Cooking at Home: April 2010

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Cover of Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal

The general perception for the eggplant is not a glamorous one. It is often one that carries with it not much content. This is due to the prevailing knowledge that eggplant doesn't present much vitamins and minerals, and its taste isn't something that you will crave.

There is little mentioned about the nutrients that can be derived from the eggplant, even in Reader's Digest's book, Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal, but one article in the Ezine directory gave a complete twist to that outlook, or should I say, perception, on eggplant.

That article tells about all the health implications or miracle - that can be derived from the eggplant. See it here: The Lowly by Extraordinary Eggplant.

As for the cooking side, read on...

Cooking Eggplant - Tips and Information

Eggplant: More Than 75 Delicious Recipes

If you're cooking eggplant for the first time, it may seem a bit tricky. Eggplant can be cooked in many ways and perhaps this is why people often take ages to decide how they're going to cook it.

Its beautiful purple skin is sure to add color to any dish and its sturdiness is ideal since it's perfect for grilling.

Very popular with vegetarians, eggplant is also a great accompaniment to meat dishes.

Eggplant is often mistaken for a type of vegetable but it is in actual fact a fruit.

This very versatile fruit can be cooked in various ways. For example, you can marinate it or roast it. Others prefer to use it in stews with meat and potatoes. Eggplant can be served either hot or cold.

You can also serve eggplant by itself as a side dish. A simple way to do this, is to slice the eggplant in wedges removing the top and bottom, brush some olive oil on it and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake it until lightly brown. Serve immediately.

If you don't like the taste that much, you can stuff the eggplant with your favorite filling and serve it with other veggies and potatoes. Using spices will also make a huge difference when cooking eggplant. Some spices that go well with eggplant are oregano, bay leaves, basil and parsley.

Simply Eggplant: Kosher Recipes from Around the World

The seeds of the eggplant are somewhat bitter so it's best to remove most of them if you're not too keen on this fruit, and especially if small kids are going to try it.

A word of caution. Eggplant absorbs a lot of oil! So if you're following a healthy diet be careful with the amount of oil that you use.

Eggplants can be very conveniently stored and you can steam and freeze them for up to six months!

So next time you see some lovely fresh eggplants, make sure to grab some because with a little thought and preparation, cooking eggplant can be quite easy.

Vintage Kitchen?Baked Eggplant Finest LAMINATED Print Grace Pullen 11x14

If you'd like to get your hands on a delicious eggplant recipe that is sure to become a family favorite, visit this Cooking Eggplant page.

Interested in trying other mouth watering recipes from the tiny Mediterranean island of Malta? Visit Addictive Maltese Recipes today!

Article Directory: EzineArticles

The Eggplant Cookbook: Classic and Contemporary Recipes for Today's Healthy Diet

Lifted from Ezine article directory; source article is below:
Cooking Eggplant - Tips and Information
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Monday, April 26, 2010

Planting Your Own Veggies

Image via Wikipedia

Back when I was a child, there was a small piece of land that we looked after. Our relatives didn't occupy that land until some time lately, and that gave us opportunities to at least plant some fruit-bearing trees, and some for foliage and ornaments.

I had my chance of discovering that I can plant. Yes, I'm a green thumb.

Unfortunately, the country that I and my family migrated in doesn't present me that opportunity. If ever there is anything that I can put on the soil, the soil has to be in a pot. We live high above the ground, suspended in mid-air by the layers of flats above and below us... (I did had a good success with my orchids and euphorbia in my previous flat - the sun was shining in our favor).

Well, still there is an opportunity, but not like if it were really a piece of land.

Nevertheless, I found this article from Ezine directories, and it tells about growing your own vegetables, primarily, to be sure that you are growing a healthy piece of green to put on your plate later on, and secondly, to save!

Not to delay any longer, here it is:

Save Money and Eat Healthy - 5 Critical Steps to Growing Vegetables

Burpee : The Complete Vegetable & Herb Gardener : A Guide to Growing Your Garden Organically

Wow. Have you seen the prices of vegetables lately? Week-after-week, I cringe as I walk through the produce isle of my local grocery store. As wallets get thinner, it seems like prices are skyrocketing. And the worst part is the veggies aren't even that good.

So if you're ready to put your hands in the dirt and grow your own delicious and healthy vegetables...be prepared to save money and have some fun! Follow the next 5 steps and you'll be well on your way to a vegetable garden that your friends and family will be fawning over!

