Cooking Help Web

Win a Cooler and Barbecue Sauce Ingredients to Make Mug Root Beer BBQ Sauce

2009-06-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

Surprise you Dad on Father's Day (2009) with a great free gift to five (5) lucky winners at the Barbecue Master blog.

Just leave a comment and some way to get in touch if you win. Very simple.

On Father's Day, the winners will be selected for the soft sided cooler, apron, and all the ingredients to make a great root beer BBQ sauce from Mug Beer.

The recipe for the sauce is at Mug Root Beer (click on recipes), but it's fun to get a free gift and a cooler that you'll enjoy for a long time to come.

Domino's Video PR Mess - Not Funny at All

2009-04-16T15:34:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen the Domino's Pizza video fiasco online (April 2009), then it's just as well. The whole thing is just WRONG. The guys who put that together and damaged the reputation of a company that has a good name should be ashamed as well as being arrested as they have been.

The basic story is that a couple of guys thought it would be funny to play around with the food in a Dominos kitchen and then post that on YouTube. They did things that you can only hope and pray never happen to your food before it lands on your plate or is delivered to your door. They claim that it was all a joke, but who knows . . .

Social networking sites quickly picked up the footage, and then it made the evening news for a total gross out.

Personally I am standing behind and sticking with Dominos. They always had pizza priced low and delivered quick when I was in college at NC State in Raleigh. I advise for a college newspaper in Salisbury, NC now, and Dominos of Salisbury has advertised with us for a decade. We know the people that work at Dominos, and they could not be nicer or more professional.

I feel really bad for everyone associated with Dominos. These are tough economic times, and no company needs stupid jerks tarnising a company and all those that depend on the income from honest work.

My Brother Made My Seven Layer Dip

2008-11-02T16:21:00.000-08:00

My brother is a computer person (works for a large software company) - not a cook. Actually, he did cook (and very well) when he was younger, but he just eats out now. Quicker. Easier.

When I got an email asking if refried beans in a can were the same as bean dip, I thought he was checking out my web pages. He checks them out from time to time, and he would be a fabulous copyeditor if he had an interest in that. He doesn't. But, he does help me look good and catches my typos.

My other brother mentioned that the older was having a party, so then I thought, "Hum. Maybe he is making Seven Layer Dip." I emailed, and sure enough, that's what he was doing. I guess he got tempted when reading my recipe, or maybe it was the photo.

He had some problems finding the bean dip. That's usually with the chips along with salsas and so on. It is fine to use refried beans from a can though. For a little more zip like the dip, just stir in some taco seasoning or hot sauce. That's not critical though. The layers have flavor, so plain refried beans work.

I updated my Seven Layer Dip recipe and added the notes about the refried beans. That's the great thing about getting feedback. I can add details that folks may need or want.

Also, if anyone is wondering about the Tupperware container (see photo above). It's the size and shape of a pie pan (9 inch) but is acrylic and has a snap on lid. I really like that piece a lot and use it often. Mine is in burgandy, so it looks festive and really showcases the dip. I got that off Ebay. I'm not sure if they still make that model, and the colors do change. I wanted to match a serving piece I had in burgandy.

Sometimes I make Seven Layer Dip in a Pyrex clear pie baking dish. That works well too. It doesn't have a lid, so I just use Saran Wrap for the cover.

McCain Palin win Statesville NC Pumpkin Chuckin' Contest

2008-10-27T18:06:00.000-07:00

Here are how the winning presidential pumpkins looked like after having been catapulted and landing in a wet field atop a landfill. The Palin and McCain pumpkins never splatterd, but did get somewhat bruised. Unlike the stage makeup, the Palin lipstick never ran.

This story really made me laugh . . .

My friend Greta works with event promotions in North Carolina. Generally, it's festivals and that sort of thing which are right up my alley as a food writer.

