Brighten your Life with a Barbecue Grill Light

It's a dark night, and you and your family are camping out in a remote park. You like the ruggedness of the surroundings and the quiet and isolation of the place where you've pitched your tent. Unfortunately, though, there's no electricity and no light, and you're caught outside trying to grill dinner in the dark. Holding a flashlight under your chin is awkward, but having your 5-year-old hold it means a bobbing light at best as well as listening to loud protests of child abuse. Don't you wish you had one of those cool, solar-powered barbecue grill lights you saw at the garden center the other day?

The Joys of a Charcoal Barbecue Grill

Back in the 1950s, the biggest joy of family weekends was to go out in the backyard and light up the charcoal barbecue grill to fix a meal. It didn't matter whether it was breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the time was always right to grill out. Somewhere during the years, however, gas grills became the rage. They were easier to light and to keep clean than the old charcoal grills, and everyone thought they were going new and modern when they purchased one. That's why now in the 21st century, most people think of grilling out as meaning cooking over a gas grill. However, the ambiance of the old charcoal cookouts just isn't quite the same which is why so many people are giving the "new", modern charcoal barbecue grills a try.

The White Mountain Ice Cream Freezer - Then and Now

The ice cream maker you buy today is no longer rooted in the tradition of small town manufacturing. As more and more goods are manufactured overseas consumers are being forced to rethink the definition of quality.

Explore with me the fabled history of the White Mountain Ice Cream Freezer Co., some common ice cream freezer complaints, and suggestions to keep your ice cream making experience a happy one.

Cooking Videos - Learn Delicious Culinary Techniques From Cooking Videos

Many people find it hard to learn how to cook. But cooking really isn't all that difficult. There are tons of cookbooks, but most people who buy them just leave them on their book shelves and not use them. However, cooking videos may be a totally different story. People may just find that cooking videos can actually help them discover the wonderful world of culinary arts.

Pasta Perfect: Tips on Cooking Pasta

Cooking pasta is easy, but getting it perfect needs care. Pasta is a favorite all around the world. It comes in different shapes and lengths, everything that to suit the occasion or your own preferences.

Cooking Soup - Ways to Make A Great Soup

Cooking soup that tastes good is not just about adding the right amount of salt. There are more ways to enhance the taste of the soup.

Tips and Recipes on Low Fat Cooking

Low fat cooking is something for you to consider if you are interested in a healthy lifestyle. Problem is to eat healthy, you need time to prepare your food . You also need to meet the required dietary amount of fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains and proteins. Here are some low fat cooking regimens that will help you overcome these issues.

Tips On Choosing Cooking Classes

You are thinking of cooking a scrumptious meal? And you think that you have to spend an arm and a leg? Actually with a little learning from effective cooking classes, you can easily stretch your budget and make your family a feast. Here are some tips on choosing cooking classes:

French Cooking

Many people look at French cooking as the pinnacle of all regional cuisines all over the world. One thinks of ultimate lusciousness with impeccable elegance when thinking of French food. But what is so special about French cooking? Is it just hype, or is French cooking really revered by most food connoisseurs everywhere?

Tips on Thai Cooking

Thai food comes with flavors and sensations that cannot be compared to other kinds of food. It is an adventure in the world of cuisine. Surprisingly, Thai cooking is not all that difficult as the cooking steps are simple and quite easy. As in any cooking there are tips and tricks that actually make Thai cooking amazing. Here are some useful hints when cooking Thai food:

Your Tassimo Coffee System Gives You A Choice

If you're tired of the same old coffee everyday, it might be time for a change. You can choose from your favorite selection of hot drinks without buying a lot of different machines or having to deal with making them from scratch. The Tassimo coffee system lets you do it quickly and easily. Whether you love latter, or crave a cappuccino, you can have them in just under a minute.

When you're Dieting, Go For Low Carb Smoked Salmon

Are you on a diet?  The bad food is killing you right?  After years of eating what you want, and gaining the weight to go with it, it can be even more difficult to stick to a bland diet plan.  Wouldn't it be amazing if you could find a food that tastes great, is low in carbs, and is full of nutrients that you need?  Sounds like a fantasy, right?  It's not!  With low carb smoked salmon, you get a great tasting snack that's actually good for you!

If you've been dieting for a while, low carb smoked salmon can be a wonderful way to get some taste back into your dinner!  It's an amazing food that is healthy for you and tastes good at the same time!  You'll enjoy the richness of well smoked atlantic or pacific salmon, without having to feel guilty.  It's even better to indulge when you know you won't have to pay for it the morning after.  Smoked salmon will make a great addition to your meals, or just as a snack.

Looking for a Great Meal Idea? Try Ordering Fresh Seafood Online!

If you love seafood, you probably feel like you can't afford it. Trying to make a seafood meal for four can cost as much as going out for steak these days, if you want fish of any type of quality. And if you go to the local grocery store, you probably won't find what you're looking for anyway, especially if you want it to be fresh. What can you do, other than going directly to a fisherman? Well you can order fresh seafood online, and it will come right to your door.

Fresh seafood online can be a great way to get the fresh seafood that you want without having to go to the store. Instead of being caught two weeks ago, you can get the freshest fish possible, caught yesterday and shipped right to your door. It sounds silly to think that your 'fresh' fish has probably spent at least a week in a warehouse or refrigerated truck, but it's true. When you order your seafood online, you know that your order was packaged fresh and sent right to your door.

Finding Coffee For Keurig Coffee Machines Is A Snap

A Keurig coffee maker is a great choice if you want to add a great choice of hot drinks to your kitchen, workplace, or use about anywhere. If you're tired of a regular coffee machine, with its mess, fuss, and lack of choices, getting coffee for Keurig coffee machines is your best option. Keurig coffee cups, single serving packages containing the best ingredients, come in over a hundred and fifty different varieties. That means that you, or anyone else, can find the right beverage easily.

