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How to Cut Calories on Thanksgiving Day

November 19, 2015 by

Thanksgiving is the one day of the year when you can eat as much as you want (and, for many people, as much as you possibly can) without feeling guilty. Although you want to indulge in stuffing and pumpkin pie, you also don’t want to go overboard and wreak havoc on your diet. Here are a few smart ways to cut calories on Thanksgiving — without cutting out the sweet potato casserole.

  1. Remove the turkey skin. While the turkey is the focal point of any Thanksgiving meal, you can save up to 20 calories and 3 grams of fat per serving without even noticing it simply by removing the skin before eating.
  2. Eat light meat. Instead of reaching for the dark turkey meat, opt for the lighter sections and save about 20 calories and 4 grams of fat per serving.
  3. Create a low carb stuffing. If you’re in charge of bringing the stuffing, swap half of the bread for veggies like onions or water chestnuts and low-fat chicken broth instead of butter.
  4. Practice portion control. The only real foolproof way to eat everything that you want without going overboard on Thanksgiving is by limiting your portions. Split that piece of pie with a family member, or take small portions and only reach for more if you’re still feeling hungry.

21 Ways to Slim Down Your Thanksgiving Feast [SparkPeople]
20 Ways to Cut Thanksgiving Calories [FitDay]
Top 10 tips to cut back on calories and guilt this Thanksgiving [The Ann Arbor News]
10 Tips for a Thinner Thanksgiving [Web MD]

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Fast and Easy Grilled Dessert Recipes

June 18, 2015 by

Whether it’s the dog days of summer or the crisp chill of fall is already in the air, preparing dinner on the barbecue grill is always enjoyable. While burgers and kabobs are usually on your arsenal of grillable foods, you may have overlooked the number of desserts that can also be prepared on the grill! Here are a few of our favorite grilled dessert recipes:

Honey-Rum Grilled Bananas [tasteofhome.com]
The sweetness of the bananas and the flavor of the rum are perfectly accented by the smoky flavor from the grill in this recipe, creating a taste that will make you feel like you’ve traveled to a tropical paradise.

Banana Nutella S’mores [foodandwine.com]
Everyone loves making s’mores, but if your taste buds have grown up a bit, you may want to incorporate a more complex flavor into the campsite favorite. This recipe uses a hazelnut spread instead of the usual milk chocolate, which tastes even better when cooked over an open fire.

Grilled Peach Melba [marthastewart.com]
This Southern dessert is positively meant for the grill. Top your warm peaches with vanilla ice cream and watch as it melts over the sweet, blackened fruit.

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These Tips Can Help You Enjoy Fruits and Veggies on a Budget

March 5, 2015 by

If you think that you have to increase your grocery budget in order to begin a healthier diet plan, think again. There’s no reason why a meal plan filled with fresh fruits and veggies should cost more than one filled with snacks and sweets, and these helpful tips will show you how to do it — even on a tight budget.

  1. Buy in-season produce. You’ll often find better deals on fresh produce when it’s in season, so consider stocking up on large quantities of, say, apples in the fall or berries in the summertime. If you buy more than you can consume, freeze the fruit for future use.
  2. Plan meals in advance. One of the best ways to make the most of what’s in season (and avoid throwing away produce that has gone bad) is by planning a week’s worth of meals in advance. You can even make a few meals over the weekend and freeze them to eat on busy weekdays.
  3. Use sales to get adventurous. If you purchase only fruits and veggies that are on sale at the grocery store, it won’t just save you money, it will also give you an excuse to experiment with new foods that you wouldn’t normally try. Rhubarb, anyone?
  4. Store produce properly. If you get frustrated about how quickly your fresh produce goes bad, create a more organized storage system to maximize its lifespan. Keep vegetables separate from fruits, as many fruits emit a gas that causes veggies to spoil more quickly.

