Cooking

Cooking in the Kitchen with EuroChef

July 26, 2023 by EuroChef

At the heart of every great meal is the kitchen. Here at EuroChef, our goal is to help elevate your cooking skills and explore the delicious meals that can be made with your appliance. Our aim is not only to showcase our products but also to highlight what you can achieve with them, such as cooking and baking for yourself and your loved ones. Cooking isn’t just a means of sustenance, it’s an expression of creativity and an opportunity to explore different cultures and traditions.

To help you take your cooking experience to the next level, we’ve put together a three-course meal with recipes provided by our brand partners. So, put on your apron and let’s delve into how our collaborators have been using their ranges to create delicious dishes. As they say in Italy, “Mangia bene, vivi felice!” (Eat well, live happy!).

Appetizer: Cucumber Vinegar Salad

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A post shared by Brandy Leon (@tx_desert_farmhouse)

In the heat of summer, there’s nothing quite like a light and refreshing salad to cool you down. Brandy Leon prepares a delicious cucumber vinegar salad with her Verona 36-inch Prestige Dual Fuel Range.

Ingredients:

1 cup distilled white vinegar
½ cup water
¾ cup sugar
3 cups sliced English cucumbers
1 large red onion
1 large bell pepper
1 cup grape tomatoes
1 tablespoon celery salt
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

Bring to a boil: white vinegar, water and sugar.
Allow vinegar mixture to cool and cut English cucumbers, red onion, bell pepper and grape tomatoes into a bowl.
Add celery salt, salt, black pepper and olive oil to the bowl.
Finish by mixing the vinegar dressing to the bowl.

For a Quick, Dump and Go Weeknight Entrée: Chili

Looking for a quick, delicious meal to enjoy during a cozy night in or a fun family game night? Look no further than this easy-to-make, comfort-food staple! Amy Davidson swears by her Verona 36-inch Dual Fuel Designer Series Range, which makes cooking a breeze. Gather your loved ones around and savor the warmth of a delicious turkey chili.

Ingredients:

1lb. ground turkey
1 can stewed tomatoes (or 2 if you like extra tomatoes)
1 can chilies
1 can ranch beans
1 can white beans
1 can black beans
1 can tomato paste
1 can yellow corn
1 can hominy

Directions:

Place ground turkey and stewed tomatoes in a medium-sized pot over medium high heat.
Add chilies, beans, tomato paste, yellow corn and hominy to the pot. Stir to combine.
Bring to a gentle boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes.
Top with desired seasonings like seasoning salt, ground pepper, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, ranch seasoning, etc. to your heart’s desire!

For a Weekend Entrée: Homemade Pizza

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A post shared by Lofra USA (@lofra_usa)

Do you ever crave a classic cheese pizza, but wish you could make it at home? Believe it or not, making a homemade pizza is just as simple as ordering one. With a few basic ingredients and the help of the pizza function on a Lofra range, you can create the perfect pizza pie.

Ingredients:

1 ball of Pizza Dough (from grocery store, bakery or local pizzeria) – left at room temperature for approximately 15 minutes.
¼ cup of pizza or tomato sauce
3 ounces of fresh mozzarella
Fresh basil or oregano leaves, for garnishing

Directions:

Preheat oven to 475 degrees and select the pizza mode on the oven control knob.
Transfer 1 ball of pizza dough to a floured surface. Use flour fingertips and firmly press all over dough, leaving a ½-inch border. Continue to stretch dough to allow a 10-inch circle creating a round shape.
Lay out dough onto a pizza pan or a baking pan.
Spread tomato sauce onto dough. Top with freshly chopped mozzarella cheese.
Bake until pizza is cooked through, approximately 12-15 minutes and crust is brown. The Lofra ranges’ Bottom Heat pizza function will give the pizza crust a perfect crunch!

Once crust is golden and cheese is bubbly, remove from oven and add fresh basil or oregano leaves. Slice as desired and enjoy!

Dessert: Banana Bread

If you’re looking for a delectable dessert, try making sweet and moist banana bread. Ashley O’Neal who enjoys cooking, and her Verona 36-Inch Designer Induction Range has perfected a simple and easy recipe. With a few simple ingredients and some helpful tips, she creates delicious banana bread that will have you wanting more.

