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In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to prepare delicious and healthy meals can be a challenge. Whether you’re juggling a busy work schedule, managing a family, or simply want to enjoy home-cooked meals without spending hours in the kitchen, time-saving kitchen tools are your best allies. These game-changing gadgets not only simplify cooking but also elevate your culinary experience. Here are 15 essential time-saving kitchen tools you need to transform your cooking routine! These are the best versions out there! I did my research. 1. Instant Pot The Instant Pot is a multi-functional marvel that combines the capabilities of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and more. It dramatically reduces cooking time, making it perfect for preparing soups, stews, and even desserts in a fraction of the time. 2. Electric Kettle An electric kettle boils water faster than a stovetop kettle and is indispensable for quickly preparing tea, coffee, or instant meals. Many models come with temperature settings for perfect brewing. 3. Food Processor Say goodbye to tedious chopping and slicing! A food processor handles everything from shredding cheese to making salsa, allowing you to prep ingredients in a matter of seconds. 4. Mandoline Slicer For perfectly sliced vegetables and fruits in no time, a mandoline slicer is your go-to tool. It offers adjustable thickness settings, ensuring uniform cuts that enhance both presentation and cooking efficiency. 5. Good Can Opener There's nothing worse than a bad can opener. This can opener helps you effortlessly attach to the can and remove the lid. 6. Vegetable Chopper No more sticky fingers or tedious mincing. This vegetable chopper quickly minces and vegetable! 7. Digital Meat Thermometer Ensure your meats are cooked to perfection with a digital meat thermometer . It provides instant readings, so you can avoid undercooking or overcooking your favorite proteins. 8. Non-Stick Baking Mats Forget about greasing pans or dealing with stuck-on messes. Non-stick baking mats make cleanup a breeze and ensure your baked goods come out perfectly every time. 9. Rice Cooker Perfectly cooked rice without constant monitoring is possible with a rice cooker . Simply add rice and water, set the timer, and let the cooker do the rest. Many models also come with functions for steaming vegetables and making soups. 10. Microwave Food Covers Keep your microwave clean and your food evenly heated with microwave food covers. They prevent splatters and help cook food more evenly, saving you cleanup time. 11. Kitchen Shears Versatile and handy, kitchen shears can cut through meat, snip herbs, and open packages. Their multipurpose design reduces the need for multiple tools. 12. Silicone Spatulas Silicone spatulas are perfect for scraping every last bit of batter or sauce from bowls and pans. They’re heat-resistant and won’t scratch non-stick surfaces, making them a must-have for any kitchen. 13. Portable Blender For quick smoothies, sauces, or soups, a portable blender is a convenient tool that lets you blend ingredients directly in the jar. Its compact size makes it perfect for small kitchens and on-the-go blending. 14. Salad Spinner Wash and dry leafy greens and herbs with ease using a salad spinner . This tool not only saves time but also ensures your salads are crisp and ready to serve. 15. Silicone Tongs Silicone tongs are perfect for cooking meat or vegetables in a non-stick pan. They’re heat-resistant and won’t scratch non-stick surfaces, making them a must-have for any kitchen. Why Invest in Time-Saving Kitchen Tools? Investing in these time-saving kitchen tools can significantly streamline your cooking process. By reducing preparation time and minimizing effort, you can enjoy more home-cooked meals without sacrificing quality or flavor. Plus, these tools often come with features designed to make your kitchen experience more enjoyable and less stressful. Transform your cooking routine and make your kitchen work for you with these essential time-saving tools. Your future self will thank you! This post includes affiliate links.

