Eat Well, Live Happy

To cook in Italian... Mangia bene, vivi felice

Cook Your Thanksgiving Turkey To Perfection with Verona Appliances

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If you’ve ever hosted or will be hosting Thanksgiving, you know that the turkey truly is the centerpiece of the holiday. From deep-frying and smoking, to slow cooking and grilling, there are plenty of techniques for cooking the main dish. But sometimes the classic way is the best!

Verona Appliances has compiled a list of our frequently asked questions to help you prepare your turkey and the rest of your meal for the big day if you’re this year’s host.

Q: What size turkey will fit in my range?

A: Depending on the size of your Verona Range or Built-in oven, you may fit a turkey that is up to 25lbs or more.

  • In a 36″ single oven cavity, expect that a 25 lb. or larger turkey will easily fit; plus, there should be some room for a side dish or two.
  • In our 24”- 30” ranges and wall ovens the interiors can approximately accommodate a 16” X 13” pan, which will fit about a 20 lb. turkey.
  • In our 36” double oven ranges, a 10 lb. turkey pan will fit in the secondary oven and a 25 lb. will easily fit in the main cavity.

Q: How long should I cook my turkey and on what cycle(s)?

A: The times below are based on roasting the bird (unfrozen), breast side up, at 400°F for the first 30 minutes, then reducing the oven to 325°F and roasting until done. Aim to have the bird done about 45 minutes before serving to allow it to rest for 30 minutes – and time to carve. The times below reflect an unstuffed bird:

Turkey Weight                           Roasting Time

10 to 12 lb.                                        1 3/4 to 2 1/4 hours

12 to 14 lb.                                        2 to 2 1/2 hours

14 to 16 lb.                                        2 1/4 to 2 3/4 hours

16 to 18 lb.                                        2 1/2 to 3 hours

18 to 20 lb.                                        2 3/4 to 3 1/4 hours

20+ lb.                                                3 to 3 3/4 hours

Q: How do I keep cooking time on track?

A: One of the most overlooked aspects of cooking prep is pre-heating. Make sure you leave adequate time for your oven to fully pre-heat before you put your turkey in the oven, otherwise, the entire cooking process will last longer.

Utilize your convection fans. Verona’s new Designer Series of 36” ranges are perfect for keeping cook-time to a minimum with dual fans that allow for optimal heat distribution and consistent cooking temperatures.

Resist the temptation to open your oven door! Doing so causes a great amount of heat to escape from the cavity and the heating cycle will need to start up again. The new, brighter dual halogen lights in the Verona Designer Series gives you a clear view of what’s going on inside the oven and will keep you assured your turkey is moving along.

Q: How do I know if my turkey is done?

A: The breast should register 165°F and the thigh, 175°F. You can use a meat thermometer, like the one available in the Verona Chefs Pak, to determine when the turkey is properly cooked.

Q: What is European convection and why use it?

A: Verona electric ovens use True European Convection cooking, which incorporates a third element and the use of fans. The added element and heat circulation ensures that the turkey will roast evenly on all sides. The even airflow will also keep the turkey moist and minimize the need for basting throughout the cooking process.

Another advantage of a True European Convection function is that it prevents flavor transfer, which allows you to cook multiple dishes at once without your pie tasting like your green beans.

Q: When should I begin cooking and warming my side dishes?

A: In a single oven range, such as the new Designer Series which features an extra-large oven cavity, you can start a side dish or two while your turkey is also cooking. Otherwise, you should start preparing your side dishes while the turkey is cooling.

If you have a double oven range like the one offered in the Verona Prestige Collection, you can begin to cook or warm side dishes in the smaller oven while the turkey is still cooking in the larger oven – or vice versa if you are preparing a smaller bird.

And let’s not forget about the stovetop prepped dishes that truly add to a well-rounded meal – gravy, soup, sautéed veggies, etc. These types of dishes tend to require more precise and varying temperatures, which are easily accommodated by the new brass burners on the Designer Series ranges. With brass burners, you can go from a quick boil to a slow simmer with better control.

