Keep Your Cool

For food safety and convenience, keep meats refrigerated until you're ready to grill them. Refrigerated meats generally grill in the same amount of time as those at room temperature and are less likely to have collected bacteria that could lead to food poisoning.

Keep It Clean

Nothing is less appetizing than food cooked on a dirty grill. To clean the grill, heat on high for a few minutes then scrub with a grill brush. Crown Verity suggests soaking your grill grates in a sink full of freshly brewed coffee for 60 or 75 minutes, then giving a quick scrub and rinsing with warm water. Before cooking, use tongs to rub the grates with a paper towel that has been soaked in olive oil to prevent sticking.

Add Seasoning

Bold sauces rubbed on the meat or a marinade can increase the flavor. Salt helps steaks form a nice crust as they grill; use it, as well as pepper, before putting the steaks on the grill.

Flip Once

Flip your meat just once while it's grilling. To create an even more impressive set of crosshatches, rotate the meat about 90 seconds after beginning to cook. Always use tongs to flip or rotate the meat; forks and knives create holes that allow the juices to drip out.

Ensure It's Done

Using a thermometer will help determine whether the meat is done and is especially important for large cuts of meat. For smaller cuts of meat, poke with your finger. If the meat still feels squishy, it's rare; slightly yielding, it's medium; and firm and springy, it's well-done. After cooking, set the meat aside for a few minutes before serving. This allows the muscle fibers in the meats to reabsorb the juices.

Once you've practiced these tips, you're ready to invite your friends to a grilling party at Carrington at Barker Cypress, apartments in Cypress, Texas. Among its many amenities, Carrington provides a grilling area by the pool. Call today to discover all the amenities.

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4 Must-Try Instant Pot Meals

• Kung Pao Chicken. This home-recipe take on a Chinese favorite is a great choice for those who want delicious but healthy Chinese food. You can put this instant pot recipe together in under thirty minutes and enjoy plenty of leftovers for the next workday meal.
• Fast and Foolproof Chicken Wings. With just three ingredients, you can make a dozen flavorful chicken wings in your Cypress apartment. The instant pot transforms what would be a four-hour cook time into just thirty minutes and, great news for those looking to slim down, results in a keto-friendly meal. 
• Deconstructed Lasagna. Of course, not everyone is into the keto diet and for those who love the carbs, few meals are as fulfilling as a good lasagna. But homemade lasagna is notorious for being a long and often complex dish to get right… at least until the instant pot came around. This nifty recipe makes it so you can create a delicious lasagna meal with a fraction of the effort and time. 
• Indian Shrimp Biriyani. One of the big benefits of an instant pot is that you cut down on your pots and pans and can throw all of your ingredients in one pot to cook and then clean. This recipe is an excellent example of how well this works. In under 45 minutes, you can have one flavorful meal and only one pot to clean.

Have Issues With Your Current Kitchen Appliances? Contact Maintenance and Let Us Help

While instant pots and similar appliances aren't covered in your lease, if something that is — like your oven or refrigeration — breaks, then remember our Carrington at Barker Cypress maintenance team is here for fast and immediate service. 

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Good news for you! We’ve compiled three great treats that can satisfy your sweet tooth (and your guests’) without running the oven.

Can’t Go Wrong With Peanut Butter No-Bakes!

No-bake cookies are a staple summer treat, and no wonder — they’re awesome! We like this peanut butter variety pretty well. To make them, simply mix the sugar, milk, and butter and bring to a boil (this is the only heat involved, don’t worry). Then stir in your peanut butter, salt, vanilla, and quick oats. Take the mixture off the heat, and as it cools, form it into cookie shapes.

You can chill in the fridge or just let them set up on the counter. Either way works.

For some variety, try using a nut or seed butter in place of peanut butter. Add cocoa powder for a chocolate variety, and sprinkle in some instant coffee along with the cocoa for a mocha variant.

Paletas Are Homemade Popsicles With Flair

Homemade popsicles are pretty simple once you pick up a popsicle mold, or you can just use shot glasses. Take your popsicle game to the next level by making traditional Mexican paletas. Inspiring flavor combinations like strawberry coconut are real crowd pleasers.

Feeling adventurous? Check out these chile paletas, featuring an amalgam of sweet and spicy flavors, including cantaloupe, jalapeños, lime, and even cucumber!

