Video - Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe

We hope you all have a wonderful holiday!  We will not be posting next week - I will be traveling to spend time with my family. But be sure to check back just after the New Year for more great recipes and cooking from scratch tips! Stay warm and safe, enjoy your loved ones, and enjoy all the holiday goodies - remember it's okay to splurge once a year!  :-)

Here is a simple and good from-scratch recipe for Christmas cookies to bake with the kids - or just to take to a holiday party. This basic recipe is easy to make and versatile - feel free to add other ingredients or flavorings if desired. It's as easy as a pre-packaged mix, but without all the preservatives and artificial ingredients, and you can cut down on the sugar if you like.

Makes a great plate of decorated cookies for Santa! :-)

Simple Sugar Cookie Cutout Recipe (Christmas Cookie Cutouts)
Same cookie recipe as yesterday, but I wanted this recipe to be a "stand alone" recipe so that people looking for a simple sugar cookie recipe would be able to find it without the melted snowman instructions. Cookies: Makes approximately 2 dozen 4 in...



More Fun Christmas Cookie Recipes:
   

Holiday Cooking Tradition: Christmas Cookies with the Kids

Christmas cookies are as much a part of the Christmas tradition for many as a visit from Old St. Nick himself. The cookies are often prepared in hopes of his pending arrival by children that are as excited as they can possibly be with all sorts of visions of great things to come dancing around in their bright and shining little eyes. Preparing the cookies in these instances can be a great time of bonding with your little ones but can also be a trying time if you don't follow a few of the tips and hints listed below.

Image via Wikipedia1. If you want to make cooking Christmas cookies and/or candy with your little ones the very best experience for you all that it can possibly be make sure you do it on a day when this is the only thing on your calendar. You do not want to rush through this time that is not only important for bonding with your child as a parent but also a time that is an important opportunity to lock in a few precious memories of great times you'll spend together. This is one thing that you want your children to look back at Christmas and remember doing with you and you want to be able to look back on Christmas and remember doing this with your children.

2. You should also make sure that everyone is well rested and well fed before beginning the process. This is important now more than ever, as we know more about the dangers of commercially farmed foods, such as raw eggs, that are included in cookie dough as well as the dough for many of our favorite Christmas confections and candies. You do not want to risk the health of your children through temptation over raw cookie dough.

3. Be sure that every child gets a turn with the fun stuff. This includes of course using the mixer and watching things spin around as well as choosing their personal favorites for the next batch of cookies. You should also make a few cookies that you plan to let them paint, decorate, and play with just for fun and their own personal enjoyment. This will guarantee a few smiles while also scoring a few brownie points for mom.

Image via Wikipedia4. Be patient and expect spills and messes. If you can afford a cleaning service once a year, the day after your cookie extravaganza is the day you want to splurge. Seriously, don't sweat the small stuff. We make little messes every day it shouldn't be such a shock when they make a really big mess in one day. This is one of the reasons why you want to plan your cookie making on a day when the calendar is clear-you will need time for clean up when all is said and done.

5. Make sure you have all the necessary ingredients for each and every recipe before you begin. This is very important as cookie dough doesn't wait well for that final egg and children don't understand very well when they are interrupted from one project to run a quick errand (also, when was the last time you made it in and out of the grocery store in under an hour?). If you can make it through all the steps above you should be in for smooth sailing and Christmas cookie baking!

Classic Christmas Cookie Recipes:
   

Plan Ahead For A Fun Christmas Dinner Experience

Christmas is a time of year that brings friends and family together who may not have the pleasure of one another's company at any other time throughout the year. While family ties may be a bit difficult to maintain in the world in which we live today, the traditions of Christmas for many families are what keeps us grounded and in touch with one another no matter how far apart we are geographically. The problem is that if one person is doing the cooking for all, that person tends to spend endless hours in the kitchen and misses out on the joys of the company of others year after year. One way to avoid this is by rotating locations for the festivities from one year to the next. Another great way is to delegate items of contribution from all guests in attendance each year so that the cooking and meal preparation duties are shared among the masses.

Image via WikipediaOf course this isn't a perfect plan but it is a good plan. Another great plan is to prepare pieces and parts of your Christmas dinner ahead of time. With careful planning there are items that may be prepared as much as a few weeks ahead of the big day and stored either in air tight containers at room temperature or frozen for heating or baking on the big day or within a reasonable time frame of Christmas for best results. Any of the prep work that can be taken care of before the big day is one less thing to be taken care of when the time comes and that becomes a load off your mind.

Make lists. Lists are wonderful things. If you learn to live by your lists you will wonder how on earth you ever got anything done without them. When you are planning your Christmas dinner write down everything you plan to have, who is bringing what, what you are making, and what ingredients will be needed to complete each and every single dish. Go through your pantry and see which items you have in abundance and which items you will need to prepare the meals. Head to the store at least a week ahead of the big day and purchase all but the fresh ingredients you will need in order to prepare your Christmas feast. And if you are preparing your own fresh meat - such as fish, or a turkey you have butchered yourself, be sure to allow plenty of time for preparing and cleaning them.

