Fat Tuesday

Formerly, during the celebration of Easter, the Church forbade eating of a few things, not only meat but also other food including eggs, milk, cheese, and butter.

But people wanted to eat something different, and thus were born the ancestors of pancakes, people mixed wheat flour with water and then spread it thinly on hot stones to cook. Later some prohibitions were removed and the church authorized to include eggs, milk, sugar and butter in the diet of abstinence. Given this opportunity these products were added to the original mixture and pancakes began to be cooked in pans (pan and bread – hence bread cake or “pan cake”) with the addition of butter or fat resulted in cakes that everyone wowed and so did the custom of cooking them stacks and stacks of pancakes for the first Tuesday of fasting. Once ready the head of household or monastery rang a bell for everyone to come to eat…

Time passed and some customs became the thing of the past, but pancake lingered at the table of all households and restaurants as it can be filled with both sweet (dulce de leche, jam, cream, etc.) and salted stuffings (meat, cheese, ham, vegetables, fish, pates, etc).

The different types of pancakes

Crepes

Pancakes, or more precisely crêpes as French people call them, are originated from Latin word “crispus”, which means curly, are a gastronomic element made primarily from wheat flour forming a disk-shaped mass. It is usually served as the basis of a dish or dessert applying all kinds of sweet or savory ingredients.

Common ingredients of the baked dough are flour, eggs, milk, butter, salt and sugar. There are generally two types: sweet crêpes with wheat flour and crêpes made with buckwheat flour. They are a result of cooking the batter in an extended disk-shaped pan and are cooked from both sides in a pan or something more specific like a crêpière (specific device made to cook it more easily).

Originated from Brittany, the western part of France, where they are called krampouz, today crêpes is a popular recipe in all European countries, especially on the Chandeleur, the day of carnival, as part of the French tradition. Buckwheat came to Europe from China and came to the Eastern Europe where it gave rise to a similar meal – blini. In Brittany crêpes are traditionally served with cider.

In central Europe they called palacinka (Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia), Palatschinken (Austria), palacsinta (Hungary) – all terms derived from the Romanian word “placinta” (Latin “placenta”). In some regions it is known as Pfannkuchen (Germany) and pannenkoeken (Holland) which comes from joining the words “pan” and “cake”.

In Spain it is often served with whipped cream, jam, sugar, chocolate or sausage (usually ham and cheese) for breakfast or as a snack in cafes and restaurants.

Blini are sort of pancakes from fine flour, milk, egg and yeast that are cooked in the oven or fried with or without any filling. It is very common in Slavic (Russian, Ukrainian or Polish), as well as in Jewish cuisine.

Blini are a type of pancakes or crepes made with a simple batter which extends generally over the surface of a pan. There are many variations in different cultures and countries, not just in the ingredients but in the way of it being served.

In the UK, Ireland, Australia, pancakes are traditionally served in what is called the Shrove Tuesday known as “Pancake Day”. (The Shrove Tuesday is better known in the United States, in France and other countries as Mardi Gras or better Fat Tuesday.) According to the tradition it is the last chance to eat something nutritious before the coming of the Lent.

A blintz, a blintze or blin (plural: blintzes, Russian: blini; Ukrainian: Mlyntsi) is a thin pancake (similar to a crepe).

The English word blintz comes from Yiddish (“blintse”), which in turn comes from blin. “Blin” comes from the Old Slavic mlin, which means “grind” (compare the Ukrainian word for blin “mlynets”).

Blini had a somewhat ritual significance for early Slavic peoples in pre-Christian times since they were a symbol of the sun, due to its round shape. They were traditionally prepared at the end of winter to honor the rebirth of the new sun (Pancake week, or Maslenitsa).
This tradition was adopted by the Orthodox Church and survived to today. Blini were once served at wakes, to commemorate the recently deceased.

The Russian Blini

Blini

The traditional Russian blini are made with yeasted batter, which is left to rise and then diluted with cold (zavarnye bliny), boiling water or milk just before baking them in the traditional Russian oven (to this day the process of blini cooking is referred to as baking in Russian, although currently they are pan-fried almost universally, like pancakes). Blintzes (blinchiki in Russian, considered to be a borrowed dish) it is made of unyeasted batter (usually made of flour, milk and eggs) and is almost identical to French crêpes. All kinds of flour can be used to cook blini: wheat and buckwheat to oatmeal and millet, although wheat is currently by far the most popular.

Blintz was popularized in the United States by Jewish immigrants as the blintz is a popular dish in Jewish cuisine. While not associated with any specific religious rite in Judaism, blintzes that are stuffed with a cheese filling and then fried in vegetable oil are served on holidays such as Chanukah and Shavuot (when dairy dishes are traditionally served).

Buckwheat blini are a part of traditional Russian cuisine, almost forgotten during the Soviet times, they are still widespread in Ukraine where they are known as hrechanyky and Lithuania in Dzukija region, which produces buckwheat, the only region in the country, traditionally called in Lithuanian “grikiu blynai”.

Photo by French Tart and Katii

However, I’d like to go beyond the traditional romantic table, and add a more personal and exotic touch. How? With exquisite aphrodisiac recipes for Valentine’s Day and an innovative combination of flavor that will leave your partner literally speechless.

Take a look at these most splendid menus prepared and delicious recipes complete with these aphrodisiacs.

Aphrodisiacs

Aperitif

Honey Sandwiches

Of course we had to start with an appetizer, as the night has to be long enough and should be savored slowly all meals proposed. What is the idea then? Delicious grapes and honey sandwiches are great to start in the best way, and they are fantastic to make your body release endorphins. Don’t forget that only such ingredients like honey and grapes do this job to perfection.

Main course

oysters

The main course could not be other than oysters. They are delicious and traditionally considered to be the most celebrated aphrodisiac in the history. Yes it is true that it is perhaps not one of the simplest dishes to prepare, but under the circumstances, and considering that this is a special occasion that occurs only once a year, I bet we can sacrifice a good amount of time to the kitchen and make this delicious recipe for the St. Valentine’s Day.

We offer a delicious preparation of oysters on the Half Shell with Mignonette Sauce with shallot, champagne vinegar and black pepper. What better way to stimulate all the senses? Cheer up with this recipe! It’s really easier than it looks, and if it is a dish that for your partner will certainly be a whole new experience to share.

Dessert

moist

Or yes dessert! Some chocolate is a must-have. Why? Because chocolate is one of the most traditional and classic aphrodisiacs of all time. It was used in ancient Rome as one of the most effective ways to stimulate sex drive, plus it is still used today for the same purpose.

The proposal is a delicious recipe for moist chocolate cake. Soft, succulent, sweet enough, and very creamy, what more could you want? I bet there’s no better dessert to finish this dinner as best aphrodisiac.

Photos: Better Homes and Gardens, Alison H

Romantic Dinner

In general, a romantic dinner has to be light and delicate, characterized by very special food, which tasted very occasionally and, of course, outstanding in quality. It never hurts to opt for aphrodisiac mythology: strawberries, sparkling wines, seafood, spice or chocolate … They often become usual ingredients in a full-of-passion menu.

Starters and main courses

Warm spinach salad

The seafood is always a good choice to start a dinner. Alone or in scrambled or salads this is a good way to begin to whet your appetite: oysters, scallops, prawns, crayfish … They are also very easy to prepare in canapés (smoked, pâté, caviar, duck ham, cheese) and kebabs (chicken and pepper, pork and pineapple, shrimp and mushrooms, vegetables, eggplant, ham and cheese).

