Memorial Day is observed the last weekend of May and is considered by many to be the official kick-off for summer. Most Americans know that Memorial Day is more than just a great time to fire up the outdoor grill – it’s a day to honor and remember our fallen soldiers. The first official observance of Memorial day was May 30, 1868 when, at Arlington Cemetery, flowers were placed on the graves of both Confederate and Union soldiers. Though it may have somber roots, Memorial Day is a time to appreciate friends and family and remember those who are no longer with us.

It seems all patriotic holidays are best celebrated with an outdoor barbecue. Maybe that’s because outdoor cooking lends itself to casual, family-friendly entertaining and traditional American fare. This year you can kick up your Memorial Day menu with bold versions of classic summer foods.

Sweet Tea

You need a refreshing drink to balance the spicy, robust flavors of grilled foods, and what’s more Americana that classic sweet tea?

For 2 quarts:

• 2 cups boiling water
• 6 black tea bags
• ¾ cup raw sugar
• 6 cups cool water

Bring sugar to boil with 2 cups of water, stir to dissolve sugar completely. Place the mixture in a heat-proof 2-quart pitcher with tea bags. Cover and steep for 15 minutes. Remove the bags (don’t squeeze them) and add cool water. Refrigerate until cold and serve with ice.

For a delicious adult beverage muddle several fresh mint leaves in an eight-ounce serving glass and fill with ice. Pour two ounces of vodka over the ice and top it off with cold sweet tea.

Chipotle Baby Back Ribs

Celebrity chefs like Rick Bayless know how to combine sweet, hot and tangy ingredients to make the perfect barbecue seasoning. This recipe for chipotle ribs from Bayless can be made spicier or tamer according to your family’s preferences.

Dry Rub:

Mix the following ingredients together and rub them onto raw meat. Wrap with cellophane and refrigerate up to 24 hours before cooking.

• 4 garlic gloves, chopped
• 4 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1/3 cup ground ancho chile powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 5 teaspoons salt
• 4 teaspoons black pepper

Bake ribs in a 300-degree oven for 1 ¼ hours or until the meat is fork tender. Remove from oven and finish the ribs on a grill to brown and infuse with delicious smoky flavor. Season ribs with your favorite barbecue sauce or one made by blending a 7.5-ounce can of chipotles in adobo sauce and ¾ cup honey.

Grilled Pineapple Sundae

No matter how full you are there’s always a little room for dessert. This simple sundae is light and quick to prepare and if you’re trying keep it healthy the pineapple alone is sweet and satisfying.

• Sliced fresh pineapple (1 slice per serving)
• Vanilla ice cream
• Caramel sauce

Place pineapple slices on a well-oiled grill and cook approximately 2 minutes per side, just enough to start caramelization and get some nice grill marks on the fruit. Top the pineapple with a scoop of ice cream and drizzle with caramel sauce. Yum.

To help make your Memorial Day observance a success make sure you have all the necessary ingredients and cookware you need before the big day. Your favorite stores may be closed for part or all of this national holiday and you don’t want to get caught short. Enjoy your friends, family and good food this Memorial Day and take a moment to remember the reason behind that extra day off.

Having only one ceiling-mounted lighting fixture creates a glaring effect and causes shadows which is a no-no in the kitchen, according to interior designers. To create a well-lit room, blending and layering four types of light is most ideal. Depending on what you want to achieve in your kitchen, all four should be taken into consideration but you can also choose to use only two of them if you’re after practicality.

Task lighting is the most important of all and this is one placed above a person’s head and the countertop (work surface). This provides sufficient illumination when preparing ingredients and reading recipes whether from a book, magazine or an iPad. Ideally, this kind of light should be installed below the overhead cabinets.

Ambient lighting is the second important aspect. This provides a warm glow to the room and soften shadows. The best place to install this is above the overhead cabinet especially those that do not reach the ceiling.

Accent lighting is meant to put focus on items, artworks or silverware collection displayed in cabinets with glass front. The light fixtures are normally installed inside the cabinets or they can be the recessed and adjustable low-voltage fixtures.

