Two Delicious Corn Dishes
When it comes to the fall you see no shortage of fresh corn in the grocery store. It is wonderful to enjoy corn of the cob but then you have to figure out what to do with the left over corn. Here are a couple of tasty dishes to make out of your left over freshly cooked corn.
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Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
With the cool autumn breeze blowing outside there is nothing better than comfort foods. Children love coming home from school to a delicious snack and no matter how old you are chocolate chip cookies are a treat. What makes these cookies even better is that they have oatmeal in them which is a little more earthy crunchy. The combination of chocolate chips and oatmeal in a cookie is both delicious and nutritious. Read on to learn how to make these delicious treats.
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Potato Apple Gratin Recipe
Potato Apple Gratin Recipe
This Potato Apple Gratin Recipe is a keeper. You'll love it, too.
If you like gratin potatoes, you will love this recipe for potato apple gratin.
As you may know gratin is a French culinary technique where you have a tasty browned crust usually of cheese or breadcrumbs.
You won’t be disappointed with this version of Gratin that combines apples, potatoes, cheese and a hint of nutmeg into a delicious side dish.
Here’s our family recipe for Potato Apple Gratin:
5 pounds yellow potatoes, sliced 1/8″ thick using a mandolin slicer
3 large or 4 medium Granny Smith Apples,chopped to a small dice
1/2 yellow onion, medium diced
6 to 7 strips bacon, cooked to a crisp and then crumbled
1 1/2 cups shredded mix of Gruyere and jarlsberg cheeses
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, or more to taste
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
3 gloves garlic, minced
Follow these easy steps for a delicious dish:
Layering the potatoes, cheese, onion, and bacon in a Dutch Oven
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook the bacon in a dutch oven and use the drippings to grease the pan.
2. Layer 1/3 of the potatoes, 1/3 of the apples, 1/3 of the onions and 1/3 of the bacon in the dutch oven.
3. Layer 1/3 the cheese over potatoes. Repeat layers.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the cream, garlic and nutmeg and the salt and pepper.Pour cream mixture over layers in baking dish.
5. Cover dutch oven with foil and bake for 1 ½ hours. Uncover and continue baking for 15 minutes.
6. Let stand for ten minutes.
Potato Apple Gratin makes a delicious side dish your guests will love.
This recipe makes enough for twelve so its perfect for a dinner gathering of friends.
They will rave about this dish…trust me, every time I make this dish I have to share the recipe.
Enjoy!
Healthy Alternatives to Treats for Your Kids
When it comes to sweet deserts and rewards for your kids there is nothing like a tasty treat. We all loved getting them as children and our children love treats as well. While it is nice to share the fun with your kids it is important to look out for their health. In order to help make better desert choices here are some healthy alternatives to treats for your kids.
Fruit Leather vs. Fruit Rolls
While kids love to take fruit rolls in their lunch box to school they are not fruit at all. Most fruit rolls and fruit snacks are make with sugar, artificial flavors and high fructose corn syrup. While they may have added vitamins there is nothing natural about them.
A healthy alternative to artificial fruit rolls is fruit leathers which are made with real fruit and sweetened with fruit juices. These are not loaded with artificial flavors or colors and are much healthier for your kids. Make sure you read the labels as the ingredients are the true test on how healthy the snack is.
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Apple Butter Recipe
Apple Butter Recipe
Fresh Apples Make Delicious Apple Butter
For a sweet spread to have with dinner on your bread make up a batch of apple butter. This recipe is for a small batch but you can adjust it if you want to make enough to jar.
You need the following ingredients:
• 1 Pound of Apples
• 1 Cup Apple Juice
• 1/2 Cup Sugar
• 1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cloves
Peel, core and cut apples into chunks. Then put the apples in a saucepan with the apple juice, cinnamon and cloves and cook for about 30 minutes.
Finally add the sugar and boil on medium low heat until it thickens to your desired consistency. Once it is finished pour the apple butter into a glass container and place in the fridge to cool until it is time to eat. You can also save the left over apple butter in the fridge and eat it over time.
Ten Delicious Peanut Butter Treats for Your Kids
When it comes to getting protein and fiber into your growing children peanut butter is a great choice. They have many different types of natural peanut butters out there that have no partially hydrogenated oils. These are the best choice as they are less processed and better for you. To help give you ideas of how to serve it here are ten delicious peanut butter treats for your kids.
Peanut Butter & Jelly
The good old peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a great lunch option or quick snack. Try to use whole grain bread and no sugar added jelly that is made from real fruit. These choices make the sandwich healthier and a better choice for your kids.
