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Chili-Infused Oil

Chili-Infused Oil

1/2 C olive oil
1 tsp dried crushed red pepper

In a small, heavy saucepan, heat the oil and red pepper flakes over a low flame, stirring occasionally, until a thermometer inserted into the oil registers 180 degrees, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature, about 2 hours. Transfer oil and pepper flakes to a 4-ounce bottle or other small container and seal the lid. Refrigerate. Can be used as a dipping oil for breads, or to liven up the flavors in other dishes-as your cooking oil, in salad dressing, or just drizzled over grilled fish or meat. Keeps in the fridge for a month.

15 Ways to Doctor a Jar of Salsa – Add Interest to your Dish

15 Ways to Doctor a Jar of Salsa – Add Interest to your Dish

Add avocado cubes, chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.

Stir in mango chunks, chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice

Fold in a small can of drained, crushed pineapple and fresh cilantro

Marinate chunks of white Mexican cheese in salsa; serve with toothpicks

Stir in a small can of drained corn

Combine with drained and rinsed canned black beans and drained canned yellow corn.

Add chopped jicama, shredded carrot and chopped fresh ginger.

Stir in a chopped fresh, vine ripe tomato.

Mix shredded radish and pinch of ground cumin with the salsa.

Add chopped canned tomatillos.

Stir in a chopped, soaked chipotle pepper.

Ass 1 tsp. prepared horseradish and fresh lemon juice; serve with shrimp.

Mix in chopped roasted red peppers, a dash of balsamic vinegar and chopped fresh basil.

Ass a couple T. plain yogurt, chopped cucumber and cumin seed. Serve with toasted pita bread wedges.

Fold in shredded carrot, a dash of fish sauce, a squeeze of lime juice and chopped fresh Jalapeño pepper to taste. Serve with crackers.

Cream Cheese 15 Ways – Add Some Interest to Your Spread

Cream Cheese 15 Ways – Add Some Interest to Your Spread

-Blend 1/4 C store bought pesto with cream cheese. Top it with lightly toasted pine nuts.

-Blend 1/4 C pitted kalamata olives into the cream cheese. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves.

-Blend 1/4 C chopped, oil-packed, sun dried tomatoes into the cream cheese. Sprinkle 1 T. of chopped fresh basil over the top.

-Blend a jar of chopped marinated artichokes into the cream cheese and spread this on pumpernickel or rye bread.

-Drain a small can of tiny shrimp and blend them into the cream cheese. Season with a pinch of ground mace or nutmeg and sprinkle with 1 T. of minced red onion. Spread on bagel chips.

-Blend a can of drained chopped chiles, 1/2 C. of shredded Cheddar cheese, and a pinch of cumin into the cream cheese.

-Blend 2 ounces of smoked trout and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice into the cream cheese. Garnish with 1 T. of chopped fresh parsley.

-Blend 1 clove of garlic that you have crushed in a garlic press, 1 tsp. of herbes de Provence, and a pinch of black pepper into the cream cheese for a homemade Boursin-style cheese.

-Blend 1 small can of deviled ham and 1 tsp. Dijon mustard into the cream cheese.

-Blend 1/4 C. of chopped radishes and some black pepper into the cream cheese.

-Blend 1/4 C. of finely chopped honey-roasted almonds and a dash of hot pepper sauce into the cream cheese.

-Spread the top of the cream cheese with 1/2 C. of chutney. Sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds.

-Cover the cream cheese with 1/2 C. of whole-berry cranberry sauce.

-The classic-spread the top of the cream cheese with 1/2 C. of top-quality pepper jelly. Let it drip down the sides.

Mac & Cheese 15 Ways – Add Some Interest to your Dish

Mac & Cheese 15 Ways – Add Some Interest to your Dish

-Stir in 1 C. of chopped ham

-Add 1/2 C. frozen peas or chopped broccoli (and 1/2 C. chopped ham, too, if it’s in the fridge)

-Drain a small can of sliced mushrooms and fold them into the macaroni & cheese

-Add 1 C. chopped fresh, ripe tomatoes and 1 T. minced basil

-Stir in 1/2 C. of drained flaked tuna plus 1 tsp. of drained capers

-Fold in 1/2 C. of smoked salmon strips

-Add 1/2 C. cooked cauliflower florets and a dash of ground nutmeg

-Top each serving with a spoonful of fresh spinach that has been briefly sautéed.

-Add 1 C. of browned ground beef that you have lightly seasoned with salt and black pepper

-Sauté 2 sliced garlic cloves briefly in melted butter and fold these into the macaroni & cheese

-Stir in 1 C. of drained canned white beans, then season the macaroni & cheese with a little dried thyme

-Spoon the macaroni and cheese into a serving bowl and top it with strips of grilled sausage.

-Toss a C. of toasted bread crumbs in olive oil, run these under the broiler, then sprinkle them on top of the macaroni & cheese.

-Stir in 1/2 C. of sautéed shrimp and a dash of Cajun seasoning.

-Sauté some thin slices of red bell pepper briefly in olive oil, then stir them into the macaroni & cheese

Cooked Rice 15 Ways – Add some Interest to Your Dish

Cooked Rice 15 Ways – Add some Interest to Your Dish

-Stir a handful of finely chopped fresh parsley into the rice

-Add 1 T. of fresh lemon juice and 1 tsp. grated lemon zest

-Pour in 1/4 C. heavy cream, add 1/2 C. of grated Parmesan cheese, then stir the rice slowly over low heat for a time-pressed person’s risotto

-Sauté sliced fresh mushrooms in butter and toss them with the rice.

-Toss some melted butter, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and a spoonful or so of drained capers with the rice

-Add sautéed minced onion and cooked peas to the rice

-Stir in chicken stock to moisten the rice, then add currants and sliced toasted almonds. Reheat the rice before serving.

-Toss the rice with garlic slices you have browned in butter

-Mince a scallion and some fresh parsley. Reheat the rice with butter and salt, then fold in the minced scallion and parsley

-Toss the rice with drained canned corn kernels, the kind that come with diced red and green peppers, then reheat it

-Warm 2 tsp. of curry powder in 1 T. of butter in a small skillet for 1 minute, then transfer the rice to the skillet and reheat it.

-Reheat the rice, then fold in toasted sesame seeds, a dash each of soy sauce and Asian sesame oil, and minced scallion

-Add minced onion and chopped tomato that have been lightly sautéed in olive oil with a dash of saffron or turmeric

-Brown some mild Italian sausage, toss in some fennel seeds, and stir in the rice. Add enough stock to make the rice moist.

-Sauté a 1/4 C. each of chopped onion and bell pepper in 1 T. of olive oil, and stir in 1 C. of rice. Season the rice with salt and black pepper, then pour in 4 lightly beaten eggs. Stir and cook, adding 1/2 C. shredded Monterey Jack cheese at the last minute so it melts

Which Wine To Use

Which Wine To Use

wines

Fish fillets, shellfish, vegetables Light, crisp whites: dry riesling, muscadet and unoaked sauvignon blanc and chardonnay
Beef or lamb chunks, tuna or salmon steaks Soft, juicy reds such as merlot, syrah, beaujolais and cotes du rhone
Chicken light, crisp whites or soft, juicy reds
Apricots, plums, pears, tropical fruit Sweet whites, such as sweet riesling, white zinfandel, muscat and sauternes
Berries, figs Sweet reds, such as ruby port and port-style zinfandel
Blue Cheese Fortified Liqueur Tawny, Shiraz Cabernet, Shiraz;
Soft, creamy cheese Chardonnay, Cabernet Merlot, Merlot;
Goat’s & Sheep’s Cheese Merlot, Cabernet Merlot, Chardonnay, Shiraz;
Hard Cheese Shiraz Cabernet, cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Shiraz
Italian Cuisine: Cream Sauce Semillon Chardonnay, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir;
Italian Cuisine: Tomato Sauce Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Pinot Noir
Mexican Cuisine: Green Chile Sauce Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay-Riesling;
Mexican Cuisine: red Chile Sauce Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Blends
Asian Cuisine: Chinese & Thai Semillon Chardonnay, Shiraz Cabernet, Cabernet Blends;
Asian Cuisine: Sushi Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Indian Cuisine: Tandoori Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir
Indian Cuisine: Curries Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir

wine-and-food-pairing-chart

5-5-5 Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

5-5-5 Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

5-5-5 Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

I highly recommend using the steamer/strainer basket instead of the trivet; it simplifies things a little

6 to 12 eggs

Add 1 C. water to a pressure cooker. Place a steamer basket or trivet inside and arrange the eggs carefully on top, making sure none are leaning against the side of the cooker. Place the lid on the cooker and make sure the pressure knob is in the SEALING position. Using the display panel, select the STEAM function, high pressure, and use the +/- buttons until the display reads 5 minutes. While the eggs cook, fill a bowl with ice cubes and water. When the cooker beeps to let you know it’s finished, let it come down naturally from pressure until the display reads LO:5. Switch the pressure knob from the SEALING to the VENTING position. Use caution while the steam escapes—it’s hot. Remove the lid and immediately remove the eggs, placing them one at a time into an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Let sit for 5 minutes before peeling.