What A Braun Tassimo Coffee Maker Can Do For You

If you love coffee in all its forms, a Tassimo coffee maker is the perfect choice for you. This system combines a great coffee machine with special coffee discs to produce high quality hot drinks of all kinds. More than just an ordinary coffee maker, a system from Tassimo is a multi-tasking machine that can produce anything from espresso to lattes to hot chocolate and tea. It's one of the only machines on the market capable of making cafe crema, cappuccinos and more, in under a minute.

A Grind and Brew Coffee Maker Gives You Great Flavor

Grind and brew coffee makers are famous for their ability to make coffee that has the best available flavor. That's because this type of coffee machine starts by grinding the beans. That might not seem like a big deal, but it actually makes a difference. Fresh ground coffee is the best and most delicious. Preground beans begin to lose their best flavor right away, especially if not kept cold. That means that in the long run, coffee that sits on the shelf in a bag or a can will be inferior to coffee that's fresh ground.

Programmable Coffee Makers | Never wait for another cup of coffee

Programmable coffee makers are a coffee drinkers best friend. Literally hundreds of thousands of people all over the world enjoy a hot cup of coffee. Some people drink only in the mornings to just to wake from a restful nights sleep, while others drink it through out the day. Some times it can be a burden to wake up first thing in the morning and start brewing the drink that will pep you up and open your eyes.

In todays world, we no longer have to bear this burden. The technology that we have today has given us a breakthrough in the coffee drinking world. That breakthrough is programmable coffee makers. Thats right no longer must we brew a pot of coffee when we can barely open our eyes. Continue reading "Programmable Coffee Makers | Never wait for another cup of coffee"

Tastes Like It's Grilled...Butter Chicken

One of my favorite recipes to make is a dinner I like to call Butter Chicken. Not only is it affordable, it is quick and easy to prepare and cook.

Combination Coffee Makers Makes A Great gift for anyone who loves coffee

If you are searching for a great birthday gift, you should consider combination coffee makers! This makes a great gift for a woman or a man. Coffee lovers everywhere will thank you for this particular gift. Throughout this article, I will introduce you to these outstanding products and highlight some of the key features that are associated with these types of combination coffee makers. If you have a difficult time picking out gifts, once you explore the options that are included with these types of gifts, you are sure to find that gift giving is a bit easier. Whether you are shopping for an anniversary, Mother's Day, or Father's Day, this makes a great gift. However, these coffee makers make an even better gift for a birthday!

Brewing Coffee With A Drip Coffee Maker

Drip coffee makers are among the most popular types in the world. They're the type that most of us are probably the most familiar with, and it's likely that you or a family member have one at home. However, not everyone knows how to properly brew coffee in a drip coffee maker. Here's a step by step guide to help you learn how.

Single Serve Coffee Makers Make Great Father's Day Gifts!

Single serve coffee makers are one of the most sought after gifts for this Father's Day. Many are starting to realize, after years of shopping, that dad is not looking for an expensive gift that will collect dust. He is in the market for a practical gift that he can put to use as much as possible. Fortunately, for you, I have done a bit of research on the subject, and it seems as if the simple, single serve coffee makers make great Father's Day gifts! When dad gets up in the morning, he really is not in the mood for a lot of complication. I mean, after all, he does go out and work hard all day to provide for you and the rest of the family. He just wants to wake up with simplicity. The single serve coffee makers exemplify simplicity on all levels!

Mexican Flag Bean Dip to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo means the 5th of May in spanish. It is a national holiday in Mexico. Some people assume that like our 4th of July, it is Mexico's Independence day. However, it is really a celebration of the Mexican Army's victory over French invading forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Cinco de Mayo celebrations are also held throughout the United States. Many cities such as San Diego, California, Denver, Colorado and Portland, Oregan hold huge annual Cinco de Mayo festivals every year. Just as many people who are not Irish celebrate St. Patrick's Day, and people who are not German celebrate Oktoberfest, many people who are not of Mexican descent join in the Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

Clean Small Coffee Makers are convenient and they're very easy to clean

For many years, people everywhere have been using vinegar to clean small coffee makers. Many elect to use this particular substance to clean their coffee pots because of the fact that it is a natural substance and contains no harsh chemicals and other substances that can prove to be detrimental to the health. Over time, there are a number of substances that can accumulate in small coffee makers.

Various types of minerals, lime, iron from water, and even oil residuals can be left over from various types and flavors of coffees. This is why standard cleaning alone is not sufficient. However, those that use vinegar to clean their coffee machines have found that they enjoy better tasting coffee longer than those that fail to use this substance to clean their coffee pots. Here, I will instruct you on how to perform this type of small coffee maker cleaning. Continue reading "Clean Small Coffee Makers are convenient and they're very easy to clean"

Choosing the Best Coffee Maker For You

Everyone who likes coffee has different preferences and different ways of making it. That means that the best coffee makers for someone else won't necessarily be the best coffee maker for you. How do you decide which is the right type and model for your lifestyle? The best way is to learn a little bit about each kind of coffee maker. That way, you'll be able to choose the best one for you, not for someone else.

Kid Lunch Recipe Ideas: Looking for a New Twist on Tuna Salad?

Does your child love tuna? If so, and you're tired of making yet another ordinary tuna salad sandwich what about making up some fun tuna swirls, muffins, pasta salad and 'Sunflower' twist on your standard tuna salad recipe?