Image via WikipediaAnother thing you will need to do is make sure you have a list of all the non-food items you will need to stock ahead of time. Make sure all the bathrooms are stocked, that you have plenty of garbage bags, waste baskets, paper plates, cups, napkins, cutlery, and other items that will be needed in order to make things go smoothly when your guests begin to arrive. These are little things that matter and may get overlooked if you fail to plan ahead.

You should also make a list of decorations, invitations, and gifts or games you may need to purchase for the day too. You want your day to go as smoothly as possible and you want everyone to have a great time. It may be a good idea to pick up a couple of generic gifts for a male or female in case someone unexpected shows up (you really never know) and have extra wrapping paper and supplies on hand in case someone has an emergency re-wrap (as in a kid opened a gift intended for someone else) - it happens! Most importantly, plan to be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy as much of the festivities as possible.

More Holiday Entertaining Tips:
   

Cooking With Honey - Holiday Recipes

If you want to try cooking with honey, here are some great recipes to try this holiday season. From chicken, to dressings, to dessert, healthy honey adds a unique flavor to all your from-scratch recipes. Honey is usually harvested in late summer Image via Wikipediaand fall, so now is a great time to get good deals on fresh honey. You can even stock up - honey will keep well for a long time. It may crystallize when the weather gets colder - just heat gently in a pan of hot water, or place in a plastic bag on the dashboard of your car for a few hours to liquify, and you're good to go!

Cooking Tip of the Day: Recipe: Honey Dijon Mayo
This recipe for Honey Dijon Mayo is quick and easy…. it makes a great addition to sandwiches.. adds that little extra pizzazz especially to ham. I know you can purchase flavored mayos… but they're so easy to make and this way you make a ...
Publish Date: 06/04/2010 3:00
http://cookingtipoftheday.blogspot.com/2011/12/recipe-honey-dijon-mayo.html

Sweet Honey Carrots Recipe
Sweet Honey Carrots Recipe. by Rene on December 8, 2011. I love sweet carrots! I discovered just how much I loved them when I had them at Kimono's. I came home and decided I needed to figure out to to make them like theirs. Mmmmm ...
Publish Date: 12/08/2011 13:00
http://budgetsavingmom.com/2011/12/08/sweet-honey-carrots-recipe/

HONEY CHICKEN RECIPE: HONEY GINGER CHICKEN
this site is all about great HONEY CHICKEN RECIPE, a Chicken Recipes blog with numerous and nice recipes to try.
Publish Date: 12/09/2011 20:57
http://honeychickenrecipe.blogspot.com/2011/12/honey-ginger-chicken.html

The Disney Diner: Honey Ham Glaze Recipe
I know this is another non-Disney recipe, but I made a honey ham for dinner tonight and it was so yummy I wanted to share the recipe with my readers (It tasted just like one of those expensive honey hams you can buy from a ...
Publish Date: 12/05/2011 20:34
http://www.thedisneydiner.com/2011/12/honey-ham-glaze-recipe.html

Cranberry-Honey Spice Pinwheel Cookies | Healthy Recipes
These cookies boast a bright, zesty filling and spicy aroma. They make a large batch and are extremely convenient, since you can make the logs of cookie dough ahead.
Publish Date: 11/06/2006 3:00
http://dailyhealthyrecipes.com/cranberry-honey-spice-pinwheel-cookies/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cranberry-honey-spice-pinwheel-cookies

The Pastry Affair - Home - Honey Cookies
This recipe has its own branch in my family tree. It has been passed down through four generations on my mother's side. These honey cookies have been shared between mother and daughter, grandmother through ...
Publish Date: 12/05/2011 22:14
http://www.thepastryaffair.com/blog/2011/12/5/honey-cookies.html

Learn More About Cooking With Honey:
   

Cooking With Honey – The Healthy All-Natural Sweetener

If you want to be able to cook sweets without the negative health effects of refined sugar, honey is an excellent option. Among other reasons, honey is metabolized more slowly by your body, meaning that you are less likely to get a sugar “high” after eating something made with honey.

Image via WikipediaHoney can be challenging to cook with, though, for several reasons. So many people don't cook with it because they don't know how. But once you know how to use honey in your favorite kitchen creations, it's not hard at all to use.

The first challenge that honey presents is that it burns more easily that normal sugar. This problem is usually solved by doing your cooking or baking at a slightly lower heat.

The main hurdle to cooking with honey is that it is a liquid. Replacing sugar with honey will ruin some recipes if you don't make an allowance for the extra liquid that the honey adds.

For most muffins, simple quick breads, yeast breads, etc., you can make the substitution without any adjustment. But for cakes, cookies and some other recipes you should decrease the amount of liquid in the recipe to account for the honey.

Honey is also very easy to use in pies. Since they are already somewhat liquid, you can replace the sugar with honey. If the pie filling seems too runny, just add a little extra thickener before you pour it in your pie shell.

The flavor of honey can sometimes be an issue, but not usually. If you are making a recipe that you don't want the flavor to be noticeable, there are several things you can try. First of all, get the mildest flavored honey you can. Usually that will be a very pale clover honey. (The paler the honey, the sweeter and milder the flavor, in general.)

