Cooking Hints And Tips

Great Kitchen Idea To Bump Up Your Cooking Mastery

2015-01-23T04:55:00.001-08:00

Have you ever been at a restaurant and wondered how the food was made? Have you tried to recreate this dish in your own home? You can use these suggestions to cook your favorite meals, or make new ones. All kinds of people find cooking a form of relaxation and even a good time.

Keep a few pointers in mind if you plan to attempt cooking with skewers. Using metal skewer types will increase your chances of success when compared to wooden options.

It is essential that you are prepared before you start to cook a meal to serve to your loved ones. Make sure you have everything you need to make your food. Get everything set to cook the next day. Determine if you have you got the right utensils, etc. This process will reduce your stress level and help manifest a more positive outcome.

Lots of recipes for fresh basil? If you want to keep it fresh, first place it in a glass. The stems should be thoroughly covered in water. This will allow it to stay fresh for weeks! If you change the water occasionally, the basil will even grow roots in the water. Trim or cut the basil from time to time for additional growth. Now you can enjoy your fresh basil anytime!

To give your food vitality, prepare meals using fresh ingredients instead of frozen or dried ingredients whenever possible. You will save plenty of money by buying fresh vegetables and other ingredients, and your food will also taste more flavorful.

A lot of preparatory work can be done ahead of time in order to speed up time spent cooking. Check the recipe you're using to see if some preparation can be done without the partially prepared dish spoiling. It is often possible to prepare your ingredients as much as 24 hours ahead of time. This can make it even easier to cook complicated dishes and make them more enjoyable.

When you do this, the mushroom will become absorbent and soak up the water. A better option is to use a clean, damp cloth to hand-wipe each mushroom.

Have you had trouble trying to figure out exactly how long to grill your meats? Use a meat thermometer to tell when it is cooked properly. If the meat is any thicker than one and a half inches, you can reduce your grill time by closing the lid.

To prepare a pumpkin for baking, you should first prop up the pumpkin so that it is upright. Next, use a large knife to bisect it evenly. Place both halves cut side down on separate baking sheets. Sprinkle the baking sheets with a little water and allow the pumpkin to bake for an hour at 350 Fahrenheit.

You will have fresh fruits all year long. Another great benefit is that you will have certain fruits on their off season.

Try different liquids in recipes calling for water or milk to add some new flavors to your meals. Substitute plain water with juice, broth, or the water that you cooked your vegetables in. Instead of milk, try sour cream, yogurt or buttermilk. You can increase the nutritional and wow factors of any dish, simply by trying different substitutions for liquids that recipes call for.

Some ingredients can leave a rather strong odor on your cutting board. Mark one end, or side, of each cutting board so that you know which is which.

You have just read everything you need to know to become a great cook. Be creative and experiment with a wide variety of recipes and meals. Because there are so many different foods from so many different cultures, the possibilities are endless!

What You Need To Know About Cooking Great Food In Your Kitchen

2015-01-16T04:46:00.001-08:00

You will have to develop some level of skill however! Whatever the reason is for your desire to learn to cook, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment once you acquire this skill. Read some great tips on how to become a better cook.

Always store your spices in a cool and dark place. Exposure to excessive heat, humidity, or light will affect the flavor of dried seasoning. Ground herbs and spices will retain their flavor for about a year. Whole spices last longer, possibly as long as five years. When stored in the correct place, they will keep their freshness for longer.

Get your ingredients squared away ahead of time. It is quite important that the preparation is done well in advance of the cooking process. If you are cooking a complex dish, take some of the stress out of it by having your needed ingredients lined up and ready. Get everything prepared at least a day ahead of time.

If you are just starting out with cooking, consider doing your research at your local library. There are plenty of cookbooks with simple recipes available. Experiment with several recipes, and give yourself the time in perfecting your cooking skills.

Store your spices in a cool, dark place. Your spices will not last as long if they are exposed to light, heat or humidity. Your spices will have a longer shelf life and retain their good taste if stored in a dark, cool spot. Using fresh spices makes meals even more delicious.

In order to make it easier to slice meat into thin strips, you should first marginally freeze the meat. This technique is especially useful for the meat slicing styles typically used in Asian cuisine. When you freeze the meat, fibers stretch less making it cut easier. To keep your meat cooking evenly, make sure you let the slices thaw completely before you cook them.

During cooking, it's essential that you have sharp knives accessible. Dull knives don't get the job done, but in addition, are actually dangerous. Use a sharp knife and it will glide right through the items you wish to cut, without you having to put a great amount of force behind the blade.

They are known to soak up water like a sponge. Wipe the mushrooms off by hand with a cloth that is damp.