Here are some of my favorite ways to serve up tuna in a kid lunch:

Let A Red Coffee Maker Spice Up Your Kitchen

Sometimes it seems like the kitchen can be a boring place, especially if you've mostly purchased standard issue appliances and furnishings. Unless you've made an effort to find interesting appliances, countertops, and cabinets, your kitchen could turn into a bland sea of white or beige, with maybe a black accent or two. Since the default for most appliances, including coffee makers, is either white or black, kitchens are often dull. Neutral colors might be functional and easy to clean, but they're not much fun. Fortunately, you can spice things up without a major remodel. Start by replacing little things. For instance, you can add a splash of color to your kitchen the next time you replace your coffee maker. No longer relegated to black, white, or beige, coffee makers can add a little interest. For instance, consider one of the many types of red coffee makers on the current market.

Enter Your Original Chicken Recipe in the National Chicken Cooking Contest

Do you have a delicious, original chicken recipe that your family and friends rave about? Have you ever wanted to enter a cooking contest? If so, you should look into entering the 48th National Chicken Cooking Contest.

Stainless Steel Coffee Makers

Stainless steel coffee makers are very popular among the look of today's kitchens. Just about everyone loves the look of stainless steel kitchen appliances, so why not the coffee maker to match? Stainless steel is a very common material that is sought out by everybody. With elegant looks and shiny reflections it is hard not to want to add this to your kitchen. Not only is the appearance of stainless steel appeasing to the eyes, but also there are some other benefits of using a stainless steel coffee maker. Let us take a look at some of them.

Save Space - Install An Under Cabinet Coffee Maker

Do you love drinking fresh brewed coffee, but have limited space for a bulky coffee machine? If you'd like to make coffee on a regular basis, but just don't know where you'd keep the equipment, an under cabinet coffee maker is for you. As the number of appliances in our kitchens keeps growing, cluttered counter tops make it hard to find the space to work and prepare out food. This means that many modern kitchens are hard to navigate, and don't look great, either. Even homes with a lot of counter space can find it being taken up by machine after machine. If you're suffering this problem, look for under cabinet coffee makers that suit your coffee habits. You can even get espresso machines that mount in a cabinet!

One Cup Coffee Makers | The single best choice for your morning brew

One cup coffee makers have been used all around the world for many years. Regardless of what country you visit, there are many people who look forward to their morning cup of coffee. This particular beverage has been found to provide us with the pickup and go that is needed to allow us to start our day out right. The caffeine in coffee helps to stimulate the mind, the body, and the spirits in general. While it is true that it can be mildly addictive, it is also true that it has an enriching and filling taste that many individuals simply cannot resist.

Here, you will learn about the many benefits associated with one cup coffee makers. If you have been considering purchasing one of these appliances, this information can prove to be exceptionally beneficial to you.

Bunn Home Coffee maker

Bunn Home coffee makers are considered to be the elite of coffee makers. Just about everyone loves to have a fresh brewed cup of coffee in the morning. It is the lifeblood so to speak for some people. Coffee has a way of waking people up and having them roaring to get the day started. There all kinds of coffee makers, but ask anyone and they will tell you that the best home brewed coffee comes from the Bunn home coffee maker. The perfect coffee maker to brew the perfect cup of coffee, to get a head start on the perfect day.

Bread Pudding Recipe with Rum Sauce and Kahlua Sauce

Bread Pudding is a favorite old fashioned dessert that seems to be making a comeback lately. It's easy to make and you no doubt have all the ingredients on hand. It's delicious when served warm or cold and with or without sauce. Here is a recipe for bread pudding along with two sauce recipes.

Copper Coffee Makers | Exquisite craftsmanship for the perfect cup of coffee

Copper coffee makers are perfect for the coffee connoisseur. These coffee makers are exquisitely made to benefit the coffee drinker. They provide excellent tasting coffee that once you have tried it; you will never want to use another coffee maker again. Normally found in an used at bars and taverns around the world, they have found their way into our homes. These beautifully crafted works of art that offer great tasting coffee, also double as a decorative conversation piece among friends and neighbors. The detail that goes into the copper coffee maker is beyond all other coffee maker styles and designs. Here we will talk about one such model.

Under cabinet Coffee Makers | Saving counter space in your kitchen

Under cabinet coffee makers are perfect items to use when there is limited amount of counter space. For many people, this is a common problem. Most of the kitchen appliances that we use in our every day lives are in constant competition for counter space. Many of these appliances are large items that require a fair amount of space. In many kitchens, there may only be room for one or two appliances that we use such as a microwave, food processors, toasters and other kitchen appliances. What about the coffee maker? A large portion of todays population, drink coffee. With limited counter space it can become a problem for the avid coffee drinker. Well, there is a solution. The under cabinet coffee maker.

Single serve Coffee Makers Offer Convenience In a Cup

If you're a coffee lover that doesn't have anyone else around to drink a cup with, you know the annoyance of having to make a whole pot when you don't want to drink all of it. Either you wind up drinking more coffee than you'd planned, or the rest of the pot goes to waste. If you live alone, are the only coffee drinker in your home, or just want to have your own coffee pot at work, single serve coffeemakers can be wonderfully convenient. If you're thinking about getting one of your own, here's some information to help you pick the right one.

Italian Cooking

Italian cuisine dates back to the days of ancient Rome, with its roots beginning in Greece. As a matter of fact, one of the first cook books was written by a Roman, Apicus by name, in the first century A.D. Italian food today is enjoyed with relish by millions of people in countries around the world.

Hoppin' John Recipe for the New Year

Hoppin' John is a traditional southern dish which is said to bring good luck when eaten on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. There are many variations on the recipe but they all usually call for black-eyed peas, rice, and ham or bacon. You really can't go wrong with experimenting and coming up with your own recipe. I always add one small can of diced green chiles to make it a bit spicier.