Decorative lighting is the fourth type which adds a unique perspective to the room. This is optional, though.

Keep these things in mind so that the next time you renovate your kitchen, it will have the right lights at the right places.

Image via irepairhome

People have a lot to be thankful for particularly with regards to the advancement of mobile technology. The cooks, whether the newbies or the veterans, are among those benefiting from many of today’s smart mobile devices.

The most important role that smartphones and tablets play is providing information on recipes to people who love to cook for their loved ones and friends. With so many websites and apps that feature recipes and tips, it’s fairly easy to prepare and cook dishes with the help of a mobile gadget.

A 2013 survey on the global food trends done by Allrecipes.com showed that a growing number of people are using a mobile device to search for recipes and food inspiration. The survey covered more than 7,000 cooks with many of them cooking for their families as the top users of mobile gadgets.

So what are the top uses of smartphones and tablets for these cooks?

The study found that searching for recipes is the most popular activity with 63 percent of them doing this with their gadgets. Very understandable because with just a few swipes, they can easily find recipes without exerting much effort.

Additionally, the Food Trends survey showed that 26 percent of global cooks use their mobile phones to look for recipes.

For the others (9 percent to 18 percent) who are more visual and do not want to take the time to read recipes, they turn to videos where they can easily follow the steps in preparing and cooking food.

Another use of these mobile devices for cooks is help them check prices. Some 35 percent of them use their smartphones or tablets to determine product prices of their important ingredients through the apps.

And not only that because some are prompted to buy online once they find a great deal and can’t wait to get those ingredients.

Image via mashable

Your kitchen is the heart of your home—the place you cook, eat, entertain and bond with your family. You want this important room to be beautiful and luxurious, but you can’t spend your entire nest egg on renovations. Thankfully, you don’t need a massive budge to create a fabulous kitchen. All you need are a few dollars and these five creative ideas.

Decorate with fresh flowers

Even though fresh flowers are easy to find today, they still feel as luxurious and rare as they once were. To beautify your kitchen, add some interesting flowers that you love, from tiger lilies to tulips, to your kitchen. Place two or three small arrangements in cut glass or crystal vases. If you don’t already own vases, visit a thrift store; you’ll find great options at low prices. Display your flowers in high-traffic, visible places, like kitchen islands, the counter beside the sink or the areas next to windows.

Install a new sink

The sink is undoubtedly the focal point of any kitchen. You can stretch your budget by splurging on a sink, but DIY-ing the installation. When choosing a sink, look for one with sleek lines or a distinct style. The design should match your kitchen, but not totally blend in with it. When you’re DIY-ing the install, be sure your ball valve is tightened enough that it doesn’t leak. Nothing says “anti-luxe” like a dripping faucet!

Use white

Color brightens up a room, but it can also date your space. If you’re aiming for timeless elegance, choose white. White walls look clean and modern. They also open up your kitchen and make your ceilings appear higher. For cabinets that have seen better days, white paint is an easy solution. Take cabinet doors and handles off, sand and prime the surfaces and apply several thin, even layers of glossy white paint. Whether it’s on your walls or your cabinets, white will bring a refreshing sense of luxury to your kitchen.

Add crown molding

Wide crown molding, painted white to match your walls, will make your kitchen feel decadent. If you haven’t yet installed trim, look for the thickest version that fits in your budget. If you already have crown molding that’s a bit on the thin side, create the illusion that it’s larger. Add a narrow piece of standard trim about three inches below the existing molding. Then, paint the crown molding, drywall and new trim the same color. Your molding will appear thicker and more elegant, and you’ll be spared the hassle and cost of entirely replacing it.

Make your own modern art

Handmade, unique art always appears refined and expensive. However, you can easily create your own modern art using a canvas, two colors of acrylic paint, a painting sponge and a repurposed paper towel role. Start by painting the canvas entirely in a muted color. Once that paint has dried, dip the paper towel role lightly in a neutral color, such as gray, black or white, and use it to stamp a pattern of perfect circles on the canvas. If you don’t want to frame the art, make sure to use an artist’s canvas and paint the sides as well as the front of the piece. When you’re done, you’ll have an individual painting that matches your kitchen perfectly.