Although garlic is a great flavor booster that compliments a wide variety of foods, it can unfortunately stick to your hands. One tip is to utilize the stainless steel feature of your sink; swipe your hand across it when you've been handling garlic or other ingredients with strong odors. This removes the scent from your hands; it also prevents the odor from being transferred to other foods.

Be sure to soak your wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before using. If you do this, the skewers won't burn on the grill. You can make sure that food stays on your skewers by skewing the food with parallel skewers.

By doing this, you will find that you will have fresh fruit for a much longer time. Another great benefit is that you will have certain fruits on their off season.

So, are you going to put that apron on and get into the kitchen to put these tips into practice? Use this advice to start you on your way to cooking like a pro. No matter the reasons why you want to cook, you should take great pleasure in creating a meal that you have made on your own. It is a reality that skills are necessary to be a great cook. The effort requires just makes the result all the more worth it.

No Too Good At Cooking? Follow These Simple Kitchen Tips

2015-01-05T13:00:00.000-08:00

For most people, cooking is nothing more than a daily chore they have to take care of. However, cooking can be an enjoyable activity. It's also a good step toward a more healthy lifestyle. A good cook will always continue to learn new and innovative methods, and the following information will help you learn more about cooking as well.

When you decide to cook with skewers there are a few strategies to keep in mind. Regarding metal skewers, square or twisted varieties are preferable to round ones, as the round ones do not hold food items as well as the other two types.

Cool, dark and dry places are ideal for keeping herbs and spices. Warmth, humidity and light will make them stale and unflavorful. Herbs and spices that are ground usually remain flavorful for a year. Whole spices might retain their flavors for three to five years. When stored in the correct place, they will keep their freshness for longer.

It's very important to have good, sharp knives for cooking. A dull knife will not only make it more difficult to slice and chop your ingredients, but it will also be a hazard to use. The chance of accidentally cutting yourself while using a dull knife to cut steak is way higher than using a sharp knife to cut the same steak.

If you are having guests over for dinner, cook a meal you are confident making. You don't ever want to try new ingredients or recipes that you don't have experience with. This will ensure that your cooking experience is stress-free.

One way to make mashed potatoes retain their taste but contain a little less fat and calories is to replace some of them with equal amounts of cauliflower. Cauliflower blends perfectly with your potatoes without changing the taste of your mashed potatoes. Your mashed potato dish will also look the same if you add cauliflower, allowing it to retain its color and texture while taking the calories out of your potatoes.

Cook your vegetables quickly to preserve flavor. The longer you cook vegetables, the less flavor and nutrition they have. These quick cooking techniques will produce generally, healthier vegetable sides. Cooking vegetables as quickly as possible is key to preserving their nutrients.

When you are cooking, it is important to remember that a fresh ingredient is always better than a frozen or dried ingredient. Try to use as many fresh ingredients as you can, because they will bring out a lot more flavor in your dish, and they can be a lot less expensive in the long run as well.

As was stated at the beginning of the article, good cooks never stop learning. Cooking in enjoyable because you will be able to learn about new and fun foods, as well as great methods for preparing them. In addition, it provides you with the pleasure of teaching others the wonderful things you have learned. Cooking is not just a task to be mastered, but a gift that was meant to be shared with others.

Cook Up A Storm With These Handy Kitchen Tips

2015-01-02T05:25:00.001-08:00

If you are trying to achieve a wonderful eating experience, there are countless cuisines and techniques to help you reach your goal. Some are easy to pick up, while others require study and practice. Here, we will give you some handy kitchen tips to help you improve your cooking skills.

When you are making stir-fry dishes, make certain the meat is thinly sliced on the bias. However, this can take a lot of time while also being very tricky. Remove the meat when it is firm but before it freezes, and cut at an angle of 45 degrees against the grain.

A sharp knife is indispensable for efficient cooking. Dull knives make cutting very difficult, and this makes them much more dangerous than sharp knives. Use a sharp knife and it will glide right through the items you wish to cut, without you having to put a great amount of force behind the blade.

Long cooking processes, like boiling, can "zap" nutrients from foods, like vegetables. Use quick cooking methods instead to maintain their healthy quality. Examples of these methods are steaming, sauteing, or the best one is to eat them raw.

Store your apples correctly so you can use them to cook during the winter months. Air that is warm or dry will cause apples to spoil, so it is important to place them in a plastic bag, knotted loosely and keep them in a cool place. One rotten apple will spoil the bunch so keep a close eye on them while stored.

Cooking vegetables quickly improves their overall quality. Vegetables that have been slow-cooked are not as nutritional or tasty as vegetables that are cooked in other ways. Vegetables cooked in these ways make healthier side dishes and ingredients in recipes. The key to improving your vegetables is learning how you can cook them in the minimum amount of time.