Mexican Steak and Black Bean Chili

Here is a great recipe for your slow cooker. Uses round steak and black beans to make a Mexican inspired chili. Top the bowls of chili with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese if desired. Serve with warm flour tortillas.

Mexican Coffee and Candy Recipes

Here are two recipes for Mexican coffee, one using Kahlua coffee liqueur and one without Kahlua. There is also an easy Mexican chocolate candy recipe using Kahlua.

Mexican Coffee with Kahlua - Mexican Coffee, no alcohol - Mexican Chocolate Kahlua Truffles

The Night Before Christmas Breakfast Casseroles

Here are some breakfast casserole recipes to make the night before Christmas. Just bake them in the morning and enjoy Christmas breakfast with your family.

Sausage Casserole -- Baked French Toast -- Baked Hash Browns

Vintage Coffee Makers Make Coffee the Old Fashioned Way - With Style

If modern coffee makers are just a little intimidating, with all their bells and whistles, or even if you just love vintage style, you might be interested in an older coffee maker. Many people are rediscovering the reliability and quality of vintage appliances, and realizing that they have a charm all their own. No matter which era you have a love for, you can probably find an attractive, elegant machine that still makes great coffee. That's a lot more than can be said for a lot of modern appliances.

Hot Drinks to Serve During Holiday Get-togethers

Here are three recipes for hot drinks to serve during the holidays.

Hot Cranberry Punch

Mocha Hot Chocolate

Hot Lemonade Tead

Camping Coffee Maker

Some people so can't go a day without a cup of coffee that they find it necessary to invest in a camping coffee maker when they go on holiday. This means that you can rough it in the bush without having to feel rough because you missed your usual cup of coffee.

How to Make Out-of-This-World Spinach Dip

If you want a simple appetizer that will leave a great impression on your guests, make this amazing recipe. Not only is it delicious, but it also can easily be made into a low-fat version that's full of flavor just by changing a few ingredients. To give the dip a festive presentation, you can serve it in a bowl made out of a hollowed-out purple cabbage. You also can scoop out the center of a loaf of sourdough bread, put in the dip, cover it with cheese and brown it in the oven for a warm, welcoming treat for your guests.

Recipes for Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey

Here are two recipes to try using leftover turkey. The first is turkey tetrazzini and the next is turkey and dumpling stew.

Holiday Casserole Vegetable Side Dishes

Here are three recipes for holiday casseroles to use as side dishes. Try corn pudding, broccoli casserole, or zucchini and carrot casserole.

Mexican Cooking - Stuffed Pasta Shells

Loved stuffed pasta shells? Here is a recipe for Mexican-style stuffed shells.

Food Gift Basket Ideas: Coffee Gift Basket

If you're looking for a nice food gift basket idea most people will appreciate consider one featuring coffee.

While you'll find many great online specialty shops selling coffee gift baskets you can also opt to make your own.

To make your own simply purchase a nice basket at a hobby or thrift shop and then buy a variety of coffee blends or flavored coffees for your gift recipient. The coffee blends and flavored coffees can be purchased in most grocery stores or you can opt to purchase them at specialty shops if money in no object.

More Food Gift Basket Recipe Mix Ideas

This Christmas why not give a homemade gift from the heart? Recipe mixes in a jar are great items to put in a food gift basket or can be given as individual gifts to teachers, bus drivers, neighbors, and co-workers.

Following are two of my favorite recipe mixes for holiday gift giving. Wrap them up in a pretty gift bag, include them in a small food gift basket or give alone with a fabric topper (a fabric circle placed between the lid and ring) and a recipe card.

For more food gift basket ideas and recipes please see my recent cooking posts.

Food Gift Basket Ideas: Beverage Mixes

Beverage mixes make wonderful Christmas gifts. They can be packaged in jars, tins (keep fresh by putting it in a sealed bag first) or in simple plastic bags tied with a ribbon.

If you want to make your beverage mixes festive wrap in colored cellophane and tie with raffia before giving as an individual gift or placing in a food gift basket. And don't forget to include a gift tag with instructions.

You can also make a wonderful food gift basket by putting several different beverage mixes together. Add some cookies and depending on the beverage mixes you decide on including you may want to also offer up chocolate spoons, mini marshmallows, peppermint sticks (or candy canes) for stirring. Wrap the whole food gift basket in cellophane and a bow and you have a beautiful holiday gift ready for giving.

Food Gift Basket Ideas & Recipes

One of my most favorite things to give loved ones every Christmas is a homemade food gift basket. I usually fill my food gift baskets with homemade strawberry jam, hot pepper jelly, peach salsa, chocolate fudge and shortbread cookies. I also add a variety of recipe mixes that my friends and family members can make up and enjoy at their convenience.

Today and in the days ahead I will post some of my favorite food gift basket ideas and recipes.

If you are packing a coffee or cocoa mix in your food gift basket you may want to include some plastic spoons dipped in melted chocolate (dip the spoon end only). You can also decorate your chocolate dipped spoons by sprinkling on some non-pareils or colored sugar sprinkles when the chocolate is still wet. Once the chocolate sets wrap the spoons up in individual pieces of cellophane and tie with a pretty ribbon.

What type of Thanksgiving turkey should I buy?

When it comes to hosting a Thanksgiving Day dinner for your loved ones you'll want to make sure you have prepared the best turkey you can and the type of bird that appeals to the majority of your guests. But with so many turkey types on the market how do you know which is the right bird for your particular needs?

Following is a summary of the most popular types of turkey on the market - fresh, frozen, basted/self-basted, natural, organic, free-range and kosher:

Mexican Cooking - Tortilla Lasagna

While this is not a traditional Mexican dish it is one that is often requested. It is very easy to make for a family meal. Kids love it!

