Instructions for Making Banana Bread

By Emily Cook

One of the delicious treats that you can make for your kids as well as the rest of the family is banana bread. It is full of vitamins and is not complicated to make. Send some to school with the kids for snack time, make it to serve as a desert or create a great alternative to the typical breakfast. Using bananas that are a tad more ripe than those desired for eating by themselves is another way of saving money. Here is how to start.

Gather the Ingredients

When starting, pull out all the ingredients you will need. This will include: 2 bananas mashed, 1/3 cup butter softened, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2/3 cup of sugar, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 3/4 cups of flour, Extra flour and cooking spray for preparing the pan.

Getting it Ready for the Oven

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease all the surfaces of the inside of the pan. Sprinkle some flour into the pan, then shake the flour around until all the sides are already covered with flour. You can ensure that the bread will come out very smoothly this way. Mash the bananas, then mix them in with the other ingredients. Mix the sugar, baking powder, flour, salt and baking soda inside a medium-sized bowl.

Now put in the shortening or butter that is softened and mix this until it looks like crumbs. Add two eggs and mix some more. Put this mixture into the pan you have prepared. Bake this for about 30 or 40 minutes at 350 degrees. Check to see if it is done by inserting a toothpick into the middle of the pan and when it comes out with nothing on it, your banana bread is ready to come out of the oven.

A Few Last Tips

You will find that work can be easier if you use a bread pan measuring about 4 x 8 inches deep. Try to reduce the total number of times that you open the oven to check on the condition of the banana bread, since heat can escape every time you open the oven door, thereby making baking periods longer.

The bananas you choose should have a lot of brown spots on the peels. These overripe bananas are sweeter than ones that are just ripe. Covering your bread with aluminum foil will keep it from browning too quickly on top and leaving the middle raw. This lets the bread bake and slows down the browning. If you have extra bananas and want to make a couple more pans of banana bread, it can be frozen to use later and will be nice and fresh. Be safe and do not forget your oven mitts when removing hot pans from the oven.

Making Chocolate Banana Bread

If you want to make chocolate banana bread, this can be done by adding 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, icing sugar and a cup of dark chocolate chips. While you are mixing the flour and baking powder together, add your icing sugar. Use a double boiler to melt the chocolate chips as well as the butter. Use the icing sugar to dust over the loaf when it is done. Bake the bread for about an hour. Allow this to cool down for about 40 or 50 minutes.

About the Author:

Learn more about bread makers. Stop by Emily Cook's site where you can find out all about cuisinart bread makers and what they can do for you.

Quick And Easy Dinner Recipes

By Charles Kurt

Now may be the perfect time to make and develop a new habit for yourself and your family. Instead of making all those trips to the drive-thru window you can now prepare and cook meals right in your kitchen. I know this doesn't appear possible but by following a few easy guidelines you can make all the family content at dinner time. If you become well organized and committed to have a good dinner every night it is possible. You can begin to use your personal computer and a couple of starter tips to prepare quick and easy dinner recipes for your dinner table.

The 1st tip is to put a shopping list within your pantry door and have a pen close by and handy. You are going to scribble down what you need in your kitchen every time you open up that door. Make sure to include the essential food items and the percentages and ends of any home. Encourage others in your house to also write down what they would like to see on the dining table too. Each one gets to participate in meal planning.

Purchase a calendar so that you can write down each day what dinner is going to be. Get everyone involved and have them note down some proposals as well . This will help in your organization and everybody loves to see a chase up on their suggestions for dinner plans. Attempt to plan at least one week in advance. Don't forget to be flexible however.

Subscribe to blogs and web sites that offer great recipes that can be posted right in your mailbox. These sites are tremendous assistants for a good variety of dinner ideas, nutritious and healthy meals, and easily followed recipes that may help you to economize. A number of these sites will help you with your corner store list as well . It makes it easy to use meal planning with your personal computer. You will find thousands of fast and easy dinner recepes that everyone will enjoy.

Subscribe to blogs or websites that have great recipes emailed right to you every week. I've been lucky enough to sign up for a program that helps me out fantastically. Not only has it got a massive library of recipes to pick from, but it helps me put the recipes onto a list and then even makes a food store list for me. I do not know how I ever lived without it. There are quite a few of these sites out there, but the one I use can be found here.

If you follow these tips and tenets you can make dinner time fun and well arranged. There is not any need to fret about what is for dinner every night with a little planning and some great quick and easy dinner recipes that you are going to be collecting. Try it for yourself and see if it makes a difference.

About the Author:

quick and easy dinner recipes

Healthy Meals Can Still Taste Great

By Vic Shallow

For those of you looking for tasty meals that are healthy, here is a recipe for a pasta salad that is rich in fresh vegetables and is also pleasing to the taste buds.

Marinated pasta salad 2 cups zucchini, sliced 2 cups asparagus, sliced 2 cups broccoli florets

First of all prepare the vegetables

Place your vegetables (broccoli, asparagus, and zucchini) in a vegetable steamer, covered, over boiling water for 5-7 minutes until just tender. Broccoli will take several minutes longer so put in steamer first. Remove vegetables from heat and reserve. 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 large shallot, minced 2 cups mushrooms, sliced Squeeze of fresh lemon

Prepare the mushrooms

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add shallot and mushrooms. Saute' until mushrooms turn glossy but retain crispness, 3-4 minutes. Squeeze lemon juice over mushrooms, and set aside.

Marinade: cup olive oil 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice teaspoon dried oregano or 2 teaspoons fresh oregano teaspoon dried basil or 2 teaspoons fresh teaspoon seasoned salt Fresh ground black pepper 1 clove garlic, minced

Prepare the marinade

Combine oil, lemon juice, oregano, basil, seasoned salt, pepper, and garlic in a measuring cup. Thoroughly mix. Combine vegetables and mushrooms in a large bowl. Add marinade and toss gently. At this point vegetables can be refrigerated several hours or overnight. pound De Cecco whole-wheat pasta or fresh vegetable fusilli cup thin red pepper strips or thin sun dried tomato strips cup arugula, fresh parsley, or fresh cilantro, chopped cup greek olives, rinsed

Prepare the pasta for this healthy meal

Bring three quarts of water to a boil in a large kettle. Add pasta and simmer, uncovered, until just al dente, 2-3 minutes for fresh vegetable fusilli, 10-12 minutes for dried pasta. A tablespoon of olive oil may be added to water before boiling. When pasta is ready add a cup of cold water to kettle to stop cooking. Drain immediately and toss with marinated vegetables. Add peppers or tomatoes. Add olives and toss. Sprinkle with arugula, parsley or cilantro. Toss gently. Serves 3-4.

This is one of many tasty, healthy meals that are rich in nutrients and take about 45 minutes to prepare.

About the Author:

To start getting in shape today visit The place for fitness or for more nutrition infodiets that work or how to lose weight

What Crap Was That Recipe

By Sam Jones

I love whoever thought of the recipe to put peanut butter and chocolate together! It is the most creamiest, delicious, sweet, flavorful, fantastic item I have ever tasted! I wish I had been the person who had thought of this!

My mother had come up with some delicious cookies one Easter. She made some chocolate batter that she was going to use for cookies. I had suggested to her that she put my favorite food in it, peanut butter. Momma smiled at me and put the peanut butter in.

I met John at my mechanics shop. My vehicle was getting an oil change and he was the mechanic doing it. I did not see that he was paying attention to me. He got my number off the invoice and called me. We talked for a bit and then he asked me out and we started dating.

I really never intended for things to go so far. I never had said that I was exclusively dating either of them. But, that is how each of them took it. I was having fun and I thought they were also. I made a bad mistake.

I love peanut butter cups. They are so yummy. I do not know how people can resist them. They have to be one of the best sweets in the world. They are simple and yet so very good! Just thinking of them now makes my heart flutter. I suppose the simple things are the best.

Now that momma is older, she does not bake as often. She likes to use her cookie recipe for special times of the year. Let me tell you that the whole family relishes when she gets in the kitchen. We always know she will do something special. She has shared her cooking skills with me and I am so glad she has.

About the Author:

Finding an old recipe for the perfect meal is easy! There are an array of recipes to choose from, you will find exactly what you are looking for quick! Check it out today at http://www.recipematcher.com !

Bread Machine Mixes For Bread Making Machines.

By Marion Jones

Are bread machine mixes any good? Yes, some of them are, but the problem with all bread machine mixes is that they limit your choice and discourage your creative talents. That may sound a little harsh, but think about it for a minute. If you rely on bread machine mixes you can only make the bread for which you can find a bread machine mix and you can only put the bread machine mix in the bowl and switch the bread making machine on. You are not encouraged to alter the bread machine mix for fear that it won't work.

What is the alternative? Well, the old-fashioned cookbook, of course! Not any old cookbook, but a specialized bread making machine recipe book. Bread making is a very simple, but rather tedious process. The ingredients are everyday, household items: water, flour, yeast, salt, sugar and oil. You already have those items in your cupboard with the possible exception of the yeast, which can be bought everywhere at low cost.

