
Friday, March 27 2009
Do you ever want to really wow your family with an amazing dinner, but aren't sure where to start? When you're the one who is often doing the cooking, it can be hard to break from your set routine and really show them something different. It's especially hard when money is a consideration, as it always seems to be these days. Of course there's the classic favorites like steak or a casserole, but they've seen you make that before, and it won't amaze them. If you really want to show off, on a budget, and without having to spend the whole day in the kitchen, why not make them one of their restaurant favorites at home, and cook them one of these fabulous lobster dinners. Lobster dinners can be a great way to bring your family together for a special meal night at home. Instead of heading off this way and that to different activities, your family can relax and enjoy a delicious, unexpected meal together. It's also a great surprise for a spouse after a stressful week of work. Because who would expect to get a juicy, succulent lobster as their dinner? The unexpectedness of the meal is what makes lobster dinners such a great buy. It's a restaurant worthy treat that you can make easily in your own home, for a fraction of the cost of eating out. Making a lobster dinner at home is a great way to give your family luxurious dinners without having to spend a ton of money. But how do you have a great meal like this inexpensively? It's easy, all you need to do is order online. When you buy a lobster dinner in a restaurant, you're paying all of the overhead that the restaurant has, plus a markup for profit. You're getting a great meal, but it's going to cost you. When you buy lobsters at the grocery store, you're also paying a markup. Plus you never know what kind of quality they're going to have. By ordering online, you're getting the freshest lobster available, at market price, meaning great savings for you, and the best quality you can get. Making lobster dinners couldn't be easier, which is another great incentive to treat your family to one. Simply boil several quarts of water in a stock pot. To this add carrots and potatoes, and your lobsters. As the lobsters boil, they will flavor your vegetables and create stock. When they're finished, take them out, along with the vegetables, and you've got a ready to serve meal, with stock to be served in soups and sauces later. It's a great and easy way to create a balanced meal for your family, and it only takes one pot, which means less clean up for you as well! When you want to give your family great and special meals to remember, lobster dinners are the way to go. They are simply, and need only easy preparation and clean up. And you can order your lobsters online at a great discount. Thursday, March 26 2009
With just 4 ingredients, this Easy Crock pot Chicken couldn't be Easier! Cooking the meal in a single pot reduces washing up, and the low cooking temperature and glazed pot make cleaning it very easy. INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
General Cooking Tips When Cooking With A Crock Pot
Happy Cooking!
Wednesday, March 25 2009
Mom had it all when it came to making dinner... remember coming home from a long day of school and basketball or football practice and walking into the familiar smells of delicious soups or Pot Roast meals? Getting back to that place is not as difficult as it may seem.
Many people treat cooking as a necessary evil... Sure, you can have Mac and cheese or Bologna sandwiches every night, but it is not healthy, nor will it be satisfying to the taste buds. Many others never cook at all because it is just too much of a hassle in making a good wholesome dinner after working a long day. Many exist on Chinese or pizza takeout and maybe a little beer to wash it down. Not a savory existence, for those who want variety and are tired of paying constantly to have mediocre food from the local burger joint. If you grew up watching mom, you may have picked up a few tips along the way, like boiling water, frying an egg or making a toast. If you were real astute, you would have learned all of her recipes and now carry on the family traditions maybe even adding your own style and twists to the family recipes. Cooking does not have to be a lousy chore that you believe is the worst of the worst things you have to do. But hey, you can always have another bowl of shredded wheat. There are great cook books that contain basic recipes to whip up dinner in 30 minutes or less. It does not have to a complex process to make a nice chicken or vegetable dish that can provide a great meal to you and the family. You can also think about taking a cookery or cooking course. These classes are offered everywhere and are a great way to get started. Local community colleges, adult community organizations or fully fledged cookery schools offer many variations or even night classes in the art of cooking. These classes can be geared toward easily crafting awesome dishes with a few simple ingredients. You can easily sign up for a basic course to learn the art of water boiling, 3 minute egg boiling or full course meal preparation. When you think about it, learning to cook is a basic skill everyone should have, especially in today's economy. You can save a ton of money preparing your own creations instead of keep Joe's Burger Barn in business. Cooking does not have to be a chore. Turn on your passion for creating healthy Meals for 2 or for the entire family See more ways you can cook easy meals in minutes Easy-Home-Cooking.com Tuesday, March 24 2009
Check Out Home Bistro's Specials - Tasty Delights at Reduced Prices!