Q: What is the importance of proper ventilation?

A: A considerable amount of grease and humidity will be expelled into the air in your kitchen on Thanksgiving. To reduce lingering fumes and moisture, be sure to utilize proper ventilation, like a range hood, while cooking. A running vent can also help get rid of built-up heat as well, so your kitchen and nearby areas, like your dining room, don’t get too uncomfortable.

Verona Appliances offers two types of hoods that will properly ventilate your kitchen during the holiday season.

Want more inspiration for your Thanksgiving feast? Bon Appétit offers 50 delicious recipes from cornbread stuffing to pecan pie and everything in between!

For more from Verona Appliances, visit www.veronaappliances.com

Verona’s Designer Ranges are Now Available in Gloss Black and Slate Gray

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Verona Appliances, crafted in Italy but made for the  U.S. market, introduces two new standard colors for the Designer Series of ranges. The new Gloss Black and Slate Gray colors allow you to customize your kitchen even further.

The Designer Series color options make a bold statement with a fully colored range body, including the control panel. These ranges offer professional performance with a splash of style for any kitchen to maximize your cooking experience.

“Stainless steel kitchen appliance finishes have long saturated the market. But bold, creative looks are on the rise for 2020,” says Melissa Haber, Vice President for EuroChef USA. “The sleek darker hues of the Gloss Black and Slate Gray finishes provide a trendy, modern flare to the kitchen. They pair well with any color pallet and are the perfect addition to any design.” 

Available in both gas and electric options, the Designer Series is fully equipped with a new extra-large capacity, smooth-glide oven racks, 5-burner cooktop, full-width storage drawer, and a myriad of powerful cooking features. 

 In addition to Gloss Black and Slate Gray, the Designer Series is available in Stainless Steel, Matte Black, True White, and Burgundy. Visit our range builder to explore the new color options.

For more from Verona Appliances, visit www.veronappliances.com.

Football Season is here: Host Game-Day like a Pro

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Football season has officially kicked off. If you’re hosting Sunday’s game-day celebrations, having a game plan is essential for a successful party. Grab your pen and paper and start drafting your to-do list, Verona Appliances has created a list of hosting and recipe tips that are sure to keep your guests entertained.

Have Ample and Comfortable Seating
Your current seating arrangements might not be able to accommodate a large crowd. Bring in additional seats from other areas of your house. You can also create a comfortable game-viewing environment with throw pillows and floor cushions by placing them in spots where people might take a seat.

 

Ensure everyone has a Perfect View of the Game
Guests will most likely be in and out of their seats during the game. Arrange your television and furniture in a position where traffic can flow seamlessly without blocking anyone’s view.

Support the Teams
A little decorative detail goes a long way. Score points with football-themed plates and serving trays or napkins, cups and balloons in team colors. Go one step further by transforming your food table into a football field with a green tablecloth.

Provide a Drink Station
Your guests won’t want to miss the game to quench their thirst. Create a drink station in your living room. While beer might be the popular drink of choice, please all of your guests with multiple drink options.

Keep Food Flowing and Hot
Guests always gravitate towards hot food options. Let Verona Appliances take the stress out of prepping your menu. Each Verona Range is equipped with high-performance features that will keep your courses flowing and hot until the last quarter:

  • Burner heads are mounted close to the cooking surface for better heat distribution.
  • High output double and triple ring burners allow for faster cooking.
  • European convection ovens are equipped with a third fan element to pre-heat the circulated air in the oven cavity for consistent temperatures and superlative results.
  • Durable and heavy-duty glass doors keep heat and energy in the oven cavity ensuring timely meal prep.

Game-Winning Recipes
The menu is the most important element of a successful party. Be sure to have enough food and an array of options to accommodate all of your guest’s taste buds.

Verona Appliances diverse line of cooking appliances and accessories offer unique features and benefits that offer time-saving prep options such as:

For more from Verona Appliances, visit www.veronappliances.com.

5 Ways to Design your Kitchen for Wellness

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Your health and wellness shouldn’t be limited to just changing your diet or exercise regimen. Creating a healthy lifestyle can start by rejuvenating the spaces you spend most of your time in, like the kitchen.