And I'm sure you already know what happens when you cook following a recipe, don't you? You have already read the recipe through and you know you have everything in the cupboard, but when the recipe requires, let's say, lemon peel, you open the cupboard door and see that you don't have any lemons - but you do have orangess! Oh, well you think, oranges'll do. You make do. You try things out. And that means that you are developing your talent and creativity. Bread making mixes will not do that for you.

A good bread making machine recipe book will have something over 100 recipes coming from a number of different countries and you will become really enthusiastic about experimenting with the various ones. Have you ever tasted Welsh bread - Bara Brith? Or English muffin bread? Jalapeno bread or banana bread? Onion bread is lovely too, but one of my all time favourites is Brazil Nut Bread - absolutely delicious.

The fact is that you may not find recipes for all these breads in one place, but if you have a reference point, like a bread recipe cookbook, you can begin by using previously tried and tested gourmet bread recipes and gradually concoct your own - sometimes because you have to.

I once made a really great loaf of bread by adding some of the left-over vegetables from my Sunday lunch. It was very tasty, however I could never quite make the same loaf again, because I did not write down the weights and measures of the vegetables. I could only remember that I had added green beans, potatoes and sweet corn in it!

Bread machine mixes will never in a million years provide that, will they? And bread machine mixes are relatively expensive compared to the cost of ten pounds. I usually vary the ingredients too: honey instead of sugar, milk instead of water, olive oil or butter instead of just corn oil. Rock salt instead of sea salt or visa versa. I'm sure you see what I mean.

Bread machine mixes are limited and limiting. A bread making machine is a great way to use up leftovers. I have even put meat and fruit in my gourmet bread. My principle is: if it'll go in a sandwich it'll go in the dough - like an Indian stuffed paratha or stuffed naan bread.

Stop buying bread machine mixes - they are a waste of money. Instead be creative with a bread machine recipes cookbook.

About the Author:

If you have been using bread machine mixes visit http://bread-machine-mixes.the-real-way.com to see what you have been missing.

Dr Atkins Low Carb Diet Recipes

By Joy Mitchell

So, you've decided that you're going on the Atkins Low Carb Diet. It's probably not your first diet and until you try this, you can't be certain that it will be your last dieting attempt. Every diet you've tried thus far has let you down and you're on the verge of giving up dieting for ever. Naturally, this has been the case many times before and yet you've still kept going on diet after diet without too much remorse. Now however you live with the hope that with the Atkins low carb diet recipes that you have tucked firmly in your purse, that you'll be able to beat your history of yo-yo dieting.

You head on back home full very excited and with plans to buy that little black dress you noticed a few months. You won't go out and get it right away of course, no, that might put a jinx your dieting efforts, but with the help of the Atkins low carb diet recipes you shouldn't have very long to wait.

So, you get home and sit in your kitchen going through the lists of low carb diet foods you're allowed to consume, and you start to worry about what you have got yourself into. You have absolutely no idea how you're going to cook some of these low carb diet foods, and besides that they don't sound half as appealing as Frank's pizza from over the road.

Despair hits you and you kiss that little black dress goodbye, there's no way you can live off these low carb diet foods, and you don't even think you could prepare them if you did go out and purchase the ingredients. That's when inspiration hits you, naturally enough, and you remember the Atkins low carb diet recipes that you have lying in your purse.

You had put the two objects in two different parts of your cavernous bag and had completely forgotten about the Atkins low carb diet recipes which you had been given previously. You are happy again and you can see the black dress within your grasp. So now you sit down and make a list of the low carb diet foods that you'll need to cook your very first Atkins low carb diet recipes.

The first thing you need to do though, is take all that lovely high carb food from your cupboards to the nearest shelter and make a healthy donation of food. It doesn't matter what the family says, they're all going to eat Atkins low carb diet recipes with you.

Next, you hurry to the store and buy the things off your food list which you'll need to cook the first meal of your Atkins low carb diet recipes. And on the way back, you'll stop off at the little dress shop around the corner and promise the little black dress in the window, that you'll be it's owner soon, so long as you stick with those Atkins low carb diet recipes!

About the Author:

Do you want to lose that excess weight rapidly? Well, take a free look at Atkins low carb diet recipes, by visiting our website called The Atkins Diet Plan

Pulled Pork Crockpot Recipes - Is There No Such Thing As An Official Recipe?

By Susanne Myers

There seems to be no end to this debate; Memphis style, Southern style, North Carolina style, or South Carolina style. Even Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Florida have gotten into the game! We're talking here, of course about the vast array of pulled pork crockpot recipes that make these claims.

There is no agreement whatsoever on which region can claim which recipe. When I started comparing pulled pork crockpot recipes, I found many of the same ingredients and cooking methods claimed by a multitude of regions, states, and cities. If a dry rub is used in one recipe, I can find it used again in another recipe clear across the country, and again, claimed to be that region's style of sandwich. If there are a million barbecue sauce recipes, then there are a million pulled pork recipes. Let's narrow down a few ingredients or methods used to cook this sandwich and see if this puzzle can ever be solved.

Vinegar - Mixing this sour with a sweet of some sort is essential for any good barbecue sauce. However, several regions and states claim this ingredient as the quintessential ingredient that differentiates their pulled pork sandwich from any other.

Brown Sugar - In order to make a homemade barbecue sauce you need something sweet. Brown sugar is a good choice and is actually used in many recipes for both barbecue sauce and dry rubs. As a matter of fact, there are places that swear by using just brown sugar mixed with vinegar and a dash of cumin to season the pork. Some claim that this is strictly a South Carolina recipe, but I've heard folks claim that this simple recipe could only come from a place like Florida.

Dry Rub - This may be one of the oldest "new" seasoning techniques around. Memphis can lay claim to this in some of the recipes you'll read, but you'll find dry rubs firmly entrenched all over the South. Although dry rubs have been around for ages, the new focus may be on the availability of prepackaged rubs. The labels on the bottles are just as confusing, claiming to be "The Best Of..." one place or another and containing identical ingredients. It doesn't matter, really. To season pork with a dry rub you really need a standard list of ingredients which include paprika, cayenne, cumin, and lots of freshly ground black pepper.

Condiments - There are several standard condiments found on most every table serving pulled pork sandwiches. A bottle of barbecue sauce is a must. Then, some people like a little red hot sauce, mustard, and salt and pepper. I have yet to see a bottle of ketchup! That just seems wrong... and it probably is. Memphis holds the honor in most people's opinion of being the cole slaw condiment originator. If you get a "slap of slaw" on top, you're probably enjoying a real Memphis pulled pork sandwich.

Cooking Methods - It's not easy to pin down a cooking method. Grilling, smoking, roasting, or braising are not uncommon to any region. Of course, using your slow cooker isn't an ancient method to cook meat, so the origin of this method is obviously widespread. But smoky pits or slow roasting would have been the preferred method by many of our settlers around the countryside, and now their ancestors may still use those exact same methods. It's still hard to prove any method belongs to any particular region. Even though Memphis is famous for their smoky grilling pits, you'll find those same pits all around the south.

Is it time to dismiss the debate that was caused by looking through some pulled pork crockpot recipes? Probably. If you are a native son or daughter of South Carolina, or Florida, or Alabama, or anywhere in the South, and your PawPaw has been making the same recipe for pulled pork sandwiches since you can remember, then that recipe belongs to you and it is an original to your region. Don't let anything distract you from your mission. Claim your family's recipe as any good native would... stake your claim and make your recipe yours!

About the Author:

Try your hand at some new slow cooker pulled pork recipes to turn your routine meals into something spectacular and delicious. Get your family hooked on slowcooker cooking with tasty treats for your family.

Rum Cake: From Scratch Taste without Baking from Scratch

By Dylan Deleto

Rum cake is one of my family's favorite desserts for the holiday. Everyone loves it and many have begged for my recipe, which I happily share. One of my wife's friends actually wanted to market my cake. However, I am not in the commercial baking business and so I passed on the idea. When I originally started baking rum cakes, I baked them completely from scratch. To save time, soon I came up with a way to prepare my rum cake in only about 10 minutes using store purchased baking mix, without sacrificing any of the magic of my cake.

I begin with a cake mix, which eliminates a lot of the work. My favorite mix to use is Duncan Hines. However, I am sure that almost any cake mix might work as well. Typically, I use the yellow butter of french vanilla mix. Both turn out very well, so it just depends on your preference. I recommend that you try both.

In fact, I bake three different versions of the Rum Cake. My main version is without a layer of nuts on the bottom of the cake. This has become my main version due to the preferences of others. However, I prefer the nuts on the bottom. I really love to use black walnuts, but english walnuts or even pecans work quite well. Also, you may omit the pineapples to make yet another version. The rum sauce is the finishing touch for the cake after it comes out of the oven. The rum sauce is optional but it really makes the cake special.

Since I introduced my rum cake to my family, they have not allowed a holiday to pass without me making at least 2 or 3. In fact, my wife used to promise a cake to her friends without asking me first. I always obliged but finally I told me wife to stop making offers that I had to fulfill. I willingly shared the recipe but had to get out of the business of making rum cake for others. Back to the cake, only 10 minutes preparation time, 1 hour in the oven and a few minutes to prepare the rum sauce gives you a dessert that will be the talk of your holiday meal.