We cannot fail to mention the delicious warm salads, where you can test your creativity. For example, a salad of endive, tomato and cilantro garnished with shrimps, sautéed baby eels or a little garlic and olive oil. There are also an excellent spinach salad served with fruit (pomegranate, tangerine, apple, grape), nuts (walnuts, pine nuts, raisins) or cheese (blue, greasy, goat).

Also assured success is opting to make some cold dishes as mousse, carpaccio or cocktails, both meat and fish or seafood. By the way, do not forget to prepare a fondue or raclette. It can be a fun and convenient alternative to enjoy a romantic dinner.

The strongest bite

Baked Fish

For main courses we must always bear in mind that the choice has to be robust and flavorful, yet sober. So, fish and most delicate and finest meats always hit the nail on any table. Do not forget to always prepare something easy to eat: plenty small bird bones or fish bones with many thorns can test anyone’s patience.

The options are endless: sirloin, stuffed meat or fish, a good steak, swordfish, cuttlefish, salmon, monkfish, scallops of meat or fish … all grilled, broiled, or accompanied by a light sauce. Remember to make good use of oils and balsamic vinegars and spices: the right combination will guarantee you the greatest satisfaction.

Finally, sweet

Fruits and Chocolate

Fruit and chocolate are two basic ingredients when combining the best dessert for Valentine’s Day. An exotic fruit salad (mango, papaya, pineapple) and strawberries, drizzled with honey or caramel can be an easy option as well as chocolate fondues. Ice cream is also a good alternative: cava and lemon sorbets are delicious.

You can make a chocolate mousse, homemade chocolates or a cake, though, if you do not want to complicate, you can use strawberries or nuts with cream, candy or ice cream. Indeed, it takes cinnamon or vanilla to flavor your dessert: the well-known aphrodisiac effect will be the icing on the cake of an unforgettable dinner.

New Year Fruits

What is considered as lucky food for New Year’s Eve? The answer depends on your orientation and where you are located. My personal experience has taught me that you need to have all the round things that you can find in order to attract prosperity during the incoming year. Hence, we always had bunches of round fruits at the table. Why don’t we take a look at lucky food for New Year’s Eve from different parts of the world?

Noodles

Ramen Noodle Bowl

This tradition comes from Asia, as you may have surmised. The idea is that the noodles represent long life, and if you eat noodles on New Year’s Ever (or Day), you will have a long life. There is a condition, though: you cannot break the noodles until all the strands are in your mouth!

If you like noodle-based dishes, then you’re in luck. You can serve all you want come your New Year party, and have a pretty good reason for it!

Worried that you have no idea how to make a noodle dish? Here’s the easiest thing you make: Easy Ramen Noodle Bowl. While you only have to buy a pre-packed Oriental noodle mix, I think it still counts as lucky food.

For the real deal, you can grab some rice noodles the next time you go to the supermarket. Use the rice noodles to make Gingery Shrimp and Noodles. Alternatively, you can use soba noodles to make Miso-Glazed Scallops with Soba Noodles.

Now don’t forget: make sure you don’t break the noodles till you have them inside your mouth!

Pork and Cabbage

Pork and Cabbage

This is new for me. Before I wrote this post, I never thought of pork and cabbage as lucky food for the New Year. Apparently, in Texas, this is the tradition! You do not have to mix the two ingredients together for Lady Luck to smile on you, but I suppose it would not hurt.

The easiest – and most versatile – thing to make with cabbage is coleslaw. Take your pick from the plethora of coleslaw recipes out there. Here are some interesting ones that you can try for the best of luck in 2012.

• Bleu Cheese Coleslaw
• Super Simple Sugar-Free Coleslaw
• Railroad Coleslaw

If you want to mix the pork and cabbage together, you can always go for this German Pork & Cabbage Casserole. For sure, if Lady Luck has a taste of it, she will bestow more than your fair share of luck!

Legumes

Black-eyed Pea Soup

Legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils are considered lucky food for the New Year, thanks to their being symbols of money. After all, isn’t prosperity one of the most commonly wished for things at this time of the year?

For dinner, if you’re serving soup to start the meal, why not make this Collard Green & Black-Eyed Pea Soup? It does not take much effort and has less than 200 calories! If you’re from the southern part of the US, you’ll already be thinking of Hoppin’ John, which also makes use of black-eyed peas. This is traditional lucky food in that part of the world.

Other dishes with legumes which you can make for your New Year’s festivities:

• Lentil Stuffed Tomatoes
• Red Lentil Curry
• Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup

Fish

Red Snapper

If you can find red snapper, I suggest that you pay the price for it. This awesome fish will certainly start the year right for you! Here are two recipes to choose from: Red Snapper and Dumplings and Red Snapper Fillets.

For tuna lovers, there is an abundance of choices. Start off with a simple dish of Teriyaki Tuna. In 10 minutes, your meal will be ready! Use your indoor grill for this: Grilled Tuna Steaks with Green Onions and Orange Butter, and your guests will not even know it only took you 20 minutes! For Asian flavors, make Honey and soy-glazed tuna. And to make sure you get maximum luck, mix tuna and noodles: Southwest Tuna Noodle Bake Recipe.

With these lucky food items, you certainly will start 2012 right. Happy New Year, everyone. Keep on cooking!

Photos via lamataman and gibsonsgolfer.

New Year’s Eve is, however, all about cocktail parties, and unlike Christmas day where everyone expects a huge spread of rich filling dishes, these cocktail parties are all about dainty bite-sized concoctions that go down well with wine, cocktails, or whatever drinks you serve. This doesn’t mean though that cocktail parties are any less labor-intensive, contrary to that, it is actually very time consuming preparing hundreds of appetizers, since that is really how many you usually have to make if you don’t want to run out of food before the party ends. With that in mind, here are some tips, which I hope will help you throw a successful New Year’s Eve party without overstretching your resources.

Cocktail Party Food

Pare Things Down

I’ve never subscribed to the saying “the more the merrier”. Not for homework, not for the pounds, not even for parties, and surprisingly, not even for food. Instead, I have always valued quality over quantity (at least in most things). And when it comes to cocktail parties, you never should listen to the “more the merrier” mantra, unless you want to get into trouble.

If you want to throw a great party, make sure you pare down your guest list to a manageable size. Now that manageable size will all depend on your cooking skills and how much help you’ll be getting. If you’re going to have a caterer take care of the whole thing for you, then go ahead and invite everyone you know (although be prepared for a big fat check!). But if you’ll be doing all the cooking and hosting yourself, be realistic and invite only a select number of people.

It also isn’t just your guest list that you need to pare down. You also need to pare down your menu or food selection. While it is indeed tempting to try to out all the delicious appetizers and amuse-bouche recipes you can find, remember that the food, being bite-sized, takes a lot of time to prepare. So be discriminating in the number and kind of food you choose to decrease the prep time.

It’s All in the Food

I can never stress enough just how much time goes into preparing each and every appetizer by hand. So make sure you opt for recipes that need fewer ingredients and require simpler cooking techniques. Avoid labor-intensive recipes at all costs! And remember, just because something looks simple and elegant doesn’t mean its easier to make. So check the recipe ingredients AND instructions before deciding on what will make it or not on the evening’s menu. It’s also a really good idea to use a single main ingredient for two different appetizers, since this will help shorten your grocery list, as well as prep time.

To help you out, here are some easy-to-make recipes that are ideal for cocktail parties. I have categorized them as appetizers, chips and dip, and desserts, to make it easier for you to mix-and-match the ones different kinds of food you can opt to serve to your guests. Make sure you take into account the prep and cook time for each (which I have indicated for your easy reference) so that you won’t end up preparing stuff too early or too late.