Do you love to cook with fresh basil? Store the basil within a glass. The stems will then need to be covered with water. It will remain fresh for a good amount of time just sitting on the kitchen counter! If you occasionally change its water, it will sprout roots. Occasionally trim the basil in order to promote more growth so that you can have fresh basil for a while.

Always soak skewers in water for 30 minutes before loading them with food and cooking. This will help to prevent burning when they are cooking. You can keep food on the skewer when you use two parallel skewers instead of one.

Keep in mind that tofu and beans are excellent sources of protein when you want to add more protein to your diet. They are also easily located at almost every grocery store. Tofu can be seasoned and pan-fried, and then served in lieu of a meat dish. Likewise, beans cooked with herbs can also be a flavorful dish.

Over-complicating recipes is often the source of a ruined meal. You can make healthy, tasty meals without a lot of hassle, by sticking to what you understand clearly. You can use the tips that have been provided to improve your cooking skills and make improve every meal that you cook in the future.

All About Cooking: Tips And Tricks For The Home Chef

2015-01-01T13:00:00.000-08:00

While we all need to eat, not all of us can cook food that is worth eating...yet. Make the most of your cooking efforts by trying the tips offered here. Do not allow yourself to be intimidated by the idea of preparing a fine meal with a variety of ingredients. Cooking can be a very good skill to have. Have fun cooking and don't stress if you go a bit overboard and make a mess occasionally.

Cooking vegetables for a long time in a boiling liquid will remove nutrients that are found in them. To keep them nutritious, try quickly cooking them, like sauteing or steaming. You can also enjoy them raw.

Be careful when using garlic because the flavor and aroma can be transferred to a variety of surfaces, including your hands. By rubbing your hands inside a stainless sink after handling pungent smelling foods. This serves to both clean your hands thoroughly and prevent the odors from seeping into any other food you are going to handle.

If you have made sauce, put the leftovers into an ice cube tray and freeze. Then, at a later date, it is a simple process to reheat the cubes on your stove top in a pan. Nothing to worry about as the sauce will be fine even after it's been sitting in ice cube trays.

When cooking vegetables, try cooking them in chicken broth. Add extra flavor to your vegetables and keep them from sticking by using chicken broth instead of water. There is not a lot of expense when buying chicken broth, and most grocers carry it.

Using less fats, like extra virgin oil or butter, when you cook will help you to lose weight and keep your heart healthy. These include fatty substances like oils and butter. A smart alternative is to switch to a nonstick cooking spray, it gives similar results with less of the unhealthy ingredients.

Before cooking pumpkins, cut them up and place them on a baking sheet flesh side up. On different baking sheets, place a half face down on each one. Sprinkle the baking sheet with water, and bake the pumpkin for an hour at 350 degrees.

Always measure your cooking oils! To lower the amount of fat in your cooking, be sure to carefully measure the amount of oil that you use when you cook, instead of simply pouring from the bottle into a pan. If you know exactly how much oil you're using, you know exactly how much fat has been added.

If you want to cook a roast but don't have enough time, you should keep the bone in. It will cook faster because the bone will evenly distribute the heat inside your roaster. Once your roast is done, just cut the meat from the bone, then serve.

Cooking doesn't have to be scary. Home made food is cheaper and healthier than eating out, and making it can be fun. Use the tips we have given you and let them lead you to the grocer's, back to your kitchen and then to your happy family! Enjoy your cooking adventure!

Smooth Chickpea Tahini Hummus Recipe

2014-12-31T13:00:00.000-08:00

1 can (15 oz.) chickpeas, rinsed and drained well
1 garlic clove, peeled
1 Tbsp natural roasted sesame tahini
1/4 cup vegetable broth
1 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 to 1 tsp olive oil
kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Put the chickpeas, garlic, tahini, broth, lemon juice, and olive oil in a blender and pulse until smooth. Add more vegetable broth or olive oil if needed to get a smoother hummus. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste.

Remove to a bowl and serve immediately either on a crudite tray or with bread or crackers.

Will make at least 1 cup of finished hummus.

Sweet Potato And Turnip Bake Recipe

2014-12-31T12:30:00.000-08:00

1 medium sweet potato
1 medium turnip
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1/4 cup finely diced flat leaf parsley
kosher salt and black pepper to taste
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Peel the sweet potato and turnip and dice them both into 1 inch cubes.

Put a steamer basket in a large pot, fill with just enough water to come up to the bottom of the steamer, and set the veggies in the steamer. Cover the pot, bring water to a boil, and allow the veggies to steam until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Watch the water to make sure it doesn't boil dry; add more hot water to pot if necessary.

In a skillet, add the olive oil and onion, place over medium heat and cook until onion softens; set aside.

When the sweet potatoes and turnips are tender, remove from the pot and place in a large bowl. Smash together with a potato masher or pastry cutter or a large fork. Add the onion and olive oil from the skillet along with the fresh parsley and stir together to combine well, taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.

