You’re Sure to Love These Marvelously Minty Recipes

August 4, 2015 by francis

Mint adds a special flavor to anything that you add it to, whether you muddle a bit in your favorite cocktail or use it to bring a bit of cool zest to marinated vegetables. Mint is also a very easy herb to raise in an herb garden, so it’s convenient to always have on hand. Here are just a few unique mint recipes that you’re sure to love.

Cucumber Lime Mint Agua Fresca [Simply Recipes]
This traditional Mexican fruit drink blends the cool, refreshing flavors of cucumber, lime, and mint into a juicy beverage that’s ideal for a hot summer day. Though the combination may seem strange, you’ll become a believer as soon as you take the first sip of this flavorful drink.

Zucchini, Mint and Yogurt Spread [The Kitchn]
Middle Eastern dips, like hummus and baba ganoush, taste wonderful on warm pita bread, but they can be a bit hearty for a simple snack. This zucchini and yogurt spread offers a much lighter texture, but the addition of mint and lemon brings out an intense flavor that’s just as delicious.

Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls [AllRecipes]
Instead of ordering in the usual fried spring rolls from your local takeout spot, try these Vietnamese spring rolls for a healthier take on your favorite side dish. Thin rice wrappers hold the fresh veggies together, while Thai basil and mint leaves provide a bold, complex taste.

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/stu_spivack

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Cooking, Food, Herbs, Recipes

3 Steps Toward Perfectly Prepared Broccoli Rabe

April 7, 2015 by francis

You’ve likely made broccoli as a healthy side dish for an evening meal, but have you ever prepared broccoli rabe? This green vegetable is often under-utilized by many home chefs, but its high nutritional content and leafy, slightly bitter taste make it a unique addition to many dishes. Here are three steps that will help you to perfectly prepare broccoli rabe.

Trim the stems. Like many leafy greens, broccoli rabe contains hard, stiff stems that aren’t so pleasant to eat. Trim the stems off just below the leaves by using a sharp knife against a wooden or plastic cutting board.
Rinse and dry. To remove any pesticides or stray dirt, rinse your broccoli rabe under lukewarm running water. Next, pat dry with a sturdy paper towel or clean cloth.
Cook until wilted. Add a bit of olive oil to a skillet and let it sit over medium heat for a few moments. Add the broccoli rabe and toss for 15 to 20 minutes until the whole thing is very wilted, lessening its bitter flavor and tough consistency. Add crushed red pepper, garlic, salt and pepper, or whichever herbs and spices that you prefer.

How to Cook Broccoli Rabe Perfectly… Italian Style [Clean Cuisine]
Don’t Be Bitter, Just Cook Rapini Better [Zester Daily]
Broccoli Rabe [Real Simple]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Katie Lips

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Cooking, Food, Recipes

Delicious Egg Recipes to Jazz Up Your Breakfast

January 6, 2015 by francis

Eating simple scrambled eggs in the morning is fine, but there are so many other options for preparing eggs. Poached eggs, quiches, frittatas, and even burritos are all equally nutritious and much more delicious options, and they’re much easier to prepare than you might think. Check out these websites to get some breakfast inspiration:

All Recipes
The All Recipes website is packed full of recipes for every meal of the day, but their egg section is truly something special. Super scrambles full of crispy bacon, ripe tomatoes, and nutritious greens are healthy ways to start off your morning, and quick quiches are fast and easy alternatives to the delicious French dish. You’ll also find creative recipes for breakfast sandwiches, biscuits, and wraps that feature eggs as the main ingredient.

Real Simple
Real Simple’s "10 Easy Egg Recipes" round-up provides great inspiration for even your busiest mornings. In just a few minutes, you can prepare these flavorful, protein-packed egg dishes that will keep you full all the way until lunch. A curried egg salad sandwich is a welcome alternative to your usual bowl of cereal, and though an omelet with spinach, feta, and sundried tomatoes may seem difficult, you can actually prepare this impressive dish in under 10 minutes.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Steve Snodgrass

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Breakfast, Cooking, Food, Recipes

5 of the Best Uses for Day-Old Bread

November 4, 2014 by francis

Eating bread before it gets stale can be tricky. If you’ve got a surplus of hard, days-old remains on your hands, here are a few ways to ensure your bread doesn't go to waste:

Make a crostini. One way to maximize your stale bread is to act like you wanted it to be hard and crispy in the first place. Toss the bread in the oven on 325°, then top with your favorite bruschetta, cheeses, meats, or spreads.
Top your French onion soup. French onion soup just wouldn’t be the same without the crunchy croutons smothered in gooey cheese. Roughly chop your stale bread and add a few pieces on top of the soup before you melt the cheese topping.
Try out a bread salad. No, this isn’t a ploy to make salad more delicious (and less healthy). Bread salad, also known as “panzanella,” can be topped with sliced tomatoes, artichokes, grilled chicken, and your favorite Italian dressing to create a rustic, hearty meal.
Make a grilled cheese. It may seem counter-intuitive to attempt to use your day-old bread for a sandwich, but lucky for you, grilled cheese and panini are supposed to be crispy anyway.
Give it to the birds. If all else fails, break the bread up into bird-sized crumbs and you’ll make the avian community in your neighborhood very happy campers.

What to Do With Stale Bread [Real Simple]
17 Uses for Stale Bread [Wise Bread]
The 10 Best Things to Do With Stale Bread [First We Feast]
Recipes for Stale Bread [Saveur]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Joy

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Baking, Cooking, Food, Recipes

These Watermelon Desserts Make Summer Even Sweeter

July 8, 2014 by francis

Equal parts sweet and juicy, watermelon is the quintessential summertime treat, most aptly enjoyed as a palate cleanser between bites of hot dogs and potato salad. But there are many ways to enjoy this popular melon beyond the barbecue! If you want to delve a little deeper into the culinary world of watermelon, give these three dessert recipes a try:

Watermelon Sorbet [New York Times]
Watermelon's high water content proves the melon to be a refreshing snack on a scorching hot summer day. This recipe for watermelon sorbet takes that thought one step further by freezing the melon to create a flavorful frozen treat. Requiring only a food processor and a freezer, this recipe couldn't get much easier!

Cool Watermelon Pops [Taste of Home]
The kids will love this one: Half watermelon-flavored gelatin, half frozen limeade, these adorable ice pops are designed to look just like watermelon—complete with chocolate chips for the seeds! This recipe requires a few steps to reach the final product, but pint-sized chefs will gladly help see the process through to the end.

Fresh Mint and Watermelon Soda Floats [How Sweet It Is]
Fresh mint, watermelon, and carbonated soda are blended together in this recipe, a take on the classic root beer float. Post-blend, the mixture is strained through a sieve, then poured over top of a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. Whether you sip it through a straw or tackle it with a spoon, this recipe will surely bring out the kid in you.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Joy

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Desserts, Recipes, Seasonal, Watermelon

5 Picnic Recipes to Make This Summer

May 6, 2014 by francis

Having a picnic is on just about everyone’s bucket list each summer. There’s something so enjoyable about eating on a blanket outdoors, but you may start to get a bit tired of the same sandwiches and potato salad year after year. Here are five unique recipes to pack in your picnic basket this summer.

Summer Crab Rolls [Cooking Light]
Seafood lovers will adore these light, slider-style mini sandwiches topped with flavorful crab cakes.

Couscous Salad Cups [Cooking Light]
Forgo the usual mayo-heavy salads in favor of something healthier and just as tasty. This couscous salad is served inside of lettuce “cups” for easy serving even while outdoors, and the feta adds something extra to the simple recipe.

Belle’s Hamburger Buns [AllRecipes]
Instead of using flavorless, store-bought hamburger buns, make your own light and fluffy version right at home. Prep them ahead of time and then bake for just 20 minutes to impress your guests with homemade bread for burgers on the grill.

Curried Chicken Salad with Apples and Raisins [Cooking Light]
If your picnic companions have more adventurous palates, they’ll love this chicken salad recipe with a kick of curry. It’s not quite as creamy as the usual chicken salad recipes, so it tastes fresh and filling on either bread or crackers.

Watermelon and Strawberry Lemonade [AllRecipes]
You need a refreshing drink to wash down all those picnic treats, and this fresh, fruity lemonade is just the thing. Blend ice with strawberries and watermelon for a uniquely sweet drink that also quenches your thirst.