Appetizers

Beef Crostini with Pesto Mayonnaise

There’s a whole slew of appetizers you can make, the following appetizers I chose are mostly out of personal bias. You can say that they’re my cocktail party go-to food.

• Tomato Crostini with Fontina Cheese (10 minutes)
• Beef Crostini with Pesto Mayonnaise (50 minutes)
• Vegetable-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms (12 minutes)
• Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms (25 minutes)
• Shrimp Cocktail Deviled Eggs (85 minutes)
• Mini Ceviche Appetizer (140 minutes)
• Variety of Chips and Dips (No time at all with the chips, since you can just open bags of your choice chips. It’s the dip that you’ll need to prepare, which then brings us to the next section.)

Raspberry-Lemon Fruit Dip

When it comes to dips, your choices are limitless with only your own palate to say yes or no as to the kinds of dips you’ll be serving. The key to choosing which dips to serve lies in the kind of chips you’ll be serving (and maybe even vegetable sticks and sliced fruits). Make sure that whatever you’ll be dipping in them will go well with more than just one dip. If each chip or vegetable platter is to be paired with a specific dip, make sure that the pairing is clear (label them?) so that people don’t end up criticizing you for lack of pairing savvy. Here’s a short, but varied list of dips that you can choose from:

Red Velvet Whoopie Pie

All that savory stuff needs something sweet to take away the aftertaste. The following dessert recipes will make any sweet-tooth smile though they take just one bite to finish off.

What do you do with leftovers?

Truth be told, I am one of those people who enjoy the days following Christmas day itself. I like it because the guests are gone and I can enjoy myself at my own pace. I like it because I can finally really enjoy the gifts my kids got and watch them play. I like it because this is the time I the leftovers start coming out of the fridge ready to just be heated up or to be reincarnated as another yummy dish.

If you are like me, then you’re already probably an expert in thinking up of creative ways to serve up your leftovers. However, I hope that you still find the following holiday leftover tips useful.

Plan to have leftovers

If you want to have lots of leftovers after Christmas, at least enough to get creative, then you’d better make sure you prepare more food than your family and guests can consume over the course of the day. Make sure your table is filled to overflowing this Christmas, or you can be sure that your fridge will be totally empty the next day.

Most people have a habit of picking on food that is there even when not hungry, you can bet that laying out everything at once will mean no leftovers. So instead of going the overflowing table route, you can just refill serving plates and bowls as they empty out. You can also stash your favorite dishes in your fridge ahead of time so you can be sure that you’ll have something to nibble on the next day.

Store leftovers properly

Individually Packed and Labelled Leftovers

I love leftovers, but I hate spoiled food. Who doesn’t?

Make sure you don’t end up giving yourself an unnecessary headache by storing your leftovers improperly and ending up with spoiled and/or contaminated food. Here are some common tips you can follow for storing leftover food¹:

• Store all leftovers in airtight, leakproof clear containers or wraps.
• Divide leftovers into small, flat containers so that they cool faster. (Some bacteria spores survive the cooking process and may germinate if the food is at room temperature long enough.)
• Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking. And there’s no need to wait for piping-hot foods to cool down before storing them―modern refrigerators can handle the heat.
• Remove the stuffing from the turkey and refrigerate it in a separate container. Left together, they may not cool fast enough, which can be unsafe.
• Don’t refrigerate leftover cranberry sauce or other foods in cans. Once a can is opened, residual metal on the rim can leach into food and leave a metallic taste.
• Don’t stuff the refrigerator too full. Cool air needs to circulate to keep food at a safe temperature.

Getting Creative with Your Leftovers

Roast Beef, Blue Cheese, and Caramelized Onions Bagels

Granted that one of the best things about leftovers is that you can just heat them up and have a feast all your own, I’m sure that you and everyone else in your household will appreciate tasting something different, after all leftovers can get really old fast.

The easiest leftover food to reinvent are roasted meat. Whether you had roasted turkey, chicken, pork, or beef, you can easily turn these into easy masterpieces. You can turn these into any kind of leftover sandwiches, use them to spruce up salads, and even make wraps and enchiladas out of them. Here’s a short list of recipes you might to try. Just substitute your leftover meat for whatever meat is one the recipe, and you’ve got a tasty sandwich or salad you can enjoy.

• Leftover Turkey or Chicken Enchiladas 
• Mediterranean Chicken Salad
• Warm Shredded Lamb Salad with Mint and Pomegranate
• Roast Beef, Blue Cheese, and Caramelized Onion Bagels
• Beef Tamales

Leftover Turkey Soup

If the usual leftover salads and sandwiches does not do it for you, you can also get a little more creative by trying out the following casserole, stew, and cous cous recipes. These recipes will, however, only work if you really have a lot of leftovers, unlike with salads and sandwiches where you only need a little of each meat to get a tasty meal. Nevertheless, everyone will probably be more appreciate of casseroles and stews since these dishes will taste a lot less like reincarnated leftovers.

• Leftover Turkey Soup
• Leftover Moroccan Style Lamb and Beef Spicy Cous Cous
• Irish Lamb Stew
• Leftover Turkey Brunswick Stews
• Leftover Turkey Casserole
• Leftover Ham Casserole

Spicy Lamb Meatloaf

Other interesting leftover food recipes you might want to try include:

1. Real Simple

Yummy Chocolate Covered Fruit Christmas Gifts

Now I’m sure that food is probably not on your Christmas list, nor that of your kids or your spouse, but that doesn’t mean that cooking or baking something to give away to other people this Christmas won’t be appreciated. I for one know that I’d rather get a nicely wrapped tin of cookies than some tired old mass-produced knick knack. Besides, while the food may last only a few minutes, memories of your nicely wrapped delicious goodies will surely last much longer. So don’t be surprised if people ask you for seconds!

If you wish to give away food this Christmas, here are some tips to make sure that people actually end up liking what you give.

Give Away Homemade Stuff

Chilean Christmas Fruitcake

Some of the most common edible Christmas gifts you’ll come across are cookies, brownies, fruit cake, chocolates, and candies. Now, you can surely buy all of these at your local store, but the best thing about giving food away for Christmas is the labor of love that goes into making these goodies. Store bought stuff just can’t match up the home made stuff when it comes to the love department.

The only problem with giving away homemade stuff though is if you do not know how to bake. If that is the case, you can try finding recipes for beginners. Be realistic in the kind of food you give away. Practice baking the goodies and be ready to throw a few batches away before getting it just right, and if all else fails, of course you still have the option of running over to your local bakery to buy some goodies.

Consider Dietary Restrictions

Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cookies

I really appreciate it when someone gives me sugar-free food. It’s not because i’m on a diet, or way into healthy stuff. It’s because my son’s medical condition makes calorie counting important for us. As much as possible, we give him fat-free, sugar-free stuff.

If you’re giving away food for Christmas, you can bet that the thought and care that went into the choosing and baking of the gift becomes even more obvious if you consider their dietary restrictions. This may be inconvenient if many of your friends have special dietary restrictions like allergies to nuts, gluten, etc., but you can be sure that the oft overlooked friend who receives the special food gift will remember your thoughtfulness way after the season ends.

Here are some great cookie recipes for people with dietary considerations:

• Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Gluten Free Cinnamon-Glazed Pumpkin Cookies
• Dairy Free Oat and Coconut Cookies
• Sugar Free Christmas Cut Outs
• Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Obviously, if you have friends allergic to peanuts, then just opt for peanut-less recipes. You can also substitute skim milk for whole milk and make other healthier choices if it is also important to some of your friends. You will find a pretty good listing of ingredient substitutes that are usually used for baking here.

