Food Recipes and Online Tools to Make Your Cooking More Enjoyable

Are you looking for gourmet food recipes for your next dinner party? Maybe you just started a low carb diet and you are trying to find some food recipes to add some pizzazz to your meals. No matter what kind of recipes you are looking for you can find them on the internet. The internet is a great resource for cooks of every level and for every type of cuisine-from simple salads to a complete seven course gourmet meal. Not only can you find food recipes on the internet, you can find other tools to make your cooking experience better.

If you don’t want to go out and buy a brand-new gourmet cookbook for your next dinner party, you can always look online to see if there are food recipes that will tempt the palates of your guests. You can find a single recipe or you can find entire menus as well as “shopping lists” and timetables for your dinner preparation. Hard to find ingredients can also be found through online suppliers.

Dieters often struggle with finding food recipes that will fit their nutritional needs. You may not want to eat the frozen diet meals every day-so look for recipes online. You can find diet recipes on diet websites and many other places online. Some sites require a subscription fee, but others are free. You can also get extensive nutritional information and menu planners, calorie calculators and diet tips as well as diet food recipes on these sites. No matter what type of diet you are on, you can find recipes online.

Do you want to experiment with some exotic international dishes? You can find dishes from all over the world on the internet. The ingredients that you may not be able to get locally can also be purchased online. Use a metric conversion calculator if necessary to adjust the recipes to the U.S. measuring system.

Some of the other tools and information you can find online includes restaurant recipes, videos of cooking demonstrations and definitions of cooking terms. The internet is a helpful tool for both experienced and inexperienced cooks.

Eriani Doyel writes articles about Food and Gifts. For more information about gourmet food gift baskets visit foodax.com

[tags]food recipes, recipes, food, cooking tools, online cooking tools[/tags]

Lost For Thousands of Years In An Ancient Civilisation Was This Chicken Recipe That Is The Secret

Welcome to the Gourmet Chicken Series. Today we bring you the Aztec Secret, Aztec Chicken Casserole.

Background: Tthe Aztec’s main food source was maize which is a type of corn. The Aztecs also ate tomatoes, avocados, atole (some type of porridge), tortillas made from the maize, and tamales, a kind of envelope made from steamed maize stuffed with either vegetables or meat. The Aztecs also ate chocolate but this was generally reserved for warriors and nobility. A drink of cacao mixed with ground maize was thought to provide stamina and was used in sacred rituals. The Aztecs ate twice a day and their main meal was eaten during the hottest part of a day. The edible things available in a typicalAztec market included; fruit, vegetables, spices, flowers, edible dogs, and birds. The Aztecs also had an alcoholic drink called octli. An octli gatherer would take the sap out of the maguey plant and put it in a large jug. Then they would let the sap rot and then they would drink it. Octli was reserved strictly for nobles, royalty, and warriors. Any nobleman who abused (got drunk from) the divine drink of the Aztecs would be put to death. A good vendor of maguey sap boiled it until it was like honey, while a bad vendor would water it down.

Ingredients: 9 (6″) corn tortillas cut in half, 2 x 10 ounce cans enchilada sauce, 2 cups sour cream, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 2 x 4 ounce cans diced green chile peppers, 1 cup fresh corn kernels, 1 pound skinless boneless chicken breast halves – boiled

Method: 1. Preheat oven to 350

Mom’s Easy Cooking – Fast Meal Ideas For Busy Moms

Every busy mom worries about how to prepare fast, nutritious meals for her family. Working moms often find they have very little time for meal planning and preparation. After a long day at work, the last thing on your mind is spending an hour or more cooking and cleaning up afterwards. A little advance preparation and some creative menus are all you need to make mealtime less stressful. You will save a lot of time and energy if you plan an entire week’s meals in advance, and do your shopping all in one trip instead of making several trips to the grocery store each week.

