Sink a Fork Into These 4 Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

June 2, 2015 by francis

Even the pickiest eater in any family loves macaroni and cheese. Whether you make it with creamy goat cheese and flavorful spices or good old-fashioned cheddar and milk, mac and cheese is a fun dinner treat that unites the family around the table. These macaroni recipes offer a variety of different takes on the beloved pasta dish.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese [Food Network]
With a consistency that’s more like a casserole than a pasta, Alton Brown's awesome baked macaroni and cheese recipe is ideal as either a hearty dinner side or a decadent main course. Sharp cheddar gives it the cheesy flavor that you love, but bay leaf and paprika add a sophisticated bit of spice to take it to the next level.

Macaroni and Cheese [Pioneer Woman]
The Pioneer Woman’s traditional mac and cheese recipe uses the usual elbow macaroni noodles and cheddar cheese, as well as an egg for extra texture and ground mustard for a boost of tangy flavor.

Perfect Macaroni and Cheese [Martha Stewart]
Martha Stewart can do no wrong when it comes to adding a gourmet twist to family favorites, and her macaroni recipe does not disappoint. This recipe serves 12 people, so it's ideal for dinner parties.

The Best Macaroni and Cheese Ever [Kitchen Treaty]
This is a true cheese lover's mac and cheese recipe. It’s extra gooey, and it even recommends an optional bacon topping. Need we say more?

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Cooking, Food, Macaroni and Cheese, Recipes

How to Make Your Own Potato Chips

April 7, 2015 by francis

It’s no secret that kids love to snack on potato chips, but they certainly aren’t the healthiest food in the world. Making potato chips at home cuts down on a great deal of saturated fat and sodium, and it’s much easier than you might think. Here are three delicious homemade potato chip recipes that your kids (and you!) will love.

Sweet Potato Chips [preschoolers.about.com]
Add a bit of sweet flavor to the usual potato chips by using nutritious sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes. This recipe takes only three ingredients and 25 minutes to make, and you can season it however you prefer.

Oven-fried Potato Chips [simplyrecipes.com]
If your little ones love the crispy, fried flavor of store-bought potato chips, this recipe will help you to mimic that in a healthier manner. Use them as a side dish or pack them in their lunch boxes for a delicious, homemade surprise.

Oven Baked Potato Chips with Sour Cream and Onion Dip [pbs.org]
The classic combination of chips and dip gets a nutritious (and still kid-friendly) makeover in this simple recipe. By using reduced fat sour cream in the onion dip you get all of the flavor with half of the fat and calories.

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

4 Creative Waffle Recipes to Make at Home

December 2, 2014 by francis

Whether you prefer sweet or savory tastes, waffles are a versatile dish that can be prepared a number of different ways. Check out these creative waffle recipes before you break out the waffle iron at your next brunch or breakfast at home.

Cornmeal Bacon Waffles with Cheese Sauce
If you’re the type of person who steers clear of sweet breakfast dishes, these cornmeal waffles will delight your taste buds. Topped with crispy bacon and drizzled with homemade cheese sauce, this savory dish is great for a midday brunch.

Pumpkin Waffles with Apple Cider Syrup
Just about everyone loves pumpkin flavor around fall and winter seasons, and these pancakes have the warm and spicy taste that you love on cold mornings.

Chicken and Waffles
Bring the flavor of the South to your breakfast table no matter where you live on the Mason-Dixon line with this traditional Southern dish. The savory taste of fried chicken contrasts the sweet waffles for a unique flavor that’s deliciously decadent.

Whole Grain Waffles
Made with hearty whole-grain instead of regular white flour, these waffles are a nutritious breakfast treat. Top them with a drizzle of honey, fresh fruit, or simple agave syrup for a healthy alternative to sugary maple syrup.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/The Culinary Geek

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

The Sandwich Goes Sweet in These 5 Dessert Panini Recipes

July 8, 2014 by francis

Sure, it might sound strange, but the dessert panini is having a moment in the culinary world. Whether you choose to try one for lunch or for dessert, these creative grilled sandwiches will certainly be the sweet spot of your whole day.

Sweet Dessert Paninis [Food Network]
Filled with the sugary, buttery goodness that's signature to celebrity chef Paula Deen, this hazelnut panini is truly decadent.

Nutella S’Mores Panini [Panini Happy]
This sandwich combines chocolate and marshmallow, just like a grown-up s’more.

Strawberry-Nutella Panini [Recipe Boy]
The Nutella is sweet, but strawberries make this recipe a healthier alternative that you can even eat for lunch.

Blueberry, White Chocolate and Marshmallow Panini [Always Order Dessert]
A pinch of salt brings out the sweet, gooey flavors in this unique panini recipe.

Plum and Brie Dessert Panini Recipe [McCormick]
When you’re feeling a bit fancy, this sweet panini offers just the right amount of gourmet taste.

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

Improve Your Usual Lunch Sandwich with These 4 Recipes

June 3, 2014 by francis

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.

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/avlxyz

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

Want to Cook More at Home? This USDA Guide Will Help You Get Started

February 4, 2014 by francis

Some people love to cook at home and treat it as a hobby, while others feel lost or intimidated in the kitchen. Whether you don’t cook much because you simply don’t have the time or you frequently eat out because your cooking skills aren’t up to par, these motivational tips from the USDA will help you become more acquainted with your kitchen.

Start gradually
If you don’t often cook at home, it can seem intimidating to prepare meals every day of the week. To avoid staring blankly into your refrigerator, start by planning one special meal every week. If you know the ingredients you need in advance, you won’t feel as overwhelmed when it’s time to make dinner.

Consider your portions
When planning a meal, remember that you need larger portions of fruits and vegetables and smaller portions of grains and proteins. Begin by preparing a salad or a vegetable, then make the meat or rice afterward.

Serve yourself thoughtfully
To avoid overeating, serve yourself a small portion to start with, and then continue to eat small portions until you feel yourself getting full. If you begin with a full plate of food, you’re more likely to overeat.

For more tips on cooking at home, visit the USDA website.

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

Improve Your Diet with a DASH Healthy Eating Plan

January 21, 2014 by francis

High blood pressure is a major health concern, and it can often be mitigated by limiting the amount of salt in your diet. The NIH's DASH Eating Plan can help those at risk for high blood pressure to stay on track with a low-sodium diet.

The DASH Eating Plan stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, the formal name for high blood pressure. DASH recommends limiting your sodium intake to 1,500 milligrams per day, because this is the adequate intake level determined to lower blood pressure.

In order to follow the DASH Eating Plan, you must eat a certain number of servings per day from all of the food groups. For example, DASH advises that followers consume 6 – 8 servings of whole grains per day, like whole wheat pastas, breads or oatmeal. It also recommends 4 – 5 servings of fruits, 4 – 5 servings of vegetables, and only a limited amount of sweets and sugars. DASH also encourages people to exercise for 30 minutes per day to produce faster results.

DASH Eating Plan [National Institutes of Health]