Healthy Halloween Treats

With all the sugar that comes with the age-old beloved Halloween holiday, there are a few really great Halloween Treats you can make for your kiddos that won't rot the teeth and actually are good for you!

Fish Recipes

In many ways, white meat is a great resource for cooking. It will take any flavor that you give it, and no matter what you do with it, it will probably taste good. Unfortunately, this all has a downside. The cheapness and availability of chicken, pork, and other meats has made us lazy.

Mexican Cooking - Red Chile Enchiladas

These enchiladas are like you would buy from a street vendor. They have no filling and are topped with zucchini for a vegetarian dish. Or, you can top them with shredded beef or chicken or chopped chorizo.

8 Healthy Sandwich Wrap Recipes

Forget the bread and make your child’s lunch more interesting by rolling up a favorite sandwich filling instead. Flour tortillas can be used just like bread for making delicious lunch time meals. For variety use flavored tortillas.

To make your tortillas more pliable simply microwave for 10 seconds (longer if frozen). Position your filling on ½ of

Mexican Cooking - Tortilla Hash

Tortilla Hash

Try this easy tortilla hash on a weekend morning. Your family is sure to love it.

Mexican Cooking - Jane Butel's "Real Women Eat Chiles" Cookbook with Bonuses

I just received this information from my friend, Mary Cheatham, and thought I would pass it on to all of you fiery food and chile lovers. Jane Butel, is a cookbook author who specializes in Southwestern Cuisine. She also runs a cooking school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has just published a cookbook titled "Real Women Eat Chiles" that I think readers of this blog would be interested in. You can purchase the book on Amazon, of course, but if you buy it from Jane Butel's website you will receive a bonus collection of ebooks and other gifts that you can download immediately after your purchase.

Crockpot cooking and what to do during the last hour of the cooking process

As I've said before crockpot cooking isn't rocket science but understanding how your crockpot works and what to do and what not to do at certain times can really make a difference in how your meals turn out.

In recent cooking posts I have discussed how to properly use your crockpot and have provided you with some good tips for making the most of your crockpot meal. Today I am talking about what you should do during the last hour of the cooking process.

Proper use of seasonings

Some seasonings like Cayenne pepper and Tabasco sauce are best added toward the end of the cooking time as they have a tendency to become bitter if cooked for too long. Use small amounts and season to taste.

Blunck Special

I want to pass on an excellent recipe of a dish my wife and our kids simply love. It's top notch, easy to cook, and very tasty.

Bon appétit.

Crockpot Cooking Know how

When it comes to crockpot cooking there are a few things you should know in order for your meal to turn out just right.

For starters to properly cook a meal your crockpot needs to reach 140 degrees as quickly as possible. As a busy working parent, I make a point of setting my crockpot on high an hour before I head off to the office. What this does is make sure that the temperature of my crockpot reaches 140 degrees sooner than later thereby keeping the temperature of my food in a safe range. I always make sure to set my timer for an hour to remind me to turn the dial back down to LOW before I head out the door. The last thing I want to do is open my front door to the smell of burnt stew at dinner time.

Generally, your LOW crockpot cooking setting is about 200 degrees and your HIGH setting is 300 degrees. One hour on high equals about two hours on low.

If your crockpot is old you may want to test the food temperature sometime when you’re home during the cooking time – say on the weekend or on a day off. After cooking your food on low for four hours drop in a thermometer and test to see if the temperature is at least 140 degrees. If it isn't, it’s time to purchase a new crockpot.

Mexican Cooking - Cranberry Salsa

This is a recipe for Cranberry Salsa. It was given to me by cookbook author Mary Cheatham.

With multiple shades of red in one bowl, this salsa is an attractive invitation to snack. It is a medley of textures that compliment chips. It is splendid with pork, beef, or turkey. The salsa keeps well in the refrigerator for a week. The flavor improves as it ages.

Crockpot cooking your answer to weeknight dinners

If you are a busy parent like I am you can't beat crockpot meals for efficient weeknight dinners. So dust off that crockpot and let's get cooking. Over the following weeks I will post some of my favorite crockpot cooking recipes.

Today though, I want to talk about the ins and outs of crockpot cooking and how it is both time saving and the ideal solution for busy cooks just starting out.

You can prepare your ingredients the night before, brown your meat in the morning and enjoy dinner when you walk in the door. What could be simpler than that?

While crockpot cooking isn’t rocket science, it’s important you understand the ins and outs of slow cooking in order to make the most of your crockpot cooking experience.

Sesame Cream Cheese Dip - Great for the Holidays!

Wow! Could anything be more simple or more delicious than this Sesame Cream Cheese Dip? I think not!

Mixing Festive Drinks - Tips for the Holidays

With the holidays here and all that eating, drinking and celebrating going on, you might find yourself in the position of being the bartender. Here are a few tips of what to have on hand to make those wonderful holiday drinks (great, festive drinks!). Doesn't Santa always say, "Be Prepared" or am I mixing that up with the Boy Scouts?

Tasty Mandarin Chicken Bites - Perfect for the Holidays!

Oh boy! With the holidays fast upon us, 'tis the season to be eating... So try out this very tasty recipe for Mandarin Chicken Bites. Not only will it satisfy the hungries, but if you're having a party, your guests will gobble these up!

Mexican Cooking - Natillas Milk Custard

Natillas is a soft, boiled milk custard that is a popular Mexican dessert.

Christmas Wreath Appetizer

This Christmas Wreath Appetizer is easy to make and looks like you spent hours making it. Your friends and guests will love it and it's soooooo pretty! I made it for a party last night and it was a big hit.