Spoon the mixture into a broiler-safe dish and top with shredded Parmesan cheese. Place under broiler and heat just until cheese melts and slightly browns, about 2 minutes. Remove and serve hot.

Will serve 2 to 4.

Skillet Sweet Potatoes With Apple Cider Glaze Recipe

2014-12-30T13:00:00.000-08:00

3 medium size sweet potatoes
1 1/2 cups pure apple cider
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 cup dried cranberries
dash kosher salt if desired

Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into bite size pieces. Fill a large pot with cold water, add the sweet potatoes and bring to a boil, then cook the sweet potatoes just until they are knife tender, about 4 to 5 minutes; drain well and set aside.

Get out a large heavy skillet and put it over medium-high heat. Add the apple cider, oil, nutmeg, and allspice, stirring until it comes to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and add the sweet potatoes, stirring until the liquid starts to thicken slightly, then turn heat to low.

Let the mixture simmer on low for about 5 minutes, stirring often.

Add the cranberries and continue to simmer until most of the liquid has been reduced and the potatoes are tender, about 5 more minutes.

Dump mixture into a serving bowl, taste and add salt if desired. Be sure to scrape any remaining glaze out of skillet and over the sweet potatoes in the bowl. Serve warm.

Will serve 4 to 6.

Roasted Green Beans With Savory Vinaigrette Recipe

2014-12-30T12:30:00.000-08:00

2 lbs fresh green beans
1/2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Preheat oven to 400 degrees, and lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking oil.

Trim the green beans, wash and dry them well, then put them in a large bowl and add the 1/2 Tbsp olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder and toss together.

Dump the beans out onto the prepared baking sheet, cover loosely with a sheet of tin foil, and put in preheated oven for 10 minutes, then remove the tin foil and bake another 10 minutes, stirring often, until the beans begin to brown slightly.

Meanwhile, put the remaining ingredients in a bowl and whisk until frothy; set aside.
When beans are cooked, dump them into a large bowl, add the vinaigrette while the beans are still hot, and
toss to coat well. Serve immediately.

Will serve 4 to 6.

Roasted Golden Beet Hummus Recipe

2014-12-29T13:00:00.000-08:00

5 medium size whole golden beets, trimmed and washed2 garlic cloves, smashed (will be discarded)
2 Tbsp tahini paste
2 large lemons, juiced
1/2 to 1 Tbsp curry powder, to taste
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Put beets and garlic in a baking pan, place tin foil on the pan and seal the edges tightly.

Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until beets are fork tender. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

When cool enough to handle, take paper towels and rub the skin off the beets. Discard the skin and the garlic cloves.

Put the peeled beets in a food processor along with the tahini, lemon juice, curry, salt, and pepper, and blend until very smooth.

May be served at room temperature or may be refrigerated and served chilled.

Serve as a spread with multi grain crackers or as a dip for fresh veggies.

Roasted Beet And Cheese Salad With Herbed Olive Oil Dressing Recipe

2014-12-29T12:30:00.000-08:00

2 lbs small fresh beets, trimmed
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 tsp chopped fresh chives
4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
kosher salt and black pepper to season

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Wash the beets and place them whole in a roasting pan, then cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil.

Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until the beets are fork tender. The baking time will depend on how large the beets are.

Remove the roasting pan from the oven and let the beets cool to the touch, then take a paper towel and rub each beet to remove the skin, then cut into thin wedges; set aside.

In a large salad bowl, whisk together the olive oil, thyme, and chives until frothy.

Now add the beets to the bowl and toss gently to coat the beets with the dressing, then top with the goat cheese and season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve.

Will serve 4 to 6.

Nutty Roasted Broccoli Recipe

2014-12-28T13:00:00.000-08:00

1 large crown fresh broccoli
1 garlic clove, grated
2 tsp soy sauce
2 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp black pepper
kosher salt or sea salt to taste (optional)
1/4 cup chopped raw almonds (or walnuts)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Wash broccoli and cut into equal size florets, about 2 inch chunks. Put in a large bowl and add the garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, and black pepper; toss to combine well, then pour out onto a large baking sheet.

Put in preheated oven, cover broccoli loosely with tin foil, and bake for 5 minutes, then remove tin foil, stir broccoli, then bake for another 5 minutes, uncovered.

When broccoli is just starting to brown, remove from oven, add kosher salt or sea salt to taste if you like, cover again with tin foil and let stand for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, put almonds in a dry skillet (no oil) and toast slightly, just until fragrant, over a medium-low burner.

Dump broccoli into a serving bowl, add toasted almonds, and toss.

Will serve 4.

Naturally Sweet Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

2014-12-28T12:30:00.000-08:00

1 large cauliflower head
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp kosher salt

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and lightly oil a large baking sheet.