Spa Chef Secrets

Spa Chef Secrets

Postholiday diet resolutions number about the same as the adult population. Of course, what constitutes a healthy diet is a matter of debate. What isn’t debatable is that if the food doesn’t taste good, the diet won’t stick.

“For healthy food to be embraced, not just tolerated, it must have vibrant flavors and textures that are pleasing and familiar ― as well as maintain a low-fat nutritional profile,” says executive chef Jim Gallivan of Red Mountain Spa in Utah. We went to Gallivan and other talented spa chefs to find out what techniques they use to create terrific-tasting light dishes.

Couple in home kitchen using electronic tablet

In the first place, we found that while fat is still getting a lot of attention, it’s not always as the enemy. Health experts vary on how much they recommend; the generally advised limit is 20 to 30 percent of your day’s total calories.

Many of the chefs we talked to achieve that through balance ― some dishes over that range, some under. But most agree that fat is necessary, even good ― especially the omega-3 fatty acids present in salmon and other cold-water fish and the monounsaturated fats found in olive oil and avocados.

Questions of food science aside, most spa chefs share one philosophy: variety, balance, and moderation are the keys to eating well.

Their cooking is based on healthy, fiber-dense foods, such as whole grains, and antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits. To that they add moderate portions of heart-healthy proteins like those in fish, nuts, and legumes.

To make your resolutions a pleasure this year, we collected specific cooking tips and delicious dishes that incorporate them.

Grilled Portabellas with Couscous
Spinach Risotto with Roquefort
Mango and Jicama Salad with Habanero Vinaigrette
Grilled Salmon Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette
Vegetable Stock
Pepper Coulis
Charred-Tomato Vinaigrette
Egg and Vegetable Wrap
Halibut Steamed with Ginger, Orange, and Lime
Mixed Beans with Hoisin Vinaigrette
Chicken with Fig Sauce

Spinach Broth

 

Spice up Canned Soup

Spice up Canned Soup

1. Greens: A handful of leafy greens like frozen spinach, thinly sliced chopped kale or bagged arugula add color, nutrition and a fresh flavor.
2. Acid: A little acid from lemon juice, vinegar, crème fraîche or pickles brighten up even the dullest soup.
3. herbs or spices: Leafy herbs like parsley or cilantro, or spices like toasted cumin or smoked paprika add a ton of flavor with very little work.
4. Meat: Anything from leftover grilled chicken breast to crumbled bacon or sausage can bulk up soups.
5. : Add a sliced hardboiled egg, a soft poached egg, or drizzle a scrambled egg into simmering broth for an egg-drop-style soup.
6. Grains: Leftover cooked grains make for a nice textural contrast.
7. Cooked potato: Ladling hot soup over a baked potato, a roasted sweet potato or leftover mashed potatoes makes for a filling meal.
8. Caramelized onion or shallot: Stirred in or added as a garnish, crispy caramelized onions add a blast of flavor.
9. Grated cheese: Try adding a handful of finely grated Parmesan or a sprinkle of sharp cheddar.
10. Bread: Go simple with a few crunchy croutons or all the way with a cheesy, toasted-bread top.

15 Ways to Doctor Canned Chicken Noodle Soup

15 Ways to Doctor Canned Chicken Noodle Soup

1da19ef6719b57e323ddebcb3cef82ca4. Add a slice or two of peeled fresh ginger. Remove the ginger before serving.
2. Add a handful of tiny broccoli florets.
3. Toss in ¼ cup of mushrooms that have been lightly sautéed in butter.
4. Ladle the soup into bowls. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese to each bowl before serving.
5. Add 2 tablespoons of minced fresh parsley, snipped chives, or chervil just before serving.
6. Add a pinch of ground cumin and a chopped small tomato.
7. Mix in small can of corn niblets and a healthy grinding of black pepper.
8. Stir in a pinch of curry powder and a handful of finely diced apple.
9. Stir in ¼ cup of drained and rinsed canned white beans and a tablespoon of store-bought pesto.
10. Add a handful of young spinach leaves. Stir; the heat will cook the spinach. Dirzzle extra-virgin olive oil over the soup and serve.
11. Stir in a minced and seeded small jalapeno pepper and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
12. Heat the soup, then puree it in a food processor or blender and ladle it into bowls. Garnish each serving with a dollop of store-bought green salsa and some tortilla chips.
13. Stir a handful of watercress leaves into the hot soup. Ladle into bowls and drizzle a little heavy cream over each serving.
14. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and shower each serving with crumbled crisp bacon and chopped scallion.
15. Add a generous handful of frozen peas, another of fresh carrot slices and a couple of sprigs of fresh dill. Remove the dill sprigs before serving and top each bowl with a sprinkling of snipped dill.

Change up the flavor.  Add 1/4 cup coconut milk, 1 teaspoon of lime juice, and 1 teaspoon of fresh cilantro (per 1 can of soup) to make a Thai Chicken Noodle Soup.  Or add half of a diced jalapeño, 1/4 cup sliced bell pepper, 2 tablespoons shredded cheese, and a few crushed tortilla chips (per 1 can of soup) for Mexican Chicken Noodle Soup

Boost the flavor with additional herbs. Try adding oregano, basil, thyme, and ground pepper to boost up the basic flavor of canned chicken noodle soup. Add small amounts of herbs at a time and taste test until your preferred flavor is reached.

Soup Toppers

Soup Toppers

1Soup-Toppings_V_W. Chopped Nuts or Seeds
2. Crostini, croutons and other crunchy things. Go beyond the ordinary. Try an olive and goat cheese toast, a parmesan crisp, or crumbled cheese crackers. Crisp tortilla strips can work in more than just tortilla soup. Try cutting shapes from a flour tortilla and frying them in vegetable oil until crisp. Season your croutons in interesting ways – coconut curry for instance.
3. Minced Fresh Herbs – break away from parsley. Try fennel fronds, cilantro, rosemary or thyme. Minced scallion or chives add a light onion flavor.
4. Cheese — Try a crumbled queso fresco, a shake of parmesan, or the old standby, grated cheddar.
5. Vegetables – add freshly chopped vegetables to the top to echo a vegetable in the soup. Sautéed vegetables can be nice too, try mushroom and onion, or a colorful trio of bell pepper.
6. Heat – diced jalapenos, a spicy bottled salsa, crushed red pepper flakes, a shake or two of tabasco
7. Velvety Creams – Stir a flavoring into light sour cream or plain yogurt. Try citrus zest, horseradish, or lemon pepper. Apply to soup from a squeeze bottle for a pretty presentation. Place several dollops in the middle of the soup and pull a toothpick through the center to form a heart shape. For a ring of hearts, put your sour cream in a squirt bottle, squeeze small dots about 1/4″ in from the outer edge of the soup, drag a toothpick through all the dots to form a ring of hearts. For a spider web, with the sour cream in the squeeze bottle, starting in the middle of the soup, squeeze a circle of sour cream. Then another circle around that about 1/2″ toward the edge of the bowl. Make 4 or 5 circles, or however many you can fit. Drag a toothpick from the center toward the edge of the bowl. One inch away from that, drag the toothpick from the edge of the bowl to the center. Continue, alternating direction, until you have a spider web atop your soup.

quicktricks_butternutsquashsoup_m

Consider having a few crunchy options like croutons or toasted nuts (pumpkin seeds are always a favorite). I also love having sour cream, a little bowl of shredded cheese, chopped green onions and parsley, and some sort of pesto or salsa verde.

Cut puff pastry into squares. Brush with egg/water mixture and sprinkle herbs de provence over the tops. Lay pastry squares on the baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes.

