The Perfect First Date Meal For The Culinary Illiterate
September 30, 2008
The Microwave Generation of the 1990’s has now finished school and stands ready to step forward into the competitive marketplace. It goes without saying that the workplace is a fiercely competitive place but the marketplace most young adults (and, unfortunately, the newly divorced) have the most difficulty with is “formal” dating.
Being a hardened veteran of the dating scene (I didn’t marry until after forty), there are many “tricks of the trade” that I developed that always kept me a step ahead of my sports car driving, surgically built competitors who always were the center of attention as soon as they entered the room. So, when you find that special someone, step one is to make them feel special. There is an old adage that says, “The quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” and how true it is. It is simplistic, but men love to be mothered and any woman willing to take the time to make a home cooked meal for him is going to rise on the “dating ladder.” Men who cook, on the other hand, are elevated to the status of “Sensitive Man” and in most women’s eyes “Sensitive Man” is a clear-cut winner in the long term competition with “Flashy Guy”.
Eating the Australian Way
September 29, 2008
Eating the Australian Way
by: Chris Raynor
Australians are often divided into the haves, and the have-nots.
But they’re not always talking about money.
These days, it’s often the haves (too much body fat), versus the have-nots (not overweight).
We can’t seem to make up our minds whether to eat at McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks, and All-You-Can-Eat fast food restaurants, or whether to grab a protein snack, a freshly-squeezed fruit juice with wheatgrass and go straight to the gym.
Women’s Magazines have the same problem. A sample magazine from this month featured diet and exercise routines from three TV personalities and movie stars. Yet the back section of the magazine featured recipes such as luscious mocha fudge cake.
The incidence of obesity in Australia rose dramatically in the 90s - 80% for women. And over 20% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. Our eating habits are often unbalanced.
Yet a trip to the local beach shows a large number of exceedingly fit bodies, often accompanied by personal trainers. Perhaps the rebellion has begun.
Light Calorie Cooking: How To Cook Low Calorie Foods Which Still Taste Fantastic
September 28, 2008
Light Calorie Cooking: How To Cook Low Calorie Foods Which Still Taste Fantastic
by: DivineRecipes.com
Many people these days want to control their diets so they are eating low calorie foods, but low calorie foods that still taste great. The way to get low calorie foods that taste great is through light calorie cooking. There are a few tips to consider when embarking on light calorie cooking adventures where the calories are low but the taste is high.
Margarine As Opposed to Butter
When following recipes when preparing a meal, there are many recipes that now list a choice between using butter as an ingredient or margarine. By using margarine in the recipe instead of butter the cook cuts the caloric content significantly yet still keeps a good taste overall. It is very hard to tell the difference between margarine and butter that is used in cooked foods and since margarine is lower in calories it is a great substitute. So, the next time you are cooking and run across a choice between butter or margarine as an ingredient make the healthy and low calorie choice by using margarine. The taste will remain great and it won’t affect your waistline!
10 Tips for Fixing Heart Healthy Recipes
September 27, 2008
Do you remember Grandma’s apple cobbler? Is spaghetti one of your favorite meals? You can still eat these things, but new versions of them, if you know how to swap ingredients. Here are 10 tips for fixing heart healthy recipes.
1. Replace eggs wih a cholesterol-free egg substitute. If you don’t have a substitute on hand, you may use egg whites. According to the American Heart Association, two egg whites may be substituted for a whole egg in baking recipes.
2. Use fat free (skim) milk. This one change saves you calories and lowers your cholesterol level.
3. Choose non-fat cheese. For better melting Dr. Richard Collins, author of The Cooking Cardiologist, recommends soaking the cheese in milk for a few minutes before adding it to recipes.
4. Add fiber — fresh fruit, dried fruit, vegetables, and grains — whenever possible. Fiber is good for you and fills you up.
5. Cook with plant oils, such as olive, corn, and canola. If you’re sauteing food, add a teaspoon of butter to the oil for flavor. Use as little oil as possible.
6. Swap unsweetened applesauce for shortening in baking recipes. But cooking is chemistry and, for best results, you may have to add a teaspoon of oil.
Cheap And Easy Party Food - Throw A Great Party Without Spending A Fortune
September 26, 2008
Cheap And Easy Party Food - Throw A Great Party Without Spending A Fortune
by: Angela Tyler
If you are planning a party, you already know that food can be one of your biggest expenses. However, you can take several steps to cut your party food costs. It is not necessary to purchase expensive appetizers and beverages to throw a great party. A little imagination and effort can make your party a memorable occasion.
Here are some ideas and suggestions to help you save money on food when throwing your next party:
Have a potluck
A potluck is certainly cheaper than hiring a caterer and you will save a lot of time and money by having your guests prepare a dish to share with others. Potluck is fun and you will surely end up with an interesting assortment of foods. To make things simpler, include a suggestion as to what type of dish you would like your guests to bring such as a dessert, vegetable, or salad.