STEP 1: Location, Location, Location!

Yes, I know...that's a real estate term but the same holds true for your veggie garden. Plants love sun...the more the better. So when you scout for a location, pick the spot that gets full sun for the longest amount of time throughout the day. Now if you happen to have a shady yard then you might want to consider container gardening. This way you can garden almost anywhere that's sunny...even on the roof of a Manhattan skyscraper! So look around, make note of the amount of sun hitting certain areas of your yard and then move on to the next step.

STEP 2: Choose Your Method

Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades: The Complete Guide to Organic Gardening

Are you going to go with raised beds or are you going to plant right into the ground of your yard? Most people like the raised bed method because of a number of factors. First, it doesn't matter what kind of soil you have in your yard, you can use the best soil in your raised garden. The soil also warms up at a much faster rate so your plants will grow faster. The easiest way to do this is to make small frames with 2 x 6 wood planks...no more than 3 to 4 feet wide (if you're planting several next to each other, be sure to leave enough room in between the boxes for you to walk). And you can even go less than that, it just depends how much room you have. Then simply fill in the frame with high quality soil and you're done!

STEP 3: Prepare the Soil

Your plants will need nutrition to grow big and strong and organic gardeners will love this step! Mix a good amount of something called organic hummus to your soil (even if you're using potting soil). Now if you don't have a compost pile available to add the contents to your soil, go to your local garden center and grab some bags of processed manure and mix it in to your soil. You'll be amazed at the results!

The Vegetable Gardener's Bible (10th Anniversary Edition)

STEP 4: The Fun Part - Choose the Type and Amount of Veggies You Want to Grow

So what type of veggies do you want to grow? Tomatoes, asparagus, broccoli, carrots? It's totally up to you and it simply depends on what you like and the time of year. So have fun with this part. Now once you choose the types of veggies, you then have to decide how many to plant. Your first consideration will be how many people are in your family who'll be eating the crops. But there's an old farmer's saying - a row of each for each. That means plant one row of veggies for each member of the family. Of course the amount you can plant on each row depends on the row size. Play around with the numbers. And remember, you can always can or freeze the excess.

STEP 5: Planning the Layout

Here's where you have to take direction and shade into consideration. Plant your rows going North to South. This way you won't have one row shading the other and stunting the growth of those plants. Then all of your taller crops (beans, corn, peas, etc) should be planted on the north side so they won't shade your shorter plants. Medium size should be located in the middle (tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, etc). And smaller varieties should be on the south end (carrots, lettuce, onions, etc). If you follow this layout, all of your veggies will get the sun exposure they need to grow well.

Grow Vegetables: Gardens - Yards - Balconies - Roof Terraces

So there you have it...the 5 critical steps to growing your own vegetables. Use this as your starting guide and then do more regional-specific research on what types of vegetables grow where you live and the best time to plant them.

You'll be amazed at the amazing flavor you'll get when you pick ripe and ready vegetables for your next meal. And you'll be even more satisfied when you realize the hundreds of dollars you save every year just by putting in a few, enjoyable hours in your garden.

Happy gardening!

Liberate Yourself from Store-Bought Vegetables Now!

See how easy it is to start growing the vegetable garden of your dreams.

Limited time FREE BONUS offer so click on Start Your Vegetable Garden now to claim your FREE bonuses.

Article Directory: EzineArticles

Taken from Ezine article directories under the same title.
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Looking for Microwave Oven Recipes?

Image via Wikipedia

If you are on the scout for microwave oven recipes, this could mean something to you.

Below article, taken from Ezine collection, could lead you right into the best MO recipes.

When you do, will you let us know?

Read on...

Best Microwave Oven Cooking Recipes

There is no dearth of microwave recipes in the market as a large number of books, magazines and even online websites provide a variety of recipes for microwave cooking. The features and wattage of different microwaves vary and so do cooking recipes. Some microwave recipes are good enough for low-wattage microwaves, whereas some recipes are fit for high-wattage microwaves. Therefore, it is better to examine which microwave the meal is apt for and then only one should one venturing into cooking in the microwave. Select a microwave recipe and have your dinner ready in minutes.

