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Archive for January, 2010

Culinary Arts for Kids

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

If you have a small child that loves to cook, it may be time to send them off at a Culinary Arts Program for Kids. There are hundreds of them across the country. They will spend their time learning about food preparation, combining flavors, and making their own tasty dishes. If you want to start them off at home, here are two simple recipes that even little kids can make with a little parental supervision.

- Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are kid favorites, but how often do you let them put this concoction together themselves? Let them use a butter knife (the round-tipped variety) to dig in to the peanut butter jar and spread it on the bread. Give them a spoon for the jelly – showing them that separate utensils are used for each ingredient – and let them create the sandwich. Believe me, they’ll enjoy eating it more than usual.

- Toddlers love smoothies! You prepare the fruits requiring a knife, such as strawberries. Let them wash the fruit under running water in a colander. Let them mash up a banana in a bowl. Let them measure out juice or yogurt. Then, let the child pour it all into the blender cup. You fasten the lid, place it on the blender. They press the blender button. This most satisfying of recipes for toddlers becomes magic, performed by their own hands. Measure ice cream scoops and milk for a milkshake, or ice cream for a root beer float, letting them pour the root beer.

More Than A Taco: Mexican Recipe

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

When it comes to obtaining a Mexican recipe from a television show there are many quality cooks who, as part of their program, will share various Mexican recipes. The value of this method of obtaining a recipe is that the recipes are generally good, simple and authentic. In addition, the student has the benefit of watching the process and can tape the program for future reference when preparing the Mexican dish.

The second method of obtaining a Mexican recipe is through the Internet. This too is an excellent method because a simple Internet search using the specific Mexican dish or how to prepare Mexican food will provide the individual with a number of resources. Generally, these web sites provide a detailed account of preparing the meal and may depict visual aids as well.

10 healthiest foods and quick hamburger recipes

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

If you’re looking for some quick hamburger recipes for the grill here’s a very simple yet tasty recipe you can use as your ace in the hole when you have company but need something easy to make.

As luck would have it this burger recipe for the grill is so simple you can have your guests help and have some fun at the same time. It’s pretty much a no fuss, no muss grill recipe and it’s so simple anyone can make it to perfection.

All it takes is about 1/2 pound of ground beef per person, 1 medium potato and some chopped onion. Oh yeah, and some tin foil. This is so quick that you need to start the grill before you mess with the hamburger and potatoes.

Tear off a piece of aluminum foil about 15 inches long or so. Lay it on the counter so it’s flat. No, it doesn’t make any difference which side is up as there’s no truth to the myth that things cook faster with the dull side out.

Take about 1/2 pound of hamburger and make it into a patty right in the center of the tin foil. Salt and pepper the meat. Now peel one medium large potato and slice it about as thick as two credit cards or 1/8th inch thick slices.

10 healthiest foods you can eat, right now and none of them are hamburger. ;)

Recently, someone challenged me to name the 10 healthiest foods. I found the query intriguing – there are literally thousands of foods from which to choose! After pondering this question, it occurred to me that most Americans get more than their fair share of meat and dairy products and therefore need no urging to include these foods in their diets. We all know that excessive amounts of fat, sugar and processed foods aren’t good for us. That narrows the field of candidates for inclusion in this list of the 10 healthiest foods we should be consuming. You’ve guessed it by now, right? While being ultra-rich in nutrients and cancer-fighting antioxidants, produce is perhaps the most neglected item on our menus.

Take a look at our 10 healthiest foods list and see if you don’t agree that plenteous portions of these fruits and veggies shouldn’t play a starring role at your table. You may be surprised to learn that each of these foods have medicinal properties as well.

1.Berries: Nearly all berries are rejuvenating tonics for your heart and blood. Several studies have shown that a daily serving of berries, rich in potassium, can decrease your risk of stroke by as much as 40%. In addition, most berries have antiviral properties in varying degrees, are excellent blood purifiers and work wonders for your complexion.