Bling it Up

Nicely Decorated Soft Christmas Cookies

We gave you some tips on how to bling up your Christmas dishes, including Christmas cookies. There we said that when it comes to Christmas cookies, it’s all about the shapes. This means that you really should be ready to get your cookie cutters out and figure out how to pretty them up with icing. Again, your cookies and other goodies will likely not be as pretty as you’d like it to be if your not that savvy a baker, but at least you tried. Hopefully though, with some practice you can turn out some pretty looking cookies like the Soft Christmas Cookies at the left.

You can also just leave the goodies without icing, especially if your practice runs have proven that you are becoming an icing artist is definitely not your calling. What you can do instead is focus on the packaging. You can buy bright Christmas-themed boxes or place them in cute personality-filled cookie jars. Add lots of ribbons to make the whole gift look more festive and hope that it will be enough to take away the attention from the weird-looking, but yummy goodies you baked.

If you have kids, you can also ask them to make a card or gift tag to go with the gifts. You surely won’t end up with the most sophisticated looking gift, but it will feel more personal and special. This is especially true if you’ll be giving away the food to family and really close family friends.

Images via Canadian Veggie, CooksRecipes, AllRecipes

Of course, there is a trade off to the festivities – the potential stress. If you are preparing a Christmas meal – lunch or dinner – for guests, then you might be in for a tough job. The good news is that it doesn’t necessarily mean stressing yourself out. If you think about it, your Christmas menu is important, but not as critical as everyone having fun and enjoying each other’s company.

Christmas Dinner

Here are some tips that can help you plan your Christmas menu without putting too much burden on yourself.

Don’t leave things for the last minute.

I know that it is oh so tempting to put things off. For sure, you are also busy completing your Christmas shopping list. You may think that you can plan the menu on the 23rd, or even the 24th, of the month. I suggest, though, that you start planning your Christmas menu NOW – if you haven’t already.

This tip is particularly helpful if you are going to host a huge group. With your Christmas menu ready, you can do your shopping in stages. By the time the day actually arrives, you do not have to rush to the supermarket or grocery store to do a rush ingredient shopping spree!

Keep it simple.

Christmas Turkey

If your schedule is really hectic, then you might want to stick to the basics. Take note: basic does not mean bad or unsatisfactory. It simply means that it is okay to not try out new and complicated recipes that you have never tried before. Stick to what you know works best. Alternatively, put a new twist on dishes that might be getting old with your family. Just make sure that you are in your comfort zone, so that you do not stress yourself out.

For example, if you know how to cook turkey in your sleep, then there is no reason not to make it. If, however, you want to shake up your usual recipe a bit, you can try some “safe” alternatives such as this Scrumptious Stuffed Christmas Turkey and this
Perfect Christmas Turkey.

You can always go with ham, as well, which is traditionally a part of Christmas menus in many places. Here are some easy ham recipes which you can consider for your Christmas menu.

• Christmas Ham
• Swedish Christmas Ham
• Traditional Glazed Christmas Ham

Make sure you know if your guests have dietary restrictions.

Yes, it does add more work on your part, but it is worth knowing these restrictions beforehand so that you can prepare. It will definitely be worse if you don’t ask and then have to face an emergency during dinner.

If you have vegetarian guests, you can prepare two or so dishes specially made for them. Other considerations would be allergies to nuts, gluten, and lactose.

Double check your recipes for the number of servings.

Check Serving Size!

It is easy enough to find recipes to include in your Christmas menu. You do have to remember, however, that not all recipes are designed to feed a fixed number of people. It is an easy enough fact to overlook, but always check this so that you can adjust (halve, double, triple, and so on) the number of servings and purchase the correct amount of ingredients.

Make a shopping list.

Yes, lists do work. Once you have your Christmas menu set, once you have checked the number of servings, and once you have made the necessary adjustments, there is no time to waste in getting the ingredients. As I said earlier, you can do your shopping in stages. Those items that are non-perishable can be bought at an earlier date. The same thing applies to items that can be frozen or stored till Christmas day. The trick is in managing your time and getting what you can when you can. Of course you also have to remember to strike things off that list as well!

Sample Christmas Menu

Here is a sample Christmas menu, which draws on recipes that have been featured in our previous posts about Christmas and then some.

Photos via cocoleroc, Lifestyle Food,

Christmas Nativity Scene

If you want to have an “authentic” Christmas experience as much as possible, why not go back to the Biblical times with a Bible-era Christmas themed dinner party? Christmas themed dinner parties will surely be a dime-a-dozen this season, but with a Bible-era Christmas themed party you can be sure that yours will be unique.

Two of the best Bible-era Christmas dinner menu suggestions I’ve come across are the “Bethlehem Shepherds Menu” and “Wise Men of the East Menu”.((FoodTimeline)) The menus did not list any recipes, but I added links to recipes that you can use to recreate the dishes, or at the least whip up something similar.

Bethlehem Shepherds Menu

Baked Eggs in Sour Cream

Eggs in Sour Cream – Though the Biblical eggs and sour cream recipe probably means simply pouring sour cream over your eggs, I have found two great egg recipes that are definitely more palatable. This savory scrambled eggs recipe relies on the last minute addition of sour cream for a different, but still light, fluffy, and tasty version of scrambled eggs. This recipe for baked eggs in sour cream, is just as delicious but much easier to cook than the scrambled eggs version with all the whisking involved for the first one. However, it does require a bit more time to cook.

Shepherd’s Pie – Shepherd’s pies are something most of you are probably familiar with, but I’m quite sure that you’re familiar with recipes that include potatoes as one of the main ingredients. All of the recipes do not include potatoes, just like Biblical-era pies. This Traditional Shepherd’s Pie recipe uses lamb as its main ingredient. You can also go meatless using Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie recipe. If this is your first time baking anything, you might also want to go for this Shepherd’s Stove Top Pie recipe for a super easy to make dish.

Tabbouleh

Fresh Green Salad – With so many ways to prepare fresh green salads, you won’t have a hard time finding a recipe you like. You can go for a really light recipe like this Green Bean-Fennel Salad with Fresh Herbs, or you can go for a more traditional Israeli salad like this Cucumber Yogurt Za’atar Salad. A Classic Tabbouleh is also a good idea, since this Arabic dish dates back to the Bible-era. Other Tabbouleh versions you might want to try include this Bulgur Tabbouleh Salad and Ratatouille Tabbouleh Salad.

Gingered Prunes – Another impossible-to-find recipe on the web, what you can do instead is to adapt this Gingered Fruit recipe by substituting the canned fruits with prunes to make homemade gingered prunes. You can also opt to just dip your prunes into the Ginger Dip from this recipe.

Peachy Spiced Cider

Pine Nut Wafers – Use any wafer recipe you like, adding grated pine nuts into the mix to make pine nut wafers. Wafer ideas include this Tuile Wafer Recipe and Gorgonzola Wafers Recipe. Just make sure you don’t forget the pine nuts!

Wise Men of the East Menu

Peachy Spiced Cider

• Hot Spiced Cider
• Buttered-Rum Spiced Cider
• Peachy Spiced Cider

Chaldean Prunes – Serve up a platter of prunes as appetizer or dessert. You can use the gingered prunes recipes above for this one.