Ingredients:

4 overripe bananas
1 cup of sugar
1 egg
1 ½ cups of flour
¼ cup melted butter
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
Nuts (optional)

Tip: Add a dash of vanilla or cinnamon for even more more flavor.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Mash bananas with a fork. Add other ingredients and mix well.
Pour mixture into a greased loaf pan.
Bake 1 hour until golden.

If you enjoy cooking or baking, share your recipes and pictures on social media with the #CookingintheKitchen, #VeronaAppliances and #LofraUSA hashtags. And if you tag @VeronaAppliances or @lofra_usa, you might be featured on our social media channels.

To learn more about which Verona appliance is the best fit for you, visit https://veronaappliances.com/ and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

To learn more about which Lofra appliance is the best fit for you, visit https://lofra.us/ and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

Verona Appliances Celebrates Apple and Apricot Month

January 16, 2023 by EuroChef

Here at Verona Appliances, we don’t just want to spotlight our products – we also want to spotlight what you can do with our products, and that includes cooking and baking for you and your family.

This month, we put the spotlight on apples and apricots because January is Apple and Apricot month. You might wonder why these fruits are paired (or should we say pear-ed?) together because other than their shape, they look nothing alike. Apples can vary in color from red to yellow to green and can be quite large, while apricots are more orange in color and are smaller. Apricots have large stones at their centers, while apples have seeds in a signature star pattern at their core.

These two fruits actually both belong to the rose family, or Rosaceae. They also both have versatility in cooking and can be used in several dishes. So, to honor Apple and Apricot month, we have a full three-course meal planned for a cozy night in.

Appetizer: Apple Brie Crostini

It will be hard to eat just one!

Ingredients

16 crostini
1 wedge brie
2 honeycrisp apples
2 tbsp apricot jam
1/4 cup basil (lightly packed)
Sea salt

Directions

Slice apples into fine wedges and chop the basil. You can use your Verona cutting board if you have one.
Spread brie on crostini, then top with sliced apple, a dollop of apricot jam and basil.
Finish with a sprinkle of sea salt.

Pro Tip: You can pre-heat your Verona oven for the next recipe while you’re working on the crostini.

Dinner: Apple and Apricot Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Veggies

This chicken dish is packed full of flavor – literally!

Ingredients

2 slices uncured bacon
1 Gala apple
1 tbsp. avocado oil, divided
2 tbsp. chopped, dried apricots
1 tbsp. orange juice
¼ cup chopped, raw pecans
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper

Directions

Preheat your Verona oven to 400°F.
Chop bacon and apple. You can use your Verona cutting board if you have one.
Sauté bacon and apple in ½ tbsp. of hot oil in a large, ovenproof skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes or until bacon is crisp.
Transfer to a bowl, and stir in apricots, orange juice and pecans.
Pound chicken to ½-inch thickness.
Cut a 2-inch slit horizontally into each breast. Stuff apple mixture into each pocket, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Cook chicken in ½ tbsp hot oil in skillet for 2 minutes per side or until browned.
Transfer skillet to oven, then bake 12 to 15 minutes or until chicken is done.

Pro Tip: To cut down on prep time (and dishes), pop a cook-in-bag vegetable in the microwave. Green beans or broccoli would pair well!

Dessert: Apricot Apple Crisp

This twist on a classic recipe gets a hint of sourness from the apricots.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons softened butter or margarine
2/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts
8 medium tart sliced cooking apples (we recommend Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
2 cups chopped dried apricots

Directions

Heat your Verona oven to 350°F. Mix flour, sugar, butter and macadamia nuts in a large bowl.
Place apples in an ungreased rectangular 13 x 9-inch pan. Top with apricots. Sprinkle flour mixture over top.
Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, or until apples are tender.
Serve warm with vanilla or cinnamon bun ice cream if desired.

Pro Tip: Use the Convection Cooking Mode during baking for even cooking. You can check out our Simple Guide to Oven Functions for information on this setting, or you can refer to your product manual.

Share your recipes and pictures of you enjoying apples and apricots on social media with the #AppleAndApricotsMonth and #VeronaAppliances hashtags. And if you tag @VeronaAppliances, you might be featured on our social channels!