Everyone will know when this masterpiece is done. The aroma will lead them to the kitchen. If you don't want to cut it until after dinner, then I suggest you hide it.

Now that you can't wait to taste this great holiday treat. I will be happy to give it to you for free. Just join my site, Building Leaders of Tomorrow and then send a private message to RumCake, a user on the site, after which you can have the recipe in your hands within minutes. If you hurry, you can get it before the new year.

About the Author:

Please visit and join the first Social Network for Leaders and leaders under development. The goal of this site is to develop and engage future leaders and assist the leaders of today. Join to get your free Rum Cake recipe.

New Recipes For Different Meal Ideas

By Paul Smith

Recipes are available in many different places and there are plenty of resources you can use. Search engines are great for very specific types and you will find many different ways to prepare chicken or create that perfect cupcake. You can find information from professionals as well as the home cook as anyone can post a recipe. The trouble will be searching through the many results.

There are many websites that are specifically devoted to cooking. Many times you will find options that will have appeared in your favorite cooking magazine or from a celebrity cooking TV show. The databases will also contain user reviews and additional resources include cooking techniques, drinks and wine that can be paired with what you are preparing.

There are also many magazines that provide all different options for meals and dishes. There are gourmet magazines, quick meal magazines, specific types of cuisine magazines and much more. If you want to browse through the different magazines you should visit your local library and browse through the many options. Also most magazines will have their own website.

The amount of books that contain meal options is endless and you are sure to find whatever you are looking for if you can find the right book. You can buy your own books or you can borrow some from the local library. With so many endless options you should read some reviews about the best books to use.

Here are also endless choices for recipe books as more are being published every day. Sometimes this can be daunting as you are unsure of which book to chose. I recommend borrowing from the local library as you have an endless supply on hand without having to spend a lot of money buying. You should also check out the book reviews as some books provide better instructions and options than others.

Interestingly most people turn to the internet when they have no idea what to do with that package of chicken for dinner. Some of the benefits include thousands of choices, options from everyday cooks besides professionals and free access.

About the Author:

It's Christmas time and you need a recipe. Baking cookies can be a blast, but only when you have the best recipe. Head online today and get all the different recipes you need!

Have A Meat Lasagna To Make A Great Family Dinner

By Mike Sherwood

What's on the menu for your dinners this week? A great chose would be the meat lasagna. This mouth watering dish along with a salad and some fresh bread, is sure to please the whole family.

What's in one of these meat lasagnas? A wonderful combination of pasta, a sauce with Italian spices, ground beef, ricotta or cottage cheese and mozzarella cheese. All of the ingredients are layered in a pan and baked until the pasta is done and the cheese is melted.

The difference in lasagna that makes it unique from other pasta dishes, is the fact that you don't have to cook the pasta before baking. The lasagna noodles can simply be layered along with the wet ingredients. It may take a little longer to bake, but your family need never know that the pasta wasn't cooked first.

An alternative meat lasagna uses chicken, Alfredo sauce and also has vegetables in the layers of the pan.

If you are a vegetarian, the lasagna could be made with veggies instead of meat. You could substitute spinach, zucchini and even carrots. Then just make your preference of sauce, whether it be red or white. This alternative is just as great tasting and much healthier than meat.

If you are really in the mood for lasagna but are trying to behave your self by watching those carbohydrates, there is an alternative. Just try your family recipe using steamed cabbage leaves as a substitute for lasagna noodles. It's flavor is very similar to the traditional recipe and it could just trick those taste buds.

To bake the lasagna, you need a casserole dish that is at least three to four inches deep. Because of the noodle's shape, rectangular and square pans work better.

If you are lacking the deep dish casserole dish, you should consider getting an aluminum pan that is disposable. You can find them at any of the grocery stores in your area.They also make it so that you can freeze some ahead of time for a dinner next week. Plus, they do make clean-up time a lot easier.

About the Author:

When someone asks me what can I cook with the ingredients I have, I say Meat Lasagna! Fast to make with items that I have in my pantry all the time!

Basil Herbs, Should Be a Permanent Resident in Everyone's Kitchen

By John Stills

Basil herbs is actually derived from a Greek word which means "King" (or basileus). Some origins of the word suggest that ancient Greeks and Romans associated the word and thus the herb as something malicious. Some myths concluded that one must yell and curse before any herb plants would grow from the seeds. While that was proven to be untrue, it's hard to deny that basil herbs are still a rather pungent spice, if not particularly angry.

In later years, Italian males gave their female 'targets' a handfull because it was considered a romantic thing to do. Generally considered a Mediterrean native plant also used in Thai & Italian gourmet dishes, basil actualy originated in India, yes India.

Growing Basil Plants

In some temperate regions, basil is often used as an annual and in tropical areas, it's sometimes grown as a perenial. Wherever it's growing, basil is quite sensitive to temperature and it grows better in warmer climates with lots of sunlight.

As far as soil goes, they prefer well drained soil along with good quality compost or well rotted manure. Basil requires a steady water supply to grow as well as adequate drainage. A lack of light as well as any sort of drought will quickly wilt the plant. In addition, gardeners will have to mulch just the right amount so as to maintain the soil, but not do so prematurely. When the plant starts to flourish it's time to cut the stems back and cut off the flowers.

And don't worry about cutting the flowers off, it's that very act that gives us basil, surely the most flavorsome herb available. Try tasting the leaves prior to flowering, that's when the flavor is the strongest.

The Many Uses of Basil

Basil herbs are not traditionally used as a homeopathic extract, its greatest resources are discovered in culinary use. However, basil does have certain antibacterial and antiviral properties. Basil is actually related to mint, and it has some value as a digestive aid, not to mention a smooth and comforting tea.

With more then 60 varieties of basil, they say that there are many more yet to be unearthed. The most common of the variety used in the kitchen is sweet basil although lemon basil is a common ingredient for some soups & sweets. The basil family includes many varieties including, cinnamon, African blue & Opal.

Some of the basil available at retail outlets has been out for the ground for a long period and has lost its oomph. The benefit of having your own herb garden is your basil will be super fresh & full of flavor.

The dishes you serve up to your family will have that 'X' factor if you use fresh basil!

About the Author:

Fanatical herb lover Peter Williams eats, sleeps & breathes herbs, if he doesn't know the answer, it aint worth knowing... to learn more about the secrets of basil herbs check out What Are The Healthiest Herbs?

Atkins Diet Plan

By Brian Johnson

You have decided you need to lose some weight and that you're going on a diet and you've decided that this will be the last diet that you'll ever do. This is because you've already heard so much about the Atkins Diet, that you have total confidence in its ability to help you lose weight and to keep it off. You also know that with the assistance of the Atkins diet plan, you can tailor your diet to suit your body and your personal tastes.

When you start your diet, you'll get an Atkins diet plan that will get you started on the first part of your dieting journey. This is phase one, called the induction phase, of the four phases which you will go through. So, what you're actually getting with the Atkins diet plan is a comprehensive way for you to control the path you take on your diet and how long it will take you to lose the amount of weight you want to.

Although you need not follow the Atkins diet plan religiously, if you really want fast results, you will follow it religiously. So, stay away from the carbs and eat your way through high fat, high protein meals. Well, you won't need to stay away from carbs entirely, you'll just need to make yours a low carb diet instead of the high carb diet you've been following so unthinkingly for most of your life.

However, by following the Atkins diet plan and all but cutting out carbohydrates from your diet, you reduce the chances of your diet failing. After all, this time you've decided that this is your last diet and that you're going to make it work, so it is really no use tempting fate and veering, even if only slightly, off course from your Atkins diet plan.

Remember that the whole plan is adaptable to suit you, and to help you make your dieting restrictions easier to bear. With that in mind, also remember that within the Atkins diet plan, you can also eat at least 20 carbs, but you will have a virtually unlimited buffet of proteins and fats available to you. So, you don't have to be afraid that your diet is going to cost you the pleasures of eating well.

With the Atkins diet plan, you'll find out that you can eat well without noticing the loss of your carbs too much. And even though you might think that cooking and planning meals will be difficult, if you have to stay within the restrictions of the Atkins diet plan, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that it just isn't so.

There are many great foods and meal plans available on the Atkins diet plan. And if you can just make it through reading your Atkins diet plan, you'll find that you truly can make it through this diet with hardly any sacrifice on your part. Now that's what I call the diet to end all diets! And isn't that what you wanted in the first place?

About the Author:

Do you need to lose those excess kilos rapidly? Well, take a free look at The Atkins Diet, by visiting our resource called The Atkins Diet Plan

Let Personal Chef Atlanta Do The Cooking

By Mike Balkovic

Personal chef Atlanta might be for you if you love to cook. Perhaps you enjoy cooking and have thought of it as a career but do not want to work in a restaurant or for a hotel. You might find the personal chef opportunity interesting. Let us face it even in tough economic times everyone needs to eat.