This week Greta was working with the great Pumpkin Chuckin' contest in Statesville, North Carolina. Now, this is definately a new twist on pumpkin fun. I really wanted to go, but I had to work. Ah well, I enjoyed hearing from Greta about what was going on down the road while I was at work.

Here's the press release if you want to hear all about the Pumpkin Chunkin' election contest.

Pumpkin Chunkin’ Exit Poll Predicts Presidential Winner;
80 Percent Accurate in 2004
STATESVILLE, NC – According to the pumpkins, the McCain/Palin presidential ticket will land the White House.

That prediction was determined during The Great Heads of Statesville Exit Poll in Statesville, North Carolina on Friday, October 24. Pie pumpkins, weighing 3 pounds each, were catapulted from a trebuchet. Official pumpkin chunkin’ rules were used to determine the scores.

Distances were added together for the presidential contests. Senator John McCain’s pumpkin spun to the right and bounced 81 yards from the catapult, while Governor Sarah Palin’s red lipstick-clad pumpkin initially veered to the left, but pulled back to the right before landing 85 yards.

On the Democratic side, both pumpkins stayed true to the left. The Senator Barack Obama pumpkin flew 79 yards, while Senator Joe Biden’s gourd sailed 83 yards.

The total distance was 166 yards for the Republican ticket and 162 for the Democrat.

In the North Carolina bid for the US Senate seat, the pumpkin for Kay Hagan (D) aimed for the left while it soundly defeated incumbent Elizabeth Dole (R) 85-79 yards, whose pumpkin leaded to the right.

The pumpkins reinforced that the gubnatorial race between Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue (D) and Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory (R) is a toss-up. Both pumpkins were hurled 86 yards, meaning a run-off is be needed. Like the senatorial race, the gubnatorial pumpkins stayed true to their respective party lines.

The contest was scheduled to include other races, but heavy rains caused the process to end.

In reviewing the presidential contest, organizers felt a lot of emphasis is being put on the vice-presidential candidates. “Judging by the differences in the distance,” said Greta Lint, “I feel the majority of voters are paying attention to 2012, They want to see how Biden and Palin will tackle challenges.”

The trebuchets were designed and constructed by physics and mechanical engineering students at Mitchell Community College. Artwork on the pumpkins was provided by 7th and 8th graders at the American Renaissance Charter School in Statesville.

The Great Heads of Statesville Exit Poll was actually a media preview for the Crossroads Pumpkin Fest to be held in Statesville on Saturday, November 1. The festival will include a pumpkin chunking competition from 8:30-10:30 a.m. during which the McCrory/Perdue race will be predicted. A street festival with pie-eating, pumpkin smashing and pumpkin bowling contests will be held throughout the day in downtown Statesville. For more information on that event, call 877-531-1819 or log onto www.statesvillepumpkinfest.com.

For more information about the media preview, log onto Greta's blog or call the media preview event organizers Greta Lint and Joel Leonard at 336-626-0527.

Thinking About Snacks and Appetizers for the Holidays

2008-10-13T15:54:00.001-07:00

Homemade Chex Party Mix

I picked up the ingredients for Chex Party Mix today while I was getting perscriptions for my son. He's home sick, and the temperature has dropped (though was hot by mid day). It seemed very fall-ish today, and appetizers were on my mind. I always enjoy the finger foods over the holidays and make a lot of old favorites as well as trying out new recipes each holiday season.

This morning I collected my best Lit'l Smokie recipes and got those together in a collection. Whew. There are so many ways to cook Little Smokies, it was hard to stop writing. I may have to work up a second collection.

Even though my cholesterol is up for this year, I'll have a treat with Bisquick Sausage Balls. I wish I didn't love those, but I do. I'll plan to have sausage balls only once a year and really enjoy the heck out of them.

Fortunately, I do love fresh vegetables. I keep those on hand for nibbling. Then I can enjoy some of the sinful favorites without making a total pig of myself.