For more projects, products, trends, recipes and news, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn or visit www.veronappliances.com.

Celebrating National Pasta Month

October 27, 2022 by EuroChef

With hundreds of varieties, shapes and sizes, pasta has found its way into almost every culture and home around the world. A staple comfort food with endless recipes, this delectable delicacy is versatile and accessible making it a household favorite. In celebration of National Pasta Month, we’ve put together some helpful tips on how to take your pasta-making game to the next level:

Build from Scratch

Making pasta from scratch can seem like an intimidating process, but with a little practice, you may just find the time and effort required to preparing this family favorite is not only fun, but well worth it. Delicious and rich in flavor, fresh pasta only requires a handful of basic ingredients and is fun to make with family and friends in the kitchen—plus, it cooks quicker than store bought, with an average al dente time 6 mins faster!

Add a Pot Filler to Your Kitchen

Tired of carrying heavy pots full of water from the sink to the stove? Consider adding a pot filler above your range to reduce trips back and forth allowing you to get your pasta water boiling even faster, all while keeping your sink and countertop areas open and free for food preparation.

Opt for Induction: Precision Cooking

With their precise temperature control and energy efficiency, induction stoves and cooktops are quickly making their way into more American homes as a reliable and safe form of cooking. Ranges like Verona’s 36” Designer Series Induction offer homeowners versatility and precise temperature control over their cooking with additional power levels like “Gentle Heat”— a lower, three-level heat setting which provides continuous gentle heat, ideal for creating more delicate pasta dishes, such as Carbonara and Bolognese, where sauces are prone to breaking if exposed to too much heat.

Opt for Induction: Rapid Heating

They say “a watched pot never boils,” but we think otherwise. Quickly boil large pots of water with Verona’s 36” Designer Series Induction “PowerBoost” function—a precise heat setting that operates at the maximum power level for up to 10 mins, allowing your pasta water to boil faster than ever. And, for those times when you need to bring sauces up to a boil then reduce to a simmer, the “Fast Heating” function is a quick and efficient setting that allows you to rapidly heat up food or liquid then automatically reduce the temperature to a pre-selected heat setting.

Finish Your pasta in a Saucier

When creating a pasta sauce, a higher-walled saucier allows you room to work with your ingredients, giving you more flexibility than a regular sauce pan. With the wide base and high walls, you can build your sauce and add pasta directly to the saucier yielding a more flavorful pasta as it absorbs some of the sauce while cooking.

For more from projects, products, trends and news Verona Appliances, follow us on Facebook or Instagram or visit www.veronappliances.com.

Make a Splash: Backsplash Trends We’re Seeing in 2021

May 18, 2021 by EuroChef

The mighty backsplash isn’t just meant to be a design feature in the kitchen. A backsplash not only aesthetically brings the design of your kitchen together, but it also has great functionality as it prevents odors from being absorbed into the wall while also protecting walls from grease splatters and the occasional spaghetti sauce snafu. We want to spotlight the kitchen backsplash this month, as they are the silent heroes in protecting your kitchen from everyday cooking messes. See what’s trending this year in backsplash design by reading our blog below. Thanks to all who have tagged us on Instagram!

White Subway Tile

White subway tile is a classic backsplash pattern that stands the test of time. The versatile shape can be installed to create endless patterns, including the traditional bricklayer classic herringbone pattern, the modern horizontal or vertical stack or even a crosshatch install to name a few.

Buttered Side Up Blog went for a transitional blend of classic and industrial styles for her farmhouse kitchen. Like many homeowners these days, she opted to install a white subway tile backsplash from countertop to ceiling to create a cohesive and clean look.

Bold and Bright Patterns

Backsplashes are the perfect place to add an unexpected twist to a kitchen. Like Buttered Side Up Blog, Sonoran Desert Living installed a bold, black backsplash from the counter to the ceiling. The bright white six-point stars add contrast to this dark, moody and contemporary kitchen. Three black pendant lights, all in the shape of starbursts, round out the look.