If people do not like or know how to cook they can either go to a restaurant, which gets very costly very quickly, or they can buy frozen dinners; those get old after awhile and they are not very healthy.

But today there is another option. People can use the personal chef option and have great tasting meals delivered to their homes. These are companies that take advantage of people's need for good meals and the fact that many people cannot or choose not to cook for themselves. There are senior citizens for example who simply do not want to go grocery shopping or they would rather not cook for themselves.

These are seniors who for the most part are financially secure. They probably own their homes outright. They are relatively healthy. But they choose not to cook their own meals. Then there are people who are on doctor orders. They have to limit their diets because of conditions such as diabetes or other related disorders. And of course we all know that families with two working parents who have limited time to prepare family meals.

A personal chef company can provide meals to these groups of people. These companies need people to prepare their meals. You can contact these companies and inquire as to the requirements of becoming of their chefs. As long as you have basic cooking skills there is a good chance you can work for them. You can work from home, cooking in your own kitchen and on your own terms.

This would not be like working as a restaurant or hotel chef. You will not have to go through the demands and the stress that comes from that kind of job. You can take the work you can easily handle. Many companies also provide courses in food preparation. These are not food cooking classes however.

These cooking certificate programs are only meant to bring you to a level that particular company needs you to be at in order to provide the quality of cooking their clientele expect. You might have one particular dish you want to prepare on an ongoing basis. If for instance you have a specialty like lasagna you can prepare this on an ongoing basis and be the companies source for lasagna meals for those clients looking for that particular meal that evening.

Perhaps you are more interested in receiving the meals verses preparing them. You can contact the personal chef and arrange for meals to be delivered to your home as you choose. The cost is very reasonable and you will save money verses going out to the restaurant. And it beats frozen dinners. Look into the personal chef today if you want to cook more or if you want to eat more.

About the Author:

Learn more about personal chef Atlanta. Stop by Mike Balkovic's site where you can find out all about personal chefs and what it can do for you.

Rachel Ray Acai Berry Recipes

By J Anne Moore

I'm a big fan of Rachel Ray, and when she had the show where she talked about acai berry, I got very excited. The only thing I thought was missing was more acai berry recipes from Rachael Ray. So I thought that I might do some experimenting of my own and come up with a few new recipes. I'm not a professional chef or anything, but I do have fairly good luck with modifying existing recipes and having pretty good results.

The first thing I tried was an acai berry juice marinade on chicken breast. This is just a variation of an orange juice and white pepper marinade I picked up in Nicaragua or the lime juice and soy marinade I had been using for years. I should note that I always marinade for at least six hours as any less time doesn't do much for me.

I cut the chicken breast into strips and pour acai juice and some extra virgin cold pressed olive oil over the pieces. In an effort to cut the sweetness, I added some sea salt and crushed capers. The result was interesting and got fairly good reviews. I didn't like it as much as my stand by marinades so I won't be likely to repeat this recipe. Also I ended up tossing much of the acai goodness down the drain which entirely defeats the health benefits of acai berry juice. Additionally, acai is more expensive than lime juice or orange juice so it was a slightly expensive experiment.

Surely Rachel Ray would use acai more sensibly! The next recipe I tried was acai frozen yogurt and it was a much bigger success. I added acai berry juice to plain low fat yogurt. I poured the mixture into a screened drainer lined with two layers of cheese cloth. I then left the mixture in the fridge to drip into a bowl for 24 hours. After 24 hours the yogurt was the texture of cream cheese. It was perfect to spread on bagels or crackers at this point.

Once the yogurt has drained, I just peel/scrape the mixture off of the cheesecloth into a Tupperware and then into the freezer. After about 8 hours I have a wonderful frozen yogurt desert, that is not too sweet, and has all the acai berry nutrition benefits. If you like your frozen yogurt harder or softer you can adjust the time you leave it in the freezer to change the consistency.

The last and most obvious recipe was an acai berry smoothie. I added ice, two frozen bananas, some plain low fat yogurt, and 1.5 cups of acai berry juice to the blender. Predictably, it was excellent. Smoothie recipes are almost fool proof. Don't forget to add a little wheat germ to smoothies to add some invisible protein and fibre to your smoothie recipes.

So after all my experimenting with acai berry recipes, I am pretty happy with the ones that I came up with. I'm sure that I'll do some more versions and will probably come up with a few more that I can use to keep me from getting bored of the same acai drink every day. I just wish that Rachel Ray would have another show about acai berry, because I'm sure that she could come up with some pretty delicious acai berry recipes.

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Please visit this acai berry superfood site, or find more information by clicking here.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The Best Solution For A Healthier You

By Mitch Paltrow

More and more people today are getting conscious of their figure, making them conscious too with regards to the food they intake. Feeling and supposing that there is nothing wrong with your body does not necessarily means that you are indeed healthy inside and out. Doing regular workouts and staying away from all kinds of addictive drugs, alcohol and smoking. Knowing not only the healthiest foods to eat, but also which one's are best for your health and current body condition would be best to get and keep you in perfect shape. With that, you definitely wouldn't want to intake fatty foods, unless those fats are the healthy ones, such as what is present in olive oil.

Olive oil comes from the extract of the olive fruit. It is in fact a natural extract that preserves the aroma, taste and vitamins present in the olive fruit. It is the only kind of oil that is ready for use without the need to undergo any processes before being useful as food. Olive oil is known to be one of the healthiest oils in the world, because of the many health benefits it provides.

You can find different kinds of olive oil on the market. Each one is categorized according to how the oil was extracted from the olive fruit, plus any other procedures included (if any) in order to come up with the end product. The best of them all is what is called extra virgin olive oil, which comes from the first extract. The virgin olive oil comes from the second pressing of the oil extract. Pure olive oil includes the process of filtering and refining. While the extra light olive oil undergoes several processes as well and ends up having only a very mild olive flavor.

When buying olive oil, it is of course advisable to go for the extra virgin olive oil. Since it is extracted from the first pressing of the olives, this means that it is the healthiest type of olive oil. The more it is in its natural state means that the less the oil has been handled, contributing to its being more natural. The more natural, the better and the healthier the oil is.

There are many good reasons why the olive oil, or better still, an extra virgin olive oil is best for one's diet. The presence of the monounsaturated fats are considered as good fats. Olive oil is very helpful in reducing the risks of having coronary heart disease. In addition, the presence of polyphenol in olive oil helps protect our heart by making the arteries more elastic. Olive oil also helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar level. Aside from that, extra virgin olive oil has been found to be present in some beauty soaps, lotions and other cosmetic products. This has also been proven to be effective in keeping the skin healthy and vibrant.

When you are striving to find the easiest ways to eat healthy but good-tasting foods, you may want to start cooking foods that are rich in nutrients using extra virgin olive oil as an alternative to your usual cooking oil. It is best to avoid the intake and usage of animal fats as much as possible. Aside from that, olive oil is also perfect for your salad. This is definitely a healthy step towards a cancer-free, normal heart, normal blood pressure and a generally healthier and sexier body that you have been always dreaming of.

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Discover the different health benefits of olive oil. Click the link to find out more.

Serve Up A Good Meal With The Krups Convection Toaster Oven

By Henry Jeon

Toasting your food has never been so much easier with the Krups convection toaster oven. If you have a large family you will love the ease of this six slice beauty of the FBC4 model that won't let you down or overheat. It is larger than a regular toaster oven but packs a punch and does a whole lot more.

The model itself has a black design with steel sleekness that looks good in any kitchen. And since you will most likely be using it every day it will look great on your counter top. Its oven is great because it has ample space for your needs. And the buttons on the appliance are interactive and give you options. There are five preset modes for ease of use that include defrosting which is wonderful.

You can bake with ease with the convection aspect of the oven. Bake cookies and brownies and more and have a perfect process with the auto set features. There are six auto features in all with built in heating and timing as the device will turn off by itself. The heat radiates over three heating elements as opposed to two like other ovens.

By radiating heat from bottom to top and back again the oven is great for cooking food evenly. And the convection portion will bake evenly as well. The cycle will bring all food cooking to make it what you want and not be frustrating when it is complete. You can use the timer that is automatic for one touch cooking and walk away and do something else while the food is cooking.

You can count on the toasting element of the LBC4 model as much as any other Krups brand to toast evenly. In the average toasting time it takes about two minutes to toast. It can hold up to six slices of bread and cook all of them evenly. Your family won't be fighting over the toaster as it can do it all at once.

The oven has an adjustable timer function for your ease of use. You can set in increments of one minute up to and hour and thirty minutes maximum. The over doesn't over heat like other toaster ovens. And you can adjust it while it is in mid cooking cycle which is very convenient.

LCD light display is standard on this model of the Krups line that shows the timer and oven temperature as well as displaying a clock for your use. The slide out racks is adjustable and reversible for ease of use and has a non-stick coating. There is also a baking and broiling tray included with the model. You can easily bake or broil while catching any grease that comes off with ease.