Image via WikipediaIf necessary, you can use part honey, and part some other sweetener, such as apple juice concentrate, agave nectar, stevia, or even sugar if you have to. Or, if you want to be adventurous, you can also try using different flavors of honey to add different subtle and unique flavors to your cooking. There are dozens of different kinds of honey - honey from each type of flower will taste different, and add a different aroma to your food.

Honey can add a delicious and subtle flavor to your cooking, while adding some of its healthy benefits as well. Because honey is sweeter than sugar, you can also get away with adding less of it. Honey is a great option to try in your holiday baked goods this season!

The Benefits (And Drawbacks) Of Buying Designer Kitchenware Products

If you are in the market for kitchenware, you may be considering making the purchase of designer kitchenware products. And you may be wondering what are some of the pros and cons to making the purchase of these types of products in this day and age.

Image by noodlesthekuppy via FlickrOf course, for many people, one of the downsides to making the purchase of designer kitchenware is the price. In many instances, these types of products can be rather pricy.

But by shopping around -- including surfing around the Internet -- you can (on occasion) save at least a bit of money on designer kitchenware products. Budgets are tight for many these days (especially during the holiday season), so if you want to attempt to save a bit of money on designer kitchenware products, you will want to spend the time shopping around. Again, keep in mind that deals that might be available in regard to designer kitchenware are to be found both in cyberspace and in the brick and mortar world. You will not want to limit your shopping to only one of these two important shopping venues.

Image via WikipediaEven considering the price issue, there are many benefits to be had by purchasing designer kitchenware. The greatest benefit is the fact that you will be able to use highly effective and stylish kitchenware products in your own home. Because the kitchen really is the room that many cooks spend a great amount of their time, it may be important to you to have attractive and appealing kitchenware included in your overall kitchen décor. If you are such a person, you definitely will want to take a close look at the purchase of designer kitchenware.

Finally, one of the most important benefits of designer kitchenware is the fact that these products usually are of high quality. While you will end up spending a bit more for designer software at the outset, because these are well-built products as a rule, they will be around for a long period of time, and will tend to work very well - often much better than cheaper brands.

Visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/cookingfromscratch.html for some great suggestions and sources of high-quality designer kitchenware.

Video - Authentic Spaghetti Puttanesca Recipe

Here is an excellent short video on how to make an authentic Italian dish - Spaghetti Puttanesca -a simple and marvelous dinner that can be ready in 20 minutes and impress any guest! I love this video - I wish the translator was a bit quieter so you could enjoy the Italian in the background, but it's quite wonderful nonetheless - makes you feel like you're in an old Italian kitchen somewhere in Venice or Rome....

Enjoy! (Or as my Italian grandfather used to say - "Mangia, mangia!")

Spaghetti puttanesca - Original Italian Recipe
An easy Italian recipe for a tasty first course simply made with tomato, anchovy, capers and olives: the spaghetti puttanesca. +++ Hi everyone and welcome to the GialloZafferano kitchen: today we'll be making the spaghetti puttanesca, literally "whor...



Find More Authentic Italian Recipes Here:
   

Recipe - Whole-Wheat Pasta with Garbanzo Beans

This deliciously simple Italian recipe is packed with healthy ingredients and fresh flavors. Great for a filling lunch that will keep you going all afternoon, or a light supper, this one takes 30-minutes or less to prepare, and leftovers are even more tasty once the flavors have had time to blend.

Whole-Wheat Pasta with Garbanzo Beans
Image via WikipediaServes 2 - 3

Ingredients:
5 oz small whole-wheat pasta shapes
1 (15oz) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 large ripe tomatoes, diced
2 tbsp black olives, pitted and chopped
Handful of fresh basil, torn
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
Salt and pepper

Instructions:

•  Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain and set aside.
• In the meantime, heat the olive oil in a large skillet and add the garlic. Sauté for a few minutes, then add the beans. Stir until the beans are heated through. 
• Remove from the heat and mix in the tomatoes, olives and basil. 
• Season with freshly ground pepper and salt. 
• Divide the pasta on dinner plates and serve with the bean/tomato mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and serve immediately.

More Great Italian Recipes:
   

Italian Cooking in American Kitchens Today

Most of us have found some sort of Italian cuisine that has become a favorite for our families and ourselves. Unfortunately, far too many of us discount the possibility of bringing Italian cooking into our very own kitchens for fear that many of the recipes are far too difficult. The truth is that learning to cook Italian food just might make your home the favorite drop-in dining spot for friends and family alike!

Image via WikipediaBelieve it or not, most great Italian recipes have an easier version that can be made with very similar effects when it comes to flavor and aroma. Also, despite the commercials of old, all Italian cooking does not require an entire day of simmering in order to achieve great flavor. (Though you don't have to let your friends and family in on that little secret!) Be a martyr for flavor and they will love you even more.