2.Broccoli must be included on our list of the 10 healthiest foods. Like most dark, green leafy veggies, is packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Naturopathic physicians recommend generous daily servings of broccoli to patients recuperating from a lengthy illness, as this veggie has been shown to speed their return to good health. Unless Broccoli is going to make me 40 years younger I’m still not eating it.

Paleo Diet Beats Mediterranean Diet For Controlling Blood Sugar

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Science Daily reported on the results of a brief Swedish study that found a paleo-type diet beats the much-lauded Mediterranean-type diet when it comes to controlling blood sugar. 29 participants, each with glucose intolerance and coronary heart disease (and some with type 2 diabetes), were split into two groups and instructed to follow either a paleo diet, with no grains or dairy, or a Mediterranean diet with lots of whole grains and low-fat dairy (why always low-fat dairy? The Mediterranean diet, the real one that actual people in the Mediterranean eat, isn’t founded on skimmed milk and low-fat cheese). After three months, the paleo eaters had normal blood glucose, and a much lower blood sugar response to dietary carbohydrates. They also lost more inches around the waist.

I think it’s great that somebody, finally, did a formal study involving a paleo diet. I hope there are more to come.

Lose Weight This Year

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

It’s the greatest time to be alive in all of human history! Unfortunately, today’s modern conveniences have brought a dark side upon us.

Rising obesity has paralleled the march of technology. The chair-bound, desk-job, computer, car, elevator, television based society of today is helping to make millions of people fat and lazy.

Our current way of life is less than a century old, yet our biology hasn’t changed in tens of thousands of years. Our bodies were designed to move and work, not sit and click.

We’ve become spoiled. Complacent. Dependent. And we are paying a price for it. We are fatter than ever before in all of human history. More than two thirds of Americans are now overweight. One third are obese.

People are dying because they‘re too fat.

Ironically, none of our new technology can solve our body fat problems. There’s no easy way. No pill. No machine. No drug. More knowledge isn’t going to help. We already have most of the answers. We know more about the human body than ever before. But it’s all academic.

Read more: Lose Weight This Year

Why Charcoal Grill Cooking Is A Healthy Choice

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

Have you considered the fact that most of us cook in our kitchens with some type of oil, butter, or other fatty product? Now imagine if the only way you prepare food is on an outdoor grill. It’s a fact that those of us that choose bbq cooking on bbq grills, choose the classic Weber charcoal grill. But, there are several reasons for that. First, the Weber charcoal grill is dependably flavorful. More important though is that when you cook on an outdoor grill, you get the full flavor of the food without all of the oils and grease!

Eating food prepared on a charcoal grill is a healthy choice, hands down. Take vegetables for example. Put them on a steel skewer, spread a little bbq sauce, season, and wrap in foil. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or so. The steam from the sealed foil blends with the smokey flavor from the charcoal grill to bring out the natural flavor of the food. No oil, no butter, no extra calories!

Now, imagine the juiciest fish ever cooked right on a charcoal grill. Yes, put any white fish filet or shrimp in foil. Sprinkle with a little lemon salt and pepper. Seal in foil and cook on the charcoal grill for 10 minutes or so. The fish will flake instantly. You can spread a little of your favorite sauce or bbq sauce on the shrimp for extra flavor. Add some bell peppers, green chilis, or even a low-fat cheese if you want a little zest.

All of this healthy food, any kind of food just about, can be easily cooked on a charcoal grill instead of in your kitchen. Some advantages to this would be less to clean up after the meal. Save the foil for recycling. No smelly fish odor in the house. And, it will make your neighbors wish they were eating with you! Many people have the perception that outdoor bbq grill cooking or a patio barbecue is for summer. Certainly, warmer weather encourages outdoor social events. But take the opportunity to cook on the patio even in colder weather. A charcoal grill is easy to maintain since cold weather does not affect them.

So before you reach for the vegetable oil and heat up the frying pan, roll your charcoal grill to the back porch and heat up the coals instead. You’ll save on electricity AND make a healthy choice in the way you prepare your food. A charcoal grill can’t be beat for low fat cooking and that outdoor bbq cooking flavor!