Garlic Butter Croutons
Sauté minced garlic in butter over medium-low heat for one minute. Add bread cubes. Cook and stir until toasted, about 3 to 5 minutes. Variations: Add rosemary, thyme, or oregano.

Parmesan Crisps
Place tablespoon-size mounds of grated Parmesan cheese 2 inches apart on a lined baking sheet. Bake at 350° F for about 6 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool to firm up before removing. Variations: Add minced herbs to cheese before baking.

Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Stars
Use mini cookie cutters to cut shapes out of flour or corn tortillas. Toss with oil or butter and cinnamon sugar. Bake at 375° F for 10 minutes. Variations: Go savory with cumin or smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

Toasted Sweet Potato Strips
Use a vegetable peeler to make thin strips. Toss with oil or butter, and season with salt and pepper. Bake at 375° F for 10 minutes, or until lightly crunchy. Variations: Season with cayenne, curry powder, or cinnamon sugar. 

More Quick Ideas for Great Garnishes

  • Matchstick apple slices tossed with lemon juice
  • Sage leaves fried in brown butter
  • Slivered garlic fried in oil until lightly brown and crisp
  • Sliced and fried shallots
  • Baked kale, beet, or carrot chips
  • Minced herbs (whichever kind you used in cooking the soup)
  • For curried soups and Mexican-influenced soups, stir lime juice into sour cream or yogurt with a pinch of sugar; spoon onto soup just before serving.
  • A little grated ginger, finely chopped orange zest, or a dash of curry powder are also good in a cream topping for curried soups.
  • A dollop of cream will help tone down the fire in spicy soups.
  • A spoonful of salsa, or a few chopped tomatoes, bell peppers, scallions, or cucumbers add a cool, fresh taste to your soup.
  • A dusting of finely grated hard cheese such as Parmesan, Romano, or Emmenthaler, adds lots of flavor but not much fat.

 

Ways to Doctor Boxed Macaroni and Cheese

Ways to Doctor Boxed Macaroni and Cheese

1. Stir in one half cup diced smoked salmon.
2. Add 1/2 cup steamed cauliflower florets and a dash of nutmeg.
3. Stir in one half cup spinach that has been well drained.
4. Stir in one cup cooked ground beef that you have seasoned with salt and pepper and drained well.
5. Sauté a tablespoon of minced garlic in butter and then stir it into the mac and cheese.
6. Stir in one cup drained white kidney beans and a teaspoon of dried thyme and mix well.
7. Cut the skin from Italian sausage and chop it up into small pieces. Cook it done and drain well and add a cup of the chopped cooked sausage to your mac and cheese.
8. Toss a cup of toasted bread crumbs in olive oil and then sprinkle them with Parmesan Cheese. Toast them under a broiler and then stir a cup full into your mac and cheese.
9. Stir in one cup of diced cooked ham.
10. Stir in one cup of small baby shrimp and a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning.
11. Sauté some thin strips of red and green bell peppers in a pan with some olive oil and some fresh minced garlic and stir it into the mac and cheese.
12. Stir in a can of tomatoes with green chilies into your mac and cheese and stir well.
13. Really jazz it up by stirring in a half cup of cooked peas, a half cup of broccoli florets and a 1/2 cup of cooked chopped ham.
14. Sauté a large container of fresh chopped button mushrooms in butter and stir them into your mac and cheese.
15. Stir a half cup of cooked crumbled crisp bacon and a half cup of fresh diced tomatoes into your mac and cheese.
16. Take a half cup of drained canned tuna and a teaspoon of fine diced capers and stir them into a cooked and prepared box of mac and cheese. Pour this into a casserole dish and spread the top of the dish with sour cream and then top the dish with bread crumbs sautéed in butter, Parmesan cheese, and minced garlic
17. Make a jazzed up taco chicken casserole by cooking boned skinless chicken thighs sprinkled with dry taco seasoning until your chicken is done and then chop your chicken up fine. Stir the chopped cooked chicken up into a prepared box of mac and cheese and then stir in a half cup of sour cream and a half cup of fine shredded Mexican Cheese and pour everything out into a casserole dish. Sprinkle the top with more shredded Mexican cheese and put in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 10 – 12 minutes until you can see that all the cheese is well melted.

Ways to Doctor Deli Hors D’Oeuvres

Ways to Doctor Deli Hors D’Oeuvres

1. Wrap Prosciutto slices around pear slices, fresh fig halves or chunks of melon
2. Sprinkle olives with chopped fresh thyme or rosemary and a teaspoon of grated orange zest.
3. Arrange salad bar veggies on a pretty plate and serve with a fresh dip from the deli; use hollowed out bell peppers as your dip bowl.
4. Spread deli meat with a thin layer of cream cheese then roll around lightly steamed asparagus spears. Secure with toothpicks.
5. Top toasted French bread rounds with chopped deli olives, sun-dried tomatoes, pesto and an herbed cheese spread.
6. Choose a tuna or chicken salad from the deli and spread onto slices of white bread. Cut into triangles or strips.
7. Combine bottled Italian dressing with salad bar mushrooms for a quick marinated mushroom. Serve with toothpicks and French bread rounds.
8. Arrange smoked salmon slices on a pretty platter with piles of capers and minced red onion. Accompany the salmon with lemon wedges and small slices of dark crusty bread.
9. Set up a mustard bar with different mustards, small knives, slices of salami, sour pickles and bread rounds.
10. Surround a hunk of good blue cheese with red and green grapes and mounds of toasted pecans or walnuts.
11. Purchase hummus from the deli and spoon into pretty serving bowl. Drizzle with EVOO and top with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley. Serve with warm pita triangles and olives.
12. Warm purchase buffalo wings at the deli and serve with celery sticks. Perk up a bottled blue cheese dressing by adding crumbled blue cheese.
13. Spear marinated mushrooms and cherry tomato halves on toothpicks to make mini kabobs.
14. Top a baked, store bought pizza crust with olives, marinated mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes. Drizzle with EVOO, warm in the oven and cut into small slices to serve.

Ways to Doctor Cream Cheese

Ways to Doctor Cream Cheese

cream-cheese

1. Blend ¼ C. of chopped, oil packed sun dried tomatoes into 8 ounces cream cheese; process well and then transfer to serving dish. Sprinkle with chopped fresh basil.

2. Add one half cup of high quality pepper jelly to eight ounces of cream cheese in the food processor and mix everything up together well. ‘

3. Blend a small jar of dried beef, 8 oz. cream cheese and 1 T. horseradish in a food processor.

4. Blend ¼ C. chopped radishes and pepper to taste to 8 ounces cream cheese; process well and then transfer to serving dish.

5. Mix one fourth cup of store bought pesto sauce into eight ounces of cream cheese; process well and then transfer to serving dish. Top with some toasted pine nuts.

6. Process one fourth cup of pitted kalamata olives into eight ounces of cream cheese and garnish this spread with a few fresh thyme leaves.

7. Mix a small jar of marinated artichokes into eight ounces of cream cheese; process well and then transfer to serving dish.

8. Drain a can of tiny baby shrimp and add them to eight ounces of cream cheese. Season with a pinch of mace or nutmeg; process well and then transfer to serving dish. Sprinkle on finely diced red onion; serve with bagel chips

9. Blend a can of drained green chiles, ½ C. shredded cheddar cheese and a pinch of cumin into 8 ounces cream cheese; process well and then transfer to serving dish.

10. Mix four ounces of smoked fish and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice into eight ounces of cream cheese; process well and then transfer to serving dish. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.

11. Mix an eight ounce can of crab meat into eight ounces of cream cheese along with salt and pepper to taste and a teaspoon of fresh squeezed lemon juice to the food processor; blend well and then transfer to serving dish.

12. Mix one small can of deviled ham and one teaspoon of Dijon mustard into eight ounces of cream cheese; process well and then transfer to serving dish.

13. Mix one half cup of crumbled blue cheese into cream cheese; process well and then transfer to serving dish. Top with a spoonful of pear preserves and toasted almond slices.

14. Crush a clove of garlic with a garlic press and add to cream cheese in a food processor, along with a teaspoon of herbs de Provence and a pinch of black pepper; process well and then transfer to serving dish.

