Things you should consider before buying a gun safe at home

Storing guns safely inside the home should be your prior concern. This is because it may lead to numerous uncanny incidents and the accidents may lead to several severe consequences. Keeping guns at home is surely termed as a protective measure which can be used in case of self-defence. However, there are certain measures that should be considered as well in this regard. It is your utter responsibility to take care that the guns, pistols or the rifles are kept out of the reach of the children. They may not estimate the values and danger circumstances associated with the articles which may result in the loss of lives. Therefore storing the guns inside the residential houses or in the apartments is quite important.

You must store the guns in a way that is capable of limiting all sorts of unauthorised access. If you allow the guns to be left away without the accession of security, the chances of theft, as well as the unauthorized borrowing, can be considered as the prime targets for numerous people. This may also lead to different sorts of hazardous situations if you permit then to be handled by people who are not aware of handling the guns or are not trained about the different kinds of concepts related to the safety of the guns. Being a gun owner, you have certain responsibilities on your part. Therefore you must keep them out of all wrong hands in order to preserve its security. This is because you shall be the only person who will be held liable in case of any bad consequences that have resulted from any neglection from your part. Storing guns at the homes should be done taking certain measures that would enhance the effectivity of your storage.

Here are few solutions that include the usage of free standing guns, the built-in guns or the closet as well as the usage of minigun safes. The free gun safes have a similar representation as suggested by the name itself. They are usually found to be standing in an upright position. They are placed on a level surface. An enclosure is also made on all sides of the guns and only space is left to make an area for the door. This door has a specified lock system that usually comes along with the combination lock.

Both the electronic and mechanical lock system controls the unnecessary opening of the system. The secret combination would be known only to you and the right security password will allow you to extract the device. These shapes are available in a wide variety of shapes and dimensions and are good to fit in the homes. These gun safes can store your guns along with other important documents and accessories. This is considered as an advantage of these free standing guns. The walls of these storage safes can also be insulated as per your specifications.

You can insulate them with some sorts of fire resistant materials and protect the guns from all kinds of accidental incidents or home fire. Rather than a key, most of the gun safes usually come with safety measures that hold a combination containing the programmable or electronic locks as well as the mechanical locks. These combinations are safe and you can maintain the privacy until you share or mention the security with some verbally or through writing. A ten digit digital keypad is also used widely to maintain the safety. You are also provided with the benefit of reprogramming and thus it is always advised to change the combination on a periodic basis after every alternative time span in order to prevent them from going in wrong hands in case someone is trying to find your combination. The market also comprises of biometric scanning devices that are usually installed along with the locking mechanisms. They are programmed in such a way that they will denote and read your finger or palm prints and thus are regarded as potentially.more secure. However, for people who want to avail quick access, mini gun safes are suitable for them to keep their smaller sized guns. They are considerably cheaper and are available in various models.…

Real Simple Pita Pizza Recipe

Originally from Naples, Pizza is now loved by millions all over the world, most especially in the United States.

Pizza is a flat bread topped with tomato sauce, cheese, vegetables, meat, or any other various toppings. It is then baked in an oven, producing a crisp bread with savory, melt-in-your mouth goodness on the top. Typically, pizza comes round, but generations of cooks have gone from one shape to another, so it is now normal to see rectangular (Sicilian square or Detroit style), oval, and even triangular pizzas.

Moreover, pizza comes in various textures and thickness. There are thin crust pizzas, which is how the original pizzas are made. And, there are thick crust pizzas, or sometimes called pan pizzas. in the US, pizza is served in different ways among its different states. In California, for example, pizza has non-traditional toppings, and can sometimes consist of anything that is in season. The Chicago Style Deep Dish, on the other hand, is pizza with deeper edges to hold more toppings. The Deep Dish pizza also has its toppings arranged in reverse, which is cheese first, then the toppings (and sometimes another layer of cheese), and then the sauce on top.

Pizza may look very simple, but it takes so much time and effort just to create the perfect dough for it. Nevertheless, there are some shortcuts that you can do to make your own pizza at home, without ever forcing yourself to knead dough for hours. Many people are now using ready-made pizza crust that can be easily bought from grocery stores. But most people find the instant crust a bit “too commercial” for their taste. For this recipe, we use whole wheat pita bread, which is yummier and has a texture and crispness closer to thin crust pizzas in the market.