Lexington NC Barbecue Festival Press Release Shared by Greta

2008-09-25T14:49:00.000-07:00

Country Stars, Racing Pigs and Fireworks Highlight Barbecue Festival

LEXINGTON, NC – Country music singers Lee Ann Womack, Adam Gregory, Randy Houser and Jamie Johnson will be the featured WTQR Guitar Pull entertainers during the 25th Annual Barbecue Festival on Saturday, October 25. Womack, the recipient of 19 nominations and 17 awards, and the others will take center stage on the Square at 1:30 p.m.

The WTQR Guitar Pull will be followed by the fun-loving five-member country group, The Lost Trailers.

Held in historic Uptown Lexington from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m., the Barbecue Festival will feature juried arts and crafts vendors, roving entertainers, a lumberjack sports competition, pig races, bicycle stunt shows, whimsical pig sculptures, festival food, beer tent, children’s activities, a 50-ton sand sculpture, 32-foot climbing wall, and 6 stages of music – Latin, beach, swing/jazz, gospel, children’s and rock ‘n roll and more. Eddie Miles, Chairmen of the Board and The Bahama Mamas are some of the scheduled acts.

Streets will close at 6 p.m. Then at 7:30 p.m., the area between Second and Third avenues will re-open with lots of music – concluding with the 25th Anniversary Grand Finale - a spectacular fireworks extravaganza at 9 p.m.
All street festival events are free.

Country music fans can anticipate a special treat.

Living in Alberta, Canada, Adam Gregory was just 13 years old when he signed a record deal with Sony Canada. Ten years later, his song “Crazy Days” is reaching country fans across the United States. His first appearance in this country will be at the Barbecue Festival.

Jamie Johnson is known for “The Dollar” and “In Color” and co-writer of “Give It Away,” recorded by George Strait. Country fans will recognize Randy Houser for his ballad, “Anything Goes.” Trace Adkins recorded Houser’s song, “Honky Tonk Bandonkadonk.”

The Barbecue Festival continually receives accolades and prestige. It has repeatedly been recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Top Ten Festivals in the Southeast. It has been included in the book, 1,000 Places to See in the U.S.A. and Canada Before You Die. USA TODAY recognized the Barbecue Festival as "One of Ten Great Places to Celebrate Food." And the prestigious Travel & Leisure Magazine claimed the event as "One of the Top Ten Food Festivals in the U.S.A.”

Barbecue tents will open at 10 a.m. serving chopped pork shoulders, red barbecue slaw and hush puppies all day long to thousands of people. “The barbecue is the reason the festival exists,” explains Stephanie K. Saintsing, festival director. “After Joe Sink, who was the publisher of our local newspaper, The Dispatch, and BB&T bank officials formed the festival as a means of recognizing our world-famous barbecue, they hired my late mother, Kay Saintsing, to coordinate and promote it. More than a million people have attended since – by car, plane and train.”

Amtrak will be providing a one-day stop in Lexington to riders from Charlotte and Raleigh. Tickets are available by calling 800-872-7245.

Organizers have established remote parking areas and a shuttle transportation service to accommodate festival goers from the Wal-Mart Super Center parking lot off of I-85 Exit 91, Childress Vineyards on US Hwy. 64 and the Davidson County governmental complex on North Main Street in Lexington. Round trip tickets will be $2 per person and free for children 12 and under.

Lexington potter Clyde Gobble will be autographing the official Barbecue Festival mug from 9-11 a.m. at the souvenir tent. Bob Timberlake, who created the bottle label artwork for Richard Childress Fine Swine Wine, will be signing bottles at the Childress Winery tent from 9-10 a.m. Both tents will be located on the Square.

Nickelodeon character SpongeBob SquarePants will make special appearances at 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m. at the Barbecue Carnival, a family-oriented area with children’s games, music and activities. It will be located on South Main Street between Second and Fourth avenues.