Chicken marinated in a rice wine, soy sauce, ginger and garlic marinade, then fried and sprinkled with roasted sesame seeds. My family already tried and loved it. A delicious Chinese chicken recipe. Ingredients: 1 pound boneless chicken Marinade: 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1. Trim the meat and cut into thin strips about 1/2 x 2 inch. Friday, March 20 2009
With these uncertain times, it can be hard to feel like celebrating life's special milestones. Birthday's and anniversaries might pass without you feeling like, or being able to afford, going out to celebrate. But even in difficult economic times, one of the best things we can do for ourselves is the celebrate the things that really matter. This doesn't have to involve a big dinner out that costs your friends, family and spouse a lot of money. Why not stay in instead, inviting over the people that really matter, and showing them that you appreciate them as you celebrate your special even. You can do this easily with a cost effective lobster dinner. A lobster dinner sounds like it would be a fancy and extravagant way to go, but that isn't the case. However, remember this preconception, because it's how your friends are going to feel when you serve them this delicious meal. Because it seems so luxurious and expensive, it will make your friends feel like they've come over for an exciting and extravagant party. But you'll know that you were actually able to save quite a bit of money for this dinner party. The key is how you order your lobster. The main price of most lobster dinners is the surcharge added by the store or restaurant. When you order online, these charges don't apply. Why is it so much cheaper to order a lobster dinner online, you may be wondering. Well the reason is simple, and it has everything to do with those surcharges mentioned above. When you order a lobster dinner at a restaurant, you're of course paying a premium for everything. Not only will the price of your lobster be marked up, but you'll be paying a premium for appetizers, drinks and desert as well. At a grocery store, you're not just paying for the price of your lobster, you're also paying the fee for all the employees, the store, and the middleman who delivered the lobster. This can all add up to some serious extra costs for you. But buying your lobster dinner online takes away all of those costs. Because you're ordering directly from the fisherman, you pay only the going market price of the lobster, and the subsidized shipping fees. And because you're getting the lobster directly from the person who fished it, you know you're getting the finest, freshest lobster there is. This is a great advantage when you're cooking at home, and the fresh taste can shine through. And because you're ordering online, you get next day shipping, meaning your lobster will be delivered for your party, fresh and without you having to head to the store in advance, hoping there will be enough lobsters for everyone. When you want to celebrate, but don't want to go over budget, ordering a lobster dinner online is a great way to have a great time without having to compromise. Your friends and family will be wowed at what you're able to offer them, and you'll enjoy it too.
Wednesday, March 18 2009
Chicken curry is a common dish in several countries and regions such as in India, Pakistan, East Asia, and in the Caribbean. As the name indicates, the main ingredients used to prepare this dish are chicken and curry powder or paste. However, given its popularity there are several recipes variations combining different ingredients. You can find chicken curry recipes prepared with coconut milk, ginger, lemon grass, saffron, etc. Below you can find two chicken curry recipes: The first one combines chicken drumsticks with curry powder, ginger, potatoes, garlic and sour cream. In the second recipe besides curry powder, orange juice and chicken broth improve the flavor of chicken breasts. Chicken Curry Recipe 1 10 chicken drumsticks Cut onions, ginger and garlic into smaller pieces. Put them into a food processor and mince finely. Skin and cut potatoes into quarters. Mix the curry powder with some water to make a paste. Chicken Curry Recipe 2 2 teaspoons brown sugar Combine brown sugar, curry powder, mustard and pepper. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon seasoning mixture over chicken, tossing to coat. Reserve remaining seasoning mixture.