15-Minute Whole Wheat Pita Cheater’s Pizza

You will need:

  • 6 pita bread
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup store-bought pasta sauce
  • toppings of your choice (onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, mushroom, pepperoni, salami, bacon, sautéed ground beef, mozzarella cheese, olives, capers, etc.)

Procedure:

  • Preheat oven 392°F.
  • Place pita bread on a cookie sheet.
  • Brush each pita bread lightly with olive oil.
  • Spread about 1/6 cup of sauce into each pita bread.
  • Top pita with cheese and your desired toppings.
  • Bake for about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and edges are golden brown.
  • Cut into wedges and serve.

This recipe may serve about 6 persons, but if you are really hungry, then you can double the yield and have 2 for each one instead.

You can tweak this recipe according to your taste. You may do vegetarian, all-meat, four cheese, mushroom, or anything that suits your fancy. Once you mastered this real simple recipe, you will not need to order for a pizza delivery again.…

Garlicky Southern Fried Chicken and Creamy Potato Salad Recipe

Fried chicken is a dish that is well-loved by most Americans. Cook it Southern style and you get that crispy outside and flavorful, juicy inside. Southern fried can be served with various side dishes, typically mashed potatoes, salads, and rolls.

The recipe below is a really simple version of a crispy Southern Fried Chicken plus a side dish of creamy potato salad.

Fried Chicken Recipe

You will need:

  • 1 3-lbs chicken, cut into pieces
  • 2 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 5-6 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • vegetable oil, for deep-frying

Procedure:

  • Add lemon juice and garlic to chicken, refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  • Combine salt, peppers, and flour in a large bowl.
  • Dredge chicken pieces into the flour mixture. Shake off excess flour. Dip the pieces into the buttermilk and then dredge again into the flour mixture.
  • In a deep, heavy, cast-iron pan, pour vegetable oil to about 4 inches from the bottom. Heat over medium flame or until a deep-fry thermometer registers 360° F.
  • Place the floured chicken pieces carefully into the oil, making sure the pan is not overcrowded. Fry chicken, turning once, for 10 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. A well-done chicken runs clear juices when the meat is pierced.
  • Drain chicken pieces on a colander lined with paper towels. Serve with the Creamy Potato Salad.

Note: Compared to other fried chicken recipes,this recipe does not call for the patting dry of the chicken pieces. This procedure is skipped to allow more flour to be absorbed, hence crispier skin.
You can reheat your fried chicken by popping them into the oven with low setting and heat for about 7-12 minutes.

Creamy Potato Salad Recipe

You will need

  • 3 lbs red new potatoes, cleaned
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 8 rashers of bacon
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (regular or low fat variety)
  • 4 stalks celery, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley (flat-leaf), chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh tarragon leaves, chopped

Procedure:

  • In a large pot, place the potatoes. Fill the pot with water, enough to cover the potatoes.
  • Bring to a boil. Add about 1 teaspoon of salt and simmer until cooked.
  • Drain potatoes in a large colander and run with cold water. Cut into quarters and let cool thoroughly.
  • In a medium skillet, cook bacon until crisp, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and let cool. Crumble bacon.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and about half a teaspoon of pepper. Mix well.
  • Add potatoes and celery into the sour cream mixture and toss lightly to coat. Gently fold the rest of the ingredients. Chill before serving with Southern Fried Chicken.

Note: If you think your dressing is a bit too dry, try adding a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. this will add creaminess without the risk of the dressing becoming runny.…

Chinese Braised Beef Recipe

Braising is a cooking method that requires simmering of meat in liquid for a long period of time. Typically, a braised dish takes at least two hours to cook. The technique may take a lot of time, but usually, it does not require you to spend those hours in front of the stove. As a matter of fact, braising is one of the easiest cooking methods that is guaranteed to yield great results: tender, flavorful meat and thick, savory sauce.