Let Verona Appliances help you liven up your kitchen with these 5 wellness tips.

Bring the Outdoors In

Did you know plants are natural mood boosters or that they inspire creativity and purify the air? A great way to incorporate plants in your kitchen is by building an herb or vegetable garden.

Whether you have room for 1 or 5 pots, having year-round access to fresh plants you grow yourself will make cooking even more exciting, tasty, and healthy.

Use Proper Ventilation

Boiling water, grease, and other liquids can easily accumulate on your kitchen surfaces. Range hoods are a great way to reduce excess moisture and grease particles that linger in the air while you cook and prevent mold growth and residue build-up.

Range hoods can also limit the natural carbon monoxide runoff created by burners. Verona Appliances offers two 36” hood options each with powerful multi-speed fans, LED lights and additional features.

Photo Courtesy of the little gold book

Say Goodbye to Plastic

As we grow more aware of where our food comes from it’s just as important to be mindful of how we store it.

By switching from plastic to glass containers you can reduce your carbon footprint, stop airborne germ and smell absorption into your food, and prevent chemicals from leaching into your meals if using a microwave for reheating.

Limit Microwave Use

Its no secret, microwaves are not the safest option for cooking and heating food. Steamers are excellent alternatives.The Chefs Pak by Verona Appliances features a stovetop steamer that sits on top of the included griddle and perfectly cooks vegetables and fish as well as easily reheats leftovers.

Try Chemical-Free Cleaning

If you clean your countertops and appliances with harsh chemicals there’s a good chance they will end up contaminating your food. Try incorporating surfaces and appliances that can be cleaned organically.

All Verona Appliance range cavities are built with an easy-clean enamel, which allows for simple and chemical-free cleaning. The interior of all ranges can be cleaned with a water, lemon, and vinegar solution, while the glass in the oven doors can easily be removed and wiped down with soap and water in the sink.

For more from Verona Appliances, visit www.veronaappliances.com

7 Tips For Entertaining In Small Spaces

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Your love for entertaining doesn’t have to be stifled by your square footage. Get the drinks ready and the food prepped, because Verona Appliances has compiled the best tips for pulling off the ultimate gathering in small spaces!

1. Clean and De-Clutter

Clean countertop space is essential for gatherings of any sorts. Put away the cookie jars and accessories to make room for food, drinks and any hostess gifts that your guests might be bringing.

2. Plan your menu & prep your food

Have a game plan for the food and drinks you plan to serve way in advance so that you can strategically plan when you’ll be cooking which dishes, the temperature they need to be served at and how they’ll be plated. Prep any food that doesn’t need to be served warm ahead of time so you can focus on one task at a time. If possible, take advance of your warm drawer to keep your food at an optimal serving temperature after cooking!

Photo Courtesy of Nera Lerner

3. Know the capabilities of your range, cooktop or oven

A high-powered appliance is essential to the success of a meal, but you don’t need a large appliance to get the job done. Verona Appliances 24” Gas Range offers all the power of a full size professional range for a small space kitchen. The selection of both high and low power sealed burners that will handle any cooking chore, while the oven’s turbo electric convection fan bakes foods up to 25% faster than a conventional oven

4. Space food and drinks apart

To keep your guests from gathering all in one place, space your food and drinks away from each other. If tabletop space is limited, consider renting or purchasing a bar cart for the occasion to tastefully style your drinkware in a way that is inviting for your guests.

Photo Courtesy of The Ranch UnCommon

5. Get creative with storage solutions

When it comes to small spaces, storage space is often times the biggest limitation. Use your bedroom to house guest’s coats and bags, and take advantage of any additional space – from floor to – ceiling to create easily accessible storage for party supplies. Store any extra cooking sheets and low rim pans in the full-width storage drawer so they are out of the way and out of sight.

6. Invest in good ventilation

Nobody likes walking into a hot, smoky home. A good ventilation system helps to clear the air and cool down the kitchen while you’re cooking so your guests walk into a comfortable environment. If outside ventilation is not possible, make sure to get a recirculation kit for your hood to keep the air moving!