This taco dip is so good and so easy to make! This is a perfect snack for any event. Serve this seven-layer delight with some tortilla scoops as a Football Sunday tailgate snack. Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 10 min Ingredients Instructions 1 block cream cheese (8 oz) Step 1 Warm a pan for the ground beef. Add ground beef to pan along with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon cumin. Chop with a spatula or wooden spoon. Cook on medium-high heat until no red remains. 16 oz sour cream Step 2 In a bowl, mix sour cream, cream cheese, paprika, and 1 teaspoon cumin powder together. It is easiest to do this with a fork. TIP: Let the cream cheese sit outside the refrigerator for 30 mins before. 3 - 4 jalape ñ os Step 3 Transfer sour cream mixture to aluminum pan and spread in an even layer. Cover the entire bottom of the aluminum pan. Place in refrigerator until ready to use again. 1 red onion Step 4 Prep other ingredients. If using iceberg lettuce, wash and slice into thin bite-sized pieces. Peel and dice red onion. Wash and slice jalape ñ os. Try not to use slices with a lot of seeds. 8 oz shredded cheese (nacho taco blend) Step 5 Take sour cream mixture out of refrigerator. Spread ground beef evenly on top. Make sure ground beef is cooled off before this. 15.5 oz salsa Step 6 Add other ingredients. Make a layer of salsa by spreading it over the ground beef. Add a layer of shredded lettuce. Then, add your shredded cheese. Top with red onions and jalape ñ os. 1/4 teaspoon pepper If transporting, I recommend using cooler packs to keep the taco dip fresh. These aluminum pans with lids are perfect for this dip. Serve with tortilla scoops ! You will still need a spoon for scooping the dip out because its so thick! 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 pound 90/10 ground beef 2 teaspoons cumin powder 1 teaspoon paprika 1/2 head iceberg lettuce or 1 bag shredded lettuce If you make this recipe, I want to see! Tag @thatcountrycook on Instagram. This page includes affiliate links.

These salsa and cream cheese roll-ups are so easy to make and so delicious! This is a perfect snack for any event. Add this to your Football Sunday tailgate snack list now! Serves: 4 Prep Time: 10 min Ingredients Instructions 1 block cream cheese (8 oz) Step 1 Spread cream cheese to cover one whole side of a tortilla. Spread salsa on top of cream cheese. salsa (amount is up to preference) Step 2 Roll tortilla and place in refrigerator for 20-30 minutes. 3 burrito size tortillas Step 3 Slice rolled tortilla into 1 inch rounds. If making ahead, do this as close to serving time as possible. It is easier to slice rolls when they are cold. If transporting, place in a container and keep cold. These containers are the perfect size for transporting these. If you make this recipe, I want to see! Tag @thatcountrycook on Instagram. This page includes affiliate links.

This jalape ñ o bacon cheddar cheese ball is easy to make and so delicious! This is a perfect snack for any event. Add this to a charcuterie board or serve it with some crackers as a Football Sunday tailgate snack. Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 5 min Ingredients Instructions 1 block cream cheese (8 oz) Step 1 In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with a hand mixer until soft. 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese Step 2 Add cheddar cheese and beat with hand mixer until combined. 1 - 2 jalape ñ os (diced - remove seeds) Step 3 Add garlic powder, jalape ñ os and bacon. Beat until evenly distributed. 1 - 2 strips of bacon (cooked to just slightly crunchy, chopped into small pieces) Step 4 Use your hands to form mixture into a ball. 1 teaspoon garlic powder Step 5 Cover the cheese ball fully in cling wrap and place in the refrigerator to set for about 1 hour. Step 6 Serve on a charcuterie board or with your choice of crackers. For transportation, you can leave the cheese ball in cling wrap and place in a plastic container. If you can, try to keep it slightly chilled. Unwrap and serve! You can also let the cheese sit out to warm up for 30 minutes before serving to make it softer. If you make this recipe, I want to see! Tag @thatcountrycook on Instagram. This page includes affiliate links.

If you want to make your own beef stock, this is the recipe for you! It combines beef bones and a variety of spices and vegetables to give you the best beef stock to use in any dish! Yield: 15 quarts or 60 cups Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 6 hours Ingredients Instructions 4 pounds beef bones, cut into pieces that will fit in a pot Step 1 Bring a large pot of water to a boil. I used a 20 quart pot, but feel free to adjust the recipe according to how much beef broth you would like. I started with about 17-18 quarts of water and it simmered down to 15ish. TIP: It freezes well! 3 yellow onions Step 2 Wash and dry all produce (even outside of onions and garlic). You will not be peeling or removing any skin, so make sure there is no dirt present. 4 cloves garlic Step 3 Prep produce. Cut ends off of onions and slice onion in half. Smash garlic. Chunk carrots and celery. They can be large pieces. 1 whole celery stalk Step 4 Add all ingredients into the pot and simmer on low heat for 6 hours. Stir occasionally. If you notice a lot of water boiling out, you can add more. The water should be covering all things in the pot. 6 large carrots Step 5 Remove all solid pieces from the pot. I used this tool to do that. I placed the pieces into a separate bowl to cool before discarding (or eating!). 1 tablespoon salt Step 6 Strain broth into another pot or bowl through a strainer with small holes . This will get any last small pieces out. If you are straining into a bowl, be sure to put a trivet underneath so you don't damage your counter. 8 peppercorns Step 7 The broth is done! If using same day, I suggest keeping the broth warm until ready to use. Otherwise, let it cool completely before transferring to containers to freeze. 5 bay leaves If you make this recipe, I want to see! Tag @thatcountrycook on Instagram. This page includes affiliate links.