If you love fish, a host of lip-smacking recipes for fish are available on various online sites and books. Some of these recipes include steamed fish, vegetable topped fish fillets, steamed Trout or Salmon with lettuce and peas, just to name a few. Each of these microwave dishes can be prepared easily and within the least period of time.
A recipe for dessert preparation can easily catch anybody's attention as desserts are almost everyone's favorite. One can try for pineapple cake with fresh strawberries which can be prepared in a microwave within 15 minutes. In your local book stores or online sites, you can also find out a microwave recipe for chocolate bark, almond roca, chocolate fudge and many others.

Varieties of appetizers and soups like vegetarian mini Mexican pizzas, creamy parmesan fondue, Mexican baked cheese with shrimp, sausage soup ole, California corn chowder and chicken noodle soup can be cooked in a microwave. A recipe for any of these appetizers or soups can guide a user to prepare the dish without facing any trouble.

How to Get the Best from Your Microwave Oven: Simple Techniques and Easy Step-By-Step Recipes

Preparing breakfast in a short time has become possible because of microwave ovens. You can search for microwave recipes for delicious breakfast. Some popular breakfast dishes that can be cooked in a microwave include French dip sandwich, pork burgers, chili egg puff, macaroni and cheese supreme, loaded baked potato, to name a few.

All the microwave recipes available in different sources provide clear instructions for cooking. So anyone who has limited knowledge of cooking and would like to experiment with their culinary skills can try his or her hand at preparing a sumptuous meal with the help of a microwave.

Best Microwave Recipes

Article Directory: EzineArticles

Taken from Ezine articles collection; source is below:
Best Microwave Oven Cooking Recipes
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Nigella's Recipes on iPhone

GREENHITHE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Nigella L...

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Not quite the full list of her recipes, but then again, Nigella's recipes, about 70 of it, can now be yours on the fly.

The second to be featured here, to be available in iPhone app, is NIGELLA QUICK COLLECTION.

Read the description of that App:
________________________________________
"All the recipes that you can find in the Quick Collection are Express-style easy and presented in just six steps or under, giving you the wherewithal to make super-quick weekday suppers, last minute dinners for friends, baking that takes no time, and even fun food for your children. Having this app in your pocket enables you to browse, plan and shop for your meals quickly and easily if you're out and about or just in need of last minute help."

Beautifully designed and produced, Nigella Quick Collection is an essential piece of kitchen kit for those short on time but big on taste."
________________________________________

So if you are keen on preparing an app-etizing dish for you, or for your loved ones, check it out:

NIGELLA QUICK COLLECTION APP

'... for those short on time but big on taste."

Source:
NigellaQuickCollection.com

One user review is here:
App review: Nigella on iPhone

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Time For Some Varie-Teas

Image via Wikipedia

You drink tea. You love tea. And when sipping that common tea drink which is steeped in hot water, or boiled with fresh tea leaves, you won't exchange it for anything else.

But sometimes, you would ask in your mind, 'Is there anything else I can do about this tea that I drink?'

The fact is, yes, there is. From one of the tea manufacturers itself, Lipton, they've come up with some new and exciting ways to prepare that tea that you love.

The fact remains. Tea prepared in the traditional method is one which is always a "simple, soothing cup of comfort" [1]. Who wouldn't love that?

And yet, while tea doesn't change, the generation of tea drinkers do. Needless to say, while preserving, we innovate!

Here are some recipes for tea that you may find quite experimental, yet satisfying.

Time For Some Varie-Teas!

Bavarian Wild Berry Fruit-Tea Pops
Serves: 8

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Freeze Time: 4 hours

2 cups boiling water
4 Lipton Bavarian Wild Berry Pyramid Tea Bags
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup chopped strawberries

Pour boiling water over tea bags; cover and brew 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and squeeze. Stir in sugar until dissolved; let cool slightly.
Combine tea with strawberries in medium bowl. Evenly pour into 8 (4-ounce) paper cups (or popsicle molds). Freeze until almost firm, about 1 hour. Insert wooden ice pop sticks into centers; freeze until firm. To serve, press firmly on bottom of paper cup to remove.

