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Cheese, Please! How to Make a Memorable Cheese Plate

February 18, 2016 by

For the avid foodie, there are few things in life more beautiful than a good cheese plate. If you want to create a truly gourmet quality cheese plate for your next dinner party or holiday gathering at Savannah Lakes, use these simple tips for assembling the perfect spread.

  1. Consider the basics. Before beginning, consider how many people you’ll be serving and what other types of food you’ll have. This will help you to determine how much cheese to buy.
  2. Determine quantity. For an hors d’oeuvre, your cheese plate should include one to two ounces of cheese per person. If you plan on serving it after the main meal, pare it down to just one ounce per person.
  3. Choose the perfect serving platter. Invest in a sturdy cutting board, a marble cheese platter, or an attractive slate slab.
  4. Choose the cheeses. Lighter options, like goat cheese and fresh mozzarella, are great options for before dinner, while fuller bodied cheeses include cheddar, aged gouda and bleu cheese.
  5. Create a theme. If you’re still unsure of which cheeses to choose, create a theme. Pick cheeses from one specific region of the world, or opt for cheeses that are all made from goat’s milk.
  6. Organize. Spread your cheeses out on the platter for easy cutting, and be sure to offer a different knife with each kind. You’ll also want to serve complementary breads and crackers alongside.

The Perfect Cheese Platter [Real Simple]
How to Set Up a Cheese Platter [Food Network]
Creating the Perfect Cheese Plate [Food and Wine]

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Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth With These 3 Brownie Recipe Sites

January 21, 2016 by

There are few desserts more wonderful or more decadent than a chocolate brownie. The gooey chocolate batter, warm, melting icing, and extra nuts or raspberry swirls really make this one dessert that just about everyone adores. If you want to add some truly unique brownie recipes to your recipe box, these delicious websites can help.

All Recipes
All Recipes’ Best Brownies section is a round-up of the top brownie concoctions submitted by the site’s users. Each one features step-by-step instructions and a complete shopping list of ingredients to make your baking process even more convenient. Try a classic recipe with powdered sugar on top for a kid's birthday party, or experiment with a spiked Easy Kahlua Brownie that the adults will love.

Food Network
The hosts of the Food Network’s top baking shows all offer their very best brownie recipes on this wonderful page of the network’s website. From caramel-filled Knock-You-Naked Brownies made by the Pioneer Woman to dark Cocoa Brownies courtesy of the people of Good Eats, each host puts his or her own touch on this classic dessert.

Cooking Light
If you want the taste of an indulgent brownie without the extra calories, Cooking Light has just the recipes for you. Each recipe uses low-fat or light ingredients, and the nutritional information is plainly listed to help you stick to your diet goals.

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Pressed for Time? Try These On-the-Go Breakfasts!

September 17, 2015 by

Skipping breakfast can throw off your whole day, leaving you feeling hungry, lethargic, and, yes, even a little bit grumpy. Instead of forgoing your morning meal when you wake up late, ensure that you always have a healthy breakfast on hand by making these tasty meals ahead of time.

Zap It! Scrambled Eggs and Cheese [marthastewart.com]
Think that you need a lot of time to make eggs for breakfast? Think again! With this modern update on classic scrambled eggs, you can make your favorite breakfast dish right in your trusty microwave.

Peanut Butter, Strawberry and Banana Quesadillas [ambitiouskitchen.com]
Simply grill the delicious combination of natural peanut butter and fresh fruit in a classic whole grain tortilla for a sweet and creamy breakfast in just minutes. As a bonus, you can even eat this handheld breakfast on your drive to work!

Frozen Fruit Smoothie [parenting.com]
If you really just don’t have time to eat breakfast, try drinking it instead with this nutrient-rich fruit smoothie. Blend some frozen fruit, fresh orange juice, and low-fat yogurt to create a sippable breakfast that you can enjoy on your morning commute. Try adding a spoonful of flax or even some oats before blending!

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Just Like Mom Used to Make: Chicken Pot Pie Recipes

August 20, 2015 by

With its light, fluffy exterior and its thick chicken stew inside, chicken pot pie is a classic recipe that will make you feel warmer and cozier with every bite. If you want to adapt this time-honored dish for your own friends or family, here are three great recipes to show you how.

Ina Garten’s Chicken Pot Pie [foodnetwork.com]
You can be sure that the Barefoot Contessa herself will have a few things to add to such a classic dish. Ina Garten’s pot pie gets an elegant makeover with the addition of fresh parsley leaves and chicken bouillon cubes, and serving it in miniature bowls makes it even more chic.

Impossibly Easy Chicken Pot Pie [bettycrocker.com]
If you’ve been dreaming of chicken pot pie but you’re short on time, this six-ingredient recipe is the perfect solution. It uses frozen vegetables, cream of chicken soup, and biscuit mix to make pot pie easier than ever.

The Epicurious Chicken Pot Pie [epicurious.com]
When you have the time to make the crust, chicken, and filling all from scratch, this is the recipe to use. This pot pie is perfect for a dinner party with your foodie friends, as it incorporates complex ingredients like black peppercorns, dry white wine, and dried chanterelle mushrooms along with the usual meat and veggies.