This Tuscan Chicken can be served over pasta or mashed potatoes. Both are equally as delicious! Make sure to use gluten free pasta noodles if making a gluten free dish. Course:  Main Serves: 4 Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 30 min Ingredients Instructions 4 chicken breasts Step 1 Wash and dry spinach and tomatoes. I use this salad spinner to easily dry my spinach. You can choose to let stems of spinach on or take them off. 1 yellow onion Step 2 Cut onion. Remove skin and make chunks. 3 cloves of garlic Step 3 Clean and mince garlic. Make the pieces as small as you can. This product is great for chopping garlic. *2 tablespoons dried basil Step 4 Slice chicken breasts into 1 inch thick slices. *2 tablespoons dried oregano Step 5 Season chicken. You can do this now in a bowl or after step 6 in the pan. Cover chicken in 1tbsp basil, 1tbsp oregano, 1tbsp parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. *2 tablespoons dried parsley Step 6 Warm a pan with olive oil. Add chicken and cook on medium high heat until cooked through. ( NOTE: Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit). I use this thermometer to check. When done cooking, remove chicken from pan and set aside on a plate. *1 sprig fresh rosemary OR 1 tablespoon dried rosemary Step 7 Turn pan temperature to medium heat and add onions. Cook until slightly browned then add garlic, remaining parsley, oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme and cook for additional 1 minute. *1 sprig fresh thyme OR 1 tablespoon dried thyme Step 8 Turn pan temperature to low heat and add spinach. Cook until spinach begins to wilt. 1/4 tablespoon black pepper Step 9 Add heavy cream and chicken broth. Turn temperature to medium and let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring often. salt (up to preference) Step 10 In a separate bowl, make a cornstarch slurry by adding just enough water that all cornstarch is absorbed. 5-8 oz baby spinach Step 11 Bring sauce to a boil and slowly add cornstarch slurry to sauce pan while mixing. This will thicken the sauce. If you want the sauce to be thicker, you can add more cornstarch slurry. Taste sauce and add salt if needed. Be careful! Sauce is hot. 6-8 cherry tomatoes Step 12 Add chicken and tomatoes to sauce pan. Turn temperature to low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. 1/4 cup cornstarch Step 13 Plate on top of pasta or mashed potatoes! 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup chicken broth 16 oz heavy cream 1 tablespoon onion powder 1 tablespoon garlic powder *You can use 4 tablespoons Italian seasoning to replace ALL (not each one) If you make this recipe, I want to see! Tag @thatcountrycook on Instagram. This page includes affiliate links.

This beet and goat cheese salad is easy and delicious! Impress your guests with this extravagant and gorgeous salad as an appetizer or the main course! Watch me make this dish here: Course:  Lunch or Appetizer Serves: 4 Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 45 min Ingredients Instructions 4 - 5 beets Step 1 Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 8 oz goat cheese Step 2 Wash and dry beets. Cut off root and leafy greens. Do not peel beets. 1 small red onion Step 3 Cover beets in olive oil and some salt (about 1 tablespoon). Roll each beet in a separate piece of aluminum foil and pinch the ends. 16 oz spring mix salad blend Step 4 Place beets on baking sheet and into the preheated oven. Bake for 45 minutes or until fork tender. Once done, remove from foil and set aside to cool. 8 oz baby spinach or arugula Step 5 While beets bake, clean red onion. Cut onion in half then make very thin slices. Place in refrigerator until ready to plate. olive oil Step 6 Use your hand to crumble goat cheese into small chunks (if not already). Place in refrigerator until ready to plate. balsamic vinegar Step 7 Wash and dry spring salad blend and spinach or arugula. I use this salad spinner to dry my lettuce easily and quickly. sea salt Step 8 When beets are cool to the touch, remove the skins. The easiest way to do this is by removing it with your hands under cold running water. I recommend using gloves to handle beets. They will stain your hands for days! Step 9 After removing the skin, slice beets into 1/2 inch thick coins. Step 10 When plating, add lettuce, beets, goat cheese, and red onions; then top with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and sea salt to taste! If you make this dish, I want to see! Tag @thatcountrycook on Instagram. This page includes affiliate links.