Mexican Cooking - Biscochitos Anise Cookies

Biscochitos are Mexican cookies that are made with anise seeds and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Just as there are several variations in the spelling (biscochos, bizcochitos, and biscochitos) there are many variations on the recipe, some of which include adding wine or orange juice for flavoring. Biscochitos can be rolled out with a rolling pin and cut out with cookie cutters or just sliced into diamond shapes.

Cranberry Salad for the Holidays

If you love cranberries, you'll love this delicious Cranberry Salad for the holidays. When it comes to festive food, it's hard to go wrong with anything with cranberries in it.

Fun Kris Kringle Popcorn Snack Mix for Christmas!

This is the perfect snack mix for Christmas. Kris Kringle Popcorn mix is easy to make and really delicious! Not only will the kids love it, but adults gobble it up too.

Food Gift Basket Ideas: Cookies In a Jar

Whenever I make homemade food gift baskets I always like to include some of my favorite recipe in a jar cookie mixes.

The following recipes require a quart jar. I prefer jars with a large mouth opening as it is easier to pour the cookie ingredients into.

When decorating the jars for individual or food gift basket use, I always cut out a piece of nice fabric (I use a cereal bowl to trace out the appropriate sized circle). When the jar is filled I place the fabric circle on top of the seal lid and then screw the ring on.

Orange Rolls for Your Holiday Breakfast

Orange Rolls, fresh from the oven, and a steaming cup of coffee are a delicious way to start a frosty morning, especially during the holidays when you want to treat yourself. You can make them the day before, let them rise overnight in the refrigerator, and bake them in the morning. Sensational!

Decorating Christmas Cookies

Christmas isn't Christmas unless you have some cookies baking in the oven. Some of my favorite Christmas cookies are the ones you decorate just prior to putting in the oven.

Following are some tips for the kinds of things you can add to your Christmas cookies before you bake them.

The key is to find decorative touches that withstand the heat of baking. For good results every time try:

Your Holiday Table

You are setting the table for a holiday party. You want your table to be gorgeous, but there are lots of demands on your money. Do you sometimes wonder when you can cut corners and when you should splurge? The answer is, there are many ways you can save money and still set a stylish table. You do not have to go out and buy everything new. You can completely change the look and feel of your table by integrating some really inexpensive things with what you already have.

Four Holiday Party Busters and How to Avoid Them

Holiday entertaining is great fun, but it can also be stressful. Everyone is busy, including you, but because this is a special time of year, it is important to you that your parties be successful. Here are four party busters, and some of the techniques that can help you avoid them this holiday season.

Sunday Cooking

When I was growing up, Sunday cooking had its own personality. We had a small family, so it was usually a quiet, restful, family day. We went to church, and then came home to eat a mid-day dinner. I remember it being chicken a lot, or pot roast with roasted vegetables. This was the only day of the week when we ate our main meal at noon. We spent the afternoon reading the paper and just sort of hanging out. Our only TV was downstairs in the basement rec room, and I don't remember any of us spending much time watching it on Sunday afternoons.

Holiday Recipe, Cranberry Christmas Cake

Nothing says Christmas like a delicious holiday dessert. The following holiday recipe has been in my family for generations and is a yummy moist Cranberry Christmas cake that uses cranberry sauce. It can easily be whipped up in ten minutes for guests or to take to a holiday potluck. It takes about an hour to bake.

Another advantage to this holiday recipe is that it uses only one bowl so when things are busy you don't have to worry about having to do extra dishes. I usually make two Cranberry Christmas cakes at once, one to serve guests and one to give away. This holiday cake recipe also freezes great!

Chestnut Sweets for Thanksgiving (or Christmas!)

If you like roasted chestnuts, you'll love these Chestnut Sweets. They are a perfect addition to any holiday meal whether for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

These sweet meat snacks are best served immediately, but if you need to, you can make them up an hour ahead of time.

Try them out at your next gathering. Your guests will be clamoring for this easy appetizer recipe!

How to Roast Chestnuts - Easily!

Have you ever wondered how to roast chestnuts? You hear about them in the songs, or from your elders, but have you every known how to roast chestnuts yourself? I didn't either. So, here's a simple guide on how to do it yourself and make it fun at the same time.

Hazelnut Cheese for Thanksgiving!

Wow! Hazelnut Cheese Bits is an exceptionally delicious cheese appetizer and it's so easy to make! With Thanksgiving just around the corner, you may want to be ahead of the game and come up with your menu well in advance. I'm all for doing things ahead of time.

Black Bean Cheese Dip - for Halloween

Black Bean Cheese Dip is a new twist on an old theme. I love black bean dips and this one is so good! It's especially great if your dippers are a bit on the fragile side. Plus, if you are in a hurry to make something quickly for Halloween, this is really easy to do...

Yummy Creepy Crawly Halloween Cookies

Creepy Crawly Cookies are a wonderful way to make use of an old recipe my Mom made for us every Christmas - but you can use this cookie recipe for Halloween!

Child Lunch Recipe Idea, A Fun Salad

Some kids may not like salads but many do. If yours are anything like my 10 year old son, there is little else he likes more than taking a hearty salad to school.

The best child lunch recipe salad idea I’ve found to easily mix and transport a lettuce based salad is to pour dressing in the bottom of a lidded container that is a little larger than needed for the amount of salad.

Italian Bagel Chips

Italian bagel chips takes plain ol' bagels and makes them into something special. Add some delicious seasoning and what seemed old and boring before has a whole new lift to it.

Use these chips with a variety of dips and you'll please even the pickiest of eaters.

Halloween Snack Mix

This easy no cook snack mix is a fun recipe to make with your child. It works great for Halloween or for any kind of event. Even for a school snack or after school snack.

