Archive for the ‘Cooking Tips’ Category

Although many people try to avoid potatoes because of the carbs, potatoes actually have many great nutrients and are a low calorie and filling addition to your meal. Of course, it is important that you cook them in a healthy way to get the best of potatoes. They are a great addition to many meals and they are very versatile and cheap to purchase as well. If you would like to start serving up some tasty potatoes as part of your meals, here is a look at some exciting ways that you can cook and serve them for a wonderful dish that everyone will enjoy.

Mashed Potatoes

One of the most common ways to cook and serve potatoes is to boil them and then mash them for delicious mashed potatoes. This is a pretty simple side dish that goes well with many main dishes. To make this dish, peel the potatoes and then cut them into cubes. Boil them until they are tender and then drain. Add some milk, butter, and salt to the potatoes to taste and then use a mixer or a masher to mash them up. Serve hot.

Oven Roasted Potatoes

Another great way that you can cook and serve up your potatoes is to roast them in the oven. Roasting them in the oven provides a lot of wonderful flavor. They will turn out crispy on the outside and soft and tasty on the inside. Usually it is best to roast them at about 425 degrees F. You do not need to peel the potatoes but you should cut them into large chunks if they are large. Toss them with some olive oil and season to taste. Then roast in the oven for an hour, leaving uncovered.

Baked Potatoes

One of the healthiest ways that you can cook up your potatoes is to simply bake them in the oven. Make sure you wash them and then use a knife to pierce them a couple times so they do not explode in the oven. Bake for about an hour at 450. Check to make sure they are tender before removing them from the oven. Add toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, chives, and more.

Homemade Fries

While fried French fries are made of potatoes, all the great from frying makes them high in fat and calories. However, you can enjoy the wonderful taste of fries without actually frying them. It is easy to make your own fries from fresh potatoes. Use russets or red potatoes and cut them into thin strips, about the size of a nice steak fry. Arrange on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Season to taste. Bake at 450 for about 20 minutes or until they are tender. You will get a wonderful flavor without all the fat and calories usually found in French fries.

Easy Onion Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

There are so many fun ways to cook up potatoes. Here is a tasty recipe for cream scalloped potatoes that makes a wonderful and easy side dish.

What You’ll Need

• ¾ cup of onion, chopped
• 5 large potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly
• 1 ¾ cups of chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons of butter (margarine can be substituted)
• ¾ teaspoon of salt
• ¼ cup of all purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon of pepper
• 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise

How to Make It

Preheat the oven to 325. Layer the onion and potatoes in a 2-1/2 quart baking dish that has been greased.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. After butter is melted, stir the flour in until the mixture is smooth. Add salt, pepper, mayonnaise, and broth to the pan gradually. Cook for about two minutes, stirring while cooking. Mixture should become bubbly and thick. Pour the liquid over the potatoes and then place in the oven. Bake for about two hours or until all the potatoes are tender.

Potatoes are only one great vegetable to add to your menu. Look for other healthy vegetable recipes or have fun making a tasty vegetable pizza together as a family.

GrilledVegetableRecipe.com – The Veggie Side of Grilling

Vegetables can be a wonderful addition to any meal, but if you end up cooking them wrong, you are going to end up with something scary on your table. If you are fairly new to cooking veggies, you will want to learn some of the basics. Many beginners make simply mistakes that end in disaster. With a few basic tips on your side, you can cook up delicious foods that your family will enjoy eating. To help you cook tasty veggie dishes, here are some basic dos, and don’ts you definitely need to remember.

DO Add a Bit of Salt to the Water

When you are going to boil up vegetables, it is a good idea add some salt to the water they will be boiling in. This will add some wonderful flavor to your finish product and keeps you from needing to salt the vegetables when they are on your plate. However, if you need to be sodium conscious, you may want to skip this step.

DO Use Cold Water to Start Boiling Potatoes

It is important to make sure your potatoes cook uniformly. For this reason, make sure that you put cold water in the pan when you are ready to boil. This allows the heat from the stove to be distributed evenly through all the potatoes. When you are ready to check for doneness, use a knife or fork to probe a potato. When the knife or fork slides in and out easily, they are done and ready for you to mash or eat.

DO Use Vegetables that are Frozen

While some people avoid frozen vegetables, you will actually find that frozen veggies are a great option to use. Since these veggies are frozen right after they are harvested, the nutrients are locked in. Sure, fresh veggies are the best choice, but if you are on a tight budget or certain options are not currently available fresh, going with frozen is a great choice.

DO not Cook Veggies too Long

It is important that you do not cook those vegetables too long when you cook them. The nutrients that are on the inside of the veggies are going to be destroyed the longer that you cook them. Also, overcooking can cause them to get mush, which provides a texture that most people do not like. Make sure you check the foods you are cooking so you do not overcook them.