Tuesday, March 17 2009
Salmon is an extremely tasty and healthy choice for any meal. There are a wide variety choices, however most salmon you'll get from your grocery store is Atlantic salmon because it is quite abundant. Other popular and also tasty types of salmon include Sockeye salmon, Chinook salmon, and silver salmon. If available, you should give these a try as well. When you do select your fish, make sure that it is fresh-the fresher the better. The flesh should be bright and colorful, rather than dull or grey. It should also be firm and not feathered. When pressed with your finger, the flesh should bounce back, leaving no trace of indentation. The skin should be translucent and bright and not slimy. The gills should be bright red. The eyes should be clear and rounded; if they are cloudy or sunken in, the fish is already out of date. Handling salmon, once purchased, requires its own special attention. Once you get home, remove the fish from its wrapping and rinse it with cold water; next rewrap the salmon in plastic wrap and then cover it with a layer of aluminum. Store it in your refrigerator in the coldest part, to keep it fresh. Ideally, you should avoid the typical temperature setting of 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit. Most food is unsafe within this temperature setting. So, remember to keep your salmon as cold as possible. You probably shouldn't keep the fish unfrozen for longer than a day, as it will not keep. Do not purchase fish until you actually want to use it. You can freeze salmon by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap, foil and Ziploc bags. When prepared thusly, salmon can keep in the freezer for up to six months, with its flavor and texture sealed intact. When you want to defrost the salmon, place in the refrigerator for a day or about 30 hours before serving time. Do not try to quick defrost with a warm water bath. When handling salmon, it is important that you are careful. Bacteria will often grow on food that is kept in a temperature range of 40F and 140F. Take the time necessary to defrost the salmon. Again, handling salmon is a delicate affair, but its worth the extra work.
Wednesday, March 11 2009
We could all use a little luck now days! So why not make this Luck 'O The Irish Corned Beef Dinner for your family? This meal is so easy that even beginning cooks can pull it off very successfully. The corned beef brisket, potatoes, carrots, onion, and cabbage wedges all cook in the same pot for ultimate flavor. With this one dish you have your meat and vegetables all-in-one. Add some steamed and seasoned green beans or a lettuce salad, a crusty bread--Irish Soda Bread is a good choice--and you have a tasty, nutritious meal. CORNED BEEF DINNER 1 (3 to 4 lb) corned beef brisket Place corned beef brisket in a Dutch oven and add enough water to cover. Add onion, garlic, and bay leaves. Cover and simmer 3 to 4 hours or until tender. Remove the meat from the Dutch oven and add the potatoes and carrots to the pot. Cover and bring to boiling; cook 5 minutes. Add the cabbage wedges to the potatoes and carrots, cook another 25 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, place meat, fat side up, in a shallow baking pan. Spread the mustard over top of the meat; sprinkle with a mixture of the brown sugar blend and cloves. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Serve the meat with the vegetables. Spoon the cooking liquid over the meat and vegetables, if desired. Serves 6 to 8. Enjoy! Wednesday, March 11 2009
March is here so I have lightened the menus just a bit; it may not be any warmer outside but March's arrival always makes me realize that Spring is on the way. I have also included a 'bake once - eat twice' combo to help with the food budget and time management. Fried shrimp is a favorite at our house any time. This recipe for shrimp tempura from the Gourmet cookbook is the best I have ever found. It is quick, easy, and tastes delicious! You will find that I use several cooking methods, mix and match, to get dinner on the table quickly! (The ingredients in parenthesis show some of my quick-prep steps.) You can always substitute your favorite made-from-scratch recipes when you have more time. I hope you have a great week! Sunday: Monday Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: I sincerely hope you have fun with your meal planning and preparation,
Tuesday, March 10 2009
What is a Saturday afternoon without a fantastic large steak on the grill? People everywhere enjoy the smell of a juicy steak cooking on the barbecue, and you are usually joined by a neighbor or two when you are firing up that grill, as it generally makes everyone's mouth water. Steak is something that can be cooked in several different manners, yet it always seems to go right back to the grill if you want this steak to have great flavor. Coupled with a side of corn on the cob, you are seeing what most north Americans feel is the perfect summer weekend dinner. Picking The Right Steak Believe it or not, picking the right steak for you is very important. You need to know what the steak looks like, in order to judge its quality, and when it comes to steak there are no exceptions when it comes to a top steak. You want to look for a steak that is at least 1 ½ inches thick, this will ensure that this steak is going to be juicy. You are going to want to ensure that this steak is a good size, yet you need to keep in mind that it does not mean that the meat will be of top quality if it is large. This is merely to enable you to have a decent portion in the event of it shrinking during its cooking time. One of the most important aspects on picking the right cut of meat is the marbling of the meat. If the meat has absolutely no fat marbling, then you should look at another cut. The marbling of the meat means that it will be juicy and tender, rather than dry and stiff. Choosing A Cooking Method Whether you choose to cook your steak in the oven or you choose to grill it, it is very important that you have all of the necessary herbs and spices that will make this steak your own. Dressing the meat prior during and after the cooking process, will go a long way in making this meat a personal thing. You can find many marinades available to you at your local grocery store or sometimes even you local butcher shop, and these are great to spice up your meat before cooking. Most often you will hear that the steak will cook more evenly and taste better if you let the steak age for a bit in the room temperature. This is actually a good idea, as it brings out the robust flavor of the meat when it is time to cook. The Butcher You are going to need to decide where you are going to get your steak from, and that basically boils down to the grocery store or your local butcher. The butcher will most likely have more prime cuts available to you than the grocery store, yet you will most likely find the prices a bit higher. Whichever route you choose to go, you can be sure that you will be dining in style when you are eating your choice cut of meat.