A simple online search will give you some great recipes and meal ideas, most of which you can prepare in less than fifteen minutes. You will be able to find delicious recipes for family favorites such as spaghetti, meatloaf, and stroganoff, all of which can be partially prepared in advance, saving you valuable time in the evenings. Most busy moms worry about nutritious, fast breakfasts. Consider keeping frozen waffles, yogurts, cereal, and microwave items such as Hot Pockets on hand to save precious time in the mornings and still send your kids off to school with a good breakfast.

If your children take their lunch to school, prepare them the night before. You will have more time to make sure your kids are taking nutritious lunches and you will save yourself a lot of time and hassle in the mornings. Lunch items can include vegetable sticks, fruit snacks, cheese, crackers, and convenient juice boxes. Your kids will love the variety and will often be able to prepare their own lunches for the next day.

If you want to save additional time in the evenings, try cooking in a Crockpot. You can cook meat and vegetables in one convenient location, and the best part is your food will be ready when you get home. Your family will love coming home to the smells of delicious Crockpot meals that have been cooking all day. Another helpful idea would be to purchase a bread machine with a timer. You can place the ingredients in the bread machine and set the timer so that the bread will be ready upon your return home from your busy day.

Jennifer Houck is the owner of an ever growing Online Resource Guide for Mothers. Visit http://www.ilovebeingamom.com today!

[tags]easy cooking tips[/tags]

Hunting For Free Online Recipes

The hunt for free online recipes is one we’ve all been on at one time or another. With so much content on the Internet, it just makes sense to look for what you need online, rather than going the old route of buying a cookbook.

And there is a ton of material out there! The “big three” recipe sites alone, AllRecipes, Cooking.com and Cooks.com, contain more aggregated recipes than a whole library of cookbooks rolled together. While some of their content is only available by subscription, and they are pretty heavy on the ads and on product promotions, they’re a good backstop for your quick recipe searches.

If you’re looking for something truly special, though, you might want to cast your net a bid wider. You’d be amazed at how many sites include recipes as part of their content.

Cable channels: You’d expect recipe content from Food Network, of course, but sites like Discovery and Travel Channel will occasionally have searchable recipe content. The big four TV networks, especially ABC and NBC, have good recipe databases attached to their morning shows, “Today” and “Good Morning America,” although you’ll usually have to root around a bit to find them.

Corporate sites: It just makes sense for food manufacturers to have recipes for their products on their Web sites. Of course, you’re going to have product plugs as part of the content, but if you’re in search of the old standby chicken and mushroom soup casserole recipe for free online, you’re pretty much going to accept the Campbell’s version, right?

Clubs and fan pages: This can be the true gold mine for those who are willing to do a bit of searching. Every food-related show has at least one fan page, and many of them are hugely valuable when it comes to recipes. Of course you’ll get the recipes from the shows, but anytime you get a group of foodies together you’re also going to get their own “home” recipes and other concoctions. If they have a message board, you can also post there and ask for help finding what you want.

The search for free online recipes doesn’t have to lead you down the same road every time. Go exploring!

Ann Marie Krause has been making cookies for over 30 years, at persent I am retired, for over 23 years I owned a Gourmet Bakery called The Cheese Confectioner.You can visit my site at http://www.annsgoodies.com

NOTE: You are welcome to reprint this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the about the author info at the end).

[tags]free online recipes[/tags]

Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipes

What makes great homemade BBQ sauce recipes? Well, it could be the time and love that you put into making this delectable barbeque sauce for your family to enjoy, or it could be the fresh ingredients that you use.

The barbecue that you create is what make your meals so tasty and wonderful. The main ingredients in all barbeque sauces are either tomato sauce or a combination of tomato puree and tomatoes. Knowing this you should be able to create some of your own recipes that will be enjoyed and passed down through your family.

The easiest BBQ sauce can be prepared very quickly. You will need 2 cups of your favorite ketchup, 2 chopped onions,

Selections of Quick and Easy Recipes for Students and ‘Struggling’ Cooks!

It’s that time again when our off-spring have gone off to University and Student Life full of excitement at the prospect of wall to wall freedom and fun!