Welcome to the second country of the 195 Country Cooking Challenge - where I cook a popular dish from all 195 countries around the world! If you missed the first country - I cooked the most popular dish from The United States of America. Along the journey, I will be sharing these recipes with you plus some interesting facts about each country. My goal is to teach you a bit about each country while you eat or cook their cuisine! Today, I will be cooking a dish from Jamaica, a small island in the Caribbean Sea. The National Dish of Jamaica Jamaica's official national dish is ackee and saltfish, which is Jamaica’s national fruit with saut é ed cod. However, for this country, I will be making the MOST POPULAR dish - JERK CHICKEN WITH RICE AND BEANS! My best friend's mom is from Jamaica and gave me the most delicious recipes for Jamaican jerk chicken along with rice and beans. I'm also going to attempt to make her amazing fried plantains as another side dish. Jamaican jerk is believed to have originated when descendants of enslaved Africans combined African cooking techniques with indigenous Jamaican ingredients. They learned the jerk method from the Taíno, indigenous people who lived in Jamaica in the pre-colonial Caribbean for over 2,500 years. The Taíno cooked their meat over open flames using local spices and herbs. The Maroons, enslaved people who escaped to the mountains, adapted this cooking style by adding jerk-style seasonings to preserve and flavor their meats. While in hiding, the Maroons cooked in smokeless pits to hide their location. Jamaican rice and beans (or rice and peas) originated with the Akan tribe in Ivory Coast and Ghana. This dish is still eaten in these countries today but greatly differs from the Jamaican version. Jamaican rice and beans uses pepper and thyme, along with coconut milk, while African rice and beans often use baking soda and sorghum leaves. In Jamaica, plantains are served with almost every meal because they are easy to grow and cook. They are also not very expensive in the Caribbean. The best part about this meal is you can make it at home and without a grill! I will go through the recipe below, but if you would like a more streamlined approach, you can check out the official recipe here . Facts About Jamaica What is it about this country that makes it so unique? Christopher Columbus claimed Jamaica for Spain in 1492. When the English captured the island of Jamaica from Spain in 1655, Jamaica was given its current name. The name comes from the indigenous Arawak word Xaymaca, which translates to "Land of Wood and Water". The island was used primarily for sugarcane production. Jamaica was finally granted independence in 1962. The flag of Jamaica is black, gold, and green. Black symbolizes the strength and creativity of the people of Jamaica. Gold represents the wealth and beauty of sunlight. Green represents hope and agricultural resources. The green on top and bottom symbolizes the lush landscape and agriculture. Jamaica's flag is one of only two in the world that does not include red, white, or blue. The other is Mauritania's. Jamaica is 4,411 square miles of land and water. The climate is fairly consistent throughout the entire country, but can vary higher in the mountains. Generally, the temperature ranges from 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 Celsius) to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 Celsius). Fun fact: nearly half of the island is over 1,000 feet above sea level. The Blue Mountains have the highest peak in the country which reach a height of 7,402 feet. Tourism is the highest source of foreign income, but agriculture is the most common job in Jamaica. An estimated 15.3 percent of Jamaica's population works in agriculture. This includes agriculture, hunting, forestry, and fishing. The Bob Marley museum is one of the most popular attractions in Jamaica. The museum is located in the house where Bob Marley lived and recorded his music from 1975 until his death in 1981. The official language of Jamaica is English, but another language commonly spoken on the island is Patwa or Jamaican Creole. It's a combination