15. Spread ½ C. Chutney over room temperature cream cheese. Sprinkle with toasted slivered almonds before serving.

16. Spread ½ C. whole berry cranberry sauce over room temperature cream cheese. Sprinkle with chopped toasted walnuts.

Ways to Eat Raw Garlic for Health

Ways to Eat Raw Garlic for Health

garlic-with-parsley-leaves

Homemade Salsa: In winter I take home canned tomatoes and add tons of raw garlic and onions – a winter pantry staple. Drizzled with some olive oil, I serve this with anything – Mexican food or otherwise – and it’s a big hit at our dinner table.

Ranch (or other) Salad Dressing: I almost always add minced raw garlic to salad dressings. Our favorite is a homemade ranch made with kefir, garlic, lemon juice, and parsley. Garlic is also great in a homemade vinaigrette.

On Buttered Toast: Garlic, butter, and toast are best friends. You can toast up a slice of bread, butter it generously, and sprinkle raw minced garlic on top as a super garlic toast.

Guacamole: The fat in avocados seems to cry out for a sharp contrast in the form of spicy peppers or pungent garlic. So be generous and throw a few cloves into your guacamole.

Stirred Into Cooled Pasta Sauce: We love the flavor of garlic as well as the health properties. So if I made a tomato sauce to go with some homemade noodles I add a handful of cloves to the sauce as it cooks. Then, once it is dished up and has had a chance to cool for a minute, I add some more minced garlic to our plates and stir it in for extra flavor and nutrition.

Mashed Potatoes: Again, garlic + butter + potatoes is just delicious. Make up your potatoes with butter and milk and plop them on your plates. Once cooled for a few minutes you can add some minced garlic to spice them up.

Garlic-Honey-Lemon Tea: For the uninitiated this sounds crazy and gross. But having grown up on honey and lemon tea for any sore throat, I can tell you the addition of the garlic in this recipe is strangely delicious and really good for you as well.

Blended Into a Hot Sauce: Just throw some peppers, seeded for a more mild sauce, garlic, olive oil, and salt into a blender with a bit of vinegar. Once blended it will be awesome with beans, tacos, quesadillas, chips, enchiladas, or pretty much anything else you’re eating.

About Peppers

About Peppers

Cubanelle  cubanelle The Cubanelle is considered a sweet pepper, although its heat can range from mild to moderate. Cubanelles are usually picked before they ripen, while they are a yellowish-green color, but when ripe, they turn bright red. 0 – 1,000 Scovilles
Banana Pepper, Banana Chile, Sweet Banana Pepper, Pimento  Banana A banana-shaped pepper that changes from pale to deep yellow or orange as they mature. These are easily confused with hotter yellow wax peppers. Sample before using. Sweet Banana peppers may be fried or sautéed, used raw on relish platters, in salads, sandwiches or stuffed. 100-500 scoville

 

Sweet banana peppers are sweet, long, tapered, yellow and banana-shaped, hence the name.

 

Almost no heat.
Anaheim Chile; California Green Chile; Long Green Pepper; Chile Verde; (When Mature And Red – Chile Colorado; California Red Chile)

 

  anaheim Available year-round in most supermarkets, they’re best in the summer. They are perfect for chiles rellenos, dice or purée them for sauces, soups, and casseroles. 500-2,500 scoville

 

The chile ranges from mild and sweet to moderate hot, they can vary greatly from pepper to pepper.
Poblano Pepper (Fresh), Ancho Chile(Dried Version)  pblano The poblano is a large mild, heart-shaped pepper that has thick walls, which make them great for stuffing. Because it is a rather mild pepper, it can be used in quantity to add a deep rich flavor to any chili creation. They’re best in the summer. 1000-2000 scoville

 

Ancho is the dried version, and it has a brownish-red to chocolate color with a rich chili flavor.

 

Between a bell pepper and a jalapeno in heat.
Jalapeno  jalapeno Green jalapenos are best in the late summer, while red jalapenos appear in the fall. Canned jalapenos aren’t as fiery as fresh. 3500 – 6000 scoville

 

These popular chiles have a good amount of heat and rich flavor.
Serrano Pepper  serrano Small, rich, waxy green peppers that change to orange and red as they mature. They are about 1 ½” long. 8,000-20,000 scoville

 

The smaller they are, the more kick they have. Much hotter than a jalapeno.
Thai Chile = Bird Pepper = Thai Bird Chile = Pick Chi A = Thai Jalapeno  thai Thai chiles range in color from red to green when fully mature. They are often used in Asian curries. Thai peppers should be used sparingly. 50,000-100,000 scoville

 

For such a small chile, it packs an incredibly fiery punch. Not as hot as a habenero, but much hotter than a Serrano.
Habanero Pepper  habanero Underneath the heat is a delicate plum-tomato apple-like flavor. 200,000 – 350,000 scoville

 

For the uninitiated even a tiny piece of Habanero would cause intense and prolonged oral suffering.
BBQ Chicken Coating (Shake & Bake)

BBQ Chicken Coating (Shake & Bake)

1 cup fine dry crumbs
1 cup unbleached flour
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 Tablespoon smoky paprika
1 Tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1-1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 1/2 Tablespoons tomato powder (1/3 cup of dried tomatoes ground in blender) (optional)
2 Tablespoons canola oil

Mix all ingredients until well blended. Store in freezer; remove what is needed for your meal and return remainder to freezer. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place coating mix in a shallow cake pan. Rinse chicken or pork; pat dry. Dip chicken or pork into egg beaten with splash of Worcestershire OR 1 part ketchup, 1 part honey and a splash of red wine, then dredge in homemade coating. Place on sprayed baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes for boneless chicken or pork or 50 to 60 minutes for bone-in chicken pieces.

No More Shake and Bake

No More Shake and Bake

2 C. Fine Bread Crumbs
¼ C. Flour
3 T. Paprika
1 T. Salt
2 tsp. Sugar
2 tsp. Onion Powder
2 tsp. dried Oregano
1/2 tsp. Garlic
1 tsp. Cayenne Pepper

Combine ingredients and mix well. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
4 cups dry bread crumbs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon celery salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon minced onion
1 pinch dried basil leaves
1 pinch dried parsley
1 pinch dried oregano

Combine in large Ziploc bag. Shake well, then add chicken pieces one at a time and shake again to coat before baking.
9 cups cornflakes (4 cups crushed)
2 beef bouillon cubes, crumbled
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon parsley
2 teaspoons sage
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt

Pulse all together in a food processor until cornflakes become crumbs. Or, mix seasoning with previously crushed cornflakes. To use: Place 1/2 cup mix in a bag or bowl and coat chicken pieces. Use as you would regular shake n bake.

Ornaments from the Kitchen

Ornaments from the Kitchen

Gingerbread Ornaments

 

3/4 cup of cinnamon

1 tablespoon of allspice

2 tablespoons of cloves

1 tablespoon of nutmeg

1 cup of applesauce

 

Combine first 4 ingredients and blend well. Stir in applesauce and mix well. Roll out ¼ inch thick on ungreased cookie sheet. Cut with cookie cutters of different shapes. Put a tiny hole in top with toothpick. Let dry 4 days. Put string through hole and hang on Christmas tree.

 

 

Cinnamon Ornaments

 

1 cup of cinnamon

1 cup of applesauce

 

Mix equal parts of cinnamon and applesauce. A dash of cloves, nutmeg and/or ginger may be added. Roll out on a cinnamon-dusted board, rolling 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick. Cut out with small cookie cutters. Using a pencil, make a small hole for a string near the top. Let dry thoroughly. Dough may be placed in plastic bag for later use.

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

Gillian McKeith’s One Day Detox

Gillian McKeith’s One Day Detox

Gillian Mckeith is a nutrition and health writer and a tv presenter. This one-day detox program was given by her in her best-selling book “You Are What You Eat”, but you can follow it for more days if you like. It is quite easy to follow compared to other detox diets and it develops healthy habits that are good to adopt in your everyday lifestyle.
As Gillian states, our body has natural functions that remove the toxins like when urinating, sweating, or defecating.  But in modern society, with all the chemicals that exist: radiation, pollution etc., our bodies get overloaded with toxins and a detox program really helps (even if it is a one or two-day program). You can always choose to do it for just a day and repeat it on a regular basis, like once a week or once a month or just twice a year, depending on your needs.