Peanut Butter & Banana
An alternative to putting jelly on a peanut butter sandwich is to add sliced bananas. The combination is delicious and nutritious at the same time. When making this sandwich try and use whole grain bread as well to add more fiber to your child’s diet.
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Apple Muffins: Best Breakfast On-The-Go
While it is easy to grab baked goods at the grocery store or a bakery on the way to work that is not always the healthy option. They may taste delicious, but do you really know how much of each ingredient goes in them?
For an easy and healthy alternative that will also save you money here is a delicious Apple Muffin recipe to try.
Ten Must Have Ingredients When Cooking Oriental Dishes
As an avid lover of food from all around the world, oriental dishes are some of my favorites. With bold flavors and colors from all the wonderful vegetable and sauces your taste buds are sure to be pleased. If you share in the love for oriental food than you will want to keep these ten must have ingredients in your kitchen.
1. Soy Sauce
As a wonderful sauce on its own you can use soy sauce to make most oriental dishes. It has great flavor and is good mixed with any combination of the rest of the ingredients on this list. Do not be afraid to prepare any type of meat with a soy sauce marinade as it goes well with most foods.
A Summer Favorite: Shrimp and Scallops with Pea Pods
Whether you love shrimp, scallops or a combination of the two, this is the perfect recipe for you. With mouth watering flavors and tasty textures you cannot go wrong with this oriental style recipe. Stop by your local fish market or grocery store fish department and see what looks good. Pick and choose to your liking and invite some friends over. You will not disappoint anyone with this delicious dish.
Nana Peggy’s Fabulous Chicken & Broccoli Stir Fry
If you are looking for a delicious meal to make your family or friends that is not too complicated, this is it. Nana Peggy has been making this stir fry since I was a child for the family and it has been one of our favorites. Whether you are entertaining or looking to have a nice meal as a couple this is the perfect meal. Read on to learn what you need to make this delicious meal.
Auntie Janet’s Delicious Carrot Cake
When it comes to carrot cake this is hands down one of the most delicious recipes I have ever tasted. The cake is not too sweet and has the perfect level of moistness so you can enjoy every bite. Topped with sweet cream cheese frosting you cannot go wrong. To share in the enjoyment of this delicious cake give Auntie Janet’s recipe a try. You will not be disappointed.
Homemade Applesauce Recipe – the easy way
Working Apples Into Your Diet is Smart
Homemade Applesauce Recipe
Homemade applesauce doesn’t have to be hard or take all day.
Fortunately my grandmother gave me her recipe that is fast and easy. It is also a recipe you can probably make without a special trip to the store.
I’m especially fond of apple desserts because apples make pastries healthy. Plus apples go so well with ice cream, one of my required foods.
Recently studies have shown that the compounds in apples have been tied to longevity so the old adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” has new meaning.
In any case, here’s my grandmother’s simple recipe for making applesauce. I guarantee its delicious. You’ll make it over and over again.
Ingredients:
• 4 Apples
• 1/3 Cup Water
• 2-3 Inch Cinnamon Stick
• 1/4 Cup Sugar
Peel, core and dice your apples. Then add all the ingredients into a medium saucepan and simmer for about 10 minutes. Finally you remove the cinnamon stick, mash the apples, cool in the fridge and serve.
Peach Dump Cake Recipe
Peach Dump Cake Recipe
Peaches are delicious
Dump cakes are the easiest types of cakes to make because all you do is dump the ingredients into a cooking bowl and cook. Because you alternate fruit, dry ingredients and then soda, you don’t even have to mix.
This delicious recipe is fast and is great for a large party.
It smells so good when its cooking you’ll attract a crowd in the kitchen.
Ingredients
3 cans sliced peaches (about 40 oz)
2 boxes white cake mix
2 cans lemon lime soda (NOT diet soda)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Place peaches with juice in bottom of a 12” dutch oven. Sprinkle Cinnamon over the peaches.
Sprinkle cake mixes evenly over the top
Gently pour the soda evenly over the top
Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Serve with ice cream.
Coconut Oil Uses – The New Cooking Oil
Five Delicious Ways to Use Coconut Oil in the Kitchen
Delicious Coconuts Have Many Uses
One of my favorite ingredients to use in the kitchen is organic cold pressed coconut oil.
Coconut Oil is a hot culinary trend and it deserves to be. It has a delicious nutty flavor and a long storage life.