The biggest challenge that most Americans face when it comes to ethnic cooking is basically learning a new set of essential ingredients. However, most ingredients used in Italian cooking are pretty easy to find in American stores nowadays. The cheese, meats, or grains that are used in their creation most often identify or define Italian cuisine. It's the combination of these primary ingredients that create some of the most distinctive flavors on earth. Learn about these ingredients. Identify the flavors and study the combinations of flavors and you should be able to not only follow many great Italian recipes but also to invent a few of your very own Italian inspired recipes!

The greatest thing when it comes to cooking Italian food is that most of these dishes are pretty hard to mess up. This of course does not mean that it cannot be done, only that it isn't as simple as with some of the more complex and delicate cuisines from other cultures. Italian food is durable and flavorful but for the most part not too terribly delicate when it comes to flavor. You can go a little heavy with some spice or cheese without completely ruining the dish in most instances. If you are anything like me, this is a regular occurrence when cooking and one of the reasons I enjoy cooking Italian food so much. :-)

Image via WikipediaWhether you are a beginner when it comes to the culinary arts or a seasoned pro there is something that will provide the appropriate challenge for you when it comes to Italian cooking. Take a look around - there are recipes in abundance across the Internet, at your local library, in specialty cook books, and even in your favorite blockbuster best selling novels. (And of course be sure to check our blog frequently for new tasty recipe ideas!)

Another thing you should keep in mind when cooking Italian food is that nothing seems to bring out the flavor of Italian food better than a good bottle of wine to match. Perhaps this is the reason that it is difficult to ruin an Italian meal, no matter how bad it is, the good wine paired with it will make up for minor mistakes! You will want to spend a little time researching and studying the science (though some will argue that this is truly an art form) that goes along with pairing a good bottle of wine with the right flavor combination when it comes to Italian cooking. Once you've mastered this, there is nothing to prevent you from being the diva of all things Italian when it comes to food preparation.

The most important thing for you to remember when cooking Italian food is not to take it too seriously. Good Italians know that the enjoyment of preparing the meal is an important piece of the process! Make your meal an event with plenty of time for pleasant conversation and enjoyment of your company in between courses. And remember - you should also never rush a good Italian meal or you will find that all your efforts of cooking Italian food will be for naught as the true pleasure of Italian cuisine has been lost somewhere in translation.

Great Italian Cooking Starts Here:
   

Video - Tips for a Tasty Holiday Beef Roast

If you're preparing a roast for the holiday festivities this year, this video will give you some quick tips for making a tasty, juicy, and tender roast. It will also show you some different options for choosing a cut of meat, a simple herb rub, and how to carve the roast when done. We always recommend organic beef - don't serve antibiotics and hormones to your family this holiday season! Look for the organic symbol, and purchase locally if you can - support your local farmers and the environment at the same time.

Beef roast for holiday cooking
How to prepare a wonderful beef roast for the holidays

Related Articles on Cooking Roast Beef:

• imabonehead: Closet Cooking: The Perfect Roast Beef (closetcooking.com)
• Crocktoberfest; Mom's Easy Roast Beef (wdok.radio.com)
• Beef Shoulder Roast (orangesandavocados.com)
• Beef Roast with Root Vegetables and Zinfandel Gravy (jensfreshandfabulous.com)

Important Cooking Tools You Can't Go Without

Far too often people overlook the importance of using the proper tools when cooking fine meals. While there is nothing in the world that can quite compare to cooking with the finest and freshest of ingredients, these things can only be enhanced by making use of the perfect tools for the job at hand.

Image via WikipediaWhen it comes to pots and pans and skillets you should keep in mind that conductivity is of extreme importance. You should also select pots and pans that are made of a heavier gauge. This allows your pans to heat evenly avoiding hot spots, which can lead to food that may 'stick' to your pan or scorch during the cooking process. This means that simply stopping in at your local mass market retailer and purchasing any old set of pots and pans is probably not the best course of action for the best possible quality in your kitchen. I went ahead and purchased a great-quality set of pots & pans a few years ago - they are worlds above the cheap stuff I had before, and I am pretty sure they will last forever - they are not only beautiful, but incredibly sturdy and durable.

Kitchen knives are also important ingredients in the kitchens of today. If you plan to prepare many meals in your kitchen, then the quality of your knives is of the utmost importance. Your knives are an investment you shouldn't have to make too often in your lifetime. For this reason, select a really good set and be prepared to make a sizeable investment in your knives. You will never understand, unless you've tried to prepare foods with knives of inferior quality versus the good ones, just how important it is to purchase good quality and well-balanced knives for your kitchen. You should also try the handles in your hand if you can to see how comfortable they feel before purchasing a set of knives. If you do a lot of chopping and cutting during your meal preparation and cooking you will want to make sure that the knives you are using feel comfortable in your hands. And don't think you have to go out and purchase a 20-piece set. I have so many knives I never even use - you really only need 5-6 different knives at the most to cover all the different functions you are going to use them for (other than a steak-knife dinner set, if that is something you need). 

If you are like me and plan on cooking a great deal of meat then you should also invest in a jacquard. This useful tool helps not only when it comes to tenderizing rather rough and tumble cuts of meat but also pierces the surface so that rubs and marinades can penetrate for a more flavorful experience. This is by far one of my favorite kitchen gadgets and it isn't a sizeable investment for the added value it provides to meals.