Marble Slabs

If you have marble countertops and want a seamless look throughout your kitchen, opt for a marble slab backsplash! The durable material that has long reigned supreme on countertops is gaining popularity as a backsplash. This kitchen design, spotlighted on Hunker Home, features the same dusty, gray marble veining on the countertops and walls to tie this light and airy space together.

Me and Mr. Jones also opted for a marble backsplash to give her kitchen a luxurious feel.

*Verona 36″ Designer Series Electric Range, Matte Black*

Textured and Glossy

Innovations in tile manufacturing have brought textured, 3D tile to kitchens and baths alike. These patterns add depth and interest to any kitchen and can turn your finished space into a work of art. Like this triangular tile below, geometric patterns with subtle texture use light and shadowing to its advantage to create an exciting appearance.

For more products and design ideas, follow us on Facebook or Instagram or visit www.veronappliances.com.

The Verona Chefs Pak: An Ultimate Home Cook’s Dream

April 20, 2021 by EuroChef

A chef-worthy range calls for chef-worthy accessories. The Verona Chefs Pak can be used in tandem with any size range, and its many unique accessories make home cooking a breeze. The Chefs Pak includes a 3” x 5” beveled spatula; a heavy-duty stainless-steel griddle; maple cutting board; a digital meat probe; steamer pan with base, steamer and cover; and an oven mitt.

Beveled Spatula

Fry, flip, and flatten burgers with ease using our 3” x 5” beveled spatula. The tool is also great for delicate items as well like omelets or flakey fish.

Heavy-duty Stainless-steel Griddle

No need to purchase an electric griddle here — our heavy-duty stainless-steel griddle fits nicely over the range’s surface! The griddle is perfect for cooking Sunday morning pancakes and eggs, quickly preparing quesadillas and grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch, or making crab cakes for a pasta dinner.

Cleaning Tip: The best way to clean the griddle is to add some kosher salt and a little bit of oil to the surface while it’s still warm. Take half a lemon and using a fork, rub the salt and oil mixture around the griddle. The salt acts as an abrasive, while the acidity from the lemon juice can expunge impurities. Wipe clean with a paper towel, leaving the surface slightly oiled for your next use.

Maple Cutting Board

The maple cutting board is convenient for stovetop food preparation. Grooves are expertly carved into the wood, so any juices, oils, sauces or loose pieces of food can swiftly be moved out of the way. Measuring 10 ¼” W x 17 ¼” D x 1¼” H, the maple cutting board nestles directly into the seasoned griddle when it’s not in use, so the seasoning on the griddle is preserved for your next meal.

*Photo Credit: Annisa Zajac of House Seven Design*

Digital Meat Probe

Whether you’re roasting beef, chicken, pork, fish, lamb, or turkey, our digital meat probe makes it clear and convenient to get a read on when your protein is done cooking. Batteries are included.

Tip: Follow the guidelines below for minimum cooking temperatures to ensure proteins have reached a safe internal temperature.

Ground beef, pork, veal or lamb: 160º
Fresh beef, pork, ham veal or lamb: 145º
Precooked ham: 165º
Poultry: 165º
Egg dishes: 160º
Fish with fins: 145º or until flesh is opaque and separates easily with a fork

Steamer Pan with Base, Steamer and Cover

The steamer accessory set is the ultimate home cook’s dream to achieve a restaurant-style meal at home. The steamer pan can either sit on top of the griddle or can be used inside the oven cavity to steam fresh or frozen vegetables, shellfish or reheat leftovers when you’re in a pinch. Remove the steam basin and you have a food warming station ready to go for your next dinner party.

Oven Mitt

Protect your hands while handling hot pots, pans, dishes, and more with our durable and heat resistant oven mitt, branded with our Verona logo.

If you or someone you know is an avid home cook, the Verona Chefs Pak is a great addition to any kitchen and can make an excellent gift. Visit your local appliance specialty store or shop online with an authorized retailer.

The Chefs Pak can be purchased for $599, or at a discounted price of $299 when you purchase any Verona range. You can also enter our giveaway to win your very own Chefs Pak here.

For more products, follow us on Facebook or Instagram or visit www.veronappliances.com.

