Cooking 101: Fail-Proof Recipes for Pasta Sauce

Making your own pasta sauce may seem like something reserved for only the most skilled chefs, but you’d be surprised to know how simple it really is. Forgoing the store-bought sauces in favor of making your own is also beneficial to your health, as it eliminates the added sugars and preservatives that are often found in jarred pasta sauces. If you want to try your hand at preparing a zesty, flavorful sauce at home, here are three fail-proof recipes.

World’s Best Pasta Sauce!
This traditional pasta sauce is a versatile option that you can use for years to come. It includes the staple ingredients like tomato paste and a variety of Italian meats, plus flavorful spices ranging from dried basil to fennel seed. Once the ingredients are blended together, everything gets cooked slowly in a large Dutch oven.

Great Grandma’s Pasta Sauce
If your own grandmother wasn’t much of a sauce maker, feel free to adopt this tasty recipe as your own. It uses simple ground beef, tomatoes, and Italian spices to give it a hearty texture that tastes straight out of the old country.

Roasted Garlic Pasta Sauce
If you want to create a sauce that tastes like gourmet without the gourmet cooking skills, this recipe is the one to use. Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse shares his unique recipe that includes unexpected ingredients like hot sauce, balsamic vinegar, and an impressive amount of garlic.

George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library: Get Lost in the Stacks of This Community Library

The George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library is housed in a 30,000-square-foot brick building conveniently located in the Woodlands area of Montgomery County.

This community staple contains 102,500 books and other resources, including the latest fiction and nonfiction releases, classic works of literature, educational books, and children’s books. The computer lab offers 30 computers equipped with Internet access, Microsoft Office, and many other resources, and there are also printer stations and photocopiers for public use. A meeting room, conference room, and two study rooms are ideal for study groups or other gatherings, and the library also offers many book clubs for fellow readers in the area. With a valid library card guests also have access to the numerous children, teen, and adult programs hosted at the library.

The George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The library is closed on Sundays.

The George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library
8125 Ashlane Way
The Woodlands, TX 77382
(936) 442-7728
www.countylibrary.org/mitchell.htm
www.yelp.com/biz/george-and-cynthia-woods-mitchell-library-the-woodlands

Caffe di Fiore: A Fusion Menu in The Woodlands

Caffe di Fiore serves up a fusion menu in The Woodlands. The emphasis may be on Mexican cuisine, but the restaurant's menu also features a selection of pastas and pizza.

Breakfast is a great time to stop in and fuel up for the day on hearty fare like Chilaquiles Con Pollo with tortilla chips, shredded chicken, cheese, refried beans & sour cream, Huevos Con Chorizo with spicy sausage, cheese & refried beans, and Vegetarian Eggs Benedict with spinach & tomatoes. Later in the day, you can try Tacos de Barbacoa with beef, onions & borracha salsa, Green Enchiladas with tomatillo sauce, and Tampico Style Carne Asada with refried beans & guacamole.

Caffe di Fiore is open Monday through Saturday in The Woodlands, Texas.

Caffe di Fiore
10110 Woodlands Parkway
The Woodlands, TX 77382
(281) 298-1228
http://www.caffe-di-fiore.com/ordereze/default.aspx
http://www.yelp.com/biz/caffe-di-fiore-the-woodlands

Salata: Salads and Wraps in The Woodlands

Salata is a restaurant where you can build yourself a wrap or salad from a flavorful array of super-fresh ingredients. The salad option features several lettuce choices, plus fresh veggies, fruits, nuts and cheeses. Add on one of their signature dressings and some bread, and you’ve got yourself a healthy meal. Chicken or seafood can also be added in flavors like Spicy Chipotle, Herb Marinated, or Pesto.

Wraps have the same ingredient options and come with chips. Yummy soups include Broccoli, Tomato Basil and Tortilla. Got gluten allergies? No problem, they can create a tasty sans-gluten meal. You can also take home a bottle of their salad dressings that include Fresh Herb Vinaigrette, Buttermilk Ranch, Ginger Lime, and Chipotle Ranch.