A Beginners Guide To Purchasing Electric Fires

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

With winter nearly here it’s the best time to start thinking about heating your accommodation. Electric fires are particularly well-liked & are one of the best options you can get when it comes down to joining safety with an efficient heating system.

There are three main versions of electric fires available to buy on the market at this time, the wall-mounted electric fireplace, the inset fireplace, and last of all the standalone electric fire. Most online e-commerce retail stores which sell electric fireplaces usually have the reputable brands like that of the Dimplex electric fire and the Burley fires.

If room is a worry in your home you might perhaps want to pick the inset electric fireplace products over the free standing electric fires. This is because most are produced to fit nicely inside the traditional sixteen inch or eighteen inch fireplace hole and conventional flues. Find a selection of electrical products such as; electric fires, dishwashers and washer dryers from leading brands online.

Wall mounted electric fires are also great for rooms that free space is a key worry, because they primarily take up a great amount less room than quite a few of the usual standalone fires. Wall mounted offerings more often than not include a built in surround which really adds an immense amount of attraction to these type of electric fire suites.

Lastly, there is a very special draw to the freestanding electric fireplace as many of which look like old built stoves. They are predominantly more prudently priced than the relatively pricey wall-mounted or inset electric fireplaces. These are splendid for places that only need to be heated for particular events and are also exceptionally worthwhile as they are portable and as a result can be shifted from room to room should the demand arises.

By and large, at least for the inset or wall-mounted offerings, you usually get the electric fire & surround collectively. You are able to procure a surround singly, which is practical if you aim to adjust the appearance of your apartment and swap the surround to something that better suits the furniture you currently have.

In evaluation, electric fireplaces are fantastic and you can certainly save a lot of cash if you purchase a whole electric fire suite. On the whole most of the suites are good for wall mounting. If you purchase this or any other electric fire on the Internet often you are able to obtain free shipping within the mainland United Kingdom, which is a real additional value for buying on the Internet.

Take the Chance to Make a Tasty Italian Sausage Recipe Treat

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

There are different options of in utilization of ingredients that could be used to create a tasty treat in the form sausage recipes. To create a healthy tasty treat that could be offered by the different choices of Italian sausage recipe presentations, it is important to carry into consideration the mixing of possible ingredients that are to be used to cook the meal. Here are some certain examples of tasty yet healthy Italian sausage recipes:

Vegetable Italian Sausage Recipe: usually these sausages are made from different mixed vegetables and spices that are used to create a detectable taste for the sausages.
Fruit-based Italian sausage recipe: It may be impossible sometimes, but through the utilization of the innovative suggestions of food experts from Italy as well as the different opinionated suggestions of other food enthusiasts with regards Italian sausage recipe choices.

KitchenAid Blenders

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

If you love spending time in the kitchen, you would love to have as many handy tools as you can that will make your life easier and more fun. There are times when you simply want to create some dish or come up with just about anything because you are inspired to try out your kitchen gadgets. One of the tools that most people would not miss out on is a KitchenAid Blender. .. They are proud of the versatility that they are able to impart through their updated technology and craftsmanship. The company promises to deliver more quality products, tools and materials as it continues to thrive, succeed and expand in the industry… This simple premium immersion blender is known for its ergonomic design. This also has a no-slip grip and it comes in a very fashionable color that makes it ideal for hip, artistic and classy kitchens. The stainless steel blade that this has comes with a splash guard that provides ease and power when used. Its powerful motor can be relied on for long hours of quiet use. ..This ergonomically-designed tool comes with a no-slip grip feature. The whole package includes an accessory bag where you can place all accessories and components when you are not using these to keep the materials together. This also comes with mixing beaker for measurements of up to four cups and a snap-lock lid that can be utilized in storing your foods and other ingredients. This also has the very useful nut chopper as well as wire whisk.

Dutch Oven Cast Iron Pot: Incredible Pot For A Great Value

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

A dutch oven cast iron pot offers an incredible value for cooks everywhere. They are reasonably priced and are very durable. Clean up is a breeze. Just lightly wash in hot soapy water or wipe lightly with a dish rag. Nowadays they don’t just come in black anymore but more pleasing colors to the eye like blue, red, and orange. Let your pot be the talk of your kitchen.