Wash and cut the cauliflower into small similar sized florettes; about 2 inch pieces.

Put the cauliflower in a bowl along with the other ingredients and toss to combine, then dump the mixture out onto the prepared baking sheet and spread out evenly.

Loosely cover the cauliflower with a sheet of tin foil and bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes, then remove the tin foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the cauliflower is lightly browned and fork tender.

Remove and put in serving bowl.

Will serve 4.

Multi Grain Walnut Sage Dressing Recipe

2014-12-27T13:00:00.000-08:00

2 medium size loaves multi grain bread, day-old preferred1 Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced small
3 celery stalks, diced small
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup fresh sage, minced
3 cups chicken broth
1 large egg
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Set oven to 350 degrees.

Trim the crusts off the bread if you wish, then cut into 1 inch cubes and place in a large bowl; set aside.
Put the olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat, stir in the onion and celery and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until slightly softened, then add the walnuts and stir for another minute or until walnuts are fragrant.

Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the sage, then pour the mixture into the bowl with the bread cubes and toss to combine.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and the egg until well combined, then add to the bread and toss until the bread is moistened. Now stir in the cranberries and add salt and pepper to taste.
Lightly oil a large casserole or 9x13 baking pan, then spoon the mixture into the casserole, spreading it out evenly.

Cover the casserole and bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, then remove cover and continue baking for another 20 to 30 minutes or until cooked thoroughly and dressing is lightly browned and forming a crust around the edges of the casserole.

Will serve 10 to 12 as a side dish.

Healthy Holiday Baked Mac And Cheese

2014-12-27T12:30:00.000-08:00

2 cups whole wheat macaroni
2 cups finely chopped onion
1 tsp olive oil
2 cups fat-free evaporated skim milk
1 egg, beaten with a fork
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 to 2 cups finely shredded low-fat Cheddar cheese
1 cup finely crushed multi grain crackers
1 tsp olive oil

Cook the macaroni according to package directions, but keep just slightly firm; drain and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a casserole dish.

Put onions in a large saucepan with 1 tsp olive oil and cook over medium heat until onions soften; remove from heat.

Into this saucepan, add the milk, stirring until onion cools, then add the egg, mustard, black pepper, and cheese.

Now put heat back on low and stir until cheese melts, then add the cooked macaroni and stir until combined, then turn mixture into prepared casserole.

Bake, uncovered in preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix the crushed crackers with olive oil and set aside.

After the 20 minutes, remove the casserole and sprinkle the crushed crackers evenly over the top, return the casserole to oven and bake another 5 to 10 minutes until the crackers brown slightly.

Will serve 8 to 10.

Homestyle Sweet Onion Dip Recipe

2014-12-26T13:00:00.000-08:00

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 small Vidalia or Walla Walla onion, diced
1 garlic clove, peeled
1 can (16 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
pinch cayenne
kosher salt and black pepper to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup diced sundried tomatoes, soaked in hot water, then drained

Put the olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-low heat, add the onion and cook until soft and light gold in color (caramelized) - this will take about 15 minutes if done correctly; stir frequently.

Remove from heat and put onions in a food processor, then add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Add more olive oil if the mixture is too thick.

Remove to a bowl and serve as a dip with veggies or bread sticks. This is a nice healthy substitute for those prepackaged onion dips.

Healthy Holiday Green Bean Casserole Recipe

2014-12-26T12:30:00.000-08:00

4 cups fresh green beans
1 cup finely diced onion
2 cups finely diced fresh mushrooms
3 Tbsp olive oil, divided
2 Tbsp flour
1 cup vegetable broth
1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp kosher salt
4 cups crushed multi grain, whole wheat, or nut rice crackers
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp onion powder

Trim the stems off the green beans. You may leave the beans whole or cut them in half if you like. Bring a large pot of water to boil, drop in the green beans, and cook for 5 minutes, drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, add the onion, mushrooms, and 1 Tbsp olive oil and cook over medium heat until vegetables soften, then remove the onions and mushrooms from the skillet, place in a bowl and set aside.

Into the same skillet over medium heat, add the remaining 2 Tbsp olive oil and the flour and whisk until smooth, cooking until flour turns golden in color, about 2 or 3 minutes.

Continue whisking while slowly pouring in the vegetable broth, reduce heat to low and continue whisking until a thickened sauce forms, then whisk in the Worcestershire, black pepper, garlic powder, and kosher salt; remove from heat.

Add to the skillet the green beans and the onion-mushroom mixture and stir until coated well with the sauce.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Get out a large casserole pan and lightly spray it with cooking oil, then dump the green bean mixture into the casserole pan and spread evenly.

In a bowl, toss the crushed crackers with olive oil and onion powder, then sprinkle evenly over the casserole.