Finger foods are fun
Romantic Meals On A Budget
September 26, 2008
Romantic Meals On A Budget
by: Nicole Dean
Food and romance go hand in hand. But, if you’re on a budget, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to show your sweetie that you love him. You can have a romantic meal at home - for the cost of a regular meal. The food you choose is not nearly as important as the atmosphere you create. You could easily make a very romantic meal from pizza or sandwiches if you take the time to create the perfect ambiance in the room.
Choose your main dish according to your partner’s favorite dishes. There’s no point in feeding him something he dislikes. Plus, an upset stomach is not very romantic, so take his food preferences into account when planning.
Appetizers are a great way to dress up any meal. Some favorite romantic additions include asparagus, artichokes, oysters, black beans, strawberries, and chocolate.
The presentation of your meal is more important than the foods you serve. Keep things simple and mix flavors and textures, giving the meal contrast and different shapes. Plan ahead and prepare everything you can in advance so that your final meal preparation goes quickly. Romantic foods can include almost anything if you serve the meal with soft candlelight and music.
Do a Dry Rub First
September 25, 2008
The debate on ribs has ended in my home. After years of toil I have finally capitulated and agreed to make ribs the fool proof way every time. Consequently the neighbors, the kids, and family from out of town all place special requests for ribs.
To begin pre-heat your oven or BBQ to around 200° degrees Fahrenheit. If the heat reaches much above 250 ° degrees you run the considerable risk of your ribs drying out.
Next rub the ribs with your favorite dry rub and place them bone side up in a roasting pan. I have found that jarred dry rubs are well balanced with sweet and spice and make for a good tasting rib. If you have a particular preference mix up a batch of your own personal seasonings and store it in an air tight container with the rest of your spices. You will then always have your favorite rub on hand.
Allow the ribs to bake for 8 to 12 hours. The longer the ribs slow cook the better the final product tastes.
A Recipe for Rye Bread
September 24, 2008
A Recipe for Rye Bread
by: Kit Heathcock
The more I make bread, the more I am convinced of the importance of the kitchen being in the best position in the house. When we designed and built our house, I was determined that the kitchen should have a view and be on the front of the house. Now that it’s six-fifteen of a summer morning and I’m up early, kneading bread, because we’ve run out again, I’m especially happy to be looking out over a sun-soaked landscape to the distant mountains. Every time you make bread you’re guaranteed a good ten minutes of contemplation as you knead it, the mechanical rhythmic activity frees the mind to wander or switch offvery therapeutic. Having a view thrown in as well is just an added bonus.
I haven’t always made bread. It is a comparatively recent development. Making jam was the first breakthrough into self-sufficiency, then came the day when our local supplier of rye bread, who made a loaf that (miracle of miracles), all the children would eat, decided to switch recipes and use caraway in itinstant rejection by the whole family.
Frugal Microwave Cooking
September 23, 2008
Microwave cooking can save you time and energy all year long. But it is especially nice in summer because it enables you to cook hot meals without heating up your home.
Microwave heat is produced only within the food, so the microwave oven stays cool and your house does, too, saving you money on your air conditioning bill!
In general, the microwave oven uses only one- fourth of the energy used by a conventional oven.
In order to get the most from using your microwave oven, remember these tips:
1. Covering most foods will speed up cooking.
2. Use round or oval dishes, instead of square or rectangle, for more even cooking.
3. If you are cooking two foods at the same time, choose foods that take about the same amount of time to cook.
4. Heating continues after food is removed from the microwave oven, so allow time for this additional cooking.
5. Arrange chicken pieces so that the thicker, meatier portions are toward the outside of the dish and the thin, bony parts are toward the center.
6. Foods containing sugar and fats cook faster.
Healthy Foods That Your Kids Will Love
September 22, 2008
Healthy Foods That Your Kids Will Love
by: Angela Tyler
Is getting your kids to eat healthy foods is a battle in your home? If so, you’ll love these tips that will make your kids happy and give you the satisfaction of knowing you are feeding them foods that are good for them.
Start the Day Right
You can give your kids a delicious, healthy breakfast by getting rid of the ready to eat cereals and pastries and replacing them with bran pancakes and low-sugar syrup and/or fruit. Whole-wheat tortillas filled with fruit, scrambled eggs, or cheese and turkey bacon are delicious and your kids will have fun eating them, paying no attention to the fact that it is actually good for them.
Naturally Sweet
Most kids will ask for sweets such as candy and snack cakes. Instead of giving in to the pressure, give your kids applesauce and homemade oatmeal cookies prepared with a sugar substitute or honey rather than white sugar. Fruit snacks and dried fruit roll ups made from 100 percent fruit are great ideas for kids.