Photo Courtesy of Sara Parsons

7. Keep emergency clean-up materials on hand

Slips and spills are bound to happen, especially when you’re in close quarters. Roll with the punches and keep supplies such as paper towels, stain removers and surface cleaners on hand so you can quickly cleanup and get back to the party!

For more from Verona Appliances, visit www.veronappliances.com.

Verona Appliances Spotlighted in a One of A Kind Denver Kitchen

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It’s no secret that the Denver housing marketing has been shining over the last couple of years. Young homebuyers moving to the mile high city are greeted with earth tones and mountain-inspired décor reminiscent of the city’s surroundings. But when it comes to flipping homes in the Denver area, Wendy Crist and the team at The Happening Home divert away from this cookie-cutter style, opting for the Hygge ambiance of cozy comfort that turns ordinary houses into dream homes for those entering the market.

In one of their most recent projects, The Happening Home team took an outdated, non-functional kitchen from one of Denver’s most desirable neighborhoods and transformed it into a modern farmhouse inspired space with the help of Verona Appliances. Although the kitchen had good bones, it was tired looking and lacking much needed storage space.

“We added lots of charm and character to this home,” explains Wendy “Some of our favorite features are the gourmet kitchen, shiplap wall and reclaimed wood accents. We wanted this home to feel current, cozy, comfortable, and interesting all at the same time.”

When it came time to choose appliances, the team selected a 36” Stainless Steel Verona Range. The look of the range was perfectly in-line with the style of the renovated kitchen, and the full width storage compartment is perfect for organizing extra baking sheets.

“The way this wall of the kitchen turned out with the Verona range, custom hood, pot filler and open shelving turned out to be my favorite spot in the whole renovation,” says Wendy.

The end result of the renovation was a modern, updated home that is ready for its new family. Thank you Wendy and The Happening Home for sharing your Verona kitchen with us! For even more projects be sure to follow The Happening Home on Facebook and Instagram.

Kitchen Design Trends for 2019

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Over the years, kitchens have gone from the hidden room in the back of the house, to the heart of the home. Now the epicenter for food and entertainment, it’s important that your kitchen reflects your personal style and aesthetic. Whether you’re planning to remodel your kitchen or get inspired for a simple refresh, Verona Appliances shares six design trends you won’t want to miss out on this year.

Verona 36″ N Series Range. Photo Courtesy of Teoria Interiors.

Bold Appliances
Appliances can be a big investment, why not make them a statement piece too? Designers and homeowners alike are now opting for bold color choices when it comes to kitchen appliances. It is becoming more and more popular to see home owners mix and match colorful ranges, refrigerators, microwaves and hoods in order to reflect their personal style. Verona Appliances offers the Prestige Series, Designer Series and N Series in a variety of on-trend colors including white, matte black and burgundy to help you find your unique aesthetic.

Verona 30″ Induction Range. Photo Courtesy of Stone House Revival.

Colorful Cabinets
If stainless steel appliances are more your speed, another way to inject color into your kitchen is through different cabinet paint colors, finishes and wood stains to create a pops-of-color throughout the room. We are seeing everything from sage green, navy blue and charcoal, to jewel tones like black, navy, emerald green and even plum. If color throughout all the cabinets are too much, trying starting with a colorful center island or base cabinets and work your way up.

Verona 30″ Gas Cooktop. Photo Courtesy of Blythe and Barnett.

Space Savers
One of the most integral pieces to a functional kitchen is a well thought out storage system. Homeowners and designers are starting to look for solutions to storage woes beyond basic cabinetry. Some of 2019’s top storage solutions so far include: appliance garages for small appliances, drawer dividers for cutlery & utensils, pull-outs for spices, tray dividers, space saving cooktops, built-in ovens, roll-out trays and caddies for pots & pans; as well as wastebasket cabinets for garbage and recyclables and/or deep drawers.

Verona 36″ Prestige Series Range. Photo Courtesy of Joinery and Co.

