to reset. The sideward step-close is the simplest pattern for dancing to corrido. This means that it'll be the easiest pattern to switch out of and return into when alternating between complicated patterns.[18]
- Cross your feet once while in step-close to create variation. Instead of lifting your right to the right, try lifting your left to the right once in a while during your side-step pattern. This will add a little variation to an otherwise repetitious set of steps.[19]
- This is the same thing as incorporating a single step of grapevine in your step-close!
- Try to side-step into grapevine for an easy return to the starting position. Both the side-step and grapevine involve alternating your feet away from your body. As a result, you can swap from side-step to grapevine by returning to the starting position on the 4 count of your side-step without having to return to the step-close.[20]
- Side-step in soldado after grapevine to change directions. The grapevine requires you and your partner to move back-and-forth in place. This means that you can't change directions or move to a different part of the dance floor without changing the sequence. Move into soldado at the end of a grapevine to reposition you and your partner on the dance floor.[21]
- This is particularly useful if you notice that the other dancers on the floor are moving around a lot and want to match the energy on the dance floor.
[Edit]References |
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