Monday, March 09 2009
Cooking food on the grill is the most ancient way to prepare dinner, and the barbeque enjoys a special relationship with pork. All meats turn out great on the grill, but pork develops an especially wonderful flavor after spending some time with the fire. This pork recipe combines the gifts of the grill with the next best thing to happen to pork: sweetness. Honey and apricot preserves glaze the pork while it grills, and you prepare whole fresh apricots on the grill as well to provide a nutritious accompaniment for the meat. Recipe ingredients: 2 whole boneless pork tenderloins (about 1-1/2 pounds) Salt and pepper to taste
Thursday, March 05 2009
Everyone knows how hard it can be to come up with new dinner ideas that the family will enjoy. Not only that, but the recipe really should be quick and easy on the cook too. Crock pots are a must-have these days, but after way too many beef stews and gumbos, what can be made that will get them running to the table rather than grumbling away from it? There are literally hundreds of family favorite crock pot recipes that adults and kids alike love. Easy Ziti Lasagna, Easy Pulled Pork and Tortilla Chicken are three easy and delicious crock pot recipes that families love and are quick to put together in the morning for a great family dinner later. Easy Ziti Lasagna 1 box ziti 2 - 28-oz jars pasta sauce 1 egg 1/2 lb ground beef 1/2 lb sausage 2 tbl olive oil 1 cup parmesan cheese 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs 1 bag Mozzarella cheese 16-20 oz. Ricotta cheese 2 eggs 1 cup Parmesan cheese 1 1/2 tsp. parsley flakes dash salt & pepper Grease crock-pot, or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Cook ziti according to package directions, drain. Brown and drain meat. Toss pasta with olive oil. Add pasta sauce to mixture, toss well. Stir together parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, 1/2 bag mozzarella cheese, and browned meat. Can sprinkle lightly with garlic powder. Beat together ricotta, 2 eggs, parmesan, parsley, salt & pepper. Pour half of pasta/sauce/meat mixture into crock-pot. Spread entire ricotta mixture over first layer of pasta. Cover ricotta layer with remaining pasta mixture, and cover with remaining cheese. Cover, and cook on low 4-6 hours. Easy Pulled Pork Crock Pot Recipe 1 (5 pound) pork butt roast salt and pepper to taste 1 (14 ounce) can beef broth 1/4 cup brewed coffee Cut roast in half. Rub each half with salt and pepper, and place in the slow cooker. Pour broth and coffee over the meat. Turn the slow cooker to Low, and cover. Cook for 6 to 8 hours, or until the roast is fork tender. Carefully remove the roast to a cutting board. Pull the meat off the bone with a fork. Crock Pot Tortilla Chicken 1 dozen corn tortillas 3 cans cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup 1 (8oz) pkg. Jack cheese, grated 1 (8oz) pkg. Cheddar cheese, grated 2 cans (4oz each) chopped chiles 1 boiled deboned chicken (3 to 4 cups chopped) 1/2 med. onion, diced Layer in a crockpot: Soup, tortillas, cheese, chicken, chiles, onion, soup; repeat, etc. until ingredients are used up. Start on high for 1/2 hour. Reduce temperature to low and cook for 6 hours.