Lemon Ginger Chicken

Lemon Chicken – A great main dish that is definitely a cut above the usual deep fried chicken, lemon chicken dishes will leave you wanting for more with its combination of tart and sweet. Here are a few lemon chicken recipes you might want to try:

• Basic Lemon Chicken
• Lemon-Apricot Chicken
• Mediterranean Lemon Garlic Chicken
• Lemon Ginger Chicken
• Grilled Lemon Chicken with Fennel and Onion

Cucumber Chickpea Salad

Chickpea Salad– Whether canned or fresh, chickpeas are great for tasty filling salads. Below are some salad recipes that highlight the chickpea as its main ingredient. The great thing about these recipes is that each are very different yet all so easy to make.

• Cucumber Chickpea Salad
• Chickpea Salad with Spiced Almonds
• Broccoli, Chickpea, and Cherry Tomato Salad
• Chickpea and Quinoa Salad with Lemon and Tahini
• Chickpea and Zucchini Salad

Persian Cream Ring– Admittedly baffled by this entry, I decided to look for other Persian desserts that would satisfy anyone’s sweet cravings. Some Persian dessert recipes I found include the Naan Berenji, which is the Persian version of rice cookies, the Persian dessert called Bamieh (not to be confused with the okra stew of the same name), and a recipe for Persian baked figs.

Ginger Cake with Caramel-Apple Topping

Ginger Cakes– Now, when it comes to ginger cakes you need not worry about finding a recipe that will suit your palate. Since ginger is highly versatile, it can be paired up with almost every imaginable ingredient to come up with a delicious cake. Your only problem would be if you really don’t like ginger at all. Here are some notable ginger cake recipes you might want to try:

• Gingerbread Cake with Caramel Apple Topping
• Ginger Carrot Cake
• Lemon-Ginger Cake
• Gingered Pumpkin Crumble
• Double Ginger Biscotti

Photos via Sheep Guarding Llama, Something Savory, KraftRecipes, UKTV, BettyCrocker, Food.com

SPAM

If you’re tired of serving Spam straight out of the can though, and have tried all the different kinds of sandwich spreads to go with your special Spamwiches, here are some equally yummy Spam recipes you can try. And in case you are not that into processed food, just skip the rest of the article and head straight to the end for a homemade vegan SPAM recipe that will surely silence even the harshest of SPAM’s critics.

Spam Salads

Ham and Egg Salad

Feel like using Spam for a relatively healthy meal? Then throw in the greens and toss it with Spam for a healthy Spam salad. No matter what kind of salad you make, you can almost always substitute Spam for the main protein, making salad preparation much faster and easier. Of course, that would mean choosing the right Spam flavour to complement your salad choice (i.e. Spam Over Roasted Turkey or Spam with Bacon) for slightly more authentic salad feel. It would also be a good idea to use Spam Lite in place of other Spam flavors since it’s the least fat content, which means the choice will be in line with your healthy meal theme.

Here are some Spam salad recipes you might want to try:

• Spam-a-licious Not-So-Caesar Salad
• Light and Easy Green Pea Salad with Spam
• Spam Skillet Potato Salad
• Spam Broccoli Pecan Salad
• Marinated Spam Vegetable Salad
• Lisa’s Ham and Egg Salad

Spam Casseroles and Stew

SPAM Pasta Casserole

Casseroles take time to cook, so it would defeat the purpose if you’re looking for super-fast Spam recipes. However, if time is not that big an issue and you want something more filling for dinner, then the following spam casserole recipes just might be right for you.

• Spam Pasta Casserole – This recipe is definitely filling and will give you a complete meal, with the pasta for carbs, Spam for protein, and the celery and tomatoes for veggies.
• German Spam Casserole – Now this recipe is definitely not your usual casserole with ingredients like duck eggs, Limburger cheese, and ,of course, the Spam.
• Creamy Scalloped Potato Bake – If you’re looking for a fat-free heart-friendly casserole, then this is one recipe you shouldn’t even be considering. Loaded with cheese, butter, olive oil, and the creamy alfredo sauce, this is one Spam recipe that you can bet will please your tastebuds.
• Mulligan Stew – This Spam stew recipe is perfect if you want something that is not too rich, but is equally filling.

Spam Sushi and Musubi

Spam Sushi Maki Rolls

This will probably get the purists’ gag reflex going, but Spam lovers will surely love elevating the Spam by using it for more exotic dishes like the sushi and omusubi, also called onigiri.

Sushi, which is made of vinegared rice (shari), and omusubi, which is made with plain or lightly salted rice, are both very flexible in that you can virtually use any kind of filling you wish to go with the rice. This means that whether or not purists agree to the use of Spam, Spam Sushi Maki Rolls can still indeed be technically called a sushi. The same goes for Sushi Musubi, which might not be in-demand in Japan, but is definitely a big hit in Hawaii.

Making Spam Sushi and Musibi is also a great idea if you want to get your kids to try something different without shocking their palates with raw fish. By introducing sushi and omosubi to the kids while using a more familiar ingredient as filler, they will be less likely to reject the food offhand and increase the chances that they will actually want to try out more traditional sushi and other international food in the future.

Homemade Vegan Spam (Soyteena)

Vegan SPAM

If you’re strictly against anything processed or you don’t eat meat, then fear not because we also have a homemade spam recipe for you. Obviously, what you’ll get won’t be real Spam, but apparently the recipe below will produce something pretty similar to SPAM. I’m betting that the vegan SPAM will have more texture to it than the canned variety the rest of us are used to, but since you don’t really eat SPAM anyway, you won’t be able to compare! The photo may also not look that appetizing, but hey, neither does a whole slab of SPAM.

So go ahead and try out this recipe, and maybe you’ll get an idea of why so many people are hooked on SPAM.

Vegan Spam Recipe¹

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried soybeans
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup tomato juice
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 tsp sea salt
• 1/3 cup finely chopped celery
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 cup cornmeal

Instructions

Chop the celery and onion

Place the soybean in a blender and pulse several times until they are pulverized to a powder.

Add all other ingredients except the cornmeal.

Blend until smooth

Place in a bowl and stir in cornmeal until completely mixed.

Oil two cans (the size 14.5 ounces of tomatoes come in; normal can size). Put half of the mixture into each.

Cover each can with foil and secure with a rubber band.

Place the cans into a Dutch oven or large pot and fill with water so they are 1/3 of the way submerged.

Bring the water to a boil, then cover, reduce heat, and simmer, steaming the SPAM for two hours (or longer).

Remove cans from pot and allow to cool, then remove SPAM from cans.

Photos via Arnold Inuyaki, Tastebook, Food.com, I Eat Food

1. I Eat Food

Good old Christmas turkey

One way you can serve something different while still keeping with the season is by cooking traditional Christmas dishes from other parts of the world. While you might not be used to these dishes, they are well loved in other countries, and you can make Christmas dinner a novel experience. However, to make sure you don’t serve dishes that are just too exotic for everyone’s taste, I suggest that you start cooking up a storm this early to try some of the international dishes below and be able to pick the ones you think are worthy to be part of your Christmas dinner menu this year.

Roast Suckling Pig (Lechon)

Roast Suckling Pig

Forget the turkey and go bigger this year with an entire roast suckling pig. Roast suckling pig, or lechon, is a popular dish in Spain and its former colonies including Puerto Rico, Colombia, the Philippines, and other Spanish-speaking nations in Latin America, where it is a must-have during special occasions such as Christmas. You will also find roast suckling pig in European countries like Russia, Serbia, Romania, and Germany during Christmas feasts, although the dish only comes second to roast goose in these regions.

While the mouthwatering lechon is a dish anyone would surely enjoy, it is also the one dish that you surely can’t cook inside the kitchen, but if you fancy yourself the barbecue king and are up to the challenge, then fire up a giant grill or charcoal pit. Be prepared to spend almost an entire day with all the prep work and roasting time needed to get this super delicious dish and an authentic lechon sauce to accompany it just right. Of course you can always just head to a Filipino restaurant to sample their national dish.