The Barbecue Carnival will include the Barbecue Festival Chop Shop, a competition featuring some of the best lumberjacks in the world. The final round will be held at 4 p.m. The craftsmen’s finely-tuned skills of sawing, chopping and cutting wood are spectacular.

And at that same location crowds will find the Barbecue Festival Hogway Speedway- with specially bred and trained pigs to town to race around an oval track. The racing pigs have been a festival hit throughout the years. The determined little pigs take their racing seriously!

Members of the Furnitureland Antique Automobile Club are planning to bring a mix of antique, classic and street rod cars to fill the parking lot at Davidson Funeral Home.

Visitor amenities will be available throughout the day. A baby-changing station will be set up in the Barbecue Carnival. A parking lot reserved for vehicles with handicapped permits will be located off of State Street, which runs parallel with Main Street. Restrooms for visitors with disabilities will be located in the parking lot and other designated restroom areas throughout the festival.
Lexington is located 20 miles south of Winston-Salem off US Hwy. 52, 45 miles north of Charlotte and 30 miles south of Greensboro off I-85. For more information, log onto www.barbecuefestival.com or call 336-956-1880.

Food Buzz - Foodie Community Site Kind of Like My Space

2008-09-07T12:28:00.000-07:00

I found that my Barbecue Master blog had been added at a new online foodie community called Food Buzz. This wasn't a case where they were snagging my work. They simply added a feed so that others could read about outdoor grilling. Good deal!

While I was over at Food Buzz, I decided to poke around a bit and figure out what kind of space had gone up. I'm the curious type. I will even read the back of the toothpaste tube or the fine print on kidney beans.

Food Buzz is kind of like My Space or FaceBook, but the members are all foodies. The range is from gourmet chefs to hockey moms to folks who do one certain type of food. They also have people interested in beverages and spirits. Quite a mix. People from all over the world.

I signed up for Food Buzz and have been enjoying seeing the various food blog feeds as well as restaurant reviews, news, and photos that members paste up. There were even a couple of familiar faces there from other places I play online. Mostly though I found a whole new group of people interested in cooking, baking, and eating.

It does appear that most members of Food Buzz do have blogs, but that's not required. Anyone can join and can post recipes, photos, restaurant reviews, and news. If you are a food blogger, you can paste in the feed, and the new posts go up automatically.

The space has chalkboards where you can leave messages. No email yet to let you know when someone responds. They also have some foodie forums, but those are really hard to find at the moment. The site is new and in beta meaning they are still working on it. Food Buzz is building fast though, so it's not like walking around in an empty department store. There's plenty to do and do and lots of people with varied cooking and food interests.

If you like reading about food or if you like talking about food/cooking, then check out Food Buzz. I'm not big on general web social sites, but I do like one where everyone has a common bond. It's nice to find a community of friendly foodies.

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Grilled Shrimp

2008-08-04T18:14:00.000-07:00

Bacon Wrapped Grilled Shrimp and Grilled Corn in Tin Foil

We had a fabulous trip to the outer banks of North Carolina where we could buy fresh shrimp and feast out.

We tried a lot of different grilled shrimp techniques and recipes, but our favorite was bacon wrapped shrimp on the grill. It take a little tweaking. We tried it with heads on and off and shelled and not and also with raw bacon and with it cooked a bit. We finally got it just to our tastes, and you can check out our Bacon Grilled Shrimp recipe with tips and save some time yourself.

These grilled shrimp will knock your socks off or you can just invite us over and let use eat them.

With our grilled shrimp, we had grilled corn on the cob in tin foil. We also grill corn in the husks, but it takes up less space to do the tin foil corn wraps. With shrimp kabobs, we needed the space on the grill.

If you need help and tips on how to grill corn on the cob, then see my Grilled Corn Guide. I cover both how to grill fresh corn in tin foil and also how to grill corn on the cob in husks. Both are very easy. You just need to remember a few details to get grilled corn to turn our great every time.