According to this cleansing program, the best detox foods are:
•    Fruit or vegetable juices
•    Water
•    Raw vegetable and green leafs
•    Fruit
•    Sprouts
•    Whole grains, pulses and seeds

For this detox you will need:
•    A juicer and a blender
•    A body brush
•    Mild exercise (stretching, walking, dancing, swimming, yoga, pilates etc)

When on this detox you MUST NOT consume:
•    Coffee
•    Seafood
•    Sugar
•    Dairy
•    Tea
•    Salt & Pepper
•    Cooking oil
•    Cigarettes
•    Eggs
•    Soft drinks
•    Alcohol
•    Fried foods
•    Meat (red and white)
•    Fish
•    Medication (unless you have a special condition in which case you would need the advice of a specialist)

While on this detox you should also take:
•    2 teaspoons of one green superfood (Spirulina or Chlorella or Barley Grass or Wild Blue-Green Algae or Wheat Grass). You must choose one.
•    Digestive enzymes
•    1 tablespoon or flaxseed oil or flaxseeds
•    Silybum or Milk Thistle  (2 capsules a day and you should keep on taking them for about two weeks, no matter for how many days you follow the detox program.)
All of the above can be found in organic health stores or pharmacies.

The Detox Program

You may adjust the times according to your schedule, but it is recommended to start your day early in the morning and go to bed early at night.

7:00 – First thing when you wake up you should drink warm water with fresh lemon juice.

7:30 – One tablespoon of flaxseed oil or flaxseeds that you will have soaked in boiling water from the night before. In the morning you strain it and drink the water.

8:00 – For breakfast you may choose one of the choices listed below:
•    Fruit. As much as you like. Try to avoid oranges since they are too acidic. If you choose grapes, don’t mix them with any other fruit.
•    Miso soup
•    Vegetable juice made with 1 cucumber, ¼ ginger root, 4 celery stalks, 100 gr alfalfa sprouts,  3 stalks of parsley and 1 carrot.

9:30 – One or two cups of herbal tea (Nettle, Dandelion, Chamomile, Sage, or Echinacea)

10:00 – Fruit juice. Any fruit combination you like. If it’s cold or you are dealing with circulation problems or have a weak spleen, it is better to replace the juice with a warm fruit-cream (6 apples and 2 pears peeled, cut in smaller pieces, lightly steamed and creamed in the food processor).

12:30 – Lunch. You may choose one of the choices listed below:
•    Raw mixed salad with sprouts
•    Raw soup with cucumber and mint (recipe given below)
•    Raw sauerkraut
•    Cereal grains (quinoa, millet, rice etc). Once you boil them, you mix them with any of the following aromatic herbs: dill, chives, chervil or dandelion (taraxacum). You serve it with broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, cucumber, lettuce, celery or Brussels sprouts.

14:00 – Herbal tea

14:30 – Gillian’s detox smoothie. Choose one combination from the list that follows:
•    6 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1 apple
•    ½ beetroot, 2 carrots, 1 celery stalk, ½ cucumber
•    2 cucumbers, ½ beetroot, 1 stalk of dill
•    2 cucumbers, 4 celery stalks, ¼ ginger root, 1 stalk of coriander or basil
•    1 hand-full of parsley, 1 kale, 5 carrots and a small piece of ginger
•    2 celery stalks, 1 hand-full of parsley, 1 garlic clove, 5 carrots and 100gr alfalfa sprouts (optional)

15:00 – Herbal tea

15:30 – Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or raw sauerkraut

16:00 – Gillian’s vegetable juice (with 6 whole carrots, 1 ripe avocado, 10 basil leafs, 1 apple, juice from half a lemon)

17:30 – Supper. A large raw salad with a hand-full of sprouts. You can add a small portion of cereal grains if you feel hungry.

18:30 – Broth rich in potassium (recipe follows).

19:30 – 1 cup of warm water with lemon juice

20:15 – Dry body-brushing. Begin from the feet and start going up. You try to make big, soft movements with the brush, always towards the heart.

20:30 – Bath time! Fill up your bathtub with warm water and add:
•    2 teaspoons of flaxseed oil
•    3-4 drops of olibanum and myrrh essential oils

If you get hungry again, you may eat some lettuce or celery. Try to go to sleep early (it would be great if you could do that around 21:30, 22:30 the latest!).

Recipes:

Raw cucumber soup with mint 
Juice of 3 cucumbers and 2 celery stalks
1 chopped cucumber
¼ cup chopped mint
¼ cup chopped parsley
¼ cup chopped leek

Put all your ingredients in a blender or food processor, until smooth.

Broth rich in potassium
2 carrots
2 large potatoes
1 cup beetroot (optional)
4 celery stalks (with leafs)
1 cup parsley
1 cup turnips
Cayenne pepper
If your vegetable is organic you may wash it well and keep their skin. Fill a big pot with 1,8 lt water. Cut your vegetable straight in the pot and let it boil. Once they start boiling, bring the heat down to low and let it slowly cook for a couple of hours. Strain it and drink the broth.

 

Other Gillian McKeith Recipes

Replace Cream of X Soup

Replace Cream of X Soup

I despise Cream of X soups.  They taste terrible, and are full of crud I don’t want to eat. Yet practically every casserole calls for it.  Make your own thick béchamel to replace them.

 

2 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth

1/2 cup low-fat or fat free milk

salt and pepper to taste

 

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in flour; keep stirring until smooth and bubbly. Remove from heat and add the chicken broth and milk, a little at a time, stirring to keep smooth. Return to heat. Bring sauce to a gentle boil; cook, stirring constantly, until it thickens. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed to taste. Use in casseroles in place of condensed cream soups.

 

This cream soup base can be varied by using vegetable broth, sauteéd chopped celery, celery seed, or sauteéd chopped mushrooms. Add herbs and or seasonings, as desired.

Souped Up Party

Souped Up Party

Soup spells comfort ― in my dictionary, anyway ― and that’s exactly what many people yearn for after the overindulgent holiday season. A mug or bowl of steaming broth can soothe frayed nerves and recharge party conversation to get the new year off to a happy start. Best of all, a selection of soups is a simple way to entertain casually. Our flavorful soups range from thin to thick, and all make enough to feed a crowd ― they can even be made in advance. Make one soup for 8 to 12 guests, or serve all four for a big group.

Fruit and Cheese Platter
Sausage & Tortellini Soup
Cilantro Lime Chicken Soup
Steak and Mushroom Soup
Leek & Fennel Chowder with Smoked Salmon
Creamy Garlic Spinach Soup with Garlic Croutons
Soup Toppers
Herbed Foccacia sticks, crusty breads, Cheese Twists, breadsticks, Mini Muffins and/or rolls
Butter and/or EVOO
Petite Desert Options – Small Wedges of Brownies or Cheesecake, A good Chocolate Bar, Fruit

20 Uses for Kool-Aid

20 Uses for Kool-Aid

 

1. Make Easy Flavored Kool-Aid Frosting

Stir a package of Kool-Aid into a can of vanilla frosting.

 

2. Frosting for a Jello Cake

Fold in a pack of Kool-Aid into a container of thawed whipped topping. If the frosting tastes a little too sour, add in a little sweetener to taste.

 

3. Make Kool-Aid Lip Gloss

To make a fruity lip gloss put a small amount of petroleum jelly into a microwave-safe bowl. Stir some Kool-Aid in, enough to make it the color you desire. Add a little sugar, then, place the bowl in a microwave oven for about five or six seconds, just enough to soften it.

 

4. Make Sand Art With Kool-Aid

Draw pictures on paper, spread a thin layer of Elmer’s glue over one part of the picture. It’s better to start at the top of the picture and work down. Sprinkle Kool-Aid over the glue and press it down gently. Shake off the excess powder off, and go on to the next color.

 

5. Temporarily Dye Your Hair With Kool-Aid

In a glass bowl mix a packet of Kool-Aid with a teaspoon of corn starch and just enough water to make a paste. Apply the paste to clean, dry hair and let set for five minutes, rinse the paste out.

 

6. Make Spooky Party Decorations

Just place some dry ice- don’t touch it with your hands!- into a glass, and pour a packet of any flavor Kool-Aid into it. Kids will watch with fascination as the dry ice and Kool-Aid bubbles and mists.

 

7. Make Kool-Aid Clay for the Kids

Mix together 1 cup of flour, a 1/4 cup of salt, 2 tablespoons cream of tartar and a pack of Kool-Aid in a pan. Stir in 1 cup of water and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Heat over medium heat stirring until the mixture thickens, remove from heat and let it cool. Knead the Kool-Aid clay until smooth. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator until use.