A Krups convection toaster oven will certainly make your life easier no matter what you family size is. You can get a break breakfast and still be out the door in time. And at the end of the day you will be happy to know that your cooking needs will go a lot smoother with the Krups brand. Check out their models today.

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All out of gift ideas for someone special? Get them a Krups convection toaster oven! The Krups convection countertop oven will make the cook on your shopping list happy all year round! Buy one now!

Recipe with Nine Vegetables - Navratan Korma

By Lloyd Pinto

Navratan Korma means vegetable made of nine ingredients. This recipe is made with nine different kinds of vegetables and it is a very popular delicacy and an integral part of Indian Cuisine.

While most Indian dishes are expected to be very hot, this recipe is not very spicy and that is mainly due to certain ingredients such as raisins and nuts.

Ingredients 3 cups - Boiled vegetables (potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, green peas, french beans, capsicum, ) 175 gms - paneer( Fried pieces) 3 Cups Tomato puree 2 - Onion puree 1 1/2 tsp -Ginger paste 1 1/2 tsp - Garlic paste 1 tsp - Turmeric Powder 1 1/2 tsp - Red chilli powder 1 tsp - Coriander powder 2 tsp - Garam Masala Powder 2 tbsp - Cream 1 cup - Milk / water 1/4 cup - Dry fruits (cashew nuts, raisins) Coriander or Cilantro leaves 6 tbsp - Vegetable oil 1 tbsp - Ghee Salt To Taste

Method:

You must heat the ghee in the frying pan and then add the dry fruits to it and saute for about a minute on medium heat. Once you are done keep this mixture separate. Then you must heat oil in a frying pan and suate the onions and ginger-garlic paste till the onions turn lightly golden brown.

You can then add salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, garam masala, coriander powder and fry for another two to three minutes. Add the tomato puree and dry fruits to this mixture. Stir well and cook the mixture for 3-5 minutes. Then add the milk and bring the gravy to a boil. Then bring to medium heat and cook until the gravy becomes thick.

Add the paneer to the gravy and stir well.Then add all the vegetables to the above gravy and cook for about five to six minutes. Add the cream and chopped coriander or cilantro leaves on the navaratan korma to decorate this delicacy

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If you liked this Navratan Korma Recipe then you must visit this wonderful collection of Navratan Korma Recipes.

What Can I Cook With The Ingredients I Have In My Pantry

By Mike Shaw

If you are like most people, you're wondering what can I cook with the ingredients I have. This happens to the best of us. In fact, the busy lifestyles we all lead leave us often not having enough time to do the proper grocery shopping should be doing.

Regardless of the reason, there are certainly things that you can find in your refrigerator that can resolve your problem for the night. For example, many of us keep meat in our freezers. For this example, let's say you have kept some ground meat, it doesn't matter what type.

So, now you have the foundation of the meal. Luckily, ground meat quickly thaws in the microwave. A perfect recipe for a quick meal involving ground meat is meatloaf, because there aren't many other essential ingredients that you would not have in your kitchen at any given time. Now all you need is a side dish. Here you can prepare a salads, and possibly some type of starch, like potatoes.

If for example you will are lacking, the main ingredients for a salads, head towards the pantry for some canned vegetables.

The truth is, we don't allot enough time to do the appropriate shopping and cooking, partly because we don't have the time. Or perhaps we don't want to devote any time to it. However, surely there are items that you have purchased in the past either sitting in your pantry or in your freezer. So for days like these, you should always ensure that you have canned vegetables and beans to provide you with the essential vitamins and great side dishes.

In addition to that, always try to keep some type of frozen meat in your freezer for busy weeks like you may be having right now. It's always best to keep something that can thaw quickly, like pork chops or steak. And there you have it, always prepared to put a meal together in no time.

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If you're on a strict grocery budget and you are wondering "what can I cook with the ingredients I have, " we've got tons of ideas that will help you make delicious, simple meals! Find out what's for dinner tonight!

Sugar Cookies: Make Your Family Happy With These Treats

By Mike Shaw

Sugar cookies have been a favorite of children and adults for years. The simplicity of taste and ease of making them enables them to be made even by those who are not expert cooks. Sugar cookies are also very versatile. They can be made round or in different shapes. They can be sprinkled with plain or colored sugar. They can be decorated with colored icings and decorated with chocolate chips and candied fruits. No matter how you serve them everyone will want more.

Sugar cookies have been made for quite a long time. The modern recipe was invented by immigrants coming from the Dutch lands to America and eventually called Pennsylvania Dutch. The recipe was very popular and soon it was known all over the world. Pennsylvania adopted the cookie as the state cookie in 2001.

Of course the sugar cookie was around a long time before the Dutch came to Pennsylvania but in a different form. It used to be that a baker would put a small cake in the oven to test the temperature and in the seventh century this was happening. It was a shame to let these little sugar cakes go in the trash so someone got the idea to sell them. French called them gimblettes and the Italians called them cimbellines.

Some sugar cookies are light and airy and raise quite high while cooking. The edges are a little bit crunchy but they are generally soft. Other recipes are a little more dense and the cookie is very crisp. It just depends on your taste and how you like them.

The crisp variety can be rolled flat and cookie cutters can be used to make a variety of shapes. These are the kind you see during holidays. There are heart cookies made during Valentine's Day. Bunny and egg shaped cookies are made for Easter. You will normally see pumpkin cookies around Halloween and cookies that look like turkeys for Thanksgiving. At Christmas there is the most variety from Santa's face to Christmas trees and stockings.

The following Soft Sugar Cookie recipe is made with confectioners' sugar instead of granulated sugar. They come out soft and fluffy. Do not try to use cookie cutters with this recipe because the cookie is to soft to make them that way.

First turn the oven on to 350 degrees F. In a bowl with an electric mixer mix 1 half pound of butter that has been softened. Gradually add one whole cup of confectioners' sugar. Continue by adding 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla and combine well. Combine 2 cups of flour and one half of a teaspoon of baking soda in another bowl. Mix together and gradually add to egg mixture. Take a teaspoon and scoop out some dough rolling it into a 1 inch ball. Grease a cookie sheet and place balls at least 2 inches apart then using the tines of a fork press the cookie flat. Bake 6 minutes or until brown then take out of the oven and let the cookies harden up for about five minutes. Remove to a rack to cool. If you like you can shake a little granulated sugar on the surface before you put them in the oven. This recipe will make about five dozen round cookies.

The following recipe is one that you roll and can cut into shapes and decorate. In a large bowl sift one and one half cups flour with 2 teaspoons baking powder and one half teaspoon salt and set the bowl aside. In a mixing bowl cream 1 cup butter then gradually start to add one and one half cup granulated sugar. Beat until fluffy. Break two eggs in a small bowl and beat. Add these to the butter mixture along with one tablespoon milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla flavoring. Gradually add one and one half more cups of flour to the mixture. The dough should be smooth and not stiff so if it seems that there is enough flour and you have not added the whole one and a half cups do not worry. Form the dough into a ball and wrap in wax paper and place in the refrigerator for one hour. Roll out to about one fourth of an inch thick and cut out with cookie cutters. Sprinkle with a little granulated sugar or leave them plain to be frosted with colored icing later. Place on cookie sheets that have been sprayed with a nonstick spray and bake in a preheated 400 degree F oven for 10 minutes making sure the edges do not get too brown. Let them sit for a few minutes and transfer onto a cooling rack.

Sugar cookies are good any time of the year, not just during the holiday. Whip up a batch for your family and watch as they gobble them up as fast as you can make them.

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You can make sugar cookies that will look beautiful and taste fabulous! Visit our site and find Sugar Cookie Recipes from all over the world!

Holiday Treats: Non-Traditional Tasty Chocolate Cookie Recipe

By Mike Jackson

Every treat called a cookie is not what we would usually view as a cookie. Several are added extras to our cookies that taste very good (like Butterfinger pieces), whereas others formulate the fundamental shape or size of cookies but do not feature the traditional ingredients of a cookie the least bit. An enjoyable chocolate cookie recipe is not really a cookie, but tastes fantastic and is an outstanding substitute for conventional turtle cookies.

For a very tasty recipe, you need only three very simple ingredients that may already be in your kitchen. You simply need to find pretzel twists or rings, chocolate kisses (caramel chocolate work best), and some pecans that are halved.

Get things going by preheating the oven to about 300 degrees, a little higher if you are doing several sheets since you will be opening the door frequently. Lay the pretzels flat on the non-stick cookie sheet, and add a kiss on the top of each pretzel.

Bake your concoction only until the chocolate is softened, do not melt the chocolate completely. Take the pan out of your oven and set pecan halves on the top of the cookie.

You can use multiple types of Hershey's kisses to make this treat, and almost any type of nut will taste great. This is a tasty way to get creative with your holiday party platter, and you can even make several different types to add to the same platter. The key is to go with the flow and use what works for you.

One average bag of candies will create lots of these turtle cookies; capable of creating eighty if you do not begin eating the treats while you are heating them. It is exceptionally enticing to nibble as you bake. Eighty cookies will extend a long time on a Christmas platter, but make certain to make additional treats if you are wishing for them to stay fresh, since they will be eaten quickly.