of African, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and English. Christianity is the most common religion in the country with an estimated 69% of the population following these religious beliefs, within various denominations. What You Should Know if You Plan to Visit Jamaica If you plan to visit Jamaica, here are some general things you should know (based on Oyster.com ): The tap water is safe to drink Getting around the island is expensive You can use U.S. dollars Homophobia is prevalent Marijuana is illegal Tourist areas feel safe, but be vigilant in less-crowded areas Peak hurricane season is August to October The vibe is generally laid-back Now, we move on to cooking! Cooking the Most Popular Meal in Jamaica Ingredients: 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs 2 green plantains 1 cup Jasmin rice 3 green or spring onions 1 green scotch bonnet pepper 4 garlic cloves 6 allspice berries 1 bay leaf 2 sprigs of fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon of dried thyme) 3 teaspoons dry jerk seasoning (I recommend getting the smaller size if you can find it at a grocery store, but this is the type of seasoning I used) 140g wet jerk seasoning (half the glass bottle) 400ml coconut milk (1 can) 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or enough to fill the bottom of a frying pan) cooking spray or additional 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/2 teaspoon salt Steps: Step 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Step 2: Combine wet and dry jerk seasoning in a large bowl. Step 3: Cover chicken thighs thoroughly in combined jerk seasoning. I highly recommend using gloves for this step because the jerk seasoning is spicy. If you get it on your hands then touch your face it can be painful. Step 4: Spray glass baking dish with cooking spray or use extra vegetable oil to grease pan and prevent sticking. Place chicken thighs in the greased glass baking dish. Try not to overlap them so they cook evenly throughout. Step 5: Once oven is preheated, bake chicken for 45 min - 1 hour or until the internal temperature is between 175 -185 degrees Fahrenheit. I used this thermometer to check my chicken. Step 6: While the chicken is cooking, wash and dry green onions, thyme, the scotch bonnet pepper, and the bay leaf. Separate whites and greens of the onions. Slice whites of the onions and chop greens into 2-inch sections. Step 7: Clean garlic. You can use this trick or just leave the cloves whole. Step 8: Wash rice in a glass bowl. Add water, swirl with your hand, and drain. Repeat until the water is clear after swirling with your hand. Step 9: Slice plantains. Chop off both ends and make a small slice in the skin from top to bottom. You should be able to peel the skin off the plantain. It might be a bit tricky. Once the skin is removed, cut the plantain in half and make 1/4 inch thick slices (longways). Step 10: Add olive oil, onion greens, onion whites, and garlic to a pot. Cook on medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add in allspice berries, salt, bay leaf, thyme, and the scotch bonnet pepper (it should be whole). Stir lightly to combine. It is key that you do not pop the scotch bonnet pepper open (THE SEEDS ARE HOT HOT). Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the onions and garlic start to get soft. Step 11: Add coconut milk to the pot with spices. Once coconut milk is in, quickly fill up 2/3 of the can with water and add that to the pot as well. This will prevent the coconut milk from burning. At this time, you can also add the rice and beans (this is the best can opener I've ever had by the way!). Gently mix ingredients. When the pot begins to bubble, turn it down to low heat and cover with a lid. Cook for about 20 minutes or until you see no more bubbling. Step 12: Heat a pan on high heat with vegetable oil (enough to cover the bottom for plantains). Fry plantains until they are golden brown on both sides. Add salt if desired. Plate and enjoy! Which country should I do next? Follow @thatcountrycook on Instagram to see a video of me making this recipe! This article contains affiliate links.