Salata is open every day in The Woodlands.

Salata
9595 Six Pines Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 465-0775
http://www.salata.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/salata-the-woodlands-2

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Plan a Visit to These Must-See Parks Near Houston, Texas

There's more to Houston that just bright lights and a little Western flair. In fact, you'll find that many of Houston's attractions lie just outside the city. Case in point: These two must-visit parks near Houston. One park lies on the river, while the other is known for its vast biological diversity. Either way, both make for a memorable getaway.

Big Thicket National Preserve
Big Thicket National Preserve is located about two hours outside of Houston. Here, you can find species from very different habitats living among each other in a relatively small area. Take a hike on a variety of different trails, ranging from a brisk boardwalk stroll to an extreme 15 mile trek. The preserve is also a popular destination for birdwatching, as approximately 185 migratory bird species make Big Thicket their home between March and early May. Canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts travel to Big Thicket year-round to cruise the Neches River and Village Creek.

Stephen F. Austin State Park
You'll find Stephen F. Austin State Park just 30 minutes from the outskirts of Houston, so it makes a quick day trip for anyone looking to get outdoors. This scenic retreat offers traditional camping activities such as hiking and fishing, as well as the more modern geocaching. If you'd like to keep it simple, go fishing for catfish along the Brazos River. There are wide variety of campsites to accommodate your camping needs, whether they be a place to hook up your RV, a cabin for shelter, or just a little spot to put your tent.

New Facebook Sweepstakes! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

To enter the Sweepstakes, Like our Facebook Page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook Page to enter. Sweepstakes ends August 31, 2014.

For mobile users ONLY, like our Facebook Page, and then click here to enter!

Happy 4th of July

We hope everyone has a safe and happy day as we celebrate America's Independence. Happy 4th of July!

Breathe Pilates Studio: Exercise in The Woodlands

Exercise, stretch and tone with a class at Breathe Pilates Studio. Their certified Pilates instructors will help you achieve your personal fitness goals. This Woodlands studio is equipped with state of the art equipment that helps to increase flexibility, lengthen muscles and provide core stability.

The studio has a friendly vibe that makes going there fun. Fluid movements combined with controlled breathing helps to build fitness from the inside out. The barre class offers a unique combination of Pilates, dance, yoga and cardio, for a fun, high energy workout that firms and tones while burning calories. Cardio Kickboxing is also offered at the studio and is sure to get you in tip top shape.

See their website for class schedules and prices.

Breathe Pilates Studio
25236 Grogans Park Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 298-5277
http://www.breathepilatesstudio.net/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/breathe-pilates-studio-the-woodlands

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Expect Flavorful Italian Fare and Fireside Dining at Grotto Ristorante

With vibrant painted murals, a gleaming curved wooden bar, and walls stacked with wine bottles, Grotto Ristorante is a lively setting for a flavorful repast. Settle in by the fireplace indoors or out on the patio and get your party started with a glass or bottle of wine and an antipasto, like mussels marechiaro with white wine and fresh tomatoes, the scampi grotto with mushrooms, or the mozzarella in padella with tomatoes, garlic, and basil. Pizza and pasta are featured on the menu, along with entrees like shrimp paillard with jumbo lump crab, roasted bell peppers, and lemon sauce, and snapper Siciliano with Roma tomatoes, garlic, shrimp sauce, and lump crab.

Grotto Ristorante is open every day. Stop by for weekend brunch for a sumptuous feast!

Grotto Ristorante
9595 Six Pines Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-4252
www.grottorestaurants.com
www.yelp.com/biz/grotto-ristorante-the-woodlands-2

Happy Father’s Day!

Today we want to take time to wish all the Dads out there a very happy day! We hope all the Fathers near and far have a great day relaxing with loved ones!

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