Fruits and Vegetables on a Budget [Fruits and Vegetables More Matters]
10 Smart Tips for Eating Healthy on a Super Tight Budget [The Kitchn]

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Nutrition Tips for Vegetarians

November 20, 2014 by

Whether you want to show support for animals or simply choose to avoid meat products, becoming a vegetarian can be a very healthy lifestyle choice. Though it decreases your risk for many long-term diseases, a vegetarian diet can make it difficult to get the protein and other nutrients a person needs to stay healthy and energized.

These vegetarian eating tips can help you create a balanced, meat-free diet:

  • Make sure that you get enough protein by incorporating nuts, beans, peas and soy products into meals and snacks.
  • Keep up with your necessary iron intake to create healthy oxygen absorption in the blood by eating a lot of spinach, kidney beans, lentils, black-eyed peas and iron-fortified cereals.
  • Choose calcium-fortified soy milk to replace the calcium normally found in regular cow’s milk.
  • Consider vegetarian alternatives to traditionally meat-based foods to keep your diet exciting (for example, bean burritos, veggie lo mein, or vegetarian lasagna).

Tips for Vegetarians [USDA]

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These Halloween Dessert Recipes Are All Treats, No Tricks

October 16, 2014 by

Everyone knows that candy is the best part about Halloween, but there's still something to be said about seasonal sweets that don't require a wrapper. If you're hosting a Halloween party this year, these Halloween recipes are all treats and no tricks!

Marshmallow Witches [myfabulousrecipesbackup.blogspot.com]
The kids will love to help make these not-so-wicked witch treats! Large marshmallows are decorated with chocolate chips, candy pieces, and cookies to create a coven of seriously sweet witches. These treats don't requiring any prepping or cooking, which leaves more time for the fun part: the decorating!

Pumpkin Cookies [Food and Wine]
Catering to more refined palates, these pumpkin cookies boast a cake-like texture that's complemented by tiny pieces of candied ginger. Pumpkin spice imparts an autumn flavor, while a sugary glaze tantalizes the taste buds.

Spider Cookies [Delish]
A spider shaped cookie cutter transforms basic sugar cookie dough into a tempting dessert that might just make your skin crawl. Each arachnid is dipped into black sanding sugar for a sparkly-sweet finish, then arranged on cookie cooling rack that resembles a web.

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How to Prepare a Perfect Plate of Pasta

September 18, 2014 by

If you’ve ever overcooked or undercooked pasta and suffered the consequences throughout your entire meal, you know how touchy this seemingly simple dish can be. Luckily, these simple steps will show you how to prepare the perfect plate of pasta.

  1. Use a large enough pot. One of the most common mistakes when cooking pasta is using a pot that isn’t large enough to accommodate your noodles and water. As a general rule, one pound of pasta should be cooked in about 5 to 6 quarts of water or more.
  2. Start with cold water. To avoid tainting your pasta’s taste with the metallic taste of your sink’s pipes, fill the pot with cold water to start. Hot water dissolves contaminants like lead much more easily, which could affect the taste of your pasta.
  3. Boil thoroughly. Cover your pot with a glass lid and bring the water to a quick boil. Add a pinch of salt to bring out the natural flavors.
  4. Cook pasta. Most pastas cook for 18 to 20 minutes after the water returns to a boil. Be sure to remove a noodle or two and taste them throughout the cooking process.
  5. Drain and serve. Drain your noodles over a large colander, but be sure not to over-drain them, as this could cause them to dry out and stick together. Pour warm sauce over all of the noodles, and then serve.

The Most Common Cooking Mistakes [Cooking Light]
How To Cook Perfect Pasta [What’s Cooking America]
10 Secrets to Perfect Pasta [Good Housekeeping]

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Food Canning 101: 5 Basics You Need to Know

September 4, 2014 by

Your grandmother may have been on to something with all of those canned fruits and vegetables. Canning is a great way to preserve the lifespan of fresh produce, and it creates a number of unique new ways to eat your favorite veggies. If you want to start canning in your own home, here are 5 things that you need to know.