This harvest season dish is a prefect one pot recipe for fall! Course: Dinner Serves: 4 Prep Time: 15 min Total Time: 1 hour Ingredients Instructions Pack of 5 Italian sausage links (hot or sweet depending on preference) Step 1 Bring a large pot of water to a boil for potatoes. 9 medium sized redskin potatoes Step 2 Cook sausage on medium-high heat for 8 minutes or until all sides are browned but the sausage is not fully cooked through. You can do this in the same pan you will use later. I suggest using something like this. 1 yellow onion Step 3 Clean garlic by removing all skin. Cut cloves in half and set aside. 3 cloves of garlic Step 4 Add potatoes to the pot of boiling water. Cook for about 10 minutes or until a fork just starts to push into the potatoes. They should still be pretty hard when coming out of the water because they will continue to cook in later steps. After the 10 minutes is up, you can turn the stove off and let the potatoes sit in the warm water until ready to use them. 1 small head of cabbage Step 5 Clean onions and slice them by first cutting both ends off, then cutting the onion in half and slicing. 2 tablespoons olive oil Step 6 When sausage has browned slightly, remove it from the skillet and cut it into coins. The thickness is up to preference. Set aside until later steps. 1/2 Teaspoon Salt Step 7 Remove outer layer of the cabbage then rinse and dry the full cabbage. Cut the cabbage in quarters then make large chunks in those sections. You want the cabbage pieces to be fairly large because they cook fast. Step 8 Warm olive oil in a large skillet with tall sides (like this) . Once the skillet is warm, add the cabbage and salt. Cover with a lid and cook until cabbage begins to wilt slightly, stirring occasionally. Step 9 When cabbage appears slightly wilted, drain potatoes and add them to the skillet. I like to use this small strainer so I can transfer the potatoes directly from the pot to the skillet. Don't worry if you get some water in the skillet. This will help steam the cabbage. You can also add the cut-up sausage to the same pan. Mix and cover with lid. Let cook for 5 minutes. Step 10 Add onions and garlic to the skillet. Mix and cover with lid. Let cook for 10 minutes, mixing occasionally. Step 11 Take lid off and cook for additional 5 minutes uncovered. Turn down to low heat halfway through. Plate and enjoy! I topped mine with sour cream and fresh chopped chives. This added a great taste to the overall dish! Watch me cook this recipe on Instagram ! Did you make this recipe? I want to see! Tag @thatcountrycook on Instagram or TikTok. This page includes affiliate links.

Welcome to the first country of the 195 Country Cooking Challenge - where I cook a popular dish from all 195 countries around the world! I was inspired by the Olympics, but not to go for a run (haha). Along the journey, I will be sharing these recipes with you along with some interesting facts about each country. My goal is to teach you a bit about each country while you eat or cook their cuisine! The National Dish of the United States of America Up first is the United States of America - where I live! When I researched the national/most popular dish in the United States, the answer was pretty clear from the beginning. However, because the U.S. is such a melting pot of cultures, it can be difficult to pinpoint whether or not a food actually originated here. After some digging, I finally found the most popular (and coined National Dish) of the United States of America. For this country, I will be making... A CHEESBURGER! Although the invention of the hamburger is widely disputed (some think it was created in Hamburg, Germany OR Hamburg, New York), the cheeseburger has a clear origin story. The cheeseburger was invented in 1924 in Pasadena, California by a 16-year-old named Lionel Sternberger. He worked at his father's sandwich shop (The Rite Spot) and decided to put a slice of cheese on a hamburger patty. This invention was put on the menu and called "The Original Hamburger with Cheese." Fun fact, it only cost 15 cents! I decided I would make my favorite type of cheeseburger (with fried onions and mushrooms). The best part about this cheeseburger is you can make it at home and without a grill! I will go through the recipe below, but if you would like a more streamlined approach, you can check out the official recipe here . Facts About The United States of America As I mentioned before, The United States is a melting pot of cultures, but what is it about this country that makes it so unique? The United States of America adopted its' name on September 9, 1776 when it gained independence from Great Britain. The flag of the United States of America is red, white, and blue. Red symbolizes hardiness, white symbolizes innocence, and blue represents justice. The flag has 13 red and white