Decorating your kitchen to look more luxurious than its price tag indicates isn’t difficult. All you need is some creativity and an eye for detail to create the perfect kitchen for your budget!

Barbecue is a favorite food of many people worldwide. Whether in the developed countries or in the developing nations, this food is very popular among kids and adults alike.

A major proof confirming people’s love for barbecue is the high sales of grillers and smokers. In 2010, for example, more than 15 million were shipped in North America with the gas grills as the most preferred type. The latest study on barbecue lifestyle, usage and attitude done by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association showed that majority of grill owners use their grills all year round. The summer are the most popular grilling times particularly during Independence Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Father’s Day.

Barbecues won’t be as tasty as they are without the marinade. Marinating is an important process as it makes the meat softer and juicier. Most marinades make use of vinegar, wine or lemon juice but other products may be incorporated.

Meat can be marinated for a minimum of 20 minutes but the longer you let it sit in the marinade, the tastier your barbecue will be. Marinating for about an hour is ideal although you can also let it sit overnight if you’re in no rush.

So how do you make the best barbecue marinade?

Top ingredients to use are ginger, garlic paste, raw papaya paste, salt, lemon juice, powdered spices, mustard oil, yoghurt and some dry red chilli.

Combine all the ingredients to make a fine mixture and rub it on your meat, chicken or fish. Leave the marinade for an hour or so.

Keep in mind that marinades work best at higher temperatures so instead of putting your meat in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature.

Image via 123rf

Spring is here, which means that it’s time to prepare your yard for the barbecue parties you want to have this summer, starting with Memorial Day. This year, take a page from celebrity chefs and prepare a dish that is sure to impress, and easy enough to prepare in home kitchens and outdoor grills alike.

Shrimp-Bacon Kebabs influenced by Martha Stewart

Everything on these kebabs, including the lemons, is grilled. This means super-easy prep for you. Marinate shrimp and bacon in a mixture of lemon juice and Old Bay seasoning for at least 30 minutes. At the same time, soak wooden kebab skewers in water (if you’re using metal skewers, you can skip this step). Load up kebabs with shrimp, bacon and 1/4-inch thick slices of lemon. Grill on medium high heat for 3-4 minutes per side. You can omit the skewers and grill everything separately on the grill grates, but there is a risk of dropping bacon though the cracks. Consider downloading the Martha Stewart cookie app and making end-of-the-meal cookies.

Mario Batali’s Black Pepper Drumsticks

Buffalo chicken wings get an upscale treatment from celeb chef Mario Batali. Pre-cook the drumsticks for 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit to shorten the grill cooking time. While the drumsticks pre-cook, combine 1/2 cup buttermilk with 2 tablespoons of black pepper, a couple dashes of Tabasco — hotter if you like it — and some fennel seeds. Marinate for at least an hour; overnight, if possible. Bring the drumsticks to room temperature before cooking. Grill over medium high heat for 10-12 minutes or until cooked through. Serve with a gorgonzola or blue cheese dipping sauce.

Chipotle Baby Back Ribs from Rick Bayless

Mexican chef Rick Bayless emphasizes fresh and healthy flavors in his cooking. These chipotle baby back ribs are the perfect example of effortless fresh Mex, and they’re ideal for Mem Day cookout. Coat baby back ribs with a dry rub mix of brown sugar, oregano, cumin, salt, black pepper, ancho chile and garlic. Allow the dry rub to soak in overnight and flavor the ribs. To cook, bake in a 300 degree oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Meanwhile, combine honey and one can of chipotles en adobo to create a tangy chipotle glaze. Place ribs on a medium-hot grill and allow them to cook for three minutes before turning them over and brushing the ribs with the chipotle glaze. Cook the ribs until they’re done, about seven minutes more. Serve leftover glaze with the ribs, or use for another dish.