  1. Do not use overripe produce. Although canning helps you to extend the lifespan of produce, it won’t reverse the ripening process if it has already happened. Be sure to use only crisp, fresh fruits and vegetables.
  2. Sterilize cans before starting. Because your produce will be sealed tightly inside of the glass jars, you want to make sure that there is no bacteria inside of there as well. Wash each jar with hot, soapy water and soak them in a boiling water bath for at least 10 minutes before you begin.
  3. Research acid additions. Many types of fruits and vegetables require ascorbic acid or citric acid to prevent browning or maintain pH levels, so do your research before canning.
  4. Do not fill the jars completely. Your produce will expand during the boiling process, so be sure leave an inch or so of space at the top of each jar.

More Canning Tips and Do's/Don'ts [Pick Your Own]
Canning 101: The Basics [Simple Bites]
USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning, 2009 revision [NCHFP]

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Deliciously Unique Uses for Fresh Parsley

June 19, 2014 by

Fresh parsley is a very versatile herb, and it’s also one of the most common in any at-home herb garden. If you love the bright, fresh taste of parsley but you’re growing tired of your usual recipes, all it takes is a bit of inspiration to come up with brand new dishes. Here are three unique uses for parsley.

Parsley Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce
Instead of the traditional Italian ravioli, why not spice things up with the decadent flavors of brown butter, ricotta cheese, and parsley. These homemade raviolis are made using won ton wrappers instead of pasta, and the robust taste of flat-leaf parsley really shines against the creamy flavor of the brown butter sauce.

Cucumber, Onion and Parsley Salad with Feta Cheese
This fast and easy salad is perfect for a quick lunch at home. The cucumber and onion make a crisp, crunchy base, while the lemon juice and olive oil blend to create a healthy dressing. Sprinkle some fresh parsley and crumbled feta cheese across the top before serving.

Chimichurri
This Argentinean sauce is similar to traditional pesto, but the addition of chili pepper gives it a bit of added spice. Fresh parsley, oregano, garlic, and olive oil create a lovely deep green color throughout the oil-based sauce. Argentineans use chimichurri as everything from a steak marinade to a pasta sauce.

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Decode That Recipe With This Glossary of Common Cooking Terms

April 17, 2014 by

Even the most experienced chef gets stumped by a recipe every now and then. To prevent road blocks during your next cooking session, memorize these three common cooking terms.

Baste
You've probably come across this term when cooking that Thanksgiving turkey. Simply put, to baste is to keep meat or other foods moist during the cooking process by spooning over a sauce, water, or its own juices. This adds flavor, while preventing the meat from drying out.

Roux
Used as the foundation of thicker sauces and gravies, a roux is a mixture of equal parts butter and flour that's stirred constantly over low heat until smooth.

Macerate
Commonly applied to dessert recipes, macerating entails covering fruits or veggies in liquid, then letting them marinate until the fruits and veggies soften and the liquid's flavor has been absorbed. Said liquid is typically a mixture of lemon juice and sugar.

Cooking Terms [Recipe Goldmine]
The Basic Kitchen: Glossary of Cooking Terms [Les Petites Gourmettes]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [BHG]
Glossary of Cooking Terms [Cookery]

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Plan a Beautiful Brunch with These Websites

March 20, 2014 by

If the in-between brunch is your favorite meal of the day, you might simply adore the sweet and savory recipes on these great websites.

Food Network
Your favorite Food Network show hosts offer their own favorite brunch recipes on the network’s website. They offer tips and tricks for how to plan a beautiful brunch, ideas for food themes, and, of course, detailed recipes for how to create tasty dishes. The Sausage Bread Brunch Sandwich from the Sandwich King Jeff Mauro is great for a causal weekend breakfast, while the Ted Allen’s Brunch Tart with Spinach, Olives and Leeks is a great main course for a more sophisticated meal. Whatever your brunch style, you’ll find something for everyone on the Food Network's website.

AllRecipes
Browse by type of food, plan a breakfast buffet or search brunch foods by ingredient on the AllRecipes Breakfast and Brunch section. Each of these simple recipes are rated by users and feature the complete nutritional information, so you can plan your brunch right down to the smallest detail.

Public Domain/Public Domain
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