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Are you looking for a Chocolate Cookie Recipe that will wow everyone who eats them? You can find this and much more when you take a look at our assortment of Sugar Cookie Recipes.

Steps To Reducing Your Food Budget

By Evan Jones

Everybody is feeling the effects of a slowing economy. Pinching pennies in every aspect of your budget can be demanding. You food budget is an excellent place to cut expenses, as there are plenty of opportunities to cut back costs.

First, stop eating out. At least cut back on how many times each month you eat in restaurants. It is much cheaper to eat at home. If you must eat out, look in the newspaper for coupons to help reduce the cost.

Most cities have grocery outlets and bulk grocery stores. While all of your favorite brands may not be available, these are good places to save money on your grocery shopping.

Once you are in the super market, but sure to compare prices of different products. Taking time to do this will ensure that you find the best prices on your needs. You will often find that store brands are lower priced without skimping on quality. You should also take time to use coupons, which can usually be used in conjunction with store sales.

Browse the local papers for good sales and coupons. If there is a major sale going on, you can often buy multiple things to save even bigger.

First, replace vegetables and fruits for expensive junk food and candy. Another great way to save: grow your own food. Well, you can save a ton by gardening and growing your own produce. Not only will your fruits and vegetables be fresh and delicious, but you will save loads on typically pricey vegetables.

Another tip: do not shop on an empty stomach! Plan to do your grocery shopping after you have had a meal, as this will prevent you from overstocking your shopping cart with unnecessary (but appealing) snacks.

Finally, use your leftovers. By saving leftover portions of meals, you can reuse the food for several meals afterwards. This will help you save significantly and reduce waste. By taking small steps such as those outlined, you will be able to save a little at a time for what will ultimately amount to significant savings.

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For anyone that want to learn more about how to get better ideas for a Food Budget, then you must try our website we provide you in this article body. You also can acquire better ways of obtaining groceries and learning better ways to buying them with a Grocery Budget.

What Do People Put In The Pantry

By Mike Jones

There are many things you can find in the pantry of someones home. I keep my dusters and trash bags on the bottom shelf and I keep my broom and dustpan on the floor and leaning up against the wall. I also put my potatoes on the floor of my pantry and I have a twenty five pound bag of sugar right next to the potatoes.

I also keep a lot of food items in my pantry. I keep a whole lot of canned goods in there like green beans, corn, sweet potatoes and even apple sauce. I think having a pantry is very convenient and it is nice to have one in your kitchen so that you can put food in them.

A pantry is suppose to be used for putting food in and this was the original use of them, but a lot of people have more than enough storage and they simply use theirs for storing things such as cleaning supplies and blankets or extra sheets.

There are also things that companies make for pantries that will allow more storage room. They make can holders and little shelves that roll in and out for easier access. The pantry can be used for so many things it is amazing. The only reason why people put food in their pantry is because it is in the kitchen.

Some people will store candles and jars of food in their pantry. Since my pantry is so close to my living room I use it as a closet and store games and even spare blankets in it if I wanted to. You can store dishes in your pantry just as easily as you could anything else.

You can put a number of things in the pantry and since mine is so close to my living room, if I did not need it to put food in then I would use it for storing things such as spare blankets and cleaning supplies. You can even use your pantry to store extra towels or even extra medicine if you do not have enough room in your bathroom.

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When you go to the pantry for ingredients when creating your favorite recipe, you want everything to be organized. A food pantry that is well stocked and organized will make your cooking faster and easier!

Tips On Lowering Your Food Budget

By Mike Jones

Everybody is feeling the effects of a slowing economy. Pinching pennies in every aspect of your budget can be demanding. You food budget is an excellent place to cut expenses, as there are plenty of opportunities to cut back costs.

A good place to start saving is in restaurants. Well, actually stay out of restaurants. You can make major savings by eating in more regularly. If this is too difficult an adjustment, you can reduce the number of times you eat out or search newspapers for restaurant coupons.

Most cities have grocery outlets and bulk grocery stores. While all of your favorite brands may not be available, these are good places to save money on your grocery shopping.

Once you are in the super market, but sure to compare prices of different products. Taking time to do this will ensure that you find the best prices on your needs. You will often find that store brands are lower priced without skimping on quality. You should also take time to use coupons, which can usually be used in conjunction with store sales.

Coupons can also be used to buy in bulk for extra savings. Be sure to scour newspapers and magazines for savings vouchers.

A great way to save and pick up a new hobby is to start a garden. By growing your own fruits and vegetables you will save on what are often quite expensive in super markets. This can also encourage healthier eating and replace the high costs of unhealthy snacks.

Also, do not shop when you are hungry. It is inevitable that your cart will be more full than if you have already eaten.

Oftentimes, after a meal there is plenty left. By using this for another meal, you can save money and keep from wasting. Food is a significant part of any budget and by taking small precautions, you can ensure that each little saving become significant.

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In order that want to acquire more about how to get the best ideas for a food budget, then you must try our website we provide you in this article body. You also can acquire new ways of obtaining groceries and learning new ways to buying them with a grocery budget.

Give A Go At The Top Restaurant Recipes With Multiple Resources

By Paul Seager

Taking your spot in the household as the head chef will require the use of many recipes that are being used in the best restaurants around and they can be easily found on the internet. Wonderful recipes from restaurants like Red Robin, The Cheesecake Factory, and Applebee's can all be found online so you can make these mouth watering dishes in your very own kitchen.

Using the internet can get you a lot more information than just some articles about random topics. Technology has opened up doors very wide that were before very hard to enter. Information is just there waiting on people to discover and it will get even better as technology grows.

There are free links and many different cookbooks that will give you all of the details about how to prepare a fabulous, restaurant quality meal for your family. The majority of the cookbooks that are available will give you a vast amount of recipes from the most popular restaurants in your area. You will be making scrumptious lasagna, perfectly cooked pasta, and an amazing chow mien in no time at all.

What people do not realize is the learning process does not have to stop at the cookbooks. The next resource to turn to is audio recipes. More and more companies are coming out with audio discs you can place in a CD player and listen to instructions while you actually cook. Instead of having to read through an entire recipe or look through it while you are cooking, you can simply listen to the instructions and follow along every step of the way.

Cooking magazines are another great resource for finding delicious restaurant quality recipes. When you have a cooking magazine at your fingertips you will have all of the ingredients, a detailed picture of the final product, and exact cooking directions right there for you to read and put into works in your very own kitchen.

The final resource to look for top restaurant recipes online is videos. Everyone learns differently from one another. Some people learn by reading over instructions while others are visual learners. Watching videos of how to cook recipes online allows you to pause, scroll forward or go back to a part you may have questions on. It is an easy way to actually see and hear how to cook the meals you desire.

With the amount of restaurant recipes there are online, it is vital you take advantage of some of the best meals in the world from your kitchen. To help you perfect the meal, make sure you follow the instructions carefully from one of the many resources available to you regardless of whether it is from a cookbook, audio file, video, or magazine.

About the Author:

Are you looking for copykat restaurant recipes? Then visit Paul Seager's website now and learn how to cook your restaurants favorite meals in your very own home. Click HERE now for more information.

Finding Easy Recipes Is A Breeze

By Adriana Noton

Being able to cook tasty meals and snacks is a great skill to have. It means that you can always have something enjoyable to eat quickly and easily. However if you have never cooked before you may be a little daunted by this and want to have ideas on where to get easy recipes from. Thankfully there are quite a few places that you can look to get recipes that are easy for the novice cook to create.

To start with you should ask people you know if they have any recipes that are easy to complete. If you are lucky they will even show you how to make them from scratch so you have a live demonstration. Use this option and you will gain confidence and skills in the kitchen in no time.

There are lots of recipe books that are out there with plenty of recipes that are easy to make in them. You can get these in good book stores in the cookery section. These books have step by step instructions on how to create great meals with even if you have never cooked before.

Another great place to look for recipes that can be cooked with ease is the internet. To find such recipes just type "easy recipes" into your search engine and you will find plenty to choose from. You can even refine your search and include certain foods that you enjoy, such as chicken or vegetables.

Some people find it very beneficial to join any cookery class. Here you will start from scratch and learn the basics of cooking and recipes that are simple and straightforward to create. You can learn a lot from such classes and they are highly recommended by many people. Find out if there is one close to your home that you could sign up to.

You may want to try looking in magazines for ideas for recipes that are easy. With several different cookery magazines on the market you should not have to look very far to find something you like. Often these magazines will also state the difficulty of each recipe, so you can check this before you begin cooking.

Keep your eye out when you are shopping for your groceries as stores will give away free recipe sheets. These are usually in conjunction with a particular food offer and are always very simple to make. So the next time you are out shopping make sure you collect as many recipe sheets as you can. Do this and you can build a mini library of your own personal recipes. Then you can refer to this whenever you want to make a meal from scratch.

As you can see there are quite a few places that you can find easy recipes to try. Remember that everyone had to learn how to cook and you are no different. Take your time and make sure you have all the equipment you need and you will soon get your confidence when cooking. Who knows you might even find that you enjoy making meals once you have tried a few recipes out.