An example of this sauce-y, flavorful dish is the Chinese Braised Beef. It is cooked by simmering beef brisket cubes in water and soy sauce spiked with Chinese seasonings and spices. It is really easy to cook; you just need to combine all ingredients and let it simmer for 1-2 hours for maximum flavor and to ensure tenderness of the meat. Here is the recipe for Chinese Braised Beef.

Chinese Braised Beef Recipe

You will need:

  • 1/2 kg beef brisket, cut into cubes
  • about 4 cups of water
  • 4 tbsp. soy sauce
  • 4 pcs. star anise
  • 2 tbsp onion, minced
  • 1-2 tbsp. sugar, or to taste
  • salt, to taste
  • freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 1 carrot, sliced diagonally
  • 2 tsp. cornstarch, diluted in 1/4 cup water
  • chopped spring onions for garnishing, optional

Procedure:

  • In a medium-sized casserole, combine beef, water, soy sauce, star anise, onion, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring into boil.
  • Lower heat and let simmer for 1 1/2 -2 hours. Check beef for tenderness.
  • If beef is cooked to your preference, add carrots. Season to taste, if needed.
  • Add cornstarch mixture and mix well. Let simmer until thick.
  • Serve over hot steamed rice and garnish with chopped spring onions.

Tips

  • You may buy star anise from grocery stores or Asian specialty stores.
  • If you cannot find star anise, you may substitute a couple of teaspoons of five spice powder, allspice, or fennel seeds.
…

The Ultimate Beef Wellington Recipe

Beef Wellington is a well-loved English dish, which, unfortunately, is easily successfully achieved by everybody. But, wait, don’t you know that this dish is really easy to prepare? Bringing an epic medley of soft and buttery pastry, high-quality beef, rich mushroom paste and sometimes, enhanced with a thick cut of foie gras, Beef Wellington is definitely a decadent feast. But how can you make this delicious recipe the ultimate one? Well, you can try to prepare the Ultimate Beef Wellington.

Ingredients:

250 grams all-butter puff pastry

500 grams beef fillet

10 grams porcini mushrooms (dried)

50 grams butter

2 shallots, chopped finely

300 grams of mixed mushrooms, roughly chopped(may include oyster, shiitake, chestnut, and flat back)

leaves from 1 sprig of thyme

200 ml madeira wine

2 tbsp. double cream

1 tbsp. vegetable oil

1 egg, beaten (for glazing)

1 tbsp. poppy seeds

Procedure

1. Preheat oven and baking sheet at 200C.

2. Soak porcini mushrooms in half cup of boiling water for about 20 minutes. Drain and squeeze out water. Reserve soaking water. Finely chop the mushrooms. Set aside.

3. Melt butter in a saute pan over medium heat. Cook shallots until caramelized. Add porcini mushrooms, mixed mushrooms, and thyme and continue cooking until softened. Pour in about 150 ml of the madeira, season with salt and pepper, turn heat to high and let the wine evaporate. Transfer three-quarters of the mixture into a medium bowl, add double cream and season to taste.  Set aside. Keep the remaining 1/4 mushroom mixture for the sauce.

4. In a separate pan over high heat, add oil and let heat until smoking. Add beef fillet and sear on all sides until crusted. Season with salt and pepper, transfer in a plate and let cool. Set aside the pan for use in making the sauce.

5. Roll out puff pastry to a 25 cm by 30 cm rectangle with about 3 mm thickness. Brush all over with beaten egg. Spread with cream-mushroom mixture. Place the beef on one end and roll up carefully, positioning the rolled dough with seam-side facing down. Trim the edges and seal by pressing fork tines into them. Brush with egg mixture and sprinkle with poppy seeds.

6. Place the pastry-beef roll on the preheated baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes or until golden. Set aside to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

7. Prepare the sauce by deglazing the pan (where you seared the beef in) with the remaining madeira wine. Add the remaining mushroom mixture. Pour in the reserved porcini mushroom liquid and simmer until reduced.  Season to taste. Serve with sliced Beef Wellington.

The Beef Wellington does not only offer a medley of good taste and textures, but also serves as a great “show-off dish”. Your family and friends will surely enjoy the feast with both their eyes and palate.…