Christmas Ham

Julskinka

If you don’t fancy an entire suckling pig on your dinner table, but still want some pork to satisfy your cravings for something juicy and filling, then serve some ham instead. There are many variations of Christmas hams to choose from. The following are but a few of the countless versions you can serve as part of the Christmas feast this year.

Traditional glazed ham – This recipe uses honey, maple syrup, and mustard to glaze the leg of ham. You can, however, use other ingredients like pineapple juice to glaze your ham.

Julskinka – The traditional Christmas ham in Sweden, the julskinka is more rustic than the ham you might be used to and depends primarily on brown sugar and mustard to provide a counterpoint to the flavour of the meat.

Christmas ham balls – This recipe is perfect for families with small kids or anyone who wants to serve ham in bite-sized pieces.

Sticks of ham in honey – Another easy-to-eat ham idea. The notable thing about this ham recipe though is that it uses Jamon Serrano, which is a dry-cured Spanish ham that is often compared to the Italian prosciutto.

Fish dishes

Puerto Rican Fish Stew with Bacalao

I don’t know about you, but having fish as the main dish on Christmas feels somewhat strange. However, many cultures actually have fish as part, even the highlight, of their traditional Christmas meal.

Fish soup – Fish soup is part of the traditional Christmas dinner in Hungary, Poland, Serbia, and the Czech Republic. Also often called Fisherman’s soup, this bright red dish makes use of carp and other mixed river fish. The Fisherman’s soup is known for being hot and spicy thanks to the generous amount of hot paprika that gives it its distinct flavor and color. You can also try a different kind of fish stew using the bacalao, an ingredient that I’ll be discussing in greater depth in a bit.

Fried fish – In the Czech Republic, fried carp is always present during Christmas dinner. It is usually served with potato salad and Christmas cookies, which are also offered to visitors who come by on Christmas day. If you don’t fancy carp, you can always substitute any kind of fish and have a fish fry on Christmas day.

Bacalao – Bacalao refers to the dried and salted codfish that is used to a main ingredient for a variety of Portuguese, Brazilian, and Puerto Rican dishes. In Portugal, The traditional Christmas dinner involves boiled bacalao that is served alongside boiled cabbage, potatoes, eggs, and onions, all smothered with olive oil. If boiled dried and salted codfish doesn’t sound too appetizing though, you can try out other less traditional bacalao recipes like the Bacalao in Tomato Garlic Confit, Garbanzos con Bacalao, and Bacalao with Orange and Olive Salad.

So the next time you plan your Christmas dinner, don’t get stuck in a rut. Be a bit more adventurous and consider using something other than turkey, or whatever meat you are used to, this Christmas.

Photos via Chewy Chua, Todd Smith Design, UKTV, and Food.com

Japanese Food

Wherever in the world you may be based, you are bound to find a good Japanese restaurant. In some cases, it can be rather expensive to go out every time you find yourself craving Japanese cuisine. The next best thing is to know how to make your favorite Japanese dishes in the comforts of your own kitchen! This way, whenever someone in the family feels like having Japanese, you simply have to make it yourself. Take a look at the best of Japanese cuisine, and get ready to have a feast.

Sashimi and Sushi

Spicy Tuna Sashimi

I cannot count how many times I have heard people mistake these two for being the same. The difference is actually simple to remember. Sashimi is raw fish (or other seafood) sliced thinly and served on its own, with wasabi and soy sauce on the side. You can get wasabi powder at any Japanese grocery store. Sushi, on the other hand, is vinegared rice which is rolled and filled with seafood, egg, and/or vegetable.

Obviously, there are a lot of sashimi and sushi variations, but I am a sucker for tuna and salmon, so here are the three best recipes for sashimi in my opinion:

• Spicy Tuna Sashimi
• Sashimi
• Salmon Sashimi with Ginger and Hot Sesame Oil

As for sushi, the choices are even more endless. The trick is in getting the sushi rice perfectly first. As for the filling, it really is up to your specific tastes. Here are some of the best kinds of sushi.

• Philadelphia Roll
• Spicy Tuna Sushi Roll
• Salmon Sushi
• Cream Cheese and Crab Sushi Rolls

Tempura

Tempura

Tempura is just the exotic way of calling vegetables or seafood dipped in batter and deep fried. How can anyone NOT drool over that?

My favorite kind of tempura is Prawn Tempura. If you want more variety, though, you can always go for Mixed Tempura and Seafood Tempura.

The thing about tempura is making sure that the batter is of the right consistency AND making sure that the the dipping sauce tastes great! Also, serve the tempura right after cooking so that you can enjoy the warm crunchiness of this awesome Japanese food.

Sukiyaki

Sukiyaki

Sukiyaki is technically a winter dish, but it can really be made and eaten anytime. It is cooked like the popular hotpot, with thin slices of beef, vegetables, and other ingredients. It is also common to dip the ingredients in raw egg before you actually eat the food. Other common ingredients of this popular Japanese food are tofu, mushrooms, and noodles.

As with many other Japanese dishes, soy sauce plays an integral part in Sukiyaki. Sugar and mirin are also used to flavor the broth. Depending on the exact region in Japan, Sukiyaki is prepared in different ways. Obviously, if you are cooking Sukiyaki at home, you pick whichever style that suits your tastes.

Here are some Sukiyaki recipes to try at home.

• Sukiyaki
• Chicken Sukiyaki
• Beef Sukiyaki Noodles

Ramen

Soy Ramen

Now we can’t talk Japanese food without having ramen somewhere in the conversation, can we? This Japanese noodle dish can be found anywhere – and I mean anywhere, in and out of Japan. It does wonders for an aching body and a soul in need of comforting as well. If you thought that there are too many kinds of sushi to choose from, you would be blown away if you were to take a long and hard look at all the kinds of ramen there are. Practically every area in Japan has its own version!

In general, however, there are four umbrella categories for ramen: shio (salt), tonkotsu (pork bone), shoyu (soy sauce), and miso. These categories are tied to the soup base. Of these categories, miso is the “youngest”. It only became really popular around 1965 and was developed in Hokkaido.

Here is a great ramen recipe to try out, and remember how especially good these can be on a cold winter night.

Miso Ramen Recipe ¹

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 10 oz (285 g) dried ramen noodles
• 1/2 cup (200 g) fresh or canned bamboo shoots, sliced
• 1/2 cup (170 g) fresh or canned corn kernels, drained
• 1/3 cup (80 g) defrosted frozen or fresh spinach
• 8 cups (2 liters) store-bought or homemade pork or vegetable broth
• 2 teaspoons instant dashi granules
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce, or to taste
• 4 tablespoons fresh miso paste
• 1 cup (100 g) fresh bean sprouts
• 1 stalk green onion (scallions), finely chopped
• 4 teaspoons chili oil (optional)

Instructions
Place the whole, un-cracked eggs in a medium pot and fill with water to cover eggs by 1 inch (2.5 cm). Turn the heat to high and when boiling, turn the heat off and let the eggs sit in the hot water for 10 minutes. Promptly use a slotted spoon to remove the eggs and peel the egg under cold running water. Slice each egg in half.

Return the same pot of water to a boil. Add the ramen noodles and cook according to package instructions (most ramen noodles only take 3 minutes to cook.) Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.

Divide the noodles, hardboiled eggs, bamboo shoots, corn and spinach among 4 large serving bowls.

In a large pot, add the stock, instant dashi and soy sauce. Bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the miso. Taste the soup and add an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of miso if you’d like. Ladle soup into each bowl. Top each bowl with fresh bean sprouts, green onions and a drizzle of chili oil, if desired.