stripes to symbolize the 13 original colonies and 50 stars to symbolize the 50 states in the country today. The United States is 3,805,525 square miles of land and water. Because of the large size of the country, the climate varies drastically from northernmost to southernmost point. In Alaska (the northernmost state) temperatures can reach -50 degrees Fahrenheit (-45 Celsius). In Florida (the southernmost state), temperatures can hit 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 Celsius). The United States is also famous for Death Valley in California, where temperatures have hit 134 degrees Fahrenheit (57 Celsius). The most popular job in the United States is retail sales, with an estimated 3.76 million people earning an income from this title. The Statue of Liberty is the most famous landmark. Sitting in New York City on Ellis Island, the 305 foot statue was a gift from France and represents freedom, inspiration, and hope. There are many different languages spoken in the United States (between 350 and 430), but the most popular is English (with Spanish second). Christianity is the most common religion in the country with an estimated 63% of the population following these religious beliefs. What You Should Know if You Plan to Visit The United States of America If you plan to visit the United States, here are some general things you should know (based on Hotels.com ): The portion sizes are big Tips are expected Tax prices vary from state to state People are very talkative Don't be afraid to visit the lesser-known areas The country is huge The metric system does not exist The country loves sports Health care is expensive, so make sure you have good travel insurance Public transportation is not widely available Now, we move on to cooking the cheeseburger! Although a classic cheeseburger is only burger patty, cheese, and buns, I'm going to add some extra toppings. I also researched popular side dishes in the U.S. and the most common answer was potatoes. I decided to add fried potatoes to this recipe. If you do not wish to cook fried potatoes with your cheeseburgers, you will only need 2 yellow onions, you don't need potatoes, and you can skip steps 2,7, and 10. Happy cooking! Cooking the National Dish of The United States of America Ingredients: 1 pound of 85/15 ground beef 1/4 Pound of American Cheese thinly sliced 3 yellow onions (2 if not making fried potatoes) 8 medium redskin potatoes (if making fried potatoes) 8 white or belle mushrooms 4 burger buns (I like Martin's Potato Bread - affiliate link) 1/2 Teaspoon Salt 1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper 1/4 Teaspoon Cajun Seasoning 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil Steps: Step 1: Wash and dry the potatoes and mushrooms. Also be sure to remove the mushroom stems. Step 2: Peel all potatoes. Instead of just using a knife, which takes away a lot of the potato, I prefer to use this vegetable peeler. Slice the potatoes into 1/2 inch coins. It is important to get them to all the same thickness so they cook evenly. I use a mandoline slicer to slice my potatoes. Place the peeled and sliced potatoes in a bowl of water to prevent oxidation. Step 3: Remove all skin from the onions and cut both ends off. Then cut them once in half and place the flat side down. Slice the onions into 1/4 inch thick slices. Set aside. Step 4: Cut mushrooms into thick slices and set aside. Step 5: Open ground beef and put it into a bowl. Pull the meat apart but do not squish it. Add salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning and mix thoroughly with your hand. Squish meat together into one clump. Divide into 4 equal parts and form them into burger patties, putting them on a plate. Step 6: Add olive oil and 1/2 the onions to a small skillet. Sauté on medium high heat for 3 minutes, mix occasionally. Step 7: Add potatoes to a large skillet with the vegetable oil. Add lid and cook for 10 minutes on medium high heat, stirring occasionally. Step 8: Add mushrooms to the skillet with onions and turn the heat to medium low. Cook for an additional 10 minutes, mixing occasionally. Once the 10 minutes is done, turn the burner off. Step 9: Warm a pan on medium-high heat for the burgers. Add burgers once the pan is warm. Cook burger for 5-6 minutes on each size. There should be slight char marks on both sides. ( NOTE : it is important to cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit) Step 10: Change temperature of the potatoes to medium and add the other 1/2 of the onions. Cook for 5 minutes then turn to low until potatoes are soft enough to break. Step 11: While they are still in the pan, top burgers with mushroom/onion mix and cheese. Plate and enjoy! Which country should I do next? Follow @thatcountrycook on Instagram to see a video of me making this recipe! This article contains affiliate links.