Emerill’s Chipotle BBQ Oysters

If you’ve never had a BBQ oyster, you’re in for a treat. Once the grill is high, shuck the oysters and place each in their bottom shell. Place the oysters on the grill shell side down and cook for just two to three minutes. The oysters will curl up and shrink away from the edge of the shell. Add just a teaspoon of sauce to each oyster and cook for 2-3 more minutes. Serve with fresh salsa.

Serve these meat dishes alongside traditional burgers and hot dogs or with your favorite barbecue sides. Think about adding some cornbread, mac and cheese, green salad, potato salad, beans, chips and fresh fruit. Have a fun barbecue and a wonderful start to the summer!

When it comes to Easter treats, pastels and sweets abound. Easter is often associated with pastels because of their sweet color. But besides the sweet ingredients, the egg also takes the limelight during this season.

If you wish to prepare something sweet and tasty for everybody, here are some ideas you can follow.

Easter Egg Cookies

These cookies are influenced by the Greek Easter specialty koulourakia. The cookie is egg-shaped and decorated with colored frosting. You can prepare this ahead of time or just prepare the cookies and let the kids join in the decorating part on the day of Easter.

Angel Food Cake

The plain or vanilla-flavored angel food cake is a popular Easter dessert. But you can choose another variety such as the chocolate or mix the vanilla and chocolate to create a black and white version.

Carrot Cake

The bunny is known to be a carrot eater so why not make a carrot cake for Easter? Use grated carrot, juicy pineapple, flaked coconut and chopped pecans or other nuts if you want. You can add frosting if you wish such as a cream cheese frosting topped with grated carrots.

Another variation is adding low-fat yogurt plus a pinch of cardammon or cinnamon.

Marshmallow Bunnies

Creating marshmallow bunnies is another tradition. But you can make your own style and design that suits your preference.

These are all easy to prepare and best of all, you can ask your kids to help you out so you can all enjoy the activity.

Image via dianasdesserts

A few things you can do to make an old kitchen look new again include:

Change the countertops

Switching from an old scratched laminate counter to granite will not only give your kitchen a completely new look, it becomes more utilitarian. Granite is heat- and scratch-resistant, so you can place items directly on the counter while cutting and dicing. It’s also easier to maintain. A simple wipe with a damp cloth will do the trick for spot-cleaning. Granite is available in many different colors, so your kitchen will have a whole new look.

Replace your cabinets

If your cabinets are dull or outdated, you can install new ones to give your kitchen a fresh look. Often it’s not necessary to replace the cabinet frames; just replacing the doors will change the look of the room. Whether you choose to paint the cabinets a new color, add glass fronts or replace your old pine cabinets with cherry wood, new or updated cabinetry will make your kitchen pop.

Add an island

If you have the space, an island gives you more space for prep and can double as additional seating. You can also install sinks and cooking surfaces in your island so you have more room to work your kitchen magic.

Buy matching appliances

If your olive green dishwasher from the ’70s is leaking and the avocado-colored fridge just doesn’t keep things as cold as it used to, it might be time to go shopping. Not only will new appliances create a new look for your kitchen, the new appliances are much more energy efficient, so you’ll save money on utility bills.

New table and chairs

If you have an eat-in kitchen, buying a new dining set or simply refinishing your existing chairs can add style and color to your kitchen. Don’t forget to update the barstools, too.

Don’t forget the lighting

Before choosing your indoor LED light fixtures, you should get an idea of how you want to use your kitchen and what kind of lighting is best for that particular situation. If you only plan to use your kitchen to cook, a kitchen with completely utilitarian lighting would be suitable. If you plan to have an eat-in kitchen for the family or close friends, lighting over the seating area can be ambient, and utilitarian lighting can be used throughout the rest of the kitchen. If you’ll be doing a lot of entertaining in your kitchen, a combination of ambient lighting with sconces, hanging lamps and chandeliers combined with recessed and track lighting can create the lighting moods you want to achieve.