Spooky Halloween Snack Ideas!

Here are some more Halloween snacks you can serve at the door or use for a Halloween party. You don't have to always serve candy to those little hooligans that come trick or treating to your door!

The Original Caesar Salad - Put Some Ole! In Your Life

One of my Grandfather's favorite watering holes was Hotel Caesars, where Caesar Cardini, the creator of the Caesar Salad, presided as chef.

Monster Mix for Halloween Treats

Halloween's just around the corner and you can get prepared with this simple, yet pleaseing recipe for all the little monsters in your life. Make Monster Mix next time your little gobblins want something different than the same old candy bar.

Spicy Halloween Pumpkin Seeds

I love Halloween and I love these Spicy Pumpkin Seeds. You will too! They are so crunchy, delicious, and fun to eat. They're really easy to do, especially if you've just carved out a pumpkin.

Chocolate Peanut Snack Mix - Kids Love It, You'll Love It!

Snack mixes are a fun and easy way to bond with your child. And this chocolate peanut snack mix is no exception. Not only will your child have fun making something with you, but the end result will please even the most die-hard chocoholic.

Mexican Cooking - Chile Pancakes

Here is a recipe for pancakes with diced green chiles. I wouldn't serve these for breakfast, but I would serve them for bunch or as a side dish at another meal. Try them!

Yummy Apple Pizza!

Have you ever had an Apple Pizza before? I hadn't either until a friend made it for me one day. OH MY GOSH! I was hooked.

Why Organic Food Is Better Than Any Diet

One thing that might surprise you about organic food is the fact that it can actually be an important tool in your personal fight against obesity. Additionally, organic foods provide a higher concentration of nutrients, especially if you choose to steam your vegetables.

A quick chicken recipe for tonight's dinner

You can't beat chicken for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Especially when you combine it with a quick side dish of turn it into a casserole. Following is one of my favorite chicken casserole recipes.

Chicken 'N Rice Casserole

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium cooking onion, diced
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups, pre-cooked rice (ideally leftover from earlier in the week)
Cooking spray
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into thin strips
1 large can crushed tomatoes
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

Heart Healthy Cooking Made Easy

With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner it’s a good idea to start thinking about what you’re going to cook (and how you’re going to prepare it) for your family members over the holidays.

While family members may have different dietary needs, one thing we can all benefit from is heart healthy eating habits.

Aside from cutting back on the obvious offenders like too much fat you should also look at the types of tools and techniques you use.

How to Make Easy Chocolate Fondue

I love chocolate. And anything that you can mix with it. So, learning how to make chocolate fondue for my friends and family was a real treat for me. And the idea of melting chocolate, adding things like nuts, or marshmellows, or fruit, or cake just sends me over the moon! And when you dive into these recipes for this dreamy dessert, you'll be joining me on the other side of that ol' moon.

Homemade Potato Chips - Easy and Delicious!

Yes, I do love my potato chips! And especially when they are made at home. I love chips and dip and all kinds of appetizers. I make meals out of them! I would prefer to eat finger foods over any other kind of meal. And, at the same time, I do try not to snack too much. I know, how crazy is that?

Appetizers - Hot or Cold? A Little or A Lot?

Tired of the same old appetizers? Here are some simple appetizer ideas to shake up your repertoire. Try these fabulous hot or cold homemade tidbits and delicious nibbles that are so much better than the boring old frozen appetizer section in your grocery store.

After School Snacks to Banish the "Grumpies"

This essay was written to answer my own query about what's healthy snacking for my kiddo and his comrades. I hope you find all of this information helpful.

Summer is finished - clearly evident from the way my normally sunny son came home from school the first day back. He was completely exhausted and cranky. I was surprised because he had been so excited to get back to school and see all his buddies.

Homemade Tortilla Chips - so light, so fresh!

I love chips. I love any kind of chips, especially these flour tortilla chips that you can make right at home. They are light and fresh and taste oh so much better than the store-bought variety. And the best part is, it's easy to do!

Coffee Chicken Wings

Who would have thought that the phenomenon of Buffalo Chicken wings would have led to the advent of chicken-wings-with-every-kind-of-sauce-in-the-world that includes COFFEE! Amazing, but true. Enjoy this recipe. I have and so will you and your buddies.

Gouda Onion Dip

Wow-Zowie! This onion dip beats any out-of-the-package dip. It's a bit more work than packaged dip, but the effort is well worth it. Not only does it taste fantastic, it looks great too.

Mexican Cooking - Jicama Appetizers

Here is a recipe if you have been wanting to try Jicama. You can find Jicama in most produce departments nowdays.

Fondness for Cheese Fondue

Ah, cheese fondue! The aroma of meltingly pungent cheese and wine - bubbling gently and ready for dippers of bread. It's a romantic dinner for two, or a wonderful ice-breaker for a party or get-together. It's the perfect meal to foster intimate conversation and create lasting memories of good times by all.

Chip and Dip Recipes for Everybody

Are you tired of the same old store-bought chip dip recipes, usually a canned salsa or gooey cheese spread that looks a bit on the moldy side?

Labor Day Ideas

It's hard to believe that summer is almost over and Labor Day is just around the corner. Alas, all good things must come to an end, or so they tell us. Why not make the end of summer one to remember for you, your friends and family? Why not have a party to say farewell to lazy day activities and welcome in the fall season?

Tapas Small Plates - an Interesting History

Endulge me for a moment. There's a lot of interesting and quirky history about the origin of the tapas small plates. Let me regale you with a few tidbits about the evolution of its tradition...

First, how do you pronounce Tapas? When pronounced correctly, it sounds like [TAH-pahs]. If pronounced like a typical United States-er, like me, it might be heard as sounding like TAP-uhs...