As parents we hope they will fit at least SOME studies into their busy student schedule of late night partying and long lie-ins!
We have to accept the last thing on their minds for a few weeks is going to be using the kitchen.

However, once they have settled into their new routine, it can be surprising how they can cope with cooking when they realise they need to economise if they want BEER MONEY!

When my own youngest ‘flew the nest’ last year I tried to find a recipe/cook book to pack which explained cooking from scratch for someone who hardly knew the difference in a kettle and a saucepan! Well! That’s a bit exaggerated but you know what I mean!
I couldn’t find what I wanted so I set about composing a selection of easy recipes with step by step instructions with students in mind. I had a fair idea, from the questions she asked, what kind of information would be needed.

Hey Presto! Bingo! I got her cooking and she can now rustle up a decent meal with little effort!
Apparently her friends have joined the cooking revolution and are pinching the recipes! They now have a nice little cooking ‘rota’ going in the shared house.

RESULT? My Student daughter can cook and follow recipes competently, eats MORE healthy food and LESS fast food and her mother is happy!! I don’t even mind the bags of dirty laundry!

WONDER IF I WROTE A GUIDE ON WASHING AND IRONING WOULD IT WORK?

http://easy–recipes.blogspot.com/

[tags]recipes,easyrecipes,cooking,foodrecipes,cakerecipes,cookingrecipes[/tags]

The Official “Parenting” Cheesecake Recipe

Whoever writes all those fancy cookbooks has never been a parent. To begin with, the pages are never spill-proof, almost guaranteeing that somewhere in the middle of mixing ingredients, a spill will cover the remaining two ingredients listed. This means that parents must learn to improvise.

Some would suggest that the very thrill of cooking is experimentation. So what’s the big difference between oregano and cayenne pepper, anyway?

Then there are all those “quick” recipes to “serve your family” gracing the pages of women’s magazines. NO recipe is quick with Little Helper’s assistance.

For the benefit of parents everywhere, I have taken my favorite cheesecake recipe and translated it into parentease. The non-parent version is available in Cooking By The Book — a free bonus I offer with every purchase of The Get Happy Workbook at http://thehappyguy.com/happiness-workbook.html .

Harvest Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake (Parent Version)

Mix one cup of ginger snap cookie crumbs and one tablespoon of olive oil. Add more cookie crumbs to make up for the ones that disappeared about the same time your Little Helper walked into the kitchen.

Press the crumby oil mixture … “Sorry, Little Helper distracted me.” Press the oily crumb mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch spring-form pan, and up around the edges about one inch. Put it in the refrigerator to cool – best to slip it in safely behind the broccoli and that thing that’s been turning blue for three weeks in case Little Helper gets inspired

Soften three bricks of cream cheese, ideally in the microwave. If you can’t separate the cheese from Little Helper’s hands, let her keep doing what she’s doing until the cheese is good and soft. Cream the cheese with one and a half cups of pureed pumpkin, three large eggs, two tablespoons of cream, and one cup of brown sugar. Keep mixing until creamy.

Add one teaspoon of vanilla extract. If you are fortunate enough to have help at this stage, you have three options:

1. Rename it ” Harvest Pumpkin and Vanilla Cheesecake”.

2. Try scooping out the extra cup of vanilla Little Helper poured in for you.

3. Start over.

You will also need to add a tablespoon of cinnamon. If Little Helper is in a generous mood, don’t worry. You still have three options:

1. Rename it ” Harvest Pumpkin and Cinnamon Cheesecake”.

2. Try scooping out the extra pile of cinnamon Little Helper poured in for you.

3. Bang your head against the counter and start over.

There is also a tablespoon of ground ginger to add. Sorry about that. Don’t worry, you still have three options…again:

1. Rename it ” Harvest Pumpkin and Ginger Cheesecake”.

2. Scoop out as best you can the extra heap of ginger Little Helper added for you.

3. Bang your head twice on the counter and start over.

I almost hate to mention this, but you’ll need to add a teaspoon of ground nutmeg. And a half teaspoon of salt. And a half teaspoon of allspice. Go ahead and bang your head some more if it makes you feel better.