Verona Introduces Designer Ventilation Collection

March 5, 2020 by EuroChef

Verona Appliances introduces Designer Ventilation with three style options including a classic wall-mounted chimney hood, streamlined low profile hood and built-in hood insert. Verona’s Designer Hood Collection offers powerful features including: 600 CFM – 1,200 CFM motors, four fan speeds, LED lights, dishwasher safe anti-grease filters, time delay shut-off and the choice of a filtration system for internal ventilation. Chimney and low profile hoods are available in 30”, 36” and 48” sizes, and the built-in hood insert comes in 34” and 46”. The 36” chimney hood is available in four colors including stainless, white, matte black and gloss black to match any Verona range.

The Designer Hood Collection is part of an expansive Kitchen Suite program recently launched – saving consumers up to $2,800 on four-piece packages (range, hood, dishwasher and refrigerator) with an instant in-store rebate.

“MADE IN ITALY, the Designer Hood Collection brings together the finest materials, sought after features and powerful performance into three beautifully crafted styles,” states Melissa Haber, Vice President of EuroChef USA. “Consumers now have powerful options to coordinate their ventilation style, size and color with any Verona cooking appliance for a perfectly paired kitchen design.”

Designer Series Ventilation Range Hoods (600-1,200 CFM)

Premium range hoods, hand-crafted stainless-steel construction with heavy-duty blowers, dishwasher safe anti-grease filters, time delay shut offs, indicator lights for filter maintenance, and convertible for easy installation whether externally vented or recirculating.

36” and 48” Stainless Steel Insert
30”, 36” and 48” Low Profile Stainless Steel Range Hoods
30”, 36”, and 48” Chimney Stainless Steel Range Hoods; 36” available in four color choices (Stainless Steel, Matte Black, Gloss Black and White.)

Top Cooking Tips from Around The World

June 1, 2018 by EuroChef

Looking for some fresh new ways to spice up your cooking? Whether you’re looking too add in a healthy alternative or just need some general cooking advice we have the scoop for you. Check out our tips and tricks from our customers, top chefs and celebrities all over the world that will help kick your cooking up a notch.

Keep Tasting It!

“While it seems like such an obvious trick, my mom would always tell me to make sure to try my food to ensure it tastes good. As a chef, it is important to taste everything all the time at every stage of the cooking process.” – Lean Cohen on today.com

Don’t Cry Over Onions

“Put onions in ice water for 10 minutes before cutting them; this prevents them from causing your eyes to water.” – Angel Leon on Style Caster

Be Adventurous

“Don’t be afraid to swap and substitute—have fun in the kitchen! Experiment and share! Make it a fun adventure.” – Lyza Joe on Verona Appliances Facebook

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with a Healthy Twist

“To make your desserts healthier, replace ¾ of the cream that the recipe outlines with whisked egg whites (which you will delicately blend with the remaining amount of cream). It will make your desserts light, airy and exquisite.” – Michael Guerard on Vougue.com

Keep the Skin On Your Potatoes

“The secret behind making a great mash for me personally, is keeping the skins on. The skins protect the potatoes, therefore it doesn’t absorb all that water.” – Gordon Ramsay on Buzzfeed

Use Olive Oil to Prevent Free Radicals

“Use olive oil which is an oil that doesn’t oxidize easily or create free radicals as easily as other oils can.” – Christine Cushing on Setting for Four

Stack Your Pancakes The Right Way

“Piled high, flapjacks will become soggy, as the stack prevents steam from evaporating. You can solve this problem by warming them in a signal layer on baking sheets. To avoid driving out the pancakes, warm them for no more than half an hour. You could also use a two-burner griddle, which will shorten your overall cooking –and warming-time.” –Martha Stewart on MarthaStewart.com

Layer The Flavors

“Try not to add all of the ingredients at once. It does make a difference. Most raw foods have a significant amount of water apart from the flavor components. By treating each component separately, we are better able to manipulate the individual characteristics of the ingredients.” – Tony Nogales on HuffingtonPost.com

Add a Splash of Olive Oil

“Invest in a bottle of high-quality olive oil. Just a small drizzle can really bring out the flavor of pizza, mozzarella, pasta, fish and meat.” – Nancy Silverton on Buzzfeed

For even more cooking tips, recipes and kitchen inspiration follow Verona Appliances on social media!

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