A good quality grater is another tool that no kitchen should be complete without. There are many who feel that with all the pre-shredded cheese products on the market today this tool is obsolete but nothing could be further from the truth. First of all, pre-grated and pre-packaged cheese simply doesn't touch the quality of flavor that freshly grated cheese provides. Second, cheese isn't the only thing that these graters are useful for grating. Graters are excellent tools for grating citrus fruits, spices, garlic, chocolate, and even onions. If you do a good deal of baking in addition to your cooking you should not overlook the value of having a quality grater in your kitchen.

Image via WikipediaOf course there are many more cooking tools than I could possibly mention here. Those mentioned above simply happen to be among my personal favorites. There are all kinds of appliances that in my humble opinion no kitchen is truly complete without. In addition to these great appliances there are many tools that are simple matters of preference. Do you peel enough potatoes to warrant a special device for doing so or do you simply opt to purchase an ergonomically designed potato peeler and peel them by hand?

There are no one size fits all answers when it comes to kitchen tools and many of us are often limited by serious budget constraints and restrictions. My best advice if this is the situation for you is to purchase the best possible quality you can afford and build from there. Even if it means replacing one pot or knife at a time until you can manage a complete set of superior quality cooking tools you will find it well worth the price you've paid in the long run.

For some examples of great cooking tools no kitchen should be without, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/cookingfromscratch.html - it's a great place to find quality gifts for the special cook in your life (even if that's you)!

A Few Top-Quality Cooking Tools:
   

Recipe - Turkey Wild Rice Soup

Got leftover turkey??  Check out this delicious hearty recipe great for a cold winter evening! It's a tasty way to use up some of your Thanksgiving leftovers, or you could also make it anytime using leftover cooked chicken.

Image by Back to the Cutting Board via FlickrHearty Turkey & Wild Rice Soup

Ingredients:
1/2 cup wild rice, cooked according to package
2 tsp olive oil
3 celery stalks, chopped small
2 carrots, peeled and diced small
1 onion, diced small
1 tsp dried sage
6 cups turkey or chicken stock
2 cups finely chopped cabbage
2 cups cooked turkey or chicken, cut small
1/4 chopped parsley
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

Directions:

• In a large soup pot over medium heat, put olive oil, celery, carrots, onions, and sage, cooking until vegetables are starting to soften, about 4 or 5 minutes.
• Pour in the stock, add the cabbage, stir and turn heat down to low, cover pot loosely, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cabbage is soft.
• Add the turkey, cooked wild rice, and parsley, and simmer very slowly (without bubbles), uncovered, for about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in the balsamic vinegar, taste and adjust seasonings, adding more balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper as desired.

Recipe - Cranberry Ricotta Pie

Here is a tasty way to use up those leftover cranberries you didn't get to use yesterday. It's satisfying, tasty, and not too sweet - a welcome change from all the holiday candy and sugary cakes and pies.

Cranberry Ricotta Pie

Image by Shaw Girl via FlickrIngredients:
1 cup whole cranberries, fresh or frozen
1 1/4 cup ricotta
4 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup heavy cream
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
dash ground nutmeg
dash ground cloves

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, add the cranberries and, using a potato masher, mash them up a little bit to break them up.
3. Add to the bowl the remaining ingredients, stirring to mix; do not over-mix.
4. Grease, butter, or coat with cooking spray a large pie tin or other shallow baking dish about the same size.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 1-1/4 hour to 1-1/2 hour or until pie forms a crust-like top, browns slightly, and sets up.
6. Remove and let cool at room temperature.
7. Serve at room temperature with a dollop of whipped topping.

Recipe - Wild Rice Sausage Casserole

If you're looking for a unique low-carb addition to your Thanksgiving dinner, here is a great recipe that will have everyone asking for seconds! This will go great with your Thanksgiving turkey, and makes a unique addition to your plate, with the special flavor of wild rice combined with the richness of the sausage and woodsy mushrooms.

This dish can be made ahead the day (or a couple of days) before, and reheated for your Thanksgiving meal to make things easier.

Wild Rice & Sausage CasseroleImage by mpesce via Flickr

Ingredients:

2/3 cup wild rice, rinsed and drained
3 1/2 cups stock (chicken or vegetable), divided
2 Tbsp olive oil or butter, divided
12 oz. ground sausage (your favorite kind - we like fresh ground all-natural sweet Italian)
1 onion, finely chopped
1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme
12 oz. mushrooms
3 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped fine
salt and black pepper to taste
toasted almond slivers for garnish (optional)

Directions: 

1. Combine wild rice and 3 cups of stock in a saucepan, bring to a simmer, cover and let rice cook until tender, from 50 to 65 minutes, depending on the rice and your stove.  Check to make sure it's not cooking too hard after a few minutes. (Or follow the instructions on your package of wild rice.)
2. Drain the rice through a colander to make sure it's dry, then put in a large bowl.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
4. In skillet over medium heat, put the sausage and cook until just browned slightly; then dump into bowl with cooked rice.
5. In same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil or butter over low heat, and add the onions, cooking until they start to turn golden brown in color.  This will take a while, as the onions are carmelizing, possibly 10 minutes or more.
6. When the onions are golden and soft, add the thyme, stir and cook for 1 minute more, then add this mixture to the bowl with the sausage and rice.
7. In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil or butter, add chopped mushrooms and cook until they soften and get golden brown and the moisture from the mushrooms disappears.
8. Dump the mushrooms into the bowl with the sausage and rice mixture.
9. Then in the bowl, add the parsley, remaining 1/2 cup stock, and season with salt and pepper to taste, mix gently, then turn into a baking dish.
10. Cover and bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
11. Add toasted almond slivers when served if desired.