They’re great for making hearty soups, stews, chilli, even roast beef dinners. These dinners are very nutritious and the simmering aroma coming from the kitchen of these foods makes it very hard to wait it to be ready. There are several brands you can choose from but I find the Lodge dutch oven cookware the best for the price.

A dutch oven pot that is made out of cast iron will last for many years to come. You’ll probably still have it when the kids leave home but don’t worry they’ll be back to eat those heart warming meals again.

The Best Popcorn Poppers

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Popcorn poppers have made it possible for everybody to enjoy this healthy snack without the inconvenience of using old-fashioned methods or the health risks of microwave popcorn. There are three major types of popcorn makers – stovetop and electric models that use oil in cooking the popcorn and hot air poppers that pop the kernels with heated air – which are available in a variety of brands. For those that want delicious popcorn without the inconvenience of having to stir the popcorn manually, an electric popcorn popper is the best choice. The best popcorn popper brand names for electric poppers are West Bend and Back to Basics, which produce the Stir Crazy line. Stir Crazy popcorn poppers use an electric stirring arm to stir the popcorn and ensure that there are very few unpopped kernels. It also includes a measuring cup on the lid for measuring precisely the amount of popcorn needed, while also doubling as a butter melter when the unit is in use. National Presto Industries, which makes the PopLite, can also trace its history back to the early part of the 20th century, when it was founded in 1905 as Northwestern Steel and Ironworks. Back then, its product line was pressure canners for industrial users but it eventually progressed to making pressure cookers for home use. National Presto currently produces a wide range of consumer electronics and kitchenware, including coffee makers, pizza ovens, knives with cutting boards and woks.

Say Farewell To Your Love Handles

Friday, January 8th, 2010

As you age, unless you are lucky, your metabolism starts to slow down, which leads to your body storing these unused calories as fat. When you are younger, you tend to burn more calories at rest so you can get away with eating those indulgent foods and not necessarily paying the price in the form of stomach fat and those dreaded love handles. To counter this you need to turn your body into a fat burning furnace by burning off more calories at rest and raising your metabolic rate. You can do this with an intelligent combination of exercise and foods that help you burn fat. By doing these two things you can turn your body into a calorie eating machine.

And the Best Hot Air Popcorn Makers Are…

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

While popcorn is one of the healthiest snacks you can enjoy, the traditional ways of preparing it were not. In years past, we used to make popcorn by heating it with oil on a stove, something which current stove-top popcorn makers still do. But a healthier alternative appeared in the 1970s – the use of hot air to pop corn. Hot air popcorn makers work by spinning popcorn kernels in a central chamber and exposing them to hot air to pop them.The most popular popcorn makers are those made by Orville Redenbacher, a brand which is most associated with its line of gourmet popcorn. Its hot air popcorn makers are marketed under the brand name Presto; the most popular model is the Presto 04820 PopLite, a device that at first glance, resembles a blender that has been turned upside down. The reviews for this popcorn popper have been overwhelmingly positive, with many calling it one of the best hot air popcorn poppers they’ve ever owned. Its positive features include ease of use, little wasted popcorn (nearly all kernels popped) and the quick popping time; popping corn using the hot air popper was also more economical and healthier than microwave popcorn. Visit the small appliances review site to continue reading.

Rumble with the George Foreman Grill Range

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

It goes without saying that families with big appetites should also get a grill that would match their gusto. The George Foreman Family Grill is big enough to satisfy the needs of such families. The upsized grill features a large cooking surface, thus allowing you to put in four large burgers or two large steaks in any given time. By closing the lid, you can cook both sides of the food at once… Offering great value is the George Foreman Rotisserie Grill, which is a bundle of the famous George Foreman Jumbo Grill and the Baby George Rotisserie. If you have always been interested in the series, but you want more value for your money, then this set is for you. These two cooking devices would be a welcome addition to your kitchen; you would have an easier time preparing meals because of these. Not only that, these take the guesswork out of complicated meals. This means you can prepare those party-worthy meals without spending the entire day in the kitchen. This bundled special is something that could change the way you eat at home.