The cold pressed coconut oil is minimally processed so you do not miss out on the nutrients and flavor. You can purchase it in most grocery stores and health food stores. I buy mine in 5 pound tubs.
You can use coconut oil for many beauty needs as well so having a lot on hand is not such a bad thing.
The nice thing about coconut oil is that it comes in a solid form so it is not prone to spilling as long as you keep it cool enough.
To help give you some ideas of where you might use it in the kitchen I have come up with five delicious ways to use coconut oil.
Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe
Apples are America's Favorite Fruit
Easy to Make Apple Cobbler Recipe
Apples are America’s favorite fruit. While Red Delicious and Granny Smith may be two of the best known, there are actually more than 7500 varieties of apples worldwide.
Considerable research suggests that apples can reduce cancer risks and that they are dull of antioxidants, so finding new and delicious ways to eat them is smart.
Apples are plentiful, inexpensive and most grocery stores now carry organic apples.
Here is a favorite apple cobbler recipe that you’ll love.
Easy Apple Cobbler
An apple cobbler is very easy to make and does not take too much time to bake. The ingredients you need to make it are normally in the pantry too. First you want to make the apple filling for the cobbler then make the topping and add it over the apples.
Peel and thinly slice your apples until you have about six cups of apple slices. In a bowl combine the following ingredients and then add your apple slices and cook in medium saucepan for about 7 minutes.
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 2 Table Spoons Flour
• 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
Then pour the mixture out of your saucepan into a 9 inch baking dish (square or round) and set aside.
Make your topping using the following ingredients.
• 1 Cup Flour
• 2 tablespoons Sugar
• 1 1/2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1/4 Cup Butter
• 1/4 Cup Milk
• 1 Egg
Mix the topping ingredients together and spoon onto the top of the apple slices.
Bake for 25 minutes on 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Enjoy.
Tofu Cooking
Stuffed Mushrooms with Tofu
Tofu Cooking Techniques
The many different types and styles of tofu make it an incredibly versatile food.
It can be enjoyed raw, baked, fried, simmered, crumbled into casseroles, in shakes, or stuffed into pasta.
The only limit is your imagination!
Tofu 101 – Guide to Soybean Curd
Fried Tofu
Tofu 101 – Beginner’s Guide to Soybean Curd
Although the word “tofu” may sound a bit foreign, many fine it far more palatable than the more descriptive “soybean curd.” Whatever you call it, tofu is a staple in both Asian and vegetarian diets. It’s low in fat, high in nutrients, and incredibly versatile in cooking.
Tofu seems a bit mysterious to new vegetarians not familiar with the different types of tofu and cooking techniques. As one woman described her first tofu experience:
“I came home with this white block of stuff and had no idea what to do with it. I ended up shoving it down the garbage disposal!”
Now, that’s a sinful waste of good tofu. Don’t let it happen to you! Get the lowdown on this high value vegetarian staple.
Easy Chicken Cacciatore – Dutch Oven Cooking Recipe
Easy Chicken Cacciatore
This is currently my favorite chicken recipe. Its full of veggie goodness and my whole family love it. Its perfect for a one dish meal.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
1 Green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1/2 large red onion, coarsely chopped
1 small can sliced button mushrooms
1 can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and pepper
1 large (28 oz) can Spaghetti Sauce (We used Exclusivo Wild Porcini Sauce, an obscure but delicious brand of tomato spaghetti sauce)
Easy Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
Turkey Tetrazzini Casserole Recipe
This is my all time favorite recipe for left over Thanksgiving Turkey. This is my mom’s recipe and its easy and fast. It had to be with all of us hungry kids.
What I especially like about this recipe is that you probably already have all the ingredients. The vegetables add color and nutrition. Even my hard-to-please teenage daughter loves it.
10 Secret Tips for Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
Ten Secret Tips for Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
1. Don’t use fresh eggs. Everyone thinks the fresher the eggs the better, but when it comes to hard boiled eggs, you want eggs that are at least a week old. The reason? Really fresh eggs are very difficult to peel.
2. Don’t start with cold eggs. In Europe they often don’t refrigerate eggs at all. The reason? Eggs generally keep well at room temperature. Boiled eggs are a popular breakfast fare in many parts of Europe. If you put a cold egg in boiling water it will crack and the whites will leak out. If you use the refrigerator to store eggs, either take your eggs out of the refrigerator an hour before cooking, or run them under warm tap water to gradually heat them up.
3. Don’t add salt to the water. Salted water boils at a higher temperature which can affect the cooking time of the eggs.
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