Dessert Cookie Truffles

Dessert cookie truffles, like these Oreo balls, are another great summer treat. Simply combine crushed dessert cookies (preferably filled ones) with cream cheese in a food processor, then dip in melted chocolate. It’s a decadent experience, and the flavor combinations are near endless.

Looking to upgrade your Cypress apartments experience? Contact us today to learn about our awesome amenities and find out which units are available.

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Pulled Pork and Beer-Cheese 

The tangy meat of this sandwich is what gives the meal so much dimension. You can pretty much use any kind of beer, pork, bread, and cheese you happen to have in the house, making it a good way to use those extra leftovers you weren't sure what to do with. Because the flavor combination is so rich, it's going to be really hard to go wrong. This recipe doubles as an appetizer idea that is sure to run out well before the game starts. 

Pumpkin Grilled Cheese 

For those who are still craving the flavors of fall, pumpkin grilled cheese can really take you back to the start of the season. The gruyere, pumpernickel, and signature puree all combine to create a bite that's loaded with savory goodness and just a hint of sweetness. If you're planning to make this particular sandwich for a more picky member of your household, it's worth noting the pumpkin flavor is not especially strong. 

Grilled Apple and Swiss Cheese

There's something about the combination of apples and cheese that can put a smile on anyone's face. The richness and the acidity blend together to create a perfect bite. This recipe uses gooey Swiss cheese, seeded bread, and Granny Smith apples. It's a simple recipe with very few ingredients that delivers a huge blast of flavor to your taste buds. 

Cooking this winter is a great way to celebrate the chillier temperatures with all the comfort food you were craving over the summer. If you're looking for a kitchen that can keep up with you, consider Carrington at Barker Cypress. Call us today to learn more about our amenities, floor plans, and facilities, or to schedule a tour for yourself. 

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Healthy Holiday Meal Ideas

• Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes. Sweet potatoes are low on the glycemic index and therefore a healthier version of traditional mashed potatoes. Using an Instant Pot makes preparation that much faster. Simply peel and chop sweet potatoes. Add sweet potato cubes to Instant Pot, along with salt, cinnamon, thyme and one cup of water. Cook in pressure cooker mode for eight minutes, then release pressure. Add maple syrup and coconut oil to potatoes and stir together. Serve in a beautiful dish.
• Vibrant Winter Salad. In the dark days of winter, sometimes you just need a little color. If you need a break from the soup rut, a bright salad is the way to go. You can make this salad ahead of time, which is great for holiday entertaining. For dressing, mix together 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 3 tablespoons of lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of orange juice. Set aside. Add sliced kale and Brussels sprouts to a bowl. Pour dressing over kale and Brussels sprouts and let soak for several hours or overnight. Roast thinly sliced butternut squash in 450 degree Fahrenheit oven and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Remove squash after 25 minutes. Add pomegranates, orange slices and thinly sliced red cabbage to kale mixture. Top with roasted squash and nuts.
• Skillet Honey Pomegranate Chicken Thighs. This is an easy protein dish to impress your guests. Mix together salt, cumin, chili powder, ginger and pepper. Rub onto chicken thighs. In a different bowl, mix together pomegranate juice, honey, vinegar, molasses and lemon. Brown chicken in a skillet and saute on each side until cooked through. Cook shallots in skillet. Mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water. Set aside. Saute garlic in skillet, then add molasses mixture. Add cornstarch and water mix. Reduce heat, stirring until thick. Add chicken back to skillet and cover in sauce. For extra presentation, add pomegranate seeds, chopped parsley and lemon slices.

There's no better place to try out new recipes than at one of our chef's kitchens. Contact us at Carrington at Barker Cypress Apartments in Cypress to learn about our many upscale amenities that make life really grand. 

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Easy and Delicious Pasta Recipes

Smoked Salmon Pasta

Both heartwarming and healthy, this is a great recipe for a chilly winter evening or any other day of the year. Cook spaghetti according to directions and set aside. Saute 1/2 chopped red onion until tender. Toss in 2 cloves of minced garlic and cook for another minute. Pour in 1/4 cup of white wine and cook until almost evaporated. Add 3/4 cup of heavy cream and the juice of 1/2 lemon and cook until thickened. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook 1/2 cup smoked salmon, 1/4 cup capers and 2 tablespoons chopped dill until warm. Add pasta and toss together. Sprinkle with dill on top and serve.