DO not Begin Roasting in an Oven That is Cold

Usually when you roast vegetables, you use a bit of oil on them to get a nice crispy outside. To get a nice roasted taste, make sure you preheat the oven before you pop in the veggies. Do not put them in a cold over. Since the heat is already going when the oven is preheated, it helps to heat the oil up very quickly, making sure that the vegetables don’t actually absorb too much of the oil. This makes the veggies caramelize nicely for a tasty dish.

These are just a few dos and don’ts to follow when cooking various vegetables. You want to make the most of veggies in your diet. Grill out in the summer with grilled vegetables or plan a family fun night complete with a tasty vegetable pizza.

GrilledVegetableRecipe.com – The Veggie Side of Grilling

You can enjoy cooking vegetables in many different ways. However, one very tasty way that you can enjoy your veggies is by roasting them in the oven. This provides a nice roasted flavor with a crispy exterior that is wonderful. If you have never roasted any vegetables before, here is a look at some simple tips you can use to ensure yours turn out crisp and tasty.

First, if you are a beginner at roasting veggies, you will want to start with simple vegetables that work well for beginners. This includes potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, squash, and even eggplant. You will also want to cut them up into chunks before roasting. However, keep in mind that as they roast, the chunks will get smaller, so keep this in mind when deciding how large to make your chunks.

It is a good idea to toss your vegetables in some oil before you go to roast them. Olive oil is one of the best oil choices. Make sure you add enough olive oil so the veggies do not end up sticking to the pan. However, you do not want to add to much oil either. It is a good idea to add a bit of oil and to toss until all the veggies have a bit of a sheen. Then you can add any seasonings you like to the mix and roast.

You will also want to make sure that you use the right pan for roasting. One option is to use a deep dish for the oven that has high sides. This helps to reduce the amount of evaporation that takes place, providing you with juicy veggies. However, it is possible for them to be a bit soggy in this type of a pan. If you want juicy veggies, this pan works well. Just make sure you stir up the veggies from time to times while roasting.

If you want to have crisp and caramelized vegetables, then you may want to roast them on a baking tray. This allows evaporation to occur more easily, which will result in vegetables that have a nice roasted flavor. Just make sure you avoid overcooking them if you decide to use this type of a pan.

Make sure that you choose the right heat when you are roasting your vegetables too. Usually it is a good idea to go with heat that is pretty hot. This way you make sure you get the oil hot right away so you do not allow too much to soak into your veggies. The amount of time that you need to roast them will depend on what you are cooking and the temperature you are using. It will take longer to roast them at lower temperatures.

Sweet Herbed Roasted Vegetables Recipe

If you want to try roasting vegetables yourself, try this tasty recipe. It is full of great herbs, which really add a nice flavor to this dish.

What You’ll Need

• 1 eggplant, peeled and diced
• 8 small zucchini, peeled and chopped
• 16 cherry tomatoes
• 8 carrots, diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 2 red onions, sliced
• ½ cup of olive oil
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 2 bay leaves, crushed
• 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• Pepper and salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest

How to Make It

Mix together the eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, peppers, and onion along with the spices and oil. Do this is a large bowl that can be covered. Cover the vegetables and allow to chill with the herbs for two hours, although it is best to chill overnight for the best results.

Place the vegetables in a large roasting pan. Allow to roast at 400 for 20 minutes while uncovered. The edges should start to crisp and tomatoes should be splitting at this point. Stir the vegetables and then return for another 20 minutes of cooking. Then reduce heat to about 200 degrees and allow to cook until all veggies become nice and tender. Make sure to stir about every 20 minutes for the best results. Makes 24 servings.

Roasting is only one fun and tasty way to cook your vegetables. Go Italian by trying out a vegetable lasagna recipe or try out a new vegetable pizza recipe to get more veggies in your diet.

GrilledVegetableRecipe.com – The Veggie Side of Grilling

If you love entertaining, you will find that summer provides you with the perfect opportunity. Parties can be casual, nature is beautiful, and seasonal foods are inexpensive to purchase. Whether you are having a formal party or you are having an informal backyard barbecue, you definitely want to plan a party that is fun, exciting, and food filled. Here are a few important tips that you will need to keep in mind when throwing a summer party.

Keep Plenty of Ice on Hand

First, you definitely need to ensure you have plenty of ice on hand for the party. Ice gets quickly used at parties that take place in the summer, even if you are holding your gathering indoors. It is warm outside and your guests will be feeling all the heat, so make sure you have a nice amount of ice.