Read more Foreman grill reviews at this in depth review website.

Coleman Roadtrip Grill Reviews

Monday, January 4th, 2010

If you are looking for the best Coleman RoadTrip grills around to buy for your own use or to give to someone like your dad or a sibling, there are quite a few choices you can make. Some of the choices you can make include the Coleman RoadTrip Sport Grill, Coleman 9940-A55 Roadtrip Party Grill, Coleman 9941-768 Road Trip Grill and the Coleman 9949-750 Road Trip Grill. All these Coleman RoadTrip grills are effective companions to have at home and on the road when you want perfectly grilled foods and when you feel like going healthy with less greasy and non-fried menus.

To further help you assess which kind of RoadTrip Grill from Coleman you should buy for your loved ones or for yourself, here are a few notable pros and cons you can see on a few of the different grills from this line…

Read the full Coleman Roadtrip Grill Reviews at Best Grill Reviews.

Gift Olive Oil for the Chef

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Looking for a special gift for someone who loves to cook? How about a gift olive oil set for your chef? I found a great resource for you…

As in life, it is the little things that make something special. A fine olive oil is something you’ll want to have on hand for entertaining special guests. Having it as an appetizer along with bread as your guests gather in the kitchen is a wonderful icebreaker. Cooking with it along with vine ripened tomatoes and feta cheese is very flavorful.

Most people believe that Italian olive oil is the only one to have stocked in your kitchen pantry. However, you will find excellent oils available from Greece, Spain, France, and more recently Australia, South Africa, and California. If you are giving oils as a gift, why not choose a product from each region and have a cook off to determine which you think is the best?

For more info on gift olive oil check out this valuable resource.

Homemade Chicken BBQ Sauce

Saturday, January 2nd, 2010

Looking for a great homemade chicken bbq sauce but don’t really know where to start? Let me lend you a hand on some really simple tips and even a cool trick…

First just a little clarification. Of the four major barbeque centers in America, (Texas, Memphis, Kansas City, and North Carolina) two of them are known more for sauce – Kansas City and N. Carolina. Texas barbeque is more about the smokey flavor, and Memphis is known for its bbq rubs. And between Kansas City and North Carolina, you’ll favor KC for a more sweet taste or NC for more of a tangy flavor. I know this is a pretty simplistic explanation, but rather than visiting each area (which I highly recommend) and sampling the cuisine, this will have to suffice.

Depending on if you like your bbq sauce a little on the tangy or sweet side, you can tailor this barbecue sauce to your liking. You more than likely already have all the ingredients. Here they are:

1 part Ketchup
1 part Brown Sugar
Liquid Smoke
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder

First add the ketchup and brown sugar. Next add about two to one parts Onion to Garlic powder. Not too much. You can always add more. Now the wonderful secret: liquid smoke. It takes very little, so add a little and taste. You can warm the sauce, but I would recommend putting it on the chicken while still on the grill in the last few minutes.

So try out this chicken barbeque sauce and put your own twist on it.

Happy cooking!

Chocolate Covered Marshmallow

Friday, January 1st, 2010

This is the simplest recipe there is for chocolate covered marshmallows, for a quick melting sugarfix!

All you need is Marshmallows & Chocolate for melting

And now, this is how easy it is:

- Bring water to a boil in a saucepan.

- Break up the chocolate of your choice and put it all into a small bowl that will fit into the saucepan. Make sure that the water does not come into the bowl (you don’t want water mixed into this goodie!!). Now the chocolate will melt, help it a bit by stirring occasionally, it melts faster than it looks like! When the chocolate has melted, simply dip the marshmallows in it and let it cool down and dry on a prepared tray.

TIP: To avoid the messiness of the melted chocolate – try using a skewer for dipping.

Become a domestic goddess with this delicious recipe!