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Lactose Intolerant? Steer Clear of These Surprising Lactose Food Sources!

January 22, 2015 by

Though milk is the only food that naturally contains lactose, many prepared or packaged foods contain lactose because of the ingredients added to them. This could potentially be very harmful for someone who is lactose intolerant, and it would be equally unpleasant to a person who abides by a strict vegan diet. Here are two surprising sources of lactose that you should avoid.

  1. Breakfast cereals. Even if you opt to use a non-dairy milk, like almond or soy milk, on your morning breakfast cereal, you could still be ingesting harmful lactose through the cereal itself. Quite a few brand-name breakfast cereals contain lactose in their ingredients, though it’s not always apparent. Check the label for items like lactate, lactic acid, and casein before you make a purchase.
  2. Potato chips and other snacks. While it may seem like the only ingredients in potato chips are, well, potatoes, that’s not always the case. Many brands of snack foods contain small amounts of lactose in either their flavoring or the manufacturing process, which can make those who are lactose intolerant very sick. Once again, check the label before you buy!

8 Surprising Sources of Lactose [Best Health]
Lactose Intolerance [NIDDK]
Learn to Detect “Hidden” Lactose [Cornell Women’s Health]
Hidden Sources of Lactose [Lactose Ninja]
What is “Hidden” Lactose? [Lactaid]

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Dip Into Something Sweet With These 4 Dessert Fondue Recipes

December 18, 2014 by

Fondue restaurants are trendy and tons of fun, but they’re often quite expensive for such simple ingredients. Here are a few recipes for restaurant-quality fondue that you can make right in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Chocolate Fondue [Rachael Ray]
All you need is a fondue pot, bittersweet chocolate, heavy cream, and some fruit and other dipping items to make this traditional fondue recipe.

Chocolate Bar Fondue [Real Simple]
This recipe is perfect for anyone who wants to make fondue using basic ingredients that you already have at home. Use angel food cake or strawberries for dipping, and you’re good to go.

Milk Chocolate Fondue [Betty Crocker]
While some chocolate fondues can be a bit bitter, this one uses milk chocolate for a sweeter, creamier taste.

Chocolate Fondue [Williams Sonoma]
Adding some vanilla extract gives this chocolate fondue recipe a hint of extra flavor that your guests will love.

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Plan a Beautiful Brunch with These Websites

December 4, 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.

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Improve Your Usual Lunch Sandwich with These 4 Recipes

March 19, 2014 by

Your usual turkey and cheddar has been your go-to lunch sandwich for years, and your kids love their daily PB and J. Everyone loves a great sandwich, but it can be easy to get stuck in a bit of a sandwich rut. These fun recipes feature fresh, unique ingredients to help you make some creative alternatives to the standard lunchmeat sandwich.

California Grilled Veggie Sandwich
Whether you’re a vegetarian or you simply want a tasty way to get your daily veggies, this fresh, grilled sandwich is a delicious option. Simply cook the peppers, zucchini, onion, and squash on the grill and top with a bit of mayo and zesty lemon juice.

Cuban Midnight Sandwich
This hot sandwich features ham, turkey and a number of flavorful spreads and sauces. Pair it with black bean soup or plantain chips to create a traditional lunch.

Roast Pork and Pickled Cucumber Sandwich
The sweet, warm flavor of the pork perfectly contrasts the pickled taste of the cucumbers for a sandwich that’s zesty and flavorful.

Smoked Salmon Salad Sandwich
Instead of your usual tuna salad, try a smoked salmon salad instead. This sandwich uses a mixture of smoked and roasted salmon to ensure that the flavor is noticeable, but not overpowering.

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Quick and Healthy Pasta Recipes

February 20, 2014 by

Pasta is a comfort food that’s perfect for just about any occasion, but it is often packed full of calories and carbohydrates. If you’re on a diet but still crave spaghetti, lasagna, rice noodles or any number of other delicious pastas, you might just love these quick and easy pasta recipes:

Mediterranean Pork Penne
This is certainly not your mama’s pasta dish, but it’s a welcome, unique addition to your usual pasta recipes. Using whole-wheat penne makes it a bit healthier, while stir-fry pork strips add a ton of beneficial protein to this complex and well-seasoned dish.

Bowtie Pasta With Chicken, Broccoli and Feta
Even children will love this simple, cheesy pasta dinner, and it’s a great way to get picky eaters to get a full serving of vegetables. Grilled chicken is a lean source of protein, and a full serving will leaving you feeling full without ruining your healthy diet.

Pasta Primavera
This Italian cuisine classic is jam packed with a variety of nutritious vegetables, and it takes just 20 minutes to prepare. Whole-wheat spaghetti and low-sodium tomatoes make this recipe an even healthier take on the beloved original. At just over 300 calories, this is a pasta dish that won’t make you feel guilty about indulging.

For more healthy, nutritious pasta recipes, visit the NIH website here.

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