Bake, uncovered, for 35 to 40 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly hot and the cracker topping is golden brown.

Will serve 4 to 6.

Healthy Holiday Perfect Brussels Sprouts Recipe

2014-12-25T02:19:00.002-08:00

1 lb fresh Brussels sprouts, washed and halved
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp good balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp chopped pecans
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly coat a large baking sheet with cooking oil.

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then add the prepared Brussels sprouts to the bowl and toss to coat well.

Dump the Brussels sprouts out onto the baking sheet, cover loosely with a sheet of tin foil, then bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.

Remove tin foil, stir Brussels sprouts around, and return to oven for another 10 minutes or until the Brussels sprouts are lightly browned, turning sprouts over at least once during this baking time.

Dump hot Brussels sprouts out into a large bowl, add the pecans and cranberries and toss to combine. Serve immediately.

Will serve 4.

Healthy Holiday Breakfast Pie Recipe

2014-12-25T02:18:00.000-08:00

2 cups coarsely grated raw potatoes
1/2 cup diced onion
4 oz ground turkey sausage
1/4 cup reduced-fat shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup reduced-fat shredded Mozzarella cheese
4 eggs
6 egg whites
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Lightly spray a pie pan with cooking oil.

Put the potatoes and onion in a bowl and stir to combine, then spoon into pie pan and gently press evenly over the bottom and up the sides of the pie pan. Put in preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes; remove and let cool slightly.

Turn oven down to 350 degrees.

In a skillet, cook the turkey sausage, breaking it up into small pieces, until cooked thoroughly; let cool slightly then sprinkle evenly into cooked potato pie 'crust.'

Mix together the two cheese and sprinkle mixture evenly over the sausage in pie.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and egg whites, then stir in the herbs, mix well, then pour into the pie pan evenly covering the cheese.

Bake pie, uncovered, in 350 degree oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until the filling is completely cooked and top is light golden brown in color.

Remove and let sit for 5 minutes before slicing to serve.

Will serve 6 to 8.

Spaghetti Squash Sausage And Cheese Casserole Recipe

2014-12-24T13:00:00.000-08:00

1 large spaghetti squash
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 lb turkey sausage
8 oz sliced fresh mushrooms
2 Tbsp whole wheat flour
2 cups vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
1/2 cup shredded skim-milk Mozzarella cheese, divided
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
3 small leaves fresh basil, minced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees degrees and lightly oil a shallow baking dish.

Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and lay in baking dish, cut side down. Loosely cover squash with a sheet of tin foil, then place in oven and roast for 50 to 60 minutes, until you can stick a knife through the squash easily.

Remove the baking dish from the oven, let the squash cool enough to handle, then turn the squash cut side up and scoop out any seeds in the middle of the squash and discard the seeds. Now scoop the cooked squash out of the skin, place it in a large bowl, and discard the skin. Using a couple forks, separate the squash into 'spaghetti' strands; set aside, covered to keep warm.

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil, turkey sausage, and mushrooms, and cook, stirring and breaking up the turkey sausage. Cook until the sausage is brown and the mushrooms have softened.

Now sprinkle the whole wheat flour into the skillet and stir just until the flour turns yellow, then keep stirring and slowly add the vegetable stock, continuing to stir, and cook until the liquid thickens slightly. Stir constantly to bring up any browned bits from the skillet.

Turn heat off and add half the Mozzarella cheese, stirring until the cheese is melted, then add the salt, black pepper, and minced basil, and stir to combine, then dump this mixture into the bowl with the spaghetti squash and toss to combine.

Lightly oil a casserole dish and dump the spaghetti squash mixture into the dish, then evenly scatter the remaining Mozzarella cheese on top, then sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over that.

Bake, uncovered, in preheated 375 degree oven for 40 to 50 minutes until the cheese on top has turned lightly golden in color and the casserole has crisped a little and turned light brown along the edge.
Remove and let sit for 3 to 5 minutes, then serve.

Will serve 6.

Spiral Cut Ham With Cranberry Orange Mustard Glaze Recipe

2014-12-24T12:30:00.000-08:00

6 lb spiral cut, smoked cooked ham, sodium reduced
1 cup cranberry orange relish
2 Tbsp brown or other natural ground mustard

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Put a rack in a roasting pan and place ham on rack, then cover the pan with aluminum foil, sealing around the edges of the pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 1 to 1-1/2 hour or until ham is heated through.

When ham is done, remove from oven and remove foil.

In a bowl, whisk together the cranberry orange relish and mustard until smooth.

Spoon the glaze evenly over the ham in the baking pan, then put pan back in the oven and continue baking (uncovered) for 30 minutes. Spoon the drippings from the glaze back onto the ham several times during this period.

Remove ham from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.

Slice and serve with sides.

Will serve 8 to 10.

