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?

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Vancouver Bites!

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.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/jamonation

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

What’s Your Favorite Breakfast Casserole Recipe?

March 3, 2015 by francis

If you’re having friends or family over for brunch this weekend, it helps to prepare large, family-style dishes in advance. You can pop them into the oven just before guests arrive, and they’ll leave you with one less thing to do the morning of. These three breakfast casseroles are perfect ideas:

One-Dish Blackberry French Toast
Instead of making French toast one by one for every person at the table, create an entire pan of French toast-inspired casserole. This one is made with French bread cut into cubes and a blueberry cream cheese mixture that adds a sweet, creamy flavor.

Paula Deen’s Breakfast Casserole
The beloved cook shows you how to make a breakfast casserole that’s hearty, filling and large enough for the whole family. It takes just 20 minutes to prepare, and it’s made with classic breakfast ingredients that everyone is sure to love.

Brunch Egg Bake
This quick and easy egg casserole features layers of eggs, cheese and flavorful ham. There are even a few hidden veggies to keep things healthy without the little ones noticing. It takes 40 minutes to bake in advance, but a few minutes in the oven before guests arrive will bring it back to life.

What's your favorite breakfast casserole recipe? Please share!

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

Tasty Ways to Start a Beautiful Friendship With Flax Seeds

January 6, 2015 by francis

By now you probably know about the numerous health benefits of flax seeds, from reducing your risk of cancer to providing essential vitamins and nutrients. What you may not know, however, is how to cook with them. Here are three great recipes to help you begin a friendship with flax seeds.

Breakfast Bars [Vegetarian Times]
Prepare a pan of these flax-infused breakfast bars and you’ll never miss breakfast on a busy morning. Each one is filled with fiber, vitamins, minerals and omega-3 essential fatty acids from the ground flax seeds inside. These bars also feature dried apricots and brown sugar to give them their sweet taste.

California Sushi Rolls with Flax [Healthy Flax]
If you love making your own sushi rolls at home, trying adding some flax to your next classic California roll. By mixing ground flaxseeds in with the rice, you can make this already light lunch even healthier than before.

Banana Smoothie [Ameriflax]
One of the most popular ways to eat flax is in a smoothie. This banana version has a deliciously thick, creamy texture and a sweet taste, and it will provide you with enough energy for a morning boost or to power through a tough workout. It also uses flax oil instead of seeds to reduce the grainy consistency of many flax smoothies.

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Flax, Food, Health, 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

Check Out These Fun Facts About Flax Seeds

October 7, 2014 by francis

Flax seeds have been buzzed about quite a bit lately among healthy eating communities, but most people don’t know much about these tiny superfoods.

Here are a few interesting facts about flax seeds if you're considering adding them to your diet:

Flax seeds are full of beneficial nutrients. They're loaded with a laundry list of good-for-you nutrients, including healthy fats, fiber, protein, and omega 3s. They’re also full of vitamins, magnesium, potassium, and lignans, which can help to prevent against cancer.
You may notice that your grocery store carries both golden and brown flax seeds, but both contain the same nutritional benefits. Which type you choose depends on your own taste.
Like many other foods in Mediterranean diets, flax seeds may help to prevent against many chronic diseases. They may reduce the risk of heart disease, as well as the risk of hormone-dependent cancers.
There are many ways to eat flax seeds. Whether you add ground flax seeds to your baked goods, sprinkle them on your salads or use them to top your yogurts, you can incorporate them into your diet without much effort.

Frequently Asked About Flax [Ameriflax]
What's New and Beneficial About Flaxseeds [The World’s Healthiest Foods]
Flaxseeds [Vegetarian Times]
Cooking with Flax [Flax Council of Canada]

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Diet, Flax, Food, Health

These Recipes for Fresh Strawberries Are Berry Delicious

August 5, 2014 by francis

Strawberries taste delicious all on their own, so imagine how tasty they’ll be when expertly combined with other creative ingredients. If you want to make sweet and savory dishes that utilize your favorite fruit, these strawberry recipes are a great resource.

Berry “Pizza”
This dessert combines the rich, tangy taste of ricotta cheese with sweet and fragrant strawberries into individual pies. Flour tortillas create the crust, while the ricotta imitates the cheese of a more traditional pizza pie. If that’s not already enough, the small, individual sizes of these desserts are just simply adorable.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Bread
Make a sweet breakfast treat that the whole family will love with this recipe for Strawberry Cream Cheese Bread. The cream cheese adds a creamy texture, while the chunks of fresh strawberries create a lovely pop of pink color. The end result is dense and sweet, and it tastes perfect when paired with a steaming cup of hot coffee.

Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos with Strawberry Salsa
Fish tacos are a lunch or dinnertime favorite, but they’re only enhanced by the sweet and spicy taste of a homemade strawberry salsa. Add an avocado sour cream dipping sauce, and this dish will secure a place on your list of favorite recipes!

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/elizaraxi

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Berries, Food, Recipes, Salad

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

Give the Oven a Break With These No-Bake Cookie Recipes

April 1, 2014 by francis

When you want to create a sweet and decadent dessert in a pinch, there are few recipes easier than no-bake cookies. These cookies are just as delicious as the traditional types, but they use only a few simple ingredients and don’t require any baking. Here are a few of the best no-bake cookie recipes for your next get together.

No-Bake Chocolate Oat Bars
This recipe requires only six common ingredients to create an attractive dish of cookie bars. Quick cooking oats make a hearty base, and the combination of peanut butter and chocolate is a recognizable taste that just about everyone loves. Simply melt the butter and chocolate to hold the ingredients together, then refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

Homemade Thin Mint Cookies
Combining the beloved tastes of mint and chocolate, these no-bake cookies are just as flavorful as other types with significantly less work involved. Though it may seem hard to believe, there are only three simple ingredients in this delicious dessert.

Peanut Butter Granola Bars
If you’re looking for a cookie recipe that doesn’t completely ruin your diet, this one is certainly a great choice. Homemade granola forms the foundation, while marshmallows and peanut butter add just the right amount of sweetness.