Fettuccine Alfredo

This dish is so good you can eat it by itself, or add sauteed shrimp or chicken. Cook fettuccine according to the package directions and set aside. Cook 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup butter in a skillet until the butter is melted. Add 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Combine with pasta and top with parsley.

Pasta Marinara

Like fettuccine Alfredo, pasta marinara makes a good base dish that can be eaten on its own or served with meatballs on top. Cook 1/2 diced onion until tender. Stir in 4 cloves minced garlic. Pour in a 28-ounce can of whole tomatoes and break up the tomato chunks with a spoon. Pour filtered water into an empty tomato can and add to the skillet. Add 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 2 fresh basil leaves, a pinch of pepper flakes and salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the basil leaves before serving. Serve on top of the noodles or mix them into the sauce.

When you have a chef's kitchen like the kind at Carrington at Barker Cypress Apartments in Cypress, it's easy to whip up delicious meals in no time. Contact us today to find out more about how our many luxury amenities can make your life easier. 

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But first, what is it vegetarian?

Vegetarianism Defined

Vegetarians traditionally do not eat meat, poultry, fish, seafood, or any meat- or seafood-based products. This cuts out a lot of main foods like chicken, steak, burgers, and deli meats, but it also cuts out foods that you might not have previously realized were made from meat products (such as Jell-O, gummy worms, bouillon and broth, and more).

Tips for Vegetarians

1. First, gather some vegetarian recipes to help you get started. Cutting out meat means cutting out a lot of archetypal meals that you traditionally eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Therefore, it's a good idea to make a list of vegetarian recipes to replace these meals. Otherwise, you might have a hard time finding what to eat every day.

2. Consider meat alternatives. Most meat products can be replaced with "meat alternative products." For example, you can find vegetarian burgers, chicken, hot dogs, brats, Italian sausages, bacon, breakfast sausage, and much more.

3. Make sure you're getting enough protein. Most people get their daily intake of protein from meat, but if you don't eat meat, you’ll need to find other sources of protein. This generally means ramping up your intake of foods like eggs, nuts, beans, and cheese. You might even need to take supplements.

4. Eat more beans! We mentioned that beans are a good source of protein, but they’re also a good way to make you feel full after a meal without including meat. You can put beans in almost anything, including soups, stews, tacos, homemade vegetarian burgers, dips, and much more.

To be sure, cooking vegetarian meals and snacks are much easier when you have a nice kitchen in your apartment. Fortunately, the kitchens in our Cypress, TX apartments are some of the best in the area — with all of the appliances and space you’ll need for delicious vegetarian meals at home. Interested? Contact us today to see which floor plans are available!

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Amazing Rice Dishes

Garlic Butter Rice

Saute six cloves of finely sliced garlic in oil until golden and crispy. Drain on a paper towel. Remove excess oil from the pan. Heat two tablespoons of butter, then cook 2 1/2 teaspoons of minced garlic until golden. Add 1 1/2 cups of white medium- or long-grained rice to the pan, and toss to coat it with garlic butter. Pour in 2 1/2 cups of chicken broth, and then place a lid on the saucepan. Heat to simmering, and then turn it to medium-low heat. Cook for 12–15 minutes. Let it rest 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork, and transfer it to a serving bowl. Top it with thinly sliced green onions and crispy garlic. Top it with your protein of choice.

Pineapple Fried Rice

Heat two tablespoons of coconut oil in a large skillet. Saute one chopped onion, one diced red bell pepper, and one cup of fresh, diced pineapple until the pineapple is caramelized. Toss in three cloves of minced garlic and 1/4 cup of cashews, and cook for about one minute. Stir in three cups of cooked rice, 1/2 cup of frozen peas, the juice of one lime, two tablespoons of soy sauce, and one teaspoon of Sriracha into the pan to cover the rice. Push the rice aside in the pan, and add two whisked eggs to the pan. Stir until it is almost set, and then combine it with the rice mixture. Top it with green onions and serve. Top it with your protein of choice.