How To Keep Your Good Intentions This Christmas Season

2014-12-24T12:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas is often the holiday when we say we're going to focus on family, but our intentions keep getting lost. It's busy. It's hectic. There's not enough time to get it all done. Etc. Etc. Etc.

If this sounds like your family, it's time to take back the season and stick to your good intentions. It's not impossible. It's not even that hard. Let's take a look at several issues we struggle with during Christmas and see if there might be a solution or two.

Expense

This issue makes the top of the list because it often colors the rest of the celebration before we can even get our plans underway. Everything seems alright until the money starts to disappear. All our good intentions to stay focused on family and fun start to fade away when money gets tight.

There is only one solution - budget. Perhaps a budget seems like too much work, but it's the only way to keep the focus where it belongs. You will have to spend some time with paper, pencil, and some hard choices, but it will be worth it, trust me.

Create a budget that won't just postpone the pain. This means put a limit on ALL spending, including the credit cards. To avoid the January surprises, you may even want to pull together some envelopes with spending cash designated for gifts, food, drinks, decorations, donations, and whatever you need for your
Christmas celebration.

A budget specifically set for each individual item not only helps reign in spending, but it also helps eliminate that last minute spending spree because you forgot if you took care of X, Y, or Z. Plan your budget like you plan your Christmas dinner menu. Be precise in your budgeting and you will find it relieves a lot of stress, giving you time and energy to focus on what you wanted to - family and fun, remember?

Exercise

No, you are not going to focus on losing weight during Christmas. Instead, you want to think about staying active every day and enjoying some play time with your family and friends.

Some of the stress you feel during the holidays is due to the fact that you are putting your health on a back-burner. You may be eating too much of the wrong foods and skipping exercise because you're too busy. Whatever the reason, you should never omit exercise from your daily routine, especially during the holidays!

Even if you can't make it to the gym or spend an hour on the treadmill, you can stay active. Several short walks a day will help clear the mind and get the blood pumping. You will burn a few calories, but most importantly you will lift your spirits. It's amazing what a little boost in those endorphins, the feel good hormones, will do for a person.

And, don't forget the family! If spending more time with your family is part of what Christmas is all about, then a little play goes a long way toward that goal, too. Exercise to feel good, but make exercise fun to include your kids. Before the day gets too busy, get outside and have a game of tag. Shoot some buckets. Get a game of field hockey going. Do somersaults. Rollerblade. Ride your bike. Snowshoe. Build a snowman. Whatever you can do to be active and have some laughs will get you well on the way to your goal of spending time enjoying your family this Christmas.

Entertainment

You've got your budget set and you have lots of ideas to stay active and healthy. But, there are going to be times spent inside, too. Of course, you'll be gathered around the table during some of the Christmas season enjoying delicious meals and sharing stories. This is all wonderful because your goal is to connect with your family, but how you spend your time is important.

One great way to make your moments together count even more is to plan activities that involve the whole family working together on projects. These can be simple crafts like creating handmade gifts or decorations to share, to larger scale projects like cooking and serving dinner at a community shelter or church.

If your family is musically inclined, you may want to join a caroling group, church choir, or band. Maybe you would like to help decorate the church. Your town may have a youth group that pitches in and decorates the store windows or city hall.

Give some thought to what you, your family, and your community needs and figure out a way to help get those needs met. Gift trees are popular to help get gifts for families who can't afford to buy gifts. Food drives are another easy to organize an event that your family could do. Plan a movie night at your local theater and ask attendees to bring a new toy to give to kids spending Christmas in a hospital or away from home. There are lots of ways you can do good deeds and find lots of entertainment for your family at the same time.

Having a happy holiday often means finding a balance between a busy schedule, tight budget, and family fun. You can do it all, but it takes planning, a few strategies, and lots of love. Merry Christmas!

Herbed Apple Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe

2014-12-23T13:00:00.000-08:00

20 large white button mushrooms
1 Tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp olive oil, divided
3 tsp good balsamic vinegar, divided
1 stalk celery, finely diced
1 tart apple, peeled, cored, finely diced
2 Tbsp finely chopped parsley
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried basil
kosher salt and black pepper to taste
2 tsp butter
1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
2 tsp vegetable stock

Remove stems from the mushrooms, chop the stems up and set aside.

In large bowl, stir together the soy sauce, 1 tsp of the olive oil, and 1 tsp of the balsamic vinegar, until well blended. Gently add the mushroom caps to the bowl and use your hands to turn the caps over until they are completely coated with the mixture.

Get out a large baking sheet and lightly spray it with cooking oil, then gently remove the mushroom caps from the mixture, let any excess drip off, then place open side up on the baking sheet; set aside.

Prepare the filling: In a heavy skillet over medium heat, pour in the remaining 1 tsp olive oil, add the chopped mushroom stems, celery, apple, parsley, oregano, and basil, and stir, cooking just until veggies soften, then add salt and pepper to taste.