Wednesday, March 04 2009
If you are looking for a delicious meal for your whole family that is also budget friendly, lasagna is the way to go. Easy to make, filling, and economical, this popular Italian dish is popular with almost everyone that loves Italian food. Origins Lasagna is a type of casserole that layers meat, sauce, and cheese. There are numerous variations, including some with spinach and others with white sauce. It was originally known by another name, but over time came to be known as lasagna after the special type of pan used to bake it. Versions of lasagna can be found all around the world. The Greeks make Pastitsio, a type of lasagna that includes large tubular noodles, ground meat, feta cheese, and cinnamon. In Poland there is Lazanki, which uses flat lasagna noodles, cabbage, and bacon. The following recipe is the more traditional form of lasagna that most people are familiar with, the southern style lasagna. This means that it uses a tomato sauce, mozzarella, and ricotta cheese as part of the recipe. What You Will Need In order to prepare your lasagna, you will need to gather a few ingredients if you do not have them at home already. You will want: • An 8 ounce box of lasagna noodles • A 15 ounce can of crushed tomatoes • A 28 ounce jar of pasta sauce, preferably one with a bold flavor, though any flavor will work • One pound of Italian sausage • 15 ounces of ricotta cheese • 8 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese • 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning • ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder • ¾ cup of dry red wine such as burgundy or cabernet Preparing The Lasagna Before you get started, you will want to preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Next you will need to prepare the noodles. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Once water is boiling add the noodles and cook for about eight minutes. The noodles should still be slightly firm. Drain on a paper towel and return to the pan. Coat with a little olive oil and allow to cool. To make the sauce you will want to brown the sausage in a large skillet. Once browned, add in the pasta sauce, crushed tomato, seasoning and garlic powder. Reduce the heat to low and add the red wine. Continue to cook and stir for another 10 to 15 minutes. Once your sauce is made, you will have to assemble the lasagna. You will need a 13 x 9 pan. Ladle a quarter of the sauce into the bottom of the pan. Layer noodles on top, side by side. Ladle on another quarter of the sauce, and then sprinkle with a third of the mozzarella and a third of the ricotta cheeses. Repeat these steps twice to form the different layers, ending with a ricotta topping. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Allow to set 10 minutes before cutting to serve. If you prefer, the lasagna can be frozen for up to 3 months and reheated as desired.
Tuesday, March 03 2009
There is a lot of bad talk surrounding the idea of farmed salmon, and for good reason. Most farms are located in pens along the coast where the food and feces of the enclosed salmon pollutes the open ocean that surrounds them. Salmon farming is also environmentally harmful in that it takes three pounds of wild fishmeal to produce only one pound of farmed salmon. The pesticides and antibiotics used by farmers to prevent disease also get out into the open ocean and are ingested by wild fish. Though many flaws exist, sustainable salmon farming is a possibility. One of the main problems with salmon farming is the issue of food. So much fishmeal is needed to produce so few fish, but luckily there are farms working to change that. Some sustainable farms use a vegetable based feed while others are using a fish based feed made of forage. Forage is a type of fish not consumed by people due to its small, boney body. Another important element for sustainable salmon farming is that the salmon be allowed to spawn in fresh water inland, thereby requiring the implementation of escape routes for the fish. It is also important to protect wild fish from breeding with or being contaminated by the waste of farmed salmon. A combination of wild and farmed salmon could have a very harmful result on the natural ecosystem. Breeding between the two can threaten the wild population with disease, competition, and genetic dilution. Keeping these two populations separate is very important for sustainable salmon farming. The biggest requirement for the success of good salmon farming is spreading the word to consumers. Educating people on the positive effects of responsible salmon farming and its availability is important for its continued success. The financial support of consumer investment is the best way to ensure that sustainable farming becomes widespread, replacing any existing environmentally harmful farms. Though the changes are gradual and they will take time to bolster salmon numbers, remaining conscious of the relationship between the environment and salmon farming and working to fix existing problems are steps in the right direction.
|