Fortunately, there is a parental failsafe. It is sort of like a “get out of jail free card”. Look in the bowl. Observe the quantity of creamy things. Observe the quantity of spicy things.

If the quantity of creamy things is even slightly greater than the quantity of spicy things, keep going and pretend you didn’t have any help. Maybe nobody will notice. If the quantity of spicy things is greater than the quantity of creamy things, open another can of pureed pumpkin. Keep adding cans of pureed pumpkin until creamy things are greater than spicy things — or until your grocer runs out of cans.

Pour the filling into the crust. Note, if you had to add too many cans of pureed pumpkin, this could get messy. I recommend hip-waders…especially for Little Helper.

Cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 50 minutes or until the top is slightly brown and almost as cracked as your head and the counter. Do NOT let Little Helper eat the cake while it is still in the oven.

Let it air cool in a safe place — like at a neighbor’s house — then refrigerate overnight

Just before serving, top with whipped cream and sprinkle with pecans. Oops. I just wrote that last line in non-parentease. It should read: “Now that the whipped cream is polished off, shake the remaining sprinkles on the cake. Unless Little Helper ate them, too.

Now you can sit down and enjoy your Harvest Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake (Parent Version). Oh yes, don’t forget to laminate this page to avoid more impromptu experimentation in the future.

About The Author

The author is David Leonhardt. Sign up for his weekly satire column up at http://TheHappyGuy.com/positive-thinking-free-ezine.html or read more columns at http://TheHappyGuy.com

info@thehappyguy.com

[tags]food,recipes,cheesecakes,cakes,pastries,cheesecake recipe,parents,parenting,cooking[/tags]

6 Ways of Cooking Fish – Simple and Delicious

As fish has such a small amount of connective tissue, it requires very little cooking. If it is overcooked, the flakes fall apart and the fibers become tough, dry and tasteless. There are several ways of cooking fish, but the cooking process should, in general, be short and gentle. Although fillets are more popular, most cooks agree that fish on the bone – as with meat – has more flavor.

Frying –
This is a popular method, and fish can be both shallow-or deep-fried. For both processes the flesh of the fish must be coated with egg and breadcrumbs, batter, flour or oatmeal – to protect the delicate flesh. Usually fillets of fish are cooked in this way. A vegetable oil should be used (if deep-frying, the oil should only be used for fish), but a combination of butter and oil is best and tastiest for shallow-frying.

Grilling –
This methods is used for whole fish, steaks, fillets and cutlets, particularly oily fish such as mackerel, salmon and trout. The flesh is usually scored with a knife (if the fish is on the bone) to ensure even and thorough cooking. The fish should be dotted with butter to prevent it drying out. The grill should be set at a moderate heat, rather than on high, so that the fish does not dry out. The smaller the fish, the higher the grill. Line the grill with foil so that the pan and the rack don’t have lingering fish flavors.

Baking –
Fish can be baked whole, brushed with butter or oil, and stuffed; they may be open or lightly covered with buttered foil for protection. They can also be baked in a liquid (milk, sauce, wine or stock).

Poaching –
This method ensures that the fish remains moist throughout cooking. The fish is cooked in a liquid, such as fish stock, wine, water or milk. which can be flavored with herbs, a little onion or lemon juice. The fish may be cooked on top of the stove in a pan or fish kettle, or in the oven. If the pan is not covered the fish should be basted frequently. The cooking liquid is usually used as a basis for the accompanying sauce.

Steaming –
The fish is cooked in the steam above a pan of simmering water. It should be placed between two buttered plates, or on a plate covered in foil to prevent the natural juices escaping into the water beneath.