Holiday Cooking Tips for Better Outcomes

The holidays are an extremely hectic and chaotic time for many of us. We run from one place to another with more "to do" lists than we think we will ever manage to complete. One thing is certain and that is that throughout all the running around and festivities that are going on it is quite likely that you are going to either drive yourself crazy being obsessively over-organized, or you are going to forget one dinner, event, or gift during the season that is going to prove to be important enough for a mad dash out into the cold. Depressing though the thought may be, the following tips can help you avoid potential breakdown as a result of the constant insanity of the holidays.

Image via WikipediaFirst of all, you absolutely must adopt the KISS policy: Keep it simple silly. The meals you plan for your contributions to holiday cooking in your own home and for various events and pot lucks that take place this time of year should be simple to prepare, take little time, and cost as little money as possible.

Here are 3 simple tips to help you accomplish this:

1. Do things in bulk. Rather than trying to squeeze in a few minutes here and there, mark out large chunks of your calendar and dedicate those times to tasks such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, and wrapping and stick to that one thing during its allotted time slot rather than trying to cook, wrap, clean, and shop at the same time. This saves confusion and lessens the opportunity of something getting boiled, burned, splattered, ruined, or forgotten.

2. Plan ahead and shop ahead. This saves valuable time and money because you aren't impulse buying at the last minute. Whether you are shopping for food items for meal preparation and cooking, or the perfect gifts for friends or family, putting things off often tends to result in spending more money than intended and getting less value for that money.

Make sure you have enough room inside your fridge for the foods you need for preparation and storing the foods that need to be chilled once they've been prepared. Space is a must and if you do not have enough space in your refrigerator you need to be making other plans for food that needs to be kept cold in the interim.

Plan a quick and easy back up in case something goes wrong with one of the more complicated dishes or casseroles. A last minute substitution that is quick and easy is a much better option than not having enough to go around. You never know what's going to go wrong when dealing with holiday cooking, and it is best to be prepared when something does.

Make sure the turkey or ham is properly thawed and that you've allotted the necessary time for cooking. In fact an extra hour is often the best way to go as you never know what kind of differences there will ultimately be in cooking time for your main course.

3. Clean as you go. This little tip will save so much time, trouble, and pulled hair that you will never really know how wonderfully valuable this nugget of advice really is. Dishes are simpler to clean when still warm and before food has time to dry and set in, and you will feel so much peace when you finish your meal and realize you only have a few dishes to clean up afterwards (and that's what the kids are for)!

These tips do not guarantee a perfect holiday cooking experience but they are an excellent way to guarantee less stress in the mix.

Recipe - Heat & Eat Pancakes

Here is an easy from-scratch pancake recipe which you can use for the "Pigs in a Blanket" breakfast idea in the previous post (or just eat them as is!). The recipe describes how to freeze them for later use - a quick breakfast when you are on the run, but want something home-made and not junky fast-food.

Heat & Eat Pancakes

Image via WikipediaWhat You Need:
2 1/2 C milk (preferably whole, non-homogenized)
2 free-range eggs
1/3 C extra-virgin coconut oil, melted (or other healthy cooking oil - see our previous post on healthy cooking oils here)
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 C honey or maple syrup
1/2 C whole wheat flour
4 tsp baking powder
Couple of dashes of cinnamon (optional)
Enough all-purpose flour to thicken batter to your liking
Wax paper cut in pancake-sized squares
Freezer bags

Cooking Instructions:

• Place the milk, eggs, oil and vanilla into a large mixing bowl. Whisk until just blended together.
• Add the salt and honey or syrup. Beat until smooth.
• Add the wheat flour and baking powder. Beat until smooth.
• Add just enough all-purpose flour to thicken batter to your liking.
• Heat a griddle over medium high heat. Griddle is hot enough when a drop of water dances on the griddle.
• Pour about 1/2 C batter onto hot griddle.
• Cook until pancake begins to bubble and edges begin to dry.
• Flip and cook about 2 minutes or until both sides are lightly brown.
• Continue cooking until all the batter is used.

Freezing Instructions: 

• Cool pancakes completely.
• Place a piece of wax paper on a flat surface.
• Place a pancake onto the wax paper.
• Place another piece of wax paper on top of the pancake.
• Then another pancake and continue until all the pancakes are used alternating with wax paper and pancakes.
• Place into a freezer bag and freeze up to 6 months.
• To reheat, just drop into the toaster. Toast 2 cycles if necessary.

