Few gourmet chefs are without a substantial selection of flavored butters waiting for them in their freezer. Flavored or compound butters are easy and fun to make, and they turn a basic meal like steamed green beans, a baked potato and a grilled pork chop into a dining experience that won’t easily be forgotten. By incorporating ingredients like roasted garlic, fresh basil leaves, lemon zest or strawberry jelly into a stick of softened butter, you create an intensely flavored butter that will add character, color and powerful flavor to simply prepared meats and vegetables. You can also s...
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Summer may be swiftly drawing to a close, but there's still plenty of time to use your grill. If you're tired of the same old, tried-and-true recipes, why not shake things up a bit with these chicken barbecue ideas? You may find a new favorite for an end-of-summer bash. Caribbean Jerk Chicken For a taste of the islands, try this authentic Caribbean jerk chicken recipe. Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs. skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 6 green onions, chopped 1 onion, chopped 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced 3/4 cup soy sauce 1/2 cup d...
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Take a second look at your leftovers. Instead of viewing leftovers as yesterday's scraps, see them in a new light: a prepared ingredient ready to use in today's meals. Once you see the worth and convenience of having these foods available to you, take a second look at your freezer too. Your freezer keeps leftovers "frozen in time" and fresh until you're ready to use them. However, don't wait too long to use those precious leftovers because all frozen food loses taste, texture or color if frozen for extended periods of time. Here are some great tips on how to eliminat...
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With summer thus far proving itself to be our finest in many years, many of us - keen to savour every last bit of sunshine - have taken to outdoor barbecues en masse in recent weeks. After grilling your food to perfection, what better reward for an aspiring chef than a large glass of wine? Within this article, we attempt to discover the best type of red, white and pink wines to go alongside your summer grilling. Zinfandel Not to be confused with the increasingly popular White Zinfandel (which is - confusingly - a rosé), this is a robust red wine that pairs well with mo...
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Fish is very nearly the perfect food. Fish is an excellent, lean sort of protein and some types of fish, like flounder and haddock, are all but fat-free. On top of this, fish is abundant in omega-3 fatty acids, which are polyunsaturated fats that have been named in preventing heart disease. Fish is also an excellent source of a type of iron that is easier to absorb than iron from plants. Most types of fish are also high in magnesium and potassium, which are two minerals that help support normal blood pressure. Fish is also a source of the B vitamins, including vitamin B12, which is necessary f...
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By many standards, salmon is considered a super food. It's vitamin-rich, nutrient-dense and provides the body with healthy fats that lower cholesterol and promote heart health. There are many easy and delicious ways to prepare salmon so you can enjoy it regularly. Use these recipes to incorporate salmon into your diet regularly while enjoying different flavors. Lemon Butter Salmon and Ravioli 8 oz. ravioli 2 6-oz. salmon fillets 1 lemon 2 T. olive oil 6 oz. fresh spinach 3 garlic cloves 2 T. butter Prepare the ravioli in water per the package directions. ...
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You have done everything you can to stay healthy and boost the power of your immune system. You had a flu shot. You wash your hands often throughout the day, and maybe carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer for extra protection from germs. You take your Vitamin C and drink many glasses of water daily. But do you eat with your immune system in mind? It's easy to choose foods that will fortify your defense against the flurry of germs around you. Try building a menu around some of these immunity boosting foods to keep your immune system strong. Listen To Your Mother It turns out tha...
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Colder temperatures are here and they call for a change in the cocktail menu. While the sizzle of summer means sipping on cool, fruity drinks like a margarita rimmed in salt or a tall gin and tonic, the change in season calls for drinks that are deeper, warmer and bring to mind evenings with friends around a crackling fire. Autumn is a great time to return to traditional cocktails. Dig out your cocktail shaker and try some of the drink recipes below before the holidays arrive. Then, make room for sparkling wines and festive champagne drinks. Manhattan This classic drink brings us bac...
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As buying local produce and eating organic food becomes more popular, farmer's markets are cropping up everywhere, from big city streets to small town squares. If you are still a grocery store shopper and your local outdoor market remains a mystery, here are some tips that may help you navigate the market for the best and freshest produce of the season. When To Go For the first few visits to your market, you may want to experiment by going at different times of day. Early shoppers can usually beat the crowds and have first pick of the best produce. If you prefer a colorfu...
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Your grill is clean, the coals are hot, the sun is setting and your guests are hungry. It's barbecue season and you are almost ready. Remember when having a barbecue meant serving hotdogs, hamburgers and maybe some corn on the cob and potato salad? This summer, add a few simple adjustments to your menu and your barbecue can become a seasonal event that offers international flair or gourmet flavor. Try some of these barbecue menu ideas and surprise your summer dinner guests. Go Greek Shish kebabs can be a little time consuming to put together but they are a colorful, festive menu ...
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