My Grilled Burgers Fell Apart, Got Stuck, Burned and so on . . .

2008-08-03T18:38:00.000-07:00

Cooking up Some Grilled Burgers for a Yard Party

What could be easier than tossing some burgers on the grill?

Well, it seems that way, but there are a number of things that can go wrong with grilled burgers.

After having friends and neighbors as well as web surfers ask about various concerns with grilled burgers like having them fall apart or stick to the grates, I thought I'd write up a Grilled Burger Trouble Shooting Guide.

With a few simple tips, you will be grilling up great burgers in no time. It's not hard. Really. There are just a few things that you may be doing that can make for problems when it comes to grilling burgers. Make the small adjustments. You'll be the burger barbecue king or queen in no time at all.

Finally We Got Some Fresh Peaches - Yehaw!

2008-07-26T16:25:00.000-07:00

Our Little Peach Tree Does Us Proud This Year

My youngest son adores peaches. I bought him a peach tree. That was about five years ago. All we've had were little hard peaches about the size of a quarter that fell off before they got ripe. But - not this year!

This year we got a bumper crop - for a little tree anyway. The peach tree was so loaded down that the branches touched the ground. Now, I'm thinking I need to read up on pruning peach trees. This little guy had more than could handle this year.

It's hard to beat fresh peaches cut up (or even right off the tree like apples). Fresh peaches are especially good with cream poured over, which is why they probably have that saying: "peaches and cream."

After getting filled up with fresh sliced peaches, it's nice to make up some peach recipes. One of our favorites (or course) is fresh peach pie. Then, there's fresh peach cobbler. That's yummy and super easy to make. We also enjoy fresh peach pound cake. It's hard to beat a pound cake, and a pound cake with peaches is a real treat.

Sadly the peach season is really short. We're just about to see the end of the fresh peaches here. It was really exciting to actually have some this year though, and I hope next year will be as bontiful.

4th of July Church Cook Out to Honor Military

2008-06-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

First Time I've Ever Seen Tailgate Grilling with the Grill in the Truck

New Picnic Tables at the Shelter My Son Built for His Eagle Scout Project

Today was our annual 4th of July Sunday cook out at the church. Following a service to honor military members (current, retired, deceased), we all enjoy grilled hamburgers and hot dogs.

This year we had picnic tables. The high school kids in the shop class made those and brought them over last month. One of the kids from the shop class did the grilling. It's really wonderful how the young people in town pitch in and help.

The ladies of the church made the side dishes and the desserts. We had baked beans, potato salad, slaw and chili as well as some fabulous cakes.

I have a piece of triple layer chocolate cake to eat later. I got too full for dessert. Looking forward to that. Will also have to see if I can get the recipe.

We've Been Grilling up a Storm

2008-06-26T13:32:00.000-07:00

Grilled Hamburgers

Yummy Beef Kabobs

We cook out year round, but we really put it into high gear in the summer. Food just tastes so great cooked outdoors over charcoal.

This week we've been trying out some new grass fed beef by La Cense. Excellent meat. It's lower in fat - around the same as grilled chicken. The flavor is very nice with the natural feeding.

I usually hand pat my hamburgers, but we had beef patties from La Cense. They were much better than most of the formed patties that we've tried. The boys said thumbs up.

With the kabob beef, I made . . . shock . . . kabobs. There are loads of ways to make kabobs though. I did some with beef, bacon and onions and then some beef and veggie kabobs. Making kabobs is trickier than many other grilled foods. Check out my kabob guide if you need some extra help.

Barbecue Side Dishes - Yes You Can Grill

2008-06-05T12:59:00.001-07:00

I'm clipping right along at Yes You Can Grill. I've been working on barbecue side dishes the last couple of days.

We enjoy making some sides right on the grill like the grilled hash browns above. The boys always beg for those and eat the whole pan.