The History of Brie Cheese

Brie cheese is not only mouthwatering, but it has quite a history. How did Brie cheese come about in the first place? Well, according to the experts of cheese, producing Brie cheese started in the French province called, Brie (big surprise!) – a town 60 miles from Paris!

How to Use Herbs in Cooking?

When first experimenting, simple does it! Use just sufficient herb to intensify normal nutrient flavors. One powerfully experienced bag per meal is mostly a better regulation of finger. Following is a listing of guides for your mundane preparation needs:

Mexican Cooking - Chicken wth Mole Sauce

Mole is a popular spicy sauce found in Mexican dishes. It has some ingredients that may surprise you - peanut butter and chocolate. Mole sauce is most often served over chicken or turkey. Here is a recipe for easy chicken mole.

Steak Cooking Tips that you are searching

These good steak cooking tips will assist you cook the kind of steak that you thought simply professional chefs could produce!

1. One of the almost significant steak preparation tips is to begin away with a better steak in the best spot! A badly cooked steak that is of prime class will yet probably sample best than a reduced class steak that is cooked easily.

2. Look for a steak with marbling throughout. This will guarantee that it is tasty and remains juicy.

Fondue and a little History

The beginning of Fondue is an epic story. The first mention of this popular dish is found in a recipe in Homer's Iliad (Song XI). Are you kidding me, you say? No! I'm not! The reference to a mixture of Pramnos wine, grated goat's cheese and white flour had to be a fondue!

"Winging" It with Chicken Wings

A little bit of history about the original Buffalo Chicken Wings

Chicken wings and their popularity have had a fairly short history, but what a history! You've heard of the famous Buffalo Chicken Wings - Who doesn't love them?

Easy Appetizer Recipes - defined as Brie Cheese

Easy appetizer recipes can be defined as Brie cheese. Brie appetizers make me swoon with delight. I don't know what it is, but that creamy, smooth texture and the nutty taste of the cheese just does it for me. It's not only mouthwatering, but a round of Brie can be turned into an amazing assortment of versatile easy appetizers to serve at your next party.

As I said, it’s amazing what you can do with a Brie cheese. So, how did “real” Brie cheese come about in the first place?

Mexican Cooking - Swiss Chicken Enchiladas

Swiss chicken enchiladas are made with whipping cream. In Mexico dishes prepared with whipping cream are often referred to as "Swiss."

Refreshing & Light Summer Dessert Ideas

With the high temperatures we've been experiencing of late, try cooling yourself down with some of the following light summer dessert recipe ideas.

Berry Cool

2 cups plain yogurt
2 cups fresh raspberries or strawberries or 1 1/3 cups frozen
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups crushed ice

Combine yogurt, berries, honey and vanilla in a blender and puree until smooth. Strain through a sieve. Pour over crushed ice and serve. Makes four servings.

Instant Lemon-Mint Ice

Empty 2 pints lemon ice or sherbet into your largest mixer bowl, add 1/3 cup green Creme de Menthe and beat quickly at high speed to blend. Repack in cartons and freeze until soft-firm. Serve topped with fresh berries.

Mexican Cooking - Sangria with Red or White Wine

Sangria started out as a recipe from Spain but it is widely enjoyed in Mexico. Sangria is a wine punch that is fun to serve at parties. Here are a couple of variations.

Lemonade & Other Summer Drink Recipe Ideas

Summer and lemonade go hand-in-hand. With summer upon us it's more important than ever to have plenty of fluids on hand. Here's a few drink recipes you might enjoy.

Homemade Lemonade Mix
This mix takes just minutes to make, keeps well for a week or more in the refrigerator, and best of all tastes both fresh and old-fashioned. The recipe makes about 1 litre of lemonade.

1 cup water
2 cups white sugar
juice of 6 large lemons, strained (approx. 1 1/2 cups)

Combine water and sugar in a medium-sized saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, just until the sugar dissolves. Then cool to room temperature.

How To Make Herbal Vinegar Using Fresh Herbs

Suspending fresh herbs in decorative bottles and covered with vinegar make delicious herbal vinegars. By making herbal vinegar you are preserving the taste of the fresh herbs. To make herbal vinegar with even more flavor use fresh herbs and spices. You can use dried herbs but it won’t be half as much fun and surely not as flavorful. Later you will see one of the favorite herbal vinegar recipes.

Homemade Ice Cream & Other Cool Summer Treat Recipes

When the ice cream truck turns up in your neighborhood a few more times than your pocketbook will allow have some homemade ice cream and/or frozen treats on hand.

The easiest and quickest frozen treats are made with fruit juice, fruit puree, yogurt, or pudding. You can either purchase frozen popsicle molds, or freeze in plastic cups with popsicle sticks or spoons pushed into the centre when the contents are partially frozen.

Following are a couple of fun summer recipe ideas to help keep your cool when the temperature soars.

Marinade Recipe Tips & Ideas

A good marinade recipe can transform a cheap cut of meat into a taste sensation and an ordinary cook into a backyard chef.

Marinades contain three basic components: acid (wine, vinegar, or lemon) to tenderize and add pizzaz; oil, to add moisture, hold flavor, and promote browning; and herbs and/or spices to provide additional taste.

One of the most cost-effective marinades is made with oil and vinegar (three parts oil, one part vinegar).

Creative Cold Beverage Recipes For Hot Summer Days

Nothing cools you down better on a hot summer day than an icy treat or a nice cool drink. Following are some of my kids' favourite cold beverage recipes.

PB & J In A Glass
It may sound gross to us parents but kids love them. And would you believe this recipe even includes the bread? The bread is what gives this drink its creamy texture. But don’t worry, the bread doesn