 

8. Remove Chlorine From Your Hair

Use Lemonade flavored Kool-Aid. Pour a little Kool-Aid in your hand, then add shampoo and lather up. Let the Kool-Aid/shampoo set on your hair for fifteen minutes before you rinse it and then shampoo out well. (and we drink this??)

 

9. Kool-Aid Water Colors

Pour Kool-Aid into ice cube tray, one compartment per color. Stir 1 tablespoon of water into each compartment; stir until the powders are completely dissolved.

 

10. Tie Dye with Kool-Aid

You can dye any cotton item such as tee shirts, socks, bed sheets, towels, as long as it is cotton. The article you want to tie dye must be clean and dry. Pour each color package of Kool-Aid into an individual glass bowl. Stir an ¼ cup of white vinegar into each bowl; make sure the powders dissolve completely. Gather the fabric up in several places and secure with several rubber bands. Dip each bunch into a bowl of Kool-Aid. Leave the rubber bands in place and set aside to dry. Once dry, remove the rubber bands and spread it out so it can completely dry. Put it in the clothes dryer by itself and dry on high for 15 minutes to set the colors in.

 

11. Use Kool-Aid to Check for Toilet Tank Leaks (this is funny to me)

Lift the lid off the toilet tank and pour Kool-Aid into the tank. The darker colors work the best. Don’t flush the toilet! Just watch the toilet bowl, if you see the Kool-Aid float through from the tank, then you have a leak. The test can take fro 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the leak.

 

12. Removing Rust Stains

Remove rust stains on your driveway by mixing unsweetened lemon Kool-Aid with just a little water and scrub. (see #8)

 

13. Cleaning the Inside of your Dishwasher

Dump a packet of unsweetened lemon Kool-Aid into the soap dispenser, run the wash cycle. Removes stains and hard water deposits.

 

14. Dyes for Easter Eggs

Mix a packet of Kool-Aid in a cup with 2 tablespoons of vinegar and ½ cup of water

 

15. Kool-Aid Stands

Send the kids out to sell and play–they can sugar up other people’s kids.:)

 

16. Decorating Cookies

Use in place of colored sugars, just sprinkle a little across the top

 

17. Science Project with Plants

Place a stalk of celery in water with Kool-Aid in it to demonstrate how the Kool-Aid is drawn up into the stalk with the water.

 

18. Coloring Flowers

Place carnations, daisies or any white flower in water with Kool-Aid in it and watch the flowers turn colors.

 

19. Demonstrate a Non-Newtonian Substance

Mix equal parts cornstarch and water that has been colored with a pack of Kool-aid. Mix with fingers and observe that this substance fluctuates between solid and liquid.

 

20. Shower Prank (look out, Gourmet Dad!)

This is a simple prank. All you have to do remove the shower head from your shower and pour in the kool-aid packet into the shower head. NOTE: Make sure you are not the next one to take a shower.:)

 

As a side note:

A dab of toothpaste on a damp paper towel cleans up stubborn Kool-Aid stains off both skin and countertops.

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

5 Fool-Proof Super Bowl Parties

5 Fool-Proof Super Bowl Parties

Score big points at the Super Bowl celebration with any one of these five winning ideas.


Even if you’re not Tom Brady or Eli Manning, you can score big points with any one of these five winning party ideas. You’ll probably get penalized for excess celebration, but, hey, it’s the Super Bowl.

Party #1: Build a Bar

A food bar, that is. Instead of worrying about whether your friends are now vegetarian, lactose intolerant, doing low-carb or gluten-free, let everyone create their own individual dish by adding the topping of their choice.

• Taco Bar: Prepare a couple of hot fillings such as ground beef and chicken, and set out a basket of taco shells along with a variety of toppings.

• Hot Dog Bar: Grill the franks or brats, set out the buns, and let your guests top their dogs with sauerkraut, cheese, or chili. Make it interesting with a variety of gourmet mustards.

• Potato Bar: Bake a batch of potatoes and wrap them in foil to keep them warm. Or, bake ahead of time and reheat in the microwave. Set out bowls of various toppings and let everyone make their own loaded potato. Topping suggestions include chili, barbecue chicken or pork, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, sautéed bell pepper and onions, chopped jalapeno pepper, salsa, chutney, bacon pieces, butter, and sour cream. For more ideas on building food bars, see these related articles from Southern Living:

Southwestern Taco Bar
Hot Dog Bar

Party #2: Beer and Food Pairing

A beer and recipe-pairing party is perfect for a mixed crowd of those who want to watch the game and those who only want to watch the commercials. Those who don’t care about the game can entertain themselves by experimenting with specific pairings. The football fanatics can just enjoy the beer and great eats. When pairing beer with food, match like with like–mild lagers and lighter ales with delicate and subtle foods, and full-flavored ales with robust recipes. Mexican, Thai, Indian and German dishes are all good partners for beer. Usually the best beer to enjoy with a dish is the one from the country where the recipe originated. Read more from Cooking Light about serving beer and pairing it with recipes:

Brewing a Perfect Match
In Season: Beer

Party #3: Regional Play-Off

Who cares which team has the better players? Let’s focus on which region has the better food. Set up a “Best of New England” and “Best of the Big Apple” tasting menu. Pit one cuisine against the other, and see who comes out on top.

On one table, feature items such as Clam Dip, Cape Cod Clam Chowder, Boston Baked Beans , Boston Cream Pie, and Cranberry-Apple Crisp with Cinnamon-Maple Cream.

On a second table, serve an array of New York City favorites. We suggest classics like New York Cheesecake, Turkey Reuben Sandwiches, Soft Pretzels, Tony’s Hand-Tossed Pizza, and Smoked Salmon Bagels. Or, party larger than life and dish up Giant Ham-and-Pepper Salad Sandwiches, Giant Oatmeal Drop Cookies, and Giant Apple Napoleon.

Party #4: Progressive Dinner

Instead of moving to a different location for each course, stay in one place, but serve a different course during each quarter of the game. It’s a great way to organize a menu as well as the prep work. For example, serve cocktails and a few munchies such as Make-Ahead Snack Mix and Chesapeake Bay Party Nuts during the first quarter and a salad in the second quarter, preferable a salad that you can make the day before. A basic coleslaw is easy and great for a crowd. Start an entrée such as Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches early in the day and you won’t have to miss any of the game or the commericials. The meat will be ready just in time for the third quarter, and by the fourth quarter, everyone will be ready for dessert. We recommend Death by Caramel Bars for ardent football fans. If the game goes into Sudden Death, you’re on your own. Coffee, perhaps?

Party #5: Souper Bowls

Instead of going the usual chips and dips route, have a real hearty meal by making a couple of big pots of chili or soup. We suggest offering at least two choices–perhaps one with meat and one without. Try All-American Chili, Full of Veggies Chili, or Tortilla Soup, all of which can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen. Set out bowls of topping and accompaniments such as oyster crackers, saltine crackers, tortilla chips, shredded cheese, chopped onion, sour cream, and yogurt. Serve the soup or chili in large coffee mugs if you don’t have enough bowls.

 

Party Penalties

 

Don’t get penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct when you’re hosting a Super Bowl Party. Here are some tips that keep you from getting benched.

 

• Buy more beer than you think you’ll need and keep it cold.

 

• Stock up on extra chips and in case the game goes into overtime.

 

• Let your friends contribute to the spread. There’s no point in you doing all the work.

 

• Keep cold foods cold and hot food hot so that no ones goes home with a food bug.

 

• Serve buffet-style and let guests use lap trays so that everyone can be in front of the television screen. That is, after all, the point of the party.

 

• Have another room available for those who don’t care about the score and just want to talk and eat. This will bring cheers from those who do want to pay attention to the game.

 

• Rethink the idea of fondue if you’ve got a rowdy crowd. Sharp fondue forks and flames don’t pair well with beer drinking.

 

• Turn your party into an over-nighter if some of your guests over-imbibe when their team wins or loses. They’ll thank you for it later.

Homemade Hamburger Helper Mix (with Variations)

Homemade Hamburger Helper Mix (with Variations)

 

Homemade Hamburger Helper Mix

 

1 1/4 tsp. black pepper

1 T. garlic powder

2 T. dried parsley

1/3 cup instant onion

3 T. onion powder

1 T. salt

1 2/3 cup dry milk

3 1/2 T. beef bouillon

Mix this all up and store in a glass jar or other sealed container.

 

Use 1/2 cup for each pound of ground meat.