Why not have a Japanese food party this weekend or the next? It make for a good change from your regular fare!

Photos via timtak, Chewy Chua, Wikipedia

1. Steamy Kitchen

Potluck Party Food

There is the idea that when it’s a potluck party, everything goes. While that is partly true, you can always make sure that what your bring as potluck party food will wow everyone. Here are some tried and tested potluck party food that will guarantee your success without breaking your back – and wallet.

Potluck Party Food – Appetizers: Delicious Dips

Asiago Sundried Tomato Dip

When it comes to potluck party food, there always will be chips and other finger food that go well with dips. And when it comes to dips, you have so many choices. You can always go with store-bought dips, or the usual dips that people make, but why do that when you can do something that will stop the show without exerting too much effort?

This Asiago Sundried Tomato Dip is very easy to make – you only need your microwave, would you believe that? The flavors of the cheese and the sundried tomato will rock everyone’s world, though! And if that weren’t enough, you can simply slice up a baguette or two or chop up vegetables to go with the dip.

Other show-stopping dips:

• Creamy Spinach Dip
• Green Chile and Goat Cheese Dip
• Pesto & Roasted Red Pepper Dip
• Crab Dip

Potluck Party Food – Main Dishes

Teriyaki Pork Roast – Crock Pot

Teriyaki Pork Roast

Roast is always a good idea to bring to a potluck party. People love a good roast, whether it is beef or pork, or even chicken. If you want to make a statement, however, I suggest bringing something more than your usual potluck party food. More than the common pork or beef roast, why not try this Teriyaki Pork Roast?

This recipe has two major checkmarks in my book. One, it is a crock pot recipe, which means you do not have to do a lot of work to make it. Two, it is teriyaki. The flavors of a teriyaki dish will certainly offer something different at a potluck party.

If you don’t really like the idea of teriyaki, but you want to bring a roast of some sort, here are other recipes you can try out. Some of them may take more effort, though.

• Italian Pot Roast
• Crock Pot Beef Roast With Tomato Madeira Sauce
• Crown Roast of Pork
• Slow Cooker Hungarian Beef Pot Roast

Casseroles

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

One of the best things to prepare for a potluck party is a casserole. It is relatively easy to make, and there are so many different kinds of casseroles that you can choose from. Even better, if you have a big enough casserole dish or pan, you can feed an army with a single casserole!

I don’t know about you, but I can always use a nice serving of Mexican food, and when it comes to Mexican food, enchiladas reign for me. If you feel the same way, why not make this Chicken Enchilada Casserole?

Everyone loves a good stroganoff, and this Hamburger Stroganoff Casserole is sure to be a hit at any potluck party you go to. It takes longer to make than the previous recipe, but it sure is worth it!

Other interesting casseroles that you can bring as potluck party food:

• Seafood Chowder Casserole
• Chicken, Mushroom, and Wild Rice Casserole
• Poppy Seed Poultry Casserole
• Butternut Squash Casserole

Skewers

Ground Lamb Skewers

When you talk about potluck party food, skewers are not far behind. After all, skewers provide a very convenient way to eat tasty food. I highly recommend making this: Grilled Ground Lamb on Skewers. If you don’t like lamb, you can always substitute pork, beef, or chicken.

Alternatively, make these Cheese Stuffed Meatball Skewers. They’re technically created to be appetizers, but just extend the recipe a little more, and you’ll have something that will be a nice addition to any potluck plate.

Garlic Pepper Pork Skewers are another great potluck party food. And if it’s beef you want to serve, these Beef Skewers will do the job excellently. Last, but definitely not the least, you can go for seafood. Who doesn’t love shrimp? These Shrimp and Vegetable Skewers will vanish quickly before your very eyes.

Potluck Party Food – Desserts

Warm Double-Chocolate Brownie Cakes

Of course, we dare not forget dessert! Potluck party food includes a wide variety of mouthwatering desserts, and it is up to you to seal your reputation as a marvelous dessert maker. You only have to take your pick of what to make.

Cake. It’s always a good idea. You might want to stay away from usual kinds of cakes, though, as the chances are they will already be brought by someone else. That is, of course you stake your claim early on and make it known to everyone. Here’s a good brownie-cake recipe that will satisfy chocolate lovers at the party: Warm Double-Chocolate Brownie Cakes.

This Maple Walnut Cake is also perfect for a potluck party. And if you’ve got rum-loving adults in your party, then you absolutely have to go for this: Bacardi Double-Chocolate Rum Cake. Last suggestion: Won’t Kill the Diet Chocolate Cinnamon Zucchini Cake. Your friends who are watching their waistlines will love you for this!

So the next time you have a potluck party to go to, check out these ideas and have a blast!

Photos via LexnGer, Betty Crocker

Indian Food

They say that the way to a man’s heart is the stomach. I think that the way to bliss is a delectable array of food served at the table. And when it comes to choices, Indian food will give you what you want – and so much more. If you think that Indian food is all about curry, think again! While our experience might revolve around the abundance of different kinds of curry from India, there is a lot more to Indian food than curry. Why not take this chance to discover more of what Indian food has to offer? And who knows? You might just enjoy the bliss that follows a luscious meal.

Popular Indian Food Recipes

Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori Chicken is perhaps one of the best loved of Indian dishes outside of India. One might say that it is the Indian version of chicken barbecue, and who does not appreciate a good barbecue? Then again, the method of cooking and the ingredients used are different that Tandoori Chicken can’t really be compared to barbecue as you may know it.

Tandoori Chicken has its origins in Delhi and is prepared by marinating the the chicken meat in a mixture of yoghurt and tandoori masala. It has a distinct red color, thanks to the liberal use of cayenne pepper and/or red chili powder. Another interesting thing about Tandoori Chicken is the traditional way it is cooked – in a tandoor. A tandoor is a traditional Indian oven made of clay which reaches very high temperatures. This is not to say that you cannot make Tandoori Chicken using that nice grill you have outdoors, though. You can even use your indoor oven!

The next time you want grilled chicken, why not make a change and make Tandoori Chicken instead? To add another element to your meal, mango chutney will do very well. This recipe for Tandoori Chicken with Grilled Mango Chutney will put a smile on any face, trust me. And if you do not like chicken but would like to try the tandoori flavors, here’s an alternative: Tandoori Tofu.

Biryani

Chicken Biryani

Hailing from Uttar Pradeh, Biryani is a general name that refers to rice-based dishes rich in spices and mixed with meat, fish, eggs, and/or vegetables. As you can easily imagine, the re are almost no limits as to what kind of Biryani dish you can make.

Traditionally, however, the following spices are used: ghee, nutmeg, mace, pepper, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaves, coriander, mint leaves, ginger, onions, and garlic. And if you can afford it, saffron is also part of the mix.

One of the simplest kinds of biryani is Chicken Biryani. As the name implies, the main meat ingredient is chicken, and it is a perfect way to introduce variety in your repertoire of chicken dishes. If you like seafood, then Prawn Biryani might be a better fit for you. The mere thought of succulent prawns is enough to make me drool right now!

For a different kind of flavor, this Hyderabadi Biryani is the best choice. It makes use of lamb, the flavor of which I absolutely relish! And of course, there is Vegetable Biryani for those of you who do not eat meat. As we all know, that does not mean you can’t enjoy the flavors of Indian food!

Vindaloo

Chicken Vindaloo

Vindaloo is the specialty of Goa, that place which has served as paradise to so many travelers from all over the world. This is a classic Indian curry dish which can burn your mouth if you are not careful. Truth be told, however, Vindaloo is not the hottest curry you can find in Indian food.