Another favorite is Best Ever Potato Salad. One of the ladies at church gave me that recipe, and I've never had better potato salad. It's great for barbeques, because it can be made ahead.

We also love Grandma's Broccoli Salad - another chilled salad for pot lucks and picnics. We also serve that one at holiday meals. It's just a nice recipe to have on file for all kinds of occasions.

May is National Grill Month and I Have a New Grill Site

2008-05-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

It seems very fitting that I'm kicking off my very first personal web site Yes! You Can Grill this month, since May is national grilling month. I didn't plan that. It just happened. I hope, however, that it's a good omen.

I've been blessed to write ten years online now. I appreciate the tech support at established sites especially after having a most tramatic few days with Dreamweaver. Sadly, a couple of sites where I'd been writing went down. There went a lot of time and work and articles that I know folks enjoyed.

Of course, I'll still be writing at various sites online. Still I think it's a good idea to have my own space too. And, what better topic than grilling? I love to cook outdoors.

Please feel to drop by Yes! You Can Grill. I know you'll find some great ideas and grill recipes. The design isn't slick. I'm still learning. All the spaces aren't filled yet either. It takes time to get all the articles loaded. I'm adding all links on the Site Map section, so that's a good place to click to see if I have what you're looking for. If I don't, I probably will soon. I'm pretty prolific.

Heart Shaped Doughnuts and a Free Dozen - Krispy Kreme

2008-02-04T12:58:00.000-08:00

Krispy Kreme is offering heart shaped doughnuts through Feb 14, 2008. In addition, you can visit the Krispy Kreme web site and fill out a simple form to join the KK club. You'll get a coupon to get a free dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts when you buy a dozen.

I've found that my boys would rather have Krispy Kreme Doughnuts than candy. I don't know what they'll think of the heart shapes. Guess I'll have to wait and see.

Technorati Profile

Quick and Easy Cleaning Tip for the George Foreman Grill

2008-02-03T18:19:00.000-08:00

I won't keep everyone guessing. YES! Lynn's tip worked like a charm for cleaning the George Foreman Grill. I just stuck those wet paper towels in right after pulling the plug on the indoor grill.

The hamburger grease (which is about a messy as it gets on a George Foreman Grill) wiped right off. This is much easier than hanging the George Foreman over the edge of the sink and scrubbing with a toothbrush.

Thumbs up to Lynn from Beading Help Web for sharing this great tip. Now we'll make George Foreman hamburgers even more often. I can eat my burger without thinking about the mess I'll have afterwards.

Gross! And Icky, Messy George Foreman Grill Day

2008-02-03T18:04:00.000-08:00

You know that if you're making hamburgers on the George Foreman, you are going to have a mess. Well, we sure do anyway. The burgers on the George Foreman are so tasty that it's worth it, but still not much fun to clean the George Foreman.

Today we tried out a tip that my friend Lynn. She's the publisher at Beading Help Web. She said to try wet paper towels in the George Foreman. Just unplug the machine, wet down the paper towels and insert. That's all. I'll post the results in my next blog.

Has Lynn solved the problem of the super yucky George Foreman Grill clean up?

Taco Soup and Other Treats for Super Bowl Sunday

2008-02-02T18:00:00.000-08:00

The Super Bowl is long. Hey, that's part of the fun. But it makes it hard on the cook.

You don't want a sit down meal, unless you have a big table and the TV right there. You don't want to be running in and out serving and miss the game. You probably do need/want some munchie foods along with perhaps a meal type food.

One of my favorite stand by meals for a day like Super Bowl Sunday is Taco Soup. It's kind of like chili beans, but it has more flavor with the taco seasoning and Ranch dressing mix. The best part is that you can make it early and keep it warm in the crock pot or mix it fast and still keep it simmering in the crock pot. You can also add more beans or hominy without ruining the balance. This means an inexpensive meal that will go a long way.