 

Basic recipe:

 

1 pound ground beef

1/2 cup of mix (above)

1 to 2 cups noodles (elbow macaroni for example)

1 1/2 to 3 cups water

flavorings

 

Brown and drain the ground beef. Stir in the dry mix, then add 2 cups hot water and 2 cups noodles. You can add more or less water and noodles, proportionately, depending on much you need to stretch that pound of beef. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer, cover, and cook until noodles are tender, about 20 minutes.

 

Cheeseburger skillet: add 1 cup dehydrated cheese with the dry mix. Or cook as above, then stir in 2 cups grated Cheddar or Colby cheese before serving.

 

Stroganoff: add a bit of 1/2 tsp of onion powder and 1/2 tsp celery salt with the dry mix. Stir in a 1/2 cup fresh or canned mushrooms. After cooking noodles, stir in 1/4 cup sour cream just before serving.

 

Chili: Add one 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, 1 T. chili powder.

 

Potato variation: Instead of macaroni, add 2-3 cups very thinly sliced potatoes. Simmer 20-30 minutes until potatoes are tender. Uncover and simmer until liquid has evaporated.

Picnic Kit for Home or Car

Picnic Kit for Home or Car

First, choose a container that suits the personality of the person who will be using the kit. It might be a traditional basket, a large canvass bag, or even a small backpack.

 

Next, use the list below as a guideline for what to keep in your kit. Maybe you won’t need all of the items, but these are good essentials to have on hand so you’ll always be prepared for spur of the moment picnics.

Utensils — forks, knives, spoons, plates — Coleman (the camping folks) make a very nice, portable service for 4, or use some from home or even paper plates and plastic cutlery.

Non-perishable foods — dried fruit, peanut butter, crackers, nuts, etc.

Beverages – bottled water, juice boxes, etc.

A corkscrew (if serving wine) and can opener, or better yet, multi-tooled Swiss Army knife.

Salt and pepper, either small shakers or disposable packets.

Small packets of condiments such as mustard, ketchup and mayonnaise.

Napkins and Paper Towels.

Matches and possibly a candle. (Use caution and make sure candles for picnics are enclosed so they can’t blow over and start a fire, and never use in a high fire danger area.)

A large trash bag to clean up the mess later.

A small plastic bag containing sunscreen, lip balm, insect replellent, band-aids, wet naps and a bandana.

A blanket or sheet to spread the whole thing out on, should you need or want to sit on the ground

If you bring your dog along, don’t forget a bowl, water, and food for the pooch.

Options: You might also want to pack some fun extras, depending on the amount of room in your container:

Single use camera

Inflatable beach ball

Frisbee

Small bottle of bubble mix

Deck of cards, crossword puzzle book, etc.

DIY Flavored Extracts

DIY Flavored Extracts

DIY Flavored Extracts

Vanilla Extract (single 4oz bottle)

  • 3 whole vanilla beans
  • Vodka (You can also use bourbon)

Mint Extract (4oz)

  • ½ C. mint leaves
  • Vodka

Orange Extract (4oz)

  • 1 large navel orange
  • Vodka

Lemon Extract (4oz)

  • 1 large lemon
  • Vodka

To make Vanilla Extract:

  1. Cut your vanilla beans in half, then split open each half to expose the vanilla seeds on the inside of the pod.
  2. Place cut vanilla beans inside your glass bottle.
  3. Add vodka, filling up to the neck of the bottle.
  4. Seal tightly and store bottle in a cool, dry place.
  5. Every few days, tilt your bottle upside down to gently mix the liquid inside.
  6. After 5-6 weeks, you have extract! (If you leave in your vanilla beans, when you start running low, just add more vodka and wait a little.)

To make Mint Extract:

  1. Stuff mint leaves into your glass bottle.
  2. Using a chopstick, skewer, or other poking device, lightly bruise/crush the leaves inside the bottle.
  3. Add vodka, filling up to the neck of the bottle.
  4. Every few days, tilt your bottle upside down to gently mix the liquid inside.
  5. After 5-6 weeks, you have extract! (I’m not sure if, like vanilla extract, you can just leave the mint leaves inside. Since it’s leafy plant matter which disintegrates more easily, it may be a good idea to take it out. My leaves went from a vibrant green in the beginning to kind of a dull brown by the end so I took them out just to be safe – I poured my mint extract into another container through a sieve and discarded the mint leaves, then poured the filtered extract back into the bottle.)

To make Orange Extract:

  1. Peel thin strips of zest from ½ of your orange.
  2. Place zest into your glass bottle.
  3. Add vodka, filling up to the neck of the bottle.
  4. Every few days, tilt your bottle upside down to gently mix the liquid inside.
  5. After 5-6 weeks, you have extract! (I think with citrus peels the acid (and alcohol bath), it’s probably safe to leave the peels inside the bottle like a vanilla bean for re-fill purposes. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, take it out!)

To make Lemon Extract:

  1. Peel thin strips of zest from your lemon.
  2. Place zest into your glass bottle.
  3. Add vodka, filling up to the neck of the bottle.
  4. Every few days, tilt your bottle upside down to gently mix the liquid inside.
  5. After 5-6 weeks, you have extract!
Chive & Chive Blossom Recipes

Chive & Chive Blossom Recipes

Chive Recipes

 

Sautéed Asparagus with Clive Blossoms

A great springtime combination. Trim off the tough bottom ends of the asparagus. If your asparagus is fat, you might want to blanch it for a minute or two. Heat a tablespoon or so of olive oil in a wide sauté pan, and when it’s hot, add the asparagus. Sauté for 3 or 4 minutes, tossing frequently. Add a handful of chopped chives and chive blossoms and sauté for another minute, then finish with a bit of butter, a squeeze of lemon juice and Kosher salt to taste. ​

 

Goat Cheese and Chive Blossoms Omelet

Sauté a handful of chopped fresh chives and chive blossoms and set aside. Then make a basic folded omelet with four eggs, and fill with goat cheese and the chive mixture. Garnish with additional chive blossoms. ​

 

Angel Hair Pasta with Chive Blossom Cream Sauce

Melt 3 tablespoons of butter along with some minced garlic, then sprinkle 2 tablespoons flour to make a roux. Cook for a few minutes, stirring, then add 2 cups of chicken stock or broth, whisking until well blended. Cook for five minutes or until reduced by one-third, then add 1/4 cup of sour cream and whisk until smooth. Add a handful of chopped fresh chives and chive blossoms, then toss with one pound cooked angel hair pasta. ​

 

Sautéed Chicken Cutlets with Chive Blossoms

Season the chicken cutlets with Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat a pan with a knob of butter along with a tablespoon of oil, until the fat is sizzling hot, then add the chicken cutlets and cook for three minutes or until golden brown, then turn the cutlets and add a handful of chopped fresh chives and whole chive blossoms to the pan. Continue cooking another few minutes until done. Remove cutlets from pan and set aside. Add some chicken stock to the pan and reduce for a minute or so. You can add more butter at this stage if you wish and season the sauce to taste with salt. Drizzle the chive blossom sauce over the chicken and serve. ​

 

Chive Blossom Mashed Potatoes

Chives and potatoes: a classic combination. In this case, not only do the chive blossoms add flavor, but they also add color to the mashed potatoes, which otherwise don’t have much color to them. Just chop the chives and chive blossoms and stir into the mashed potatoes.

 

Chive Compound Butter

You may love garlic butter, but you haven’t lived until you make a compound butter using chive blossoms. Make it by simply chopping up chive blossoms and adding them to melted butter. Make it at least one hour ahead of time, which will allow time for the flavors to develop. You can then reharden the butter in the refrigerator to use as a spread. Chopped chive blossoms marry well with garlic and other spices, holding up the other flavors without becoming too overpowering.  Chive blossom butter makes a wonderful coating for any steamed vegetable. Simply slice off a pat and allow it to melt under the warmth of the fresh sauté. This butter can also finish a cheese sauce with a taste that your guests will enjoy immensely, even if they can’t identify it.

Five ways to enjoy pluots

Five ways to enjoy pluots

 

1. Grilled: Cut pluots in half and brush with equal parts honey and Dijon mustard. Grill until browned on both sides. While you’re at it, grill pork or lamb chops to serve with the pluots.

 

2. Glazed: Halve and pit pluots and put, cut side up, in a pie pan. Spoon apricot jam or orange marmalade generously over the top and broil until bubbly and browned. Serve over plain yogurt sweetened with jam or marmalade. Sprinkle with granola.