Offer Plenty of Drinks

During the summer, the warmth will end up making your guests thirstier, especially if they are outdoors and taking part in energetic activities such as volleyball. You will need to have plenty of drinks on hand. It is nice to have blender drinks, soft drinks, punches, and plenty of water for your guests. This way there is a nice selection for them to choose from. Plenty of bottled water is important. You do not want anyone getting overheated.

Choose Light Foods to Serve

When it is hot outdoors, you do not want to serve a lot of heavy foods. Instead, you will want to choose foods that are light and cool. Go for grilled options and salads. This will provide a refreshing meal and will also make it cooler and quicker for you to prepare all the food for the party too.

Keep Food Safety in Mind

It is so important that you keep food safety in mind when you are holding summer parties outdoors. Hot food needs to stay hot and cold items need to be kept cold. If you do not serve everything right, your party could be turned into a big stomach disaster. Keep this in mind so you do not send your guests home with food poisoning.

Cool Antipasto Kabobs Recipe

If you want to make a nice appetizer for your summer party, going with cool options is a great idea. With this recipe, you can make these kabobs ahead of time and then just pull them out of the refrigerator to serve.

What You Need:

• 40 olives, pimiento stuffed
• 1 package of cheese tortellini, refrigerated (9ounces)
• 40 pitted ripe olives, large
• 40 slices of pepperoni, sliced thin
• ¾ cup of Italian dressing
• 20 slices of hard salami, thin sliced and cut in half
• Fresh sprigs of parsley

How to Make It:

Start by cooking the tortellini, following the directions on the package. When it is done, drain and then rinse in very cold water. Take a large plastic ziplock bag and combine the olives, salad dressing, and the tortellini in it. Close the bag and turn several times to coat everything with the dressing. Allow to refrigerate for at least four hours, although overnight is better.

When you are ready to put the kabobs together, drain the tortellini and olive mix and discard the marinade. For every appetizer, start by threading on a stuffed olive, then a slide of pepperoni, then the tortellini, a piece of salami folded, a ripe olive, and then top with a sprig of parsley. This can be done on skewers or on large toothpicks.

Makes 40 appetizers.

If you are having a nice summer party, cold appetizer recipe are a great option to keep everyone cook. Find more easy party appetizers and have fun creating recipes that will tempt the taste buds of your guests.

EasyAppetizerRecipes.net – You Make the Appetizers, We Help You Make Them Delicious

Mexican food is a favorite cuisine with many people and you may enjoy eating it on a regular basis. Of course, if you are going to try to cook your own Mexican dishes at home, you definitely need to learn a bit about this type of cuisine. It is not always easy to begin cooking dishes from another culture. The great thing is that there are some simple cooking tips that you can use to prepare these dishes for your family. Check out the following helpful cooking tips so you can make wonderful Mexican meals the whole family will love.

Know the Ingredients

First, it is important that you know the ingredients if you are going to cook this type of food. You need to know the common ingredients in these dishes and you also need to know a bit about the combination of spices and herbs that are commonly used. Sure, you can find a recipe and just follow it, but if you understand the ingredients and how this type of food is made, it is easier for you to substitute in ingredients you do not have while still keeping the flavor authentic and traditional.

Important Staples

When you are going to cook Mexican food, you definitely need to have the important staples on hand. Some of the most popular staples to have include onion and garlic. You can go with fresh onions or you can also go with powdered or dehydrated onions. For garlic, fresh garlic is wonderful, although powdered forms can be used as well. Cinnamon, cloves, and anise are all used in some of these recipes as well. Various other species should be kept in your kitchen as staples if you enjoy cooking this type of food. Oregano is important for tomato based dishes while chili powder is used in various other dishes. Do not forget that various types of hot peppers are used in these dishes, so have some on hand.

Preparing Fresh Chili Peppers

Since chili peppers are so often used within these dishes, it is important that you learn how to prepare them properly. Often a recipe will require you to de-seed and then dice up chili peppers. If you are not sure how to do that, you need to learn or you may end up with disastrous results. To prepare, first cut the chili pepper tip off. Once you do that, put your knife in the top, pulling down and slicing the flesh of the pepper off. Continue until you only have the seeds and stem left. Now all you need to do is chop the pepper into smaller pieces for your recipe.

With just a few great cooking tips, it becomes a lot easier to make tasty Mexican dishes that have an authentic taste to them. Make sure you begin using these tips each time you cook this type of cuisine. As you get more experience, you will get better and better and you will be able to make wonderful meals that the entire family will love to eat.

Learning proper cooking tips for making traditional Mexican recipes can help you turn out better Mexican meals. With a few great tips, you can take other great Mexican recipes and make them without a problem for a delicious meal.

MexicanFoodRecipes.org When it has to be Real Authentic Mexican Food