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Breakfasts have been claimed to be the most important meal of the day. By eating breakfast, it allows the brain to function better so one can focus more easily. For easy recipes, visit us today!

Traditional Desserts Made In A New Way - Crockpot Dessert Recipes

By Susanne Myers

Does shuffling around your dishes in and out of the oven get complicated during a big holiday meal? We like to have several desserts, so that usually means something's got to come out of the oven so the desserts can start going in. Why not put your crockpot to work for you this year? Transform your old favorite dessert recipes into crockpot dessert recipes and free up your oven for what it was meant for... the turkey and Green Bean Casserole!

So, how am I going to turn my old favorite dessert recipes into crockpot dessert recipes? I chose three of my family's favorite desserts to make this year in my crockpot in order to free up my oven space and stove top for other dishes. Let's see how we can put my crockpot to work!

Apple Crisp: This dessert is one where the timing is most important. You want to serve this dessert hot with a little scoop of ice cream or whipped topping. The melting topping is what makes this dessert wonderful! Use your basic recipe, but add a touch more butter, then cook it on low for a couple hours or until the apples get soft, but not all mushy. Figure out your timing so that you turn off the heat just before serving.

You can add a crunchy topping just before serving if you wish. Just mix the ingredients together in a small saucepan and heat until butter is incorporated. Sprinkle on your mixture either just before serving or after you scoop the apples into dessert bowls.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies: Regular brownies are good, but this chocolate brownie dessert with peanut butter swirled in is a special treat. Very moist and yummy! This dessert is made with brownie mix, but it's spooned into dessert bowls, not cut into squares. Serve while the dessert is still hot so you can add some ice cream or whipped topping and it gets all nice and melty!

Top this brownie dessert with some sprinkles of Reese's Pieces or other candy topping that you like. Cut a peanut butter cup in quarters and garnish with one quarter for each serving. You want to time the cooking and serving of this so that you are ready to scoop up your dessert just minutes after you shut off the heat.

Classic Pecan Cheesecake: If you have a favorite cheesecake recipe you might as well use it. I make a graham cracker crust with some finely chopped pecans added. The filling I use is pretty classic. The tricky part of this dessert is that you'll have to make sure a 7" springform pan will fit. Usually a 5 quart or 6 quart size will work, but make sure before you begin.

You'll need to put a small rack in the bottom to hold the springform pan off the bottom. If you don't have a rack that fits, just pull a good length of aluminum foil off the roll and form a donut shape out of it to support the pan. Put that on the bottom and put your pan in. Just be sure the pan is at least an inch off the bottom. Use enough foil to get a good support. You want to cook your cheesecake on high for several hours, then shut off the heat and let it sit in there for another hour or until it's cool enough to handle. Then you'll let it cool completely on a rack on the counter before you remove the pan from the cheesecake. Because you serve cheesecake either room temperature or cold, you can actually get this prepared ahead of time. Remember to refrigerate any leftovers... like you're going to have any!

You shouldn't have to spend your holiday shuffling food all over your kitchen! Leave your main dishes alone to cook in peace and quiet and turn to your trusty crockpot for the answer to your struggles. Rather than having to sacrifice your favorite holiday treats for lack of room in your oven, put your crockpot to work for you. Re-creating your old favorite dessert recipes into new crockpot dessert recipes will save you time and stress, and will get everything on the table as planned... hot, bubbly, and delicious! Sounds good to me!

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Get out your favorite crockpot dessert recipes for the holidays, search for a few new recipes, and brush up on your slowcooker cooking methods! It's time to get started and get serious saving money with your slowcooker!

Easy No Cook Meals

By Laura Cokherell

How many times have you wanted to make a quick meal without turning on the oven? These simple meals require no cooking and are easy to assemble in just a few minutes. Try these quick and easy recipes to make flavorful meals in minutes any time.

Use low-fat and low-sodium products whenever possible to keep these no cook meal ideas healthy. When using oil, use as little as possible to lower the fat content too.

- Combine marinated artichoke hearts (drained and chopped), capers (rinsed and drained), Swiss cheese cubes, chopped red onion, and chopped apples. Toss with some oil from the artichoke hearts and some chopped fresh dill. Mix together completely and make individual servings by stuffing mixture in hollowed out sourdough rolls and serve along with a simple salad of baby spinach leaves and sliced cucumbers dressed in olive oil and vinegar.

- Combine shelled, cooked shrimp (tail removed and cut into chunks), thinly sliced celery, jarred roasted red peppers (drained and chopped), chopped scallions, chopped yellow bell pepper, pitted and chopped black olives. Toss ingredients in an olive oil vinaigrette and fill a soft tortilla shell with mixture for a simple wrap sandwich. Serve with apples and pear slices.

- Combine store bought prepared roasted or grilled chicken (cubed), jarred roasted peppers (drained and roughly chopped), pitted black olives (quartered lengthwise), and diced seedless cucumbers. Toss this combination with sour cream mixed with some prepared mustard. Place mixture in a pita pocket and serve with a small bowl of green grapes.

- For a flavorful sandwich, spread some blue cheese dressing on one side of two slices of whole grain bread. On one slice of bread place a couple of slices of smoked salmon, a sprinkling of dried dill, thin slices of apple, some pitted and sliced green olives, and thinly sliced red onion. Top sandwich with the second piece of bread and serve along with a side of cut up tomatoes tossed with salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice.

- Combine some cottage cheese with blueberries, avocado chunks, diced celery, and chopped pecans. This can be served on whole grain crackers or with some soft bread sticks.

About the Author:

An avid cook, Laura Cokherell, shares a wide variety of fast recipes that favor healthy, natural, and fresh food, short ingredient lists, and require minimal preparation, and clean-up for the fast-paced world we live in. Visit Quick Salad Recipes.com for quick and easy meals, including more no cook recipes, and simple ideas for every meal of the day.

Italian Cheeses In Many Forms

By Jim Antonio

The most flavorful and high quality are the varieties of Italian cheeses on the markets all over the World. These go especially well with vintage Italian wines and baguettes.

A smoky and milder cheese is Provolone. Cow's milk is used within it instead of the milk of goat's. It takes at least 1 month of aging for this particular cheese to be ready and full flavored.

A way to find the best of this cheese is to look for ones that hold true yellow coloring. These will be the most flavorful and the better choice. This is a great cheese to make grilled sandwiches out of or add in to your dishes that need melted cheese.

It takes up to 1 year for the Asiago cheese to rich it's fullest flavor. It has a texture much firmer than other cheese's and is often used within casseroles or side dishes shredded. It has a very noticeable pungency to it but you will be amazed at how mild a cheese it really is. Past dishes would not be the same without this added within them.

A famous and very flavorful Italian cheese is Parmigiano Reggiano. Spices of different Italian blends are added within to enhance it's aromatic flavors even more. A well known spice blend is that called Parma.

It can be aged for up to 3 years. Pasta dishes would not be called Italian if this cheese were not included in the recipe's. It truly makes the dish and adds decadent flavor to anything. Buying it whole will give you the most flavor and it will be one of the freshest compared to that of buying it sliced. Casseroles and stews can be made and the Parmigiano rind when added gives off even more richness to the flavors of the dish.

The town of Gorgonzola is where Gorgonzola was first made outside the city of Milan. It can be compared to the Bleu cheese we know here in America. But it is not at all like the U. S cheese. It's texture is smooth and creamy whereas the U. S version is dryer and more stiff.

Mozzarella is one of the best known and most popular Italian cheese's on the markets in America today. The best fresh Mozzarella can be found packaged as Mozzarella balls and in either brine or water solutions.

A tasty treat for your next party can be made simply by throwing some Mozzarella, olive oil, basil, tomatoes(preferably fire roasted), oregano and even a few small morsels of pancetta.

Pecorino cheese is made by using the milk of sheep instead of cow's. When aged it can take the place in most recipe's of Parmesan and is often times preferred by those who have a taste for the more sharper flavored cheese. Most Pecorino Romano cheese comes from Sicily and Tuscany.

Crescenza cheese is not aged very long at all and is soft in texture compared to other Italian cheeses. It originated from the southern most parts of Milan. It can be found as Robiola and Certosa cheese as well as the name of Crescenza.

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Learn more about Italian cheeses. Stop by Jim Antonio's site where you can find out all about gourmet Italian and what it can do for you.

Italian Cheeses Are Known Worldwide

By Luigi DeMarco

Italian cheeses are some of the best in the world. And while we're all familiar with the top few selections, from our pizza and sandwich consumption, it may surprise you to know there are around 400 different Italian cheeses to choose from. And when it comes to quality and good tasting cheese, the Italians have a great passion for delivering on it, and they do.

From Sicily to Tuscany the Italians make some of the best parmigiano and provolone in the world. Their Mozzarella is a household name. And again, these don't even scratch the surface of the number of cheeses they actually make. They use goat's milk, sheep's milk, buffalo milk, and cow in their processes. All their cheeses have great texture and fragrance, and are good for both shredding and cooking.