 

3. Brûléed: Spread sliced or bite-size chunks of pluots in a shallow baking dish and sprinkle with brown sugar. Broil until bubbly and browned. Serve hot with vanilla ice cream or sour cream.

 

4. In salsa: Use chopped pluots instead of tomatoes in fresh salsa; mix with lime juice and chopped chiles, onion, and cilantro. Great on grilled meats of all kinds.

 

5. In salad: Add sliced pluots and crumbled blue or feta cheese to baby greens. Dress with a balsamic vinaigrette.

Tasty Mushrooms

Tasty Mushrooms

 

Since mushrooms release liquid as they cook, it’s important to get the process right, or the results can be pale and watery instead of deeply browned. The trick is high heat.

 

TO PREP: Trim discolored stem ends from 1 pound mushrooms. Either wipe the mushrooms clean or rinse briefly and pat dry, then thinly slice.

 

TO COOK: In a 12-inch frying pan over high heat, melt 2 T. butter. Add mushrooms and stir until all the moisture has evaporated and mushrooms are browned, 8 to 10 minutes.

 

TO SERVE: Season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs, then use sautéeed mushrooms to liven up anything from chicken breasts to eggs Benedict. Mix with chopped tomatoes for a bruschetta topping, toss into a spinach-feta salad, or stir into polenta.

 

Feeding Toddlers

Feeding Toddlers

First Finger Foods

 

Cheerrios

Diced Banana

Cooked, diced Sweet Potato

Avocado Cubes

 

Tofu Squares

Cubes of Whole Grain Bread, without crust

Diced Peaches or Pears

 

Small Cooked Pasta Shapes

Soft Chicken or Meats

Small squares of Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Plain (non honey) Graham Crackers

Hard Boiled Egg Yolk

 

 

Forbidden Toddler Foods

 

Whole Hot Dogs

Large Chunks of Meat, Cheese or Fruit

Whole Grapes

Hard, Gooey or Sticky Candy

Globs of Peanut Butter

Popcorn

Raw Vegetables

Baby’s First Foods

Baby’s First Foods

Tips: Foods should be lump-free for kids 6+ months, should be slightly lumpy for kids 8+ months, and can be chunky for kids 10+ months. Remember to always talk to your pediatrician about what’s right for your Baby.

 

peas with mint

pears with ginger

cinnamon peach oatmeal

spinach nutmeg yams

cuban black beans

cheddar apple mini muffins

banana date mini muffins

 

Avocado Puree (can be served to kid 6+ mos)

 

1 ripe organic avocado

a little breast milk or formula (optional)

 

Mash about a quarter of the avocado with a fork until smooth. Add a little breast milk or formula to thin it out even more for the newest eaters—for them, the puree should drip off the spoon.  This food does not freeze well, so make a fresh batch at each meal–it takes seconds!

 

 

 

Roasted Sweet Potato Mash (can be served to kid 6+ mos)

 

3 large organic sweet potatoes

1/8 tsp ground organic cinnamon (optional)

a little breast milk or formula (optional)

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash, peel, and chop sweet potato in 1 inch pieces. Spread on nonstick pan or silicone liner in a baking tray and bake for about 1 hour until sweet potatoes are very soft. Mash well with a fork, potato masher, hand blender, or in a blender or food processor until smooth.  Blend in cinnamon if you like. Add a little breast milk or formula to thin it out even more for the newest eaters—for them, the puree should drip off the spoon.  Cool extra and freeze in ice cube trays immediately. (Thaw individual cubes later when you need them in a small saucepan over low heat on the stove.)

 

 

 

Mint Peas (can be served to kid 6+ mos)

 

1 10-oz bag frozen organic green peas

2 leaves fresh organic mint (optional)

a little breast milk or formula (optional)

 

Cook peas according to directions on package. Puree peas well with hand blender or in a blender or food processor until smooth. Blend in fresh mint if you like. Add a little breast milk or formula to thin it out even more for the newest eaters—for them, the puree should drip off the spoon.  Cool extra and freeze in ice cube trays immediately. (Thaw individual cubes later when you need them in a small saucepan over low heat on the stove.)

 

 

 

Roasted Cardamom Pears (can be served to kid 6+ mos)

 

8 organic pears

1/8 tsp ground organic cardamom  (optional)

a little breast milk or formula (optional)

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash, peel, core, and chop pears into 1 inch pieces. Spread on nonstick pan or silicone liner in a baking tray and bake for about 20 minutes until pears are very soft. Mash well with a fork, potato masher, hand blender, or in a blender or food processor until smooth.  Blend in cardamom if you like. Add a little breast milk or formula to thin it out even more for the newest eaters—for them, the puree should drip off the spoon.  Cool extra and freeze in ice cube trays immediately. (Thaw individual cubes later when you need them in a small saucepan over low heat on the stove.)

 

 

 

Rice Cereal

 

1/4 c. rice powder (brown rice ground in blender or food processor)

1 cup water

 

Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice powder while stirring constantly.  Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired. Serve warm.

 

 

 

Oatmeal Cereal

 

1/4 c. of ground oats (do NOT use instant or Quick Cook), ground in blender or food processor

3/4 c. water

 

Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice powder while stirring constantly.  Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired.  Serve warm.

 

 

 

Barley Cereal

 

1/4 c. ground barley (barley ground in blender or food processor)

1 cup water

 

Bring liquid to a boil. Add the barley and simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly. Mix in formula or breast milk or juice and add fruits if desired. Serve warm

 

 

 

Rice Breakfast Pudding

 

 1/2 cup (Brown/or Jasmine) Rice (grind to barley size – don’t grind if serving to a Toddler )

2 cups water

1/4 cup apples sliced into small dices or slivers

1/4 cup raisins (optional)

1/8 cup brown sugar (optional)

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger

 

Combine all of the above ingredients in a medium saucepan.  Cook over medium-low heat for 30 minutes or until rice is soft, fragrant and a bit soupy.  Stir 1/8 cup milk into the rice, keep on heat for 10 more minutes. Keep a close watch to ensure that the consistency remains soupy but not pasty. . Stir frequently to stop sticking to the pot and add more milk or water if necessary.  Serve warm then transfer remaining portion to the fridge.

Well Stocked Eastern European Pantry

Well Stocked Eastern European Pantry

Apple Cider Vinegar

Beans

Cabbage

Carrots

Caraway

Cumin

Chives

“Colorful Salt” – Sahrena Sol

Dill

Lovage

Juniper

Mace

Marjoram

Mustard Seed

Paprika

Parsley

Potatoes

Sage

Spearmint

Sour Cream

Sauerkraut

Summer Savory

Well Stocked Pantry

Well Stocked Pantry

Oils & Vinegars

 

Olive Oil

Peanut Oil

Sesame Oil

Vegetable Oil

Apple Cider Vinegar

Balsamic Vinegar

White Vinegar

Red Wine Vinegar

Rice Wine Vinegar

Sherry Vinegar

White Wine VInegar

 

Spices & Seasonings

 

Kosher salt

Sea salt flakes

Whole black peppercorns

Crushed red pepper flakes

Ancho chile powder

Cayenne powder

Chipotle powder

Paprika, hot and smoked sweet

Ras el hanout spice blend

Cinnamon sticks

Ground cinnamon

Celery seeds

Coriander seeds

Ground cumin

Mustard seeds

Whole nutmeg

Sesame seeds

 

 

Canned, Bottled & Boxed

 

Beef broth

Low-sodium chicken broth

Coconut milk

San Marzano tomatoes, crushed and whole

Couscous

Dried pastas

Great Northern beans

Cannellini beans

Hot sauce

Sriracha

Harissa paste

Reduced-sodium soy sauce

Dijon mustard

Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

White anchovies

Honey

Maple syrup

 

 

Basics

 

Plain dried bread crumbs

Panko bread crumbs

All-purpose flour

Rice flour

Cornstarch

Baking powder

Baking soda

Sugar, granulated and dark brown

Well Stocked Thai Pantry

Well Stocked Thai Pantry

Lemon Grass

Pickled Garlic

Thai Basil

Dried Bean Threads

Green Curry Paste

Thai Roasted-Chili Paste

Dried Shrimp

Star Anise

Coconut Milk

cardamom

Pearl Tapioca

Asian Fish Sauce

Kaffir Lime Leaves