Another thing I love about Southern Taco Soup if that I can lighten it up. I've mentioned that I have high cholesterol, so I need to cut the fat. The photo above is Taco Soup with ground chicken. The meat checked in at less than 10% fat. I liked it even better than ground beef in the Taco Soup, and I don't just say that. I'm picky. If it's not great, I will be the first to say so. Use ground turkey or ground chicken in this recipe with no problems. The ground chicken, I think, is better. The color is a little different - whiter. Also, watch close as you cook ground chicken. It sticks a lot more than ground beef with more fat. You can also cut the meat in half in the recipe and be fine in this case - rare. The seasonings make the Taco Soup.

I'll go with Taco Soup as the base for Super Bowl Sunday. The boys and any visitors can come and go and eat as they want from the crock pot. This also works great for work nights when our schedules do not mesh up. Taco Soup simmers without getting dry and clumpy. Just an all round great meal that can be fast or slow or in between.

I'll have other snacks on hand too. Chips and dips. Vegetables so I do not max my blood tests next time. Maybe even some Bisquick Sausage Balls which I adore - but must have in moderation and on special occasions.

Double Dipping in the Dip Spreads the Germs - Yuck!

2008-02-02T05:51:00.000-08:00

A buffet line helps eliminate the double dipping problem. Everyone puts dip on individual plates while going through the line rather than possibly double dipping from a central community dip bowl.

Students at Clemson University conducted a study looking at double dipping. This is when you get a vegetable, chip, pretzel or so on and dip up a bite of dip and then use the same veggie, chip or pretzel again as your spoon of sorts.

As reported by CNN, the students didn't think this was a big deal. Ironic I suppose since colds, the flu and other contagious diseases spread like wildfire in a college community.

The results of the double dip study, which will be reported in a journal in the next few months, proved that double dipping does contaminate the dips. The bacterial level was clear and high. It was suggested that double dipping is akin to kissing everyone at the party. Not a pretty thought.

Some restaurants have now moved to handing out little individual dip bowls. If not, you can certainly ask for private bowls for everyone in your party.

At home parties, a buffet line works well. Folks go down the line and put the dips on their plates rather than sitting with the dip on the table where it's likely to get double dipped a few times.

Don't mark dips off your party lists. Dips are easy to make and really tasty. Do, however, think about double dipping and pass the word.

Panini Sandwiches on the George Foreman Grill

2008-01-28T15:33:00.000-08:00

Just butter the bread (or use olive oil) and stack like you would for a regular grilled sandwich in the skillet.

The paninis cook great on the George Foreman Grill, and you do NOT have to buy the fancy model to make these sandwiches.

I tried a panini at a restaurant and thought, "Yum. This is one heck of a sandwich." Yep. Those paninis are really tasty. They are, however, expensive. Just check the pre made ones at the grocery store. Yikes!

Panini sandwiches are not rocket science. You have bread and stuff inside and grill them from the top and bottom at the same time on a griddle surface.

I pulled out the George Foreman and made up some panini sandwiches. Very simple.

You can buy the George Foreman G5 with the change out grill plates. They include a panini press with that set. The G5 is also much easier to clean with the lift out grill plates. The Foreman G5 is, however, expensive. If you're just thinking about panini sandwiches, then the low end George Foreman works just fine. If you want to do waffles and cookies and so on, then spring for the G5. Some things just don't work on the built in grill plates. Also, clean up can be quite a chore with the standard George Foreman grill (though not so bad with panini sandwiches).

My boys really love the panini sandwiches on the little George Foreman grill. In fact, they love a lot of stuff cooked on the $20 special from Amazon. I watched for a sale, since I wasn't sure I'd really use a George Foreman Grill all that much. We use the GF grill 4 or 5 days per week on average. It's turned out to be one of the best $20 I've ever spent. The upscale G5 is great too, but if one of the boys wants to make a single serving or a panini, then the little George Foreman is just perfect.