5 Time & Money Saving Breakfast Ideas

It is the first meal we eat when we get up in the morning. After a long night of sleep, we can’t do without it if we want to get our bodies going. No, I’m not talking about coffee. I’m referring to breakfast. Here are some ideas for a quick and healthy breakfast that don’t require a drive-thru window.
Image via Wikipedia

1. Have a piece of casserole. It takes time to cook eggs and bacon for breakfast. No one wants to ruin their clothes with the mess it can create. On Sunday night, get breakfast done early. Put together a casserole using your favorite ingredients. Fewer eggs are needed in a casserole than when frying or scrambling them for breakfast each morning. Depending on the size of your family, the casserole may last two to three mornings.

2. Yogurt. Yogurt is a healthy and economical breakfast choice. When you are eating on the run, grab a container of yogurt and some dried or fresh fruit. Cutting up fruit on top of the yogurt adds carbohydrates to fuel you for the morning in addition to the calcium and protein in the yogurt itself.

3. Breakfast shake. This is even quicker and can be ingested while driving without taking your eyes off the road or both hands off the wheel. Put together some frozen fruit favorites, ice cubes, yogurt, and unsweetened juice in a blender. Pour into travel cups to keep it cold (the kind with lids and straws makes it easy to avoid spills in the car). Everyone can grab a cup on the way out the door. The nutritional effect is about the same as yogurt (or better if you add lots of yogurt), but without the spoon.

Image by Dead Air via Flickr

4. Pigs in a blanket. This is the homemade version - much healthier without all the preservatives and trans fats of the store-bought kind. Whip up a batch of pancakes and freeze them in short stacks of three. A package or two of frozen link sausage is needed to create this quick and economical meal idea (local and hormone-free if at all possible). Thaw out a stack of pancakes. Heat up three sausages in the microwave. Wrap a pancake around each sausage. Voila! You’ve got an instant pig in a blanket. Eat it as you watch the last of your favorite morning show or as you walk to the bus stop. It can be eaten in the car without too much fuss or mess. For a sweeter taste and less mess, add a little maple syrup or honey to the batter when making the pancakes.

5. Breakfast sandwiches. In the evening, while you are getting things ready for the next day, grill up a few breakfast sandwiches. Choose whatever you like: natural turkey slices, sulfate-free ham slices, cheese, tomato, bacon, etc. When the sandwich cools, cut it into bite size pieces and put it in a container. In the morning, just grab a container; pop it into the microwave for fifteen or twenty seconds and breakfast is served.

These breakfast ideas are time saving and money-saving too. They make use of items you might buy normally and also whatever you have around the house to create delicious fare for a morning rush. No more excuses for skipping breakfast or swinging into the fast food restaurant every morning!

Eating Healthy On the Go

People use many excuses to give reason to why they are not eating healthy foods. One of the most common of these excuses is that they have no time to worry about choosing the best foods and cooking them for themselves and their families. These people usually grab fast food or take-out instead of healthier foods, and these quick dinner fixes are full of bad fats and cholesterol, sugar, and empty calories. However, no matter how little time you have to spend in the kitchen and at the supermarket, there are ways in which you can eat in a healthy way without much time. Learning how to eat healthily even when you're super busy can make all the difference in perfecting your diet.

Image via Wikipedia

Eating healthy foods begins with healthy ingredients, but if you are short on time, you may find that spending lots of time time in the grocery store does not fit into your schedule. To maximize your time, plan ahead for two weeks at a time. Instead of having to go to the store every time you need an ingredient, make a list and keep your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry stocked with good, healthy ingredients. You can make your shopping list during a meeting, while eating lunch, or while you are on the phone. A list will also help you cut back on impulse buying, which is when we purchase a lot of the foods that are bad for us.

Along with planning your shopping list, plan your meals as well. If you find little time to cook during the week, you can instead try making a few healthy meals in advance on the weekend and than putting them in your freezer. Before you go to work in the morning, simply stick the frozen dinner in the refrigerator to thaw and then pop into the oven to cook when you get home from work. This will help you avoid having to pick up fast food. Keep healthy drinks on hand at home as well instead of purchasing soda.

Healthy eating on the run isn't always easy. However, putting a tad bit more time into planning ahead and cooking your own meals from scratch is worth the extra effort, because you’ll be living a longer and healthier life in the end.

Breakfast in Mexico

El Desayuno is the word for breakfast in Mexico. It normally consists of a hardy meal containing many colors, spices and flavors. Breakfast varies depending on the region. Some produce is not available in other regions. It also varies because of ethnic diversity. Breakfast dishes have a long history that dates back to the Aztecs and Mayans and also from Spanish rule for more than three centuries.

Tortillas are not just for dinner. You can find most people in Mexico eating them for Breakfast. The tortillas are made into burritos, tacos, and tostados. Beside the tortilla on their plate, are usually colorful fruits and vegetables. It is common to eat a variety for Breakfast. Vegetables include tomatoes, and red green Image via Wikipediapeppers. Fresh fruits enjoyed at Breakfast are Watermelons, Oranges, Pineapples, and Strawberries. Plato de Frutas is a great breakfast dish that consists of many different fruits. It is pretty much what you would find a fruit salad. Some fruits in Plato de frutas are melons, bananas, mangoes, and sometimes papayas.