As with many other Indian dishes, Vindaloo can be made with chicken or lamb. You can also make your own version with pork if you wish to do so. In some cases, potatoes are added to the dish as an extender, although the traditional way of making Vindaloo does not include this tuber.

If it is your first time to try making this Indian dish, use this recipe for Chicken Vindaloo. It’s rather easy to make and will not fail you. If you love your slow cooker, then try this: Slow Cooker Pork And Mushroom Vindaloo Recipe.

For other main ingredients, here are some more Vindaloo recipes.

• Lamb Vindaloo
• Beef Vindaloo
• Tofu Vindaloo
• Egg Vindaloo

Murgh Makhani

Murgh Makhani

Murgh Makhani is probably better known as Indian Butter Chicken and is also one of the more popular dishes in Indian cuisine. The English name itself is more than enough to entice people to try the dish. It has butter. How can it be not good?

According to the Discovery Channel, the origins of Murgh Makhani can be traced back to the 1950s in Daryaganj, the central region of Delhi. As the story goes, a chef of the restaurant Moti Mahal used leftover juices from their famed Tandoori Chicken together with chicken cooked in the tandoor – plus butter and tomato – and the legend of the Indian Butter Chicken was born.

This might very well be the easiest Indian dish you can make. Here are two recipes that you can try out without fear that you might fail: Murgh Makhani and Easy Indian Butter Chicken.

Chicken Tikka

Chicken Tikka

Chicken Tikka is another popular Indian dish which has made its way around the world. Tikka is a word that means “bits” or “pieces”, so basically, Chicken Tikka is made of bits of chicken. In most cases, these bits are boneless.

Chicken Tikka is made by marinating the chicken chunks in a mix of spices. The marinate chunks are then skewered and grilled. How much easier can Indian cooking get? Not much!

Here’s how to make Chicken Tikka.

You might be thinking of another Indian dish that sounds very similar: Chicken Tikka Masala. This dish makes use of Chicken Tikka, but sauce is added for more oomph. Here’s how to make Chicken Tikka Masala. Here’s another option: Quick Chicken Tikka Masala.

Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer

I cannot write a post about Indian food without including Palak Paneer. This dish is absolutely delightful and is a great complement to many other meat-based Indian dishes.

Palak Paneer is of North Indian origin and is really healthy. It is made of spinach and paneer, which is a kind of Indian farmer’s cheese. Needless to say, it is a favorite among vegetarians as well.

What if you cannot find paneer in your area? You have two options. One is to use cottage cheese or ricotta cheese, and the other is to make your own paneer.

Once you’ve gotten the “issue” of the paneer out of the way, you can go ahead and make your own Palak Paneer. This recipe has 322 calories, so if you want even fewer calories, this Low Cal Palak Paneer should be your choice. This recipe for Absolutely Perfect Palak Paneer is also guaranteed to make you feel blissful. (It uses ricotta cheese, by the way.)

Indian Food Infographic

Want to know more about Indian food? Here is a food infographic that can show you the highlights of Indian cuisine. Click on the image for a larger view.¹

Indian Food Infographic

Photos via J Luoh, sea turtle, dithie

1. Courtesy of Magamaps

Picky Eater

Does your kid look like that when meal time comes around? Do not be too harsh on her (or him). You just need a little patience and creativity. At some point, you will be able to figure out dishes that your kid will love to eat.

Let us help you out a bit. Here are some of the best recipes for picky eaters. There is, naturally, no guarantee that your kid will love all of them, but you can try and see which ones work!

Stick ‘em up!

Fruit Skewers

Anyone who has tried feeding children would know that playfulness is a huge factor in being successful. Why do you think people made up those airplane games? Keeping kids engaged requires making them think what they’re doing is fun, and eating is no exception.

When it comes to fun with food, one of the best techniques is to put food on sticks. Even adults like the idea, actually. Not only does the food look better, it is also more convenient to eat from a stick. Some of the best recipes for picky eaters take into consideration the fun factor!

Having a hard time convincing your kid to eat fruits? Why not try Fruit Skewers? They’re guaranteed to work on adults, too. The recipe calls for specific fruits, but you can always use other fruits that are available. The trick is to use a stick!

How about vegetables? Kids are notorious for not liking veggies, but you can up the fun factor by making this Italian Salad-on-a-Stick. With some cheese thrown into the mix, the flavors should do well.

For meat, try Chicken on a Stick and Sweet-and-Sour Meatball Skewers.

Wrap ‘em up!

Ham & Swiss Wrap

An alternative to skewering food is wrapping it up. I personally prefer sticks to wraps, but the latter is just as fun and convenient. For a more fun experience, you can even involve the kids in making the food. They can wrap up the filling themselves!

This Ham & Swiss Wrap is very easy to make, with no need to cook. You just have to lay out the ingredients and the kids can make their own snack or lunch. For a healthier alternative, use lettuce to wrap the ham and cheese: Ham and Cheese Lettuce Wraps.

Meatballs are hard to resist – even more so when they are wrapped nicely. These Tomato Meatball Wraps. The recipe calls for cheese and tomato puree, making for a balanced meal.

If your kid leans toward sweet food, these Slow Cooker Teriyaki-Sesame-Chicken Wraps might get them to eat more. You can even make the filling ahead to save you time.

Cookie-fy ‘em!

Healthy Honey Carrot Cookies

One of the most common recipe ideas for kids are zucchini cookies. This vegetable can easily be incorporated into cookies without changing the taste drastically. In fact, the zucchini adds an interesting texture! Try this Dark Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, Zucchini Cookie. I am pretty sure that most kids will fall for this. Now if your kid likes lots of flavor, you can opt for Spicy Zucchini Oatmeal Cookies instead. It’s not really spicy as in hot, but more like spicy as in cloves and cinnamon.

If you want your kid to eat more carrots, these Carrot-Raisin Spice Cookies will do the trick. Alternatively, for fewer calories but with more sweetness, try these Healthy Honey Carrot Cookies.

For kids who are allergic to gluten, treat them to Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten Free)

Make pizza out of everything!

Angry Birds Mini Pizzas

You have to admit, the mere thought of pizza is usually enough to entice anyone to grab a bite. Even adults will give you a smile at the thought of pizza. All you need to deal with picky eaters is to come up with creative ways to make pizza. And we all know that when it comes to creative things, you practically have no limits!

I think that one of the best ideas is what Kathy Patalsky made: Angry Birds Mini Pizzas! This is what you need:

Pizza crust

• 1 ball pizza dough (enough for 1 large pizza) – split into two balls
• 1 cup white cheese, I used Daiya brand
• 2-3 Tbsp olive oil

Toppings/Faces

• red tomatoes
• orange tomatoes
• soy pepperoni
• olives, sliced
• onion slices, small
• red pepper flakes
• carrot slices
• raisins
• orange citrus beak

According to Kathy, this is a vegan recipe and makes 2 small pizzas. However, you can always substitute ingredients according to your preferences. Take a look at her photos to have an idea of what to do.

For a different kind of pizza, try this Fishy-dilla Kids’ Plate. The shape alone will make your kids want to sit at the table. Alternatively, this Funny Face Pizza will put smiles on everyone’s faces. For good measure, make these Veggie Pizza Faces. They’re a great way to get the kids to eat veggies!

With these recipes for picky eaters, you ought to be able to entice your kid to eat more than a morsel during meal times or even when snacking. Remember, your imagination’s the limit, and that means you practically have no limits!

Picky Eater photo via CarbonNYC