The George Foreman grills have also been helpful as I've been trying to cut back on fat and sugar. I popped a really bad blood test. The doc said I better eat better. The George Foreman has helped on that too. I can make my paninis with very little or even no butter, and they still taste good. I go with low fat cheese (if I add cheese) and use the thin sliced deli meats in the lean category like the turkey or chicken.

I tend to NOT jump on the bandwagon. I may be the last person on earth to buy a George Foreman Indoor Grill. I didn't plan on falling in love with it, but I did.

Free Peanut Butter Cookbook from Smuckers

2008-01-27T12:52:00.001-08:00

Smuckers is offering a free peanut butter cookbook. The booklet includes a wide variety of tasty recipes featuring peanut butter, and they have photos of the dishes (which always helps).

This one requires a written request. Send a postcard to:

The J.M. Smucker Company
Attention: Peanut Butter Recipe Collection
Consumer Relations Department
P.O. Box 280
Orrville, Ohio 44667

They'll mail you the free peanut butter cookbook.

2008-01-27T10:53:00.001-08:00

The students jumped right on this fun hands-on project. They mixed up muffins and then baked them in the Muffin Magic.

The guys liked making the muffins with this easy muffin maker too. I thought they would. My boys sure do.

I took my Muffin Magic - electric muffin maker to college this week. My class is on Writing for the Media. The students learn how to write press releases, radio spots, TV spots and so on.

I always like to start out with some kind of food. Kids like food. They get a treat. Then, they brainstorm about the good points of whatever they test out. This time I thought I'd include a kitchen appliance as well. The class is small, so we could make and cook muffins for everyone in the fifty minute class block.

The students really enjoyed the Muffin Magic. It's is so easy to use, and the muffins turn out perfect. Clean up is as easy as simply wiping out the muffin holes. Can't beat that.

We used the Betty Crocker "add water only" mixes. There's a water fountain right outside the classroom. That was very convenient. The water mixes are just as good as the milk mixes too, so it's nice to keep them on hand for those times when you're out of milk, or it's gone sour.

You can also make the Jiffy Cornmeal Muffins in the Muffin Magic. Or just make up your own homemade muffin mix. It works fine for all types. They send a recipe booklet too, and it's much better than many product recipe booklets.

I really try to make learning fun, and making muffins was a hit with the class. They may not enjoy writing up the papers as much (-: Then again, there are many things that would be more boring to write about.

Freebie - Free To Go Brand Instant Beverage Powder

2008-01-22T19:28:00.001-08:00

Add some zip to your water with To Go Powders. You just pour some in your water and have a tasty and healthy beverage.

They add antioxidants and such to the teas. They say the To Go powders can increase energy and perhaps help on weight loss.

There are several flavors including green tea and a berry mix.

These drink powders do not contain sugar like most. I like that. I'm trying to cut down on sugar drinks.

If you're not sure about these water enhancers, try a free sample. Then you can see for yourself and decide.

Freebie - Fiber One Cereal Sample

2008-01-22T14:23:00.000-08:00

If you're trying to eat better for the new year like I am, then try out a new healthy cereal by General Mills called Fiber One. Fiber is a good thing - as we all know.

To get your free cereal sample, just fill out this simple form and sign up for the "eat better America" e-newsletter.

The sample should arrive within 8 weeks.

This offer does end soon - Jan 31, 2008, so if you're interested, get over and sign up quick.

Free Quaker Granola Bar or Multi Grain Instant Cereal

2008-01-11T13:47:00.000-08:00

Visit Quaker and get a free granola bar or multi grain cereal pack. The granola bar is dark chocolate chunk. The cereal is maple brown sugar with nuts. You select the one you want to try.

This is a great way to try out a healthy new product line without having to buy a whole box right off the bat.

Once you sign up, you can also click to send a free e-card to a friend also offering the free Quaker Simple Harvest product samples.

Delivery time on this freebie is estimated at 8 weeks.