Variations:

For Island Mango & Peach Fruit-Tea Pops, use Lipton White Tea with Island Mango & Peach Flavors Pyramid Tea Bags and 1 cup chopped peaches.
For Green Tea & Mandarin Orange Fruit-Tea Pops, use Lipton Green Tea with Mandarin Orange Flavor Pyramid Tea Bags and 1 cup blueberries.
For Black Pearl Fruit-Tea Pops, use Lipton Black Pearl Black Pyramid Tea Bags and 1 cup mixed berries (raspberries, blueberries and/or strawberries).
For Harvest Strawberry & Passionfruit-Tea Pops, use Lipton Red Tea with Harvest Strawberry & Passionfruit Flavor Pyramid Tea Bags.

Red Tea Harvest Strawberry Smoothie
Serves: 2

Preparation Time: 5 to 10 minutes

Chill Time: 1 hour

1 cup boiling water
3 Lipton Red Tea with Harvest Strawberry & Passionfruit Flavor
Pyramid Tea Bags
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup strawberry frozen yogurt*
1/2 cup ice cubes (about 3 to 4)

Lipton Black Tea, Bavarian Wild Berry, Premium Pyramid Tea Bags, 20-Count Boxes (Pack of 6)

Pour boiling water over tea bags; cover and brew 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and squeeze, then stir in sugar; chill.
In blender, process tea, strawberries and yogurt. Add ice cubes, one at a time, and process until blended. Garnish, if desired, with whipped cream and strawberries. Serve immediately.
*Substitution: Use regular strawberry yogurt.

Tropical Punch With Fruity Tea Ice Cubes
Serves: 8

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Chill Time: 2 hours

4 cups boiling water
12 Lipton Tuscan Lemon Flavored Black Pyramid Tea Bags
1/2 cup sugar
3 cups pineapple juice
1 cup orange juice
2 cups raspberries

Lipton Black Tea, Loose, 1/2 pound Boxes (Pack of 6)

Pour boiling water over tea bags; cover and brew 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and squeeze. Stir in sugar; chill.
In large pitcher, combine 2 cups chilled tea with remaining ingredients; chill.
Meanwhile, in 2 ice cube trays,* arrange 3 raspberries in each compartment. Pour remaining chilled tea over berries. Freeze 2 hours or until solid. To serve, pour punch into large pitcher or bowl. Add tea ice cubes. Serve immediately.

*If you don't have ice cube trays, try using mini muffin pans or a 6-cup ring mold.

Black Pearl Hot 'n Spicy Chocolate Tea
Serves: 2

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

1 cup fat free or 1% milk
1 cup water
2 Lipton Black Pearl Black Pyramid Tea Bags
1 tablespoon sugar, or to taste
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon chocolate syrup

Lipton Black Tea, 48-Count Gallon SizeTea Bags

Bring milk and water just to a boil in 2-quart saucepan. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Cover and brew 1-1/2 minutes. Remove tea bags and squeeze, stir in remaining ingredients. Serve immediately. Garnish, if desired, with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Tea and a Healthy Lifestyle

Keeping your body hydrated can help maintain overall well-being. Unsweetened tea is an excellent beverage for hydration. This conclusion is based on the Healthy Beverage Guidelines that were created by a panel of independent scientists under an unrestricted grant from Unilever. Tea may help maintain a healthy lifestyle -- for example, drinking 2 to 3 cups of tea throughout the day, as part of a healthy diet, may help maintain healthy vascular function. Find out more at lipton.com.

Lipton Green Tea Bags, Superfruit Purple Acai with Blueberry, 20-Count, Boxes (Pack of 6)

Source article is below:
[1] A Refreshing Take on Tea
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How to Cook Everything On the Go

Cooking is now invading, errhh, taking advantage, of the latest technology!

For one, we now have How to Cook Everything On the Go by Mark Bittman.

The printed book, all of its 1,000 pages, 2,000 recipes and 400 how-to, all in a 5-pound print - is now an iPhone application.

How to Cook Everything (Completely Revised 10th Anniversary Edition), Completely Revised 10th Anniversary Edition: 2,000 Simple Recipes for Great Food

So if you are that kind of person who would rather cook than eat what's serving - even when you are on the go, then this iPhone apps is for you.

How to Cook Everything On the Go. Is it available only on iPhone models? For now, yes. Maybe if they make good sales, they will expand to other phone models. But for now, just $1.99 for a limited time, you can download yours from here:

How To Cook Everything: Simple Recipes for Great Food

Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything® App for the iPhone

Unfortunately, I'm using Samsung Omnia II, so I can't get that app now. Let me know when you do.
Can?

Thanks!

Cooking at Home

Thursday, April 29, 2010