Eggs are also common in Mexican breakfast. A dish that has become popular in much of the Americas is Huevos rancheros. The name means eggs that are ranch-style. The most common version of the dish consists of corn tortillas that are lightly fried and fried or scrambled eggs with a chili sauce. Other foods that are typically added to the dish include beans, olives, avocados, and fried potatoes. Another dish that involves eggs is Huevos Motulenos. The eggs are made on tortillas and covered with tomatoes, beans, peas, ham, and chilies. A dish that doesn't include eggs, but is seen during breakfast in Mexico is Chilaquiles. It is tortillas that are stir fried with onions, and spices and sometimes with added chicken. It is topped with cheese and served with a type of gravy sauce.       

Mexicans love chocolate and enjoy it in the morning. You may be thinking of chocolate bars, but for residents of Mexico, it is to drink. The chocolate is thin discs that are put into water or milk and melted. People also add other ingredients that make it not the same as hot chocolate. This may include vanilla, cream, egg yolks, and cinnamon. Even though chocolate is a favorite, Mexicans still like having coffee in the morning like the rest of North America.

Image via WikipediaMexican coffee is more light and nutty in flavor than Coffee in the United States with a touch of a chocolate taste. It is comparable to expensive brands of coffee in America. When drinking, it may leave a burnt after taste at first, but it becomes normal after a few more sips. Coffee is Mexico's most popular morning drink.

If ever on a vacation in Mexico, try staying at a Bed and Breakfast. You will be served an authentic Mexican breakfast. If you do not travel, look in your local white pages for your nearest authentic Mexican restaurants. Many of them serve breakfast items.

Another good way on trying breakfast Mexican style is by searching for recipes and giving them a try. Once you try the foods, you might just add them to your everyday morning!


Tasty Breakfast and Other Mexican Recipes:
   

Tasty and Healthy Mexican Recipes

We are continuing "Mexico week" with a collection of great recipes - we've tried to stick to authentic ones, and with a healthier slant. Check out the links below for everything from Mexican breakfast ideas all the way to breads and desserts. And we'd love your feedback on your favorite Mexican recipes as well!

Be sure to check back Friday to learn about Mexican breakfasts, and for some great Mexican recipe resources. 

Image via WikipediaMexican Molletes recipe
Molletes recipe from authentic Mexican cuisine. This is an easy to cook authentic Mexican breakfast recipe that is both filling and super delicious!
Publish Date: 10/04/2011 1:03
http://eauthenticmexicanrecipes.com/mexican-breakfast/mexican-molletes-recipe

Easy Authentic Mexican Food Recipes - Shrimp Broccoli Fettuccine ...
This article contains a collection of easy and authentic Mexican food recipes that you can try at home. Intensely flavoured, uniquely spicy and brilliantly colourful, authentic Mexican cuisine has something to offer to everyone.
Publish Date: 07/22/2011 18:16
http://feelhungry.com/easy-mexican-recipes

Mexican Soup – Traditional Menudo Recipe
Other popular ingredients in menudo include crushed red chilies, oregano, onions and cilantro, although there are various recipes for menudo and each is slightly different. Hominy is added to this soup in northern Mexico ...
Publish Date: 11/02/2011 1:33
http://bestproductdetail.com/mexican-soup-traditional-menudo-recipe/

My Sweet Mexico: Recipes for Authentic Pastries, Breads, Candies ...
Most of the recipes are ones you will not have seen, unless you too have been to Mexico. Many of the recipes are regional or even city treasures. Somewhat like Italy, Mexico is divided by mountains into regions, each with its ...
Publish Date: 11/03/2011 10:52
http://cookingbythebook.com/blog/cookbook-reviews/sweet-mexico-recipes-authentic-pastries-breads-candies-beverages-frozen-treats/

Calabaza En Tacha, Mexican Candied Pumpkin
Calabaza en Tacha; Candied pumpkin; Mexican; recipes; Mexican pumpkin; Mexican Candied Calabaza en tacha or candied pumpkin is a traditional food served for el Dia de Los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. El Dia de ...
Publish Date: 11/02/2011 4:42
http://www.spiciefoodie.com/2011/11/02/calabaza-en-tacha-mexican-candied-pumpkin-vegetarian/

 

More Tasty Mexican Recipes:

• Three-Course Mexican Meal for Two or Four Including Appetizers, Entrees, and Desserts at Chiles & Chocolate (Up to 68% Off). Four Options Available. (bxcheapskate.com)
• Mexican Spiced Flan for Dia de los Muertos (beautifulmemorablefood.wordpress.com)
• Recipe for Easy Guacamole Tostadas (kalynskitchen.com)
• Food Diary: Fajitas ARE Paleo-Possible! (easypaleo.com)
• Healthy Recipe: Beef Enchiladas (skinnypinkninja.wordpress.com)