En Papillote –
Fish, whole or in fillets or steaks, can be wrapped up in foil, greaseproof or cellophane with various flavorings (butter, lemon juice, wine, onion, garlic, herbs) and poached, steamed, baked or deep-fried. All the essential flavors and juices are retained making it one of the best ways to cook fish.

Wonder where can you ever find all the cooking articles, resources, tips and recipes from around the world?

http://www.101cookingrecipes.com
http://www.desserts-recipes.com
http://www.herbs-spices-recipes.com

[tags]cooking fish, fish cooking, frying fish, grilling fish, baking fish, poaching fish, steaming fish[/tags]

Healthy Chicken Recipes

People strive to find recipes that provide delicious and healthy food. Health-conscious people focus on preparing low-fat dishes that are delicious and easily prepared. Chicken is an excellent source of protein and at the same time low in fat. Using healthy chicken recipes will significantly lower the blood cholesterol, thereby improving your overall health and fitness level. People love this versatile meat, which can be prepared in various lip-smacking forms.

Be it a healthy chicken salad or any other chicken recipe, choosing the right chicken for your dish is very important .If you opt for the cheap battery-reared chicken, you will get a greasy and stringy dish with a flat taste. These chickens are fed on a high-calorie diet that gives them a lot of fat but no muscle. On the other hand, choosing an organic chicken will give you firm and full-flavored meat. Organic birds are raised on a better diet and roam free under better and more humane conditions. This chicken will obviously cost more but will give you better taste and quality.

To further decrease the level of fat, you can trim off some areas, especially on the thighs, and enjoy a healthier meal. You should never leave raw chicken at room temperature. To prevent contamination, always wash chicken with cold water. Store it in the coldest part of the refrigerator and use within two days. Similarly, cooked chicken shouldn’t be left out for more than two hours. Frozen chicken can easily sit in your freezer for one year without any harm.

A little creativity in your kitchen can whip up new low-fat and healthy chicken recipes for your entire family. If you cannot find a particular ingredient, try replacing it with some substitute and see the all-new dish prepared exclusively by you. While preparing food, follow basic safety rules and avoid accidents in your kitchen. This will ensure you safely prepare tasty meals for everyday consumption focused towards a healthy and long life.

Healthy Recipes provides detailed information on Healthy Recipes, Healthy Chicken Recipes, Healthy Smoothie Recipes, Healthy Recipes For Kids and more. Healthy Recipes is affiliated with Gourmet Food Gift Baskets.

[tags]Healthy Recipes, Healthy Chicken Recipes, Healthy Smoothie Recipes, Healthy Recipes For Kids[/tags]

Entertaining and Cooking – Cooking Foods To Please Your Guests

When entertaining there are many factors to consider. For instance, do you have enough room for entertaining? What is the desired attire? In addition to these you also need to adequately plan you meal. You will want to serve foods that are not only tasty but also go well with each other. Some characteristics to consider when planning the meal are:

Color is Essential – It’s appealing to most people to see a nice color scheme and it’s no different when viewing food. Granted, color of food is not often the main topic of conversation, but psychologically it does have an effect. When serving a bland color of meat try enhancing its color by garnishing it with tomato or pepper relish. Vegetables such as carrots and mashed potatoes topped with a bit of butter also adds color appeal.

Form – Try to serve a variety of sizes, shapes and proportions. By offering variety in form it will visually interest the guests.

Texture – A variety of textures in food is not only appealing to the eye but also the taste buds. When serving something soft and smooth such as soups then accent the taste with something crunchy by serving a crisp salad or crusty hard rolls with the soup.

Choosing the appropriate food to serve is most vital when entertaining. You want your guests to be impressed with your efforts and planning the perfect meal is a must. When deciding what food to serve try to plan foods that go together.

Brandi Clark is the owner of Looking At Cooking. Visit Looking At Cooking to discover more tips for cooking. Also sign up to receive free recipes and take advantage of special gifts with that special Chef in mind!

[tags]cooking,meals,entertaining,cook,food,food preparation,meal,chef,foods,cooks[/tags]