Chicken Fried Rice

Add salt and pepper to both sides of three chicken breasts. Cook in a skillet with olive oil, and then let it rest for five minutes. Dice the chicken when it's cool. Cook one chopped onion and two diced carrots in one tablespoon of sesame oil until soft. Add one tablespoon of minced ginger and three cloves of minced garlic, and cook for one minute. Incorporate four cups of cooked rice and 3/4 cup of frozen peas into the vegetable mixture. Cook it until heated. Push the rice aside in the pan, and then add one tablespoon of sesame oil to the empty side. Add three whisked eggs, and then cook until they're almost set. Fold the eggs into the rice mixture. Add chicken, three tablespoons of soy sauce, and two sliced green onions to the pan and stir it all together. 

At Carrington at Barker Cypress Apartments in Cypress, TX we're always cooking up ways to make residents' lives better. Call us today to find out more about our luxury amenities.

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No-cook Dishes You Can Easily Prepare

Muffuletta Sandwich: In a bowl, stir together 3/4 cup olives, 3/4 cups artichoke hearts, 1 grated carrot, 2 tbsp fresh basil, 1 tbsp fresh oregano, 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 minced garlic clove, salt, and pepper. Cut ciabatta loaf in half to make two long halves. Scoop out the inner part of one slice, leaving about 1/2 inch of bread shell. Take olive mixture and spread on hollowed out half of the bread. Spread 3 tbsp coarse-grained Dijon mustard on the other half of bread. Layer porchetta or other deli meats with provolone, Italian chorizo, and prosciutto. Add sliced red onions and arugula to the top. Add another bread slice on top. If you want to make this ahead, just wrap tightly in plastic wrap, store in the refrigerator and add a heavy weight on top for up to 8 hours.

Smoked Salmon Bagel: Bagels are not just for breakfast. You could eat this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner — it's that delicious. Slice pumpernickel, plain, or another flavor bagel in half. Spread each side with chive cream cheese. On one half of bagel layer English cucumber, smoked salmon, thinly cut red onion rings, and 1/2 teaspoon drained capers. Top with remaining bagel half and enjoy.

Mango Avocado Shrimp Salad: Stir together 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp grapeseed or extra virgin olive oil, and 1 tbsp sugar. Dice 2 mangoes and 2 avocados. Add to lime mixture in a bowl and toss gently with 1 pound cooked shrimp. Top with sliced green onion, freshly chopped cilantro, 1 tbsp minced fresh red or green chile pepper. Serve immediately or chill for one hour before serving.

At Carrington at Barker Cypress Apartments in Cypress, Texas we cater to busy lifestyles. From gourmet kitchens to the car care center, we make sure you have what you need to be able to attend to the busy details of your work life while being able to relax at home. Contact us today to find out which floor plans are currently available.

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Healthy Ideas for Energizing Breakfasts

• Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats. Normally steel cut oats take a while to cook, and you have to keep an eye on them to make sure they don't boil over or burn. With the Instant Pot, you can just add 1 cup of steel cut oats and a dash of cinnamon to 3 cups of water and press the porridge button. It really is that easy. Decorate your oatmeal with your favorite topping of choice. Nuts, peanut butter, fried eggs, maple syrup, berries, and granola are all healthy options for adding a bit of crunch and flavor. Add extra-healthy organic goat yogurt to your oatmeal for a delicious tangy flavor.
• Make-Ahead Green Smoothies. If you are short on time, it's good to have something easy and quick to make. Buy your favorite ingredients for smoothies and experiment. Purchase dark leafy greens like spinach or kale, various fresh or frozen fruits and berries, and any nuts or seeds you like to have in your smoothies. Sort them into individual freezer bags, making enough to create one smoothie. Mix and match different berries and greens, and enjoy the variety each day. Just add milk or a dairy alternative and blend for delicious and nutritious green smoothies on the go.
• Spinach Feta Wrap. Take out six whole grain tortillas and microwave for 10 seconds each to soften. Saute 10 cups of fresh spinach in a pan with garlic salt until thin and wilted. In a small skillet, cook 1/3 cup egg whites to make thin omelets. Do this six times. Spread cream cheese across each tortilla. Add spinach, chopped roasted red peppers, one omelet, feta cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. Roll up each burrito and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Place in the freezer. Remove plastic wrap and cover with paper towels. Place the open side down in the microwave and heat for 2-4 minutes.

There's no better place to enjoy a healthy homemade breakfast than at Carrington at Barker Cypress Apartments in Cypress. Make lots of new and interesting recipes in our chef's kitchens with cable TV where you can watch any cooking show at any time. Call us today to find out which apartments are available.

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