Changing the look of your kitchen doesn’t always require knocking out walls or doing a complete rewire to accommodate all new lighting. Simple changes can make a space look new as well. Take a look around your kitchen to determine what you’d most like to change and start there. Once that’s done, pick another item or area. Before you know it, you’ll have a kitchen you enjoy.

Gourmet cooking is often about packing in the flavor with lots of butter, cream, and rich ingredients, but even celebrity chefs make healthy recipes. When Paula Deen was revealed to have diabetes, people were quick to criticize her unhealthy Southern food as the cause, and even she has come out recently with healthier versions of her favorite recipes. After all, these chefs go home and pull food out of their own refrigerators and freezers to prepare meals they eat day in and day out. When you’re looking for delicious food that will keep you healthy, turn to some of these healthy recipes from celebrity chefs.

Roasted Chicken from Tom Colicchio: It’s time for fried chicken to move aside, thanks to Tom Colicchio’s recipe that uses just three tablespoons of oil to make a delicious roasted chicken. The secret is to brown the chicken in a pan beforehand with a little bit of peanut oil to get the crispy skin, and then to baste it with butter and its own juices as the chicken cooks, infusing the whole bird with flavor. Stuffing the chicken with fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme provides extra flavor, too.

White Bean Soup from Rocco DiSpirito: One easy technique to make a meal healthier is to use less meat and more plant-based proteins, like beans. Celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito suggests preparing a soup with both chicken and beans in low-sodium chicken broth flavored with pasta sauce. The addition of fresh basil and spinach in the last few minutes of cooking provides flavor, color, and plenty of nutrients, and a touch of grated Parmesan on top packs the flavor without too much added fat.

Chopped Salad from Bobby Flay: Even real chefs eat simple salads, and the best part is that they’re easy to replicate at home. That’s important for Bobby Flay, co-host of Worst Cooks in America, who has a delicious chopped salad. The base ingredients are simple: romaine, tomatoes, small cubes of cheese, olives, and canned beans for added protein. The flavor really comes in the dressing, which uses balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard for plenty of flavor, plus a little canola oil to help it coat the leaves. Using a light touch with the dressing will keep the salad super healthy.

Linguine with Red Clam Sauce from Giada De Laurentiis: You may associate seafood pasta dishes with rich, buttery, creamy sauces, but they don’t have to be prepared this way. You can actually pair seafood with a spicy red sauce very easily, not only cutting fat but also adding vegetables to the mix. Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis recommends making a flavorful sauce with sautéed onions and garlic, canned diced tomatoes, white wine, and clam juice. Then you can cook the clams right in the sauce and pour it all over a bed of linguine. Using whole-wheat linguine will make it even healthier by adding fiber.

As these celebrity chefs have proven, delicious food can be healthy too. It’s all about flavoring the food well, using herbs, spices, low-fat broth, and similar ingredients to make the food taste wonderful without all of the fat. Try some of these recipes yourself, and soon you’ll find yourself branching off to create your own healthy adaptations of your favorite recipes.

Make way for Anne Burrell, host of Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and reality shows Chef Wanted as well as Worst Cooks of America. Before hitting the TV, this tough woman worked for some top restaurants in New York City. Now, she loves her work on television and considers Chef Wanted as the most rewarding.

Burrell said what is remarkable about Chef Wanted is it’s a win-win situation. They help people land jobs and everyone involved benefits from the chefs and their families to the restaurants.

The other reality cooking show “Worst Cooks of America,” she added, is also beneficial in that they are able to help improve their skills. The rewarding part, she pointed out, is the part when they see participants transform to become respectable home cooks despite the mistakes they commit along the way.

Burrell herself is thankful for having mentors who taught her to become her best. She gives credit to Lidia Bastianich and Mario Batali for honing her cooking skills, helping her to behave properly in the kitchen, deal with her staff and the public and be a good restaurateur.

Among the tasks she’s involved today, Burrell said she loves most of the things she do. Beyond cooking (which is first on the list), she also loves teaching, judging, competing, doing demos and working with people.

That’s Anne Burrell folks – a tough and well-rounded chef that you will get to see more on TV in the coming months.

Photo via poptower