Stir in the butter and bread crumbs until the butter melts, then dump mixture into a bowl and add the Parmesan and the vegetable stock, stirring to combine.

Stuff the mushrooms: Take a tablespoon and gently fill each mushroom cap on the baking sheet with the apple mixture until it is used up. Take the remaining 2 tsp balsamic vinegar and drizzle over the top of each stuffed mushroom.

Add butter and bread crumbs. Stir to combine and melt butter. Transfer to bowl. Add Parmesan and vegetable stock. Stuff each mushroom with a slightly rounded Tbsp of filling. Brush remaining balsamic vinegar over top of each mushroom.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees, then put mushrooms in and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbling hot.

Remove and let cool slightly before serving.

Will serve 10 or more on a buffet or as an appetizer.

Herbed Accordion Sliced Potatoes Recipe

2014-12-23T12:30:00.000-08:00

8 large Yukon Gold potatoes
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tsp minced fresh thyme

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.

Scrub the potatoes well, then carefully make thin slices across but not going all the way through.

Place in a baking dish, cut side up, cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, just until softened slightly, then remove from oven to complete recipe.

Slightly pull open the sliced parts of the potatoes and drizzle in the olive oil, then sprinkle the salt and pepper evenly over and inside the potatoes.

Put back in oven and bake, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and a bit browned.

Remove and sprinkle the potatoes evenly with the parsley and thyme, add a pinch or so of salt if desired, then serve.

Will serve 8.

Use These Tips For A Healthy Christmas Party

2014-12-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

Get On Board With A Healthy Christmas Work Party

The annual Christmas Party notice is posted on the bulletin board. Your reaction is to cringe. Healthy eating was finally a habit! Your kitchen is stocked with all the foods your diet requires, and now THIS.

Take heart! There are ways you can enjoy a Christmas party and stay on track with your diet. Whether you are on a weight loss program, a heart health program, a diabetes program, or any other nutrition program, there are ways you can enjoy the party. Here are a few ideas to bring that holiday spirit back while staying on track with your diet.

Sign Up

This is probably the single most important way to keep the Christmas party healthy and fun at the same time. Yes, it's extra work for you, but avoiding the problem is even harder work. If you leave the planning to others, you may not have a choice of healthy foods on the table. When you see that sign-up sheet on the bulletin board, put your name down as soon as possible. If you're early in the planning stages, you may be able to direct the menu.

Bar Time

You will typically find a bar set up for a Christmas party. There may be soft drinks, wine, beer, or liquor for mixed drinks. Perhaps there is a punch bowl. If you are part of the planning committee, be sure to insist on plenty of water, juice, club soda, and sparkling water. Offer to make the punch using fresh juice and sparkling soda or water and skip the alcohol. If you are not on the committee, you will want to prepare yourself. Overindulging at the bar is often caused by thirst, so eliminate the thirst by filling your tummy with good fresh juice and water before and during the party. Alternate any sugary or alcohol drinks you have with large glasses of water.

Eat Ahead

Trying to stay on a diet is difficult enough, but if you're watching the clock tick at work, knowing that at a certain time there will be acres of food and drinks laid before you, it's even harder. That's why you want to plan to eat before you get to the party. Yes, it's fun to look forward to all that food, but your empty stomach will make decisions you won't find so fun in the long run. If your party starts after work, bring a good, big lunch with you that suits your dietary needs. If your party begins at mid-day, eat a hearty healthy breakfast and have a snack just before the party begins. You're not being a 'party pooper.' You're being smart.

Peruse Then Choose

When you walk into the party, stop and take a look around. Your senses may be overwhelmed at first, but if you slowly peruse the spread, you will begin to see what you need, and what you don't need. Walk along the tables, go up to the bar, and make a few mental notes. The trouble with an over-loaded plate usually occurs when you start at the beginning of the table and just start scooping up servings. If you don't know what's ahead, how can you choose what you want to eat? So, take a look around, then go back and selectively serve up a plate that suits you and your diet.

Divided Desserts

This is probably the easiest of all the strategies to stay on track with your diet. Most everyone at the party will get to the dessert table and let out a little sigh. They wish they could indulge, but can't. That's your cue to choose a 'dessert buddy' and divide one of those delicious treats between you. If you were vigilant with the other strategies, you have probably saved yourself some wiggle room for dessert. However, if sugar is forbidden, this table may be off limits. That takes us back to the first strategy - sign up. If you are part of the planning committee, make sure you propose an alternative for the usual sweet dessert.

The average Christmas party is full of dietary obstacles. Getting involved with the planning and taking a few steps to avoid the pitfalls will allow you to not only attend the party, but to enjoy it. Merry Christmas!