Beautiful Backsplashes
A kitchen backsplash can completely transform the kitchen. From clean subway tiles, to decorative reliefs and large scale slabs, there is no shortage of options for backsplashes that show off your personal style. With upper cabinets on their way out, we are also seeing backsplashes continue up to the ceiling rather than stopping at a lower level, keeping the design focus more minimalistic.

Verona 30″ Induction Range. Photo Courtesy of Sara Parsons.

Earth Toned Countertops
There is certainly no shortage of options when it comes to countertops. With customers opting for more colorful appliances, backsplashes, decorative hardware and accents, earth toned countertops provide the perfect anchor for the room and a break for the eye. With countertops being the most difficult part of the kitchen to replace, opting for a neutral toned material will ensure your design stays timeless for years to come.

For more from Verona Appliances, visit www.veronappliances.com.

Verona Appliances Takes A Phoenix Flip from Drab to Fab!

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In Phoenix, Arizona Ellie Folz and the team at Elz Design worked to flip a dated desert home into a classic modern masterpiece that captured the original charm of the house. Before Ellie came in, the 35th street project was still sporting its original closed in kitchen with a dysfunctional layout and decades old appliances. The goal of the renovation was to create a modern, yet inviting space that would attract homebuyers and sell quickly.

Before

After

“I like simple clean lines, but with some warmth,” says Ellie of her inspiration. The design was beautifully executed by blending modern details, such as waterfall countertop edges and stainless-steel appliances, with organic materials like reclaimed wood beams and marble.

Directly across from the middle island sits a 36″ Verona Appliances Dual Fuel Double Oven Range in stainless steel. According to Ellie, the range was picked because of its stunning aesthetics and technical features. “The Verona range is sleek, modern, and really compliments all the other appliances. The price of the Verona range fit perfectly within our desired renovation budget. The two ovens in one is a great feature and selling point for a potential homebuyer!”

Of her personality as an interior designer, Ellie reveals “I typically don’t choose just one style. I like to mix complimentary styles together.” The combination of light and dark cabinetry modernizes the kitchen, while gold hardware adds some trendy warmth. The farmhouse sink brings in a touch of country while the stainless steel appliances keep it contemporary.

Through all these stunning designs, Elz Design has created a timeless kitchen that is also state of the art. The spacious fridge alongside Verona’s five-burner double oven range has the potential to accommodate any size family. Happily, Folz reports, ”This home was sold before it hit the market!”

Follow more of Ellie’s designs on instagram at @elliefolz and on facebook at @elzdesignhomes. Photography by Dan Ryan, @roehnerryan, www.roehnerryan.com.

Verona Introduces the Designer Series of Ranges

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Verona, crafted in Italy but made for the U.S. market, introduces the all-new Designer series to their line of 36″ single oven freestanding ranges. With rounded handles, spindle legs, a new modern knob design and clean beveled doors, these electric and gas ranges are sure to be the focal point of kitchen designs.

The new series is equipped with a new larger capacity oven cavity and newly designed continuous cast iron cooktop grates (gas model only) to tackle even the most robust recipes. The Designer Series gas ranges also feature brass burners that produce a higher BTU power on all burner elements – ideal for boiling and searing.

“The Designer series combines all of the best features of Verona’s previous lines of ranges into one extraordinary collection,” says Melissa Haber, Vice President of EuroChef USA. “Cosmetic updates ensure that the range matches seamlessly with other kitchen appliances, while upgrades to Verona’s highly-acclaimed pro-style performance allow for precise and simplified preparation in the home.”

MSRP starting at $4,099. Product Details:

Additional Features:

  • Available in Stainless Steel, Matte Graphite, True White & Burgundy colors
  • Equipped with a full-width storage drawer
  • Oven cavity features 2 halogen lights
  • Dual fans in oven cavity (electric model only)
  • Soft-close oven door with 3 panes of glass
  • Oven glide rack included
  • Low profile 1” High Backguard
  • New pro-style depth of 25 ¼”

For more information visit http://veronaappliances.com/