The quality of their cheese is taken very seriously by the Italians. One thing to watch for when you shop for cheese, is their quality assurance stamp on the label. This is known either as the PDO - 'protected designation of origin', or the IGT - 'protected geographic indication. If you see this you know it' a product of good quality. If you shop for wine, you'll find that wines use these same designations.

Italian cheeses are known worldwide mostly due to the years of perfecting the techniques. They have managed to produce some cheese that are actually famous. Like the 'Bel Paese'. This cheese is very famous and extremely popular, and the name itself translates into 'beautiful country' in the Italian language. Originating in Milan, it's now made in Lombardy, and was intended to be a table cheese. It's made from the milk of the cow.

Yes, the Italians and their passion for cheese making is known worldwide. They would hike up into the Alpine mountains, where they'd refine their cheese production methods. Then when they came down, the world welcomed them with open arms. Up there in the old days, back on the mountains, they'd use caves for keeping their cheese cool. The concept of refrigeration was still fairly new.

They still use many of the old methods and tools today. Their cutting boards, wooden shelves, oils, water, salt, and miniature hammers are still the basic tools for production. Their cheese still are made with the three common ingredients of milk, some rennet, and some salt. They would interchange milks to produce different types of cheeses.

Anytime you think about making cheese, it all begins with the milk. Cheese is simply the coagulation of milk. Ricotta is derived from cream and milk whey. But the four main sources of milk in Italy are the buffalo, the cow, the goat, and the sheep. But were you to want something even different from that, cheeses can be made from the milk of camels, reindeer, and even yaks.

Italian cheeses are some of the best by far, and it comes from a long tradition of cheese making. They take great pride in their work. So many people go through life eating and enjoying this great craftsmanship, without ever learning anything about it. It's a shame, because it really is an interesting study. Anyone who wants to learn more about the Italians and their cheese, can go online and find tons of information to enlighten them. Next time you eat that pizza, think 'Italian.

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Want to find out more about italian food, then visit Luigi DeMarco's site on how to choose the best Italian cheeses for your needs.

Palak Paneer- Spinach and Indian Cheese Recipe

By Lloyd Pinto

If you enjoy Palak (Spinach) and Paneer (Indian Cheese), I am sure you will love this delicious creamy Indian gravy made from these two yummy ingredients. It is a very popular delicacy in India and I want to share my favourite recipe for making Palak Paneer.

Ingredients 250 grams paneer, 2 bunches of palak, 3 medium sized onions (finely chopped), 2 medium size tomatoes (finely chopped) OR tomato puree as per convenience, 2 green chillies (slit into half), 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp ginger paste, 1/2 tsp garlic paste, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp chana masala, 1 tsp sugar, 3 tbsp oil, Salt to taste, Cream for garnish.

Method Blanche the palak (spinach) for about 5 minutes in boiling water and grind it to fine paste after it is cold. Chop the paneer into small cubes and deep fry in oil till light golden brown.

Heat the oil in a wok or non-stick pan and add the cumin seeds. Wait till it crackles and ensure that it does not burn. Add the chopped onions and green chillies and saute till the onions are golden brown. Add the ginger garlic paste and saute for another minute.

Add the turmeric powder, chilli powder and the chana masala powder and saute for another 1-2 minutes. Then add the tomatoes/tomato puree and stir till the oil separates. Add the palak paste to this mixture along with 1 cup water.(Tip: You can use the water used for cooking the spinach). Add the paneer, garam masala, sugar and salt and cook till you start to see the gravy bubbling. If the gravy seems a bit dry, you can add some more water. Garnish with some cream in the end

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For many such yummy Palak Paneer Recipes, please visit http://www.squidoo.com/palak-paneer-recipe

Classic Holiday Recipes For Your Family

By Adriana Noton

The holidays are a wonderful time to relax and spend time with your loved ones. It can seem sometimes that with all of the modern technology around us, we forget about simpler times and traditional holiday family time. One way to capture the holiday moment is to make a few classic holiday recipes.

Below are a few classic holiday recipes for your family:

Buttery Eggnog: This is alcohol free eggnog that can be enjoyed by the entire family, including children and expectant mothers. Ingredients include: 6 eggs, cup sugar, 1 teaspoon butter flavor extract, 4 cups milk, teaspoon nutmeg, teaspoon cinnamon, Use a whisk to mix the eggs and sugar in a saucepan over low heat. Stir in 2 cups of milk and cook mixture over low heat. Make sure that you continually stir until it thickens a bit. Remove from heat and mix in the rest of the milk and the butter flavor extract. Chill before serving.

Holiday Cheesecake: Acquire 1 Graham Cracker Crust or make your own graham cracker crust. Ingredients include: 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened, 1/2 C Sugar, 2 Eggs, and 1/2 Tsp Vanilla. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add the remaining ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour into crust. Bake for 35 minutes. Remove and let it to completely cool. Now, make the topping: You will need 1 C Sour Cream, 1/2 C Sugar, and 1/4 Tsp Vanilla Extract. Mix until well blended. Pour over the cheesecake. Add a fruit topping. Place in the Refrigerator until it is time to serve. It is a delicious holiday sweet.

Classic Holiday Glazed Ham: Ingredients you will need include: 1 ham (half or whole), 1 jar of maraschino cherries, 10 - 15 whole cloves, 1 can of sliced pineapples, 2 tablespoons yellow mustard, and 3/4 cup of brown sugar (light). First you must preheat the oven as stated on the package that the ham was in. Then bake the ham as instructed from the cooking directions on the package. About 45 minutes prior to the ham being completely cooked, remove it from the oven. Arrange the pineapple slices on top of the ham and hold them with the cloves. If you are not using cloves, then use toothpicks. Put a cherry in the middle of each pineapple slice and hold them with a toothpick or clove. In a bowl, mix the mustard, brown sugar, and the juice from the can of pineapples to make the glaze for the ham. Bake the ham for 30 minutes. Take the ham out of the oven and it is ready to be carved.

Rum Ball Recipe: This recipe is a delicious holiday treat. Ingredients include 200 g (7 oz) finely ground shortbread cookies, 200 g (7 oz) butter, melted, 50 g (1.7 oz) cocoa, 300 g (10 oz) powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 tsp rum, and 1-2 eggs. Mix all ingredients together and then shape into balls.

This holiday season take a little time to make some classic holiday easy recipes for your family, neighbors, and friends. You will enjoy adding traditional holiday customs in this high-tech modern world.

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We are trying to provide consumers with safe and delicious eggs for your breakfast. Furthermore, we research to provide our customers with easy recipe for breakfast.

Quick Dinner Recipes

By Christina Benjamin

The life-style of most families these days is terribly busy, causing folks to search for ways to save lots of time. It's completely significant for families to spend special time together and a good way to try this is at the dining room table. In order to provide your folks with delicious and tasty meals, you'll need to keep an armoury of quick and easy dinner recipes handy. Actually there will be occasions when you have lots of time to spend in the kitchen preparing a complicated meal, but many times you'll be beat and rushed at the end of the day.

Luckily , we are living in a time that makes preparing quick and easy dinner recipes way easier than in past centuries. Folk no longer have to spend the bulk of their time in the kitchen preparing healthy and tasty meals. Smart cooks can put a meal on the table in record time with no need to resort to a junk food drive-thru or frozen pizza. Today's cooks have the posh of using kitchen appliances like blenders, food processors, and crock pots to help with food preparation.

To cut your time in the kitchen you'll want to get arranged. Keep all your quick and easy dinner recipes in a spot that's's easily accessed. A recipe card file or a three ring binder is perfect for this purpose. Keep a well supplied cupboard with spices that use frequently and staples like rice, beans, potatoes, and onions.

Start your week with a plan and do everything in your power to adhere to it. Choose the quick and easy dinner recipes that you will prepare for the week. Make an inventory of all the items you'll need for the recipes and make a shopping list. Check you cupboard to ascertain if you already have some of the ingredients that are necessary.

Whenever possible, plan meals that can serve two purposes. For example, if you are preparing baked chicken one night, plan to use the leftover chicken in a meal the following evening. Anytime you have left-overs that can't be used right away, store them in the fridge for use at a later date.

Many of us find it extraordinarily useful to chop and cut any fruits, plants, or meats that will be used throughout the week in advance. If you spend some time on the weekend doing as much of the prep work as possible, you will be in a position to prepare those quick and easy dinner recipes with extraordinarily little bother. You can even buy many fruit and vegetables that are julienned or sliced at most supermarkets.

Another tip for preparing those quick and easy dinner recipes is to use frozen foods if required. Using frozen fruits and vegetables can save a large amount of time and are as nutritious as fresh produce. Using bottle sauces can get you out of the kitchen in record time. You can prepare tasty meals like chicken alfredo and spaghetti without making the sauces from the start. If you chance to make sauces from scratch, make a double batch for the refrigerator.

As you can see, it's really easy to prepare meals that your folks will love. Start collecting quick and easy dinner recipes that are healthy and delicious and use them frequently.

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Quick Dinner Recipes