The United States of America's National Dish (and most popular dish). It is so easy and delicious. You can even make this meal at home without a grill! Cuisine: American Course: Lunch or Dinner Serves: 4 Prep Time: 20 min Total Time: 1 hour Ingredients Instructions 1 pound of 85/15 ground beef Step 1 Wash and dry the potatoes and mushrooms. Also be sure to remove the mushroom stems. 1/4 Pound of American Cheese thinly sliced Step 2 Peel all potatoes. Instead of just using a knife, which takes away a lot of the potato, I prefer to use this vegetable peeler. Slice the potatoes into 1/2 inch coins.  It  is important to get them to all the same thickness so they cook evenly. I use a mandoline slicer to slice my potatoes. Place the peeled and sliced potatoes in a bowl of water to prevent oxidation. 3 yellow onions (2 if not making fried potatoes) Step 3 Remove all skin from the onions and cut both ends off. Then cut them once in half and place the flat side down. Slice the onions into 1/4 inch thick slices. Set aside. 8 medium redskin potatoes (if making fried potatoes) Step 4 Cut mushrooms into thick slices and set aside. 8 white or belle mushrooms Step 5 Open ground beef and put it into a bowl. Pull the meat apart but do not squish it. Add salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning and mix thoroughly with your hand. Squish meat together into one clump. Divide into 4 equal parts and form them into burger patties, putting them on a plate. 4 burger buns (I like Martin's Potato Bread ) Step 6 Add olive oil and 1/2 the onions to a small skillet. Sauté on medium high heat for 3 minutes, mix occasionally. 1/2 Teaspoon Salt Step 7 Add potatoes to a large skillet with the vegetable oil. Add lid and cook for 10 minutes on medium high heat, stirring occasionally. 1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper Step 8 Add mushrooms to the skillet with onions and turn the heat to medium low. Cook for an additional 10 minutes, mixing occasionally. Once the 10 minutes is done, turn the burner off. 1/4 Teaspoon Cajun Seasoning Step 9 Warm a pan on medium-high heat for the burgers. Add burgers once the pan is warm. Cook burger for 5-6 minutes on each size. There should be slight char marks on both sides. ( NOTE : it is important to cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit) 1 tablespoon olive oil Step 10 Change temperature of the potatoes to medium and add the other 1/2 of the onions. Cook for 5 minutes then turn to low until potatoes are soft enough to break. 2 tablespoons vegetable oil Step 11 While they are still in the pan, top burgers with mushroom/onion mix and cheese. This page includes affiliate links.

College is here! This can be extremely daunting if you are trying to eat a gluten-free diet. I personally struggle with gluten intolerance and these are the best gluten free snacks I have found! I know leaving campus can be difficult, especially as a freshman. Luckily, Amazon is currently offering a deal for students. You can get a FREE 6-month free trial of Amazon Prime here . This will allow you to get any or all of these snacks delivered to campus! Made Good Granola Bars Made Good has many different products that are all free of the top allergens. They're also the most delicious granola bars I have found while trying different gluten free snacks! This variety pack includes Cookie Crumble, Birthday Cake, and Vanilla, so you can choose how you feel each day. I think these granola bars are a perfect snack to have in your dorm room or to carry around in your backpack for a quick snack between classes. 2. Bare-Baked Crunchy Chips A lot of chips have mile-long ingredient lists. Bare-Baked Chips are simply one ingredient - whatever they are made out of. These are such a great snack when you are craving something crunchy but don't want to eat processed chips. This variety pack gives you a chance to try multiple different fruits. Bare-Baked offers a bunch of different options too! 3. Chomps Beef Sticks Chomps Beef Sticks are the cleanest meat sticks I have found. Their ingredient list is shorter than any of their competitors and contains only ingredients that make sense. Not to mention they are delicious and gluten free! These beef sticks are great to have in your dorm room because they are a perfect snack if you are craving something savory. 4. Welch's Fruit Snacks It's not a snack list if it doesn't include Welch's Fruit Snacks. These gummy snacks also happen to be gluten free and delicious! I always carry these around with me for a quick sugar boost when I'm feeling hungry. They are also perfect for when you need a quick snack while doing homework! 5. Made Good Strawberry Crispy Squares Made Good is running the gluten free snack game. They have so much variety in their product line that there is something for everyone...even if you are not gluten free! I LOVE these crispy squares and am not ashamed to admit I would eat at least one a day for almost two months. They are delicious and perfectly cure the crunchy sweetness craving. I remember carrying them around in my backpack to have a quick snack whenever needed. SO GOOD! Overall, these are some of my favorite gluten free snacks and the ones I had in my dorm room. They are versatile and easily-transported. Don't forget! Amazon Prime is FREE for students for 6-months when you sign up HERE ! Comment your favorite gluten free snacks. I look forward to trying them. Follow @thatcountrycook on Instagram if you liked this article! There are many more recipes and tips to come! This article includes affiliate links.