Preparing & Cooking Food

Simple Party Food Ideas To Eliminate The Stress Of Cooking For A Crowd

party-food-ideas

Knowing how to feed a crowd is one of those little life skills that every good host or hostess should have up their sleeve. Whether you’re having family members over for Thanksgiving dinner, hosting friends for a Super Bowl party or inviting your neighbors over for a summer barbeque, there are occasions for food-filled get-togethers all year round. Learning how to cook for a large group without driving yourself crazy, therefore, is a skill that will come in handy over and over again, and … [Read more...]

Whole Wheat Pasta: Another Diabetic Friendly Meal Idea

making-spaghetti

What's easier than spaghetti? Boil some pasta, add your favorite sauce, and serve, right? Well, even I manage to gussy up my spaghetti a bit more than that. But all things considered, it's a quick meal that's both flavorful and satisfying. Whole wheat pasta is something that takes just a few minutes to prepare, and everyone is happy to see it on their dinner plate.   Following are some tips for turning whole wheat pasta into a diabetic friendly meal...   … [Read more...]

Fun & Easy Tips For Making Layer Cakes

rainbow-layer-cake

We've all got an aluminum cake pan -- or two -- in the kitchen cupboard.  (Who remembers this vintage cake pan? It's one of my all-time favorites.) Without a doubt, that's a fast, easy way to whip up a quick birthday cake. Just mix up a box of cake mix.  Dump it into the pan.  When it comes out of the oven, slather on some frosting out of a little plastic tub.  Stick a handful of colored candles in it.  And bingo, you've got a birthday cake. Right? Personally, I like to kick it up … [Read more...]

Gluten Free Recipes Using Buckwheat Flour: A Safe Alternative For Those Allergic To Wheat

buckwheat-crepe

Wheat allergies leave you without the ability to make something as simple as a sandwich. The cake that the whole family enjoys for desert is not on the menu when you have gluten intolerance. Gluten is a protein found in not only wheat, but also in barley and rye. Some people are even affected by oats as well. … [Read more...]

Potato Skins: A Simple Potato Recipe That Makes A Quick Snack Or An Easy Meal

baked-potato-skins

Sunday afternoon, while watching the football game on TV, the munchies are going to strike. So what can a guy whip up that isn't too technical and won't take up much time? Instead of the usual chips and dips, there's no reason why you can't provide some healthy hot snacks for all your buddies! Or maybe you're looking for a simple meal that takes just a few minutes to prepare instead. Either way, homemade Potato Skins is one way to fix potatoes and add some wonderful flavor to the mix … [Read more...]

My Favorite Kitchen Gadget: The Egg Slicer

There are lots of great uses for an egg slicer... OTHER than for just slicing eggs! photo by by chatirygirl on Flickr

Recently I was asked, "What is the one kitchen gadget that you can't live without?" Now remember, this is coming from a guy's perspective, and this guy in particular is a pretty basic chef. You won't see any cute, little one-bite meals pretending to be the main course on the plates I serve! Garnish without substance is definitely not the way I cook. To that end, I've put some real serious thought into which gadget would qualify as my all-time favorite. The term gadget is what gave me … [Read more...]

5 Ways To Use One Whole Chicken & Get The Most For Your Money

whole-chicken

I'm always looking for ways to stretch my grocery budget. I would never have thought you could do much with one whole chicken from the deli, but the mom seen in the following video proved me wrong! Here are all the ways you can use a single chicken (you know, the whole roasted chicken that you can buy already seasoned and cooked at most grocery stores) to save time and money: Purchase a deli chicken and eat the first meal as chicken with a side dish or two. Use the leftover chicken … [Read more...]

15 Frugal Recipes That Taste Great & Save Money

I'm always looking for ways to stretch my grocery bill --because who isn't on a budget these days, right?I enjoy finding new frugal recipes to try. So, I decided the other day that I would see how many budget-friendly recipes I could find online that were incredibly tasty and didn't cost much to make.   Here's my list: … [Read more...]

Best Potato Peeling Tips + What To Do With All Those Potato Skins (And Leftover Potatoes)

It may seem silly at first, because most people don't think twice about how they peel potatoes. I mean, it's just one of those boring kitchen tasks that has to get done, right? Well, the real question is... where do you peel your potatoes and what do you do with all the potato skins? … [Read more...]

How To Make Ice Cream At Home Without An Ice Cream Machine

In the hot summer weather, there is nothing as refreshing and comforting as sitting down with a few scoops of your favorite ice cream. For many, it doesn't even need to be hot outside for it to be ice cream time! You can add to the enjoyment of this family treat by preparing your own batch of delicious homemade ice cream -- made without an ice cream maker! Here are 2 mouth-watering ice cream recipes that can be prepared in just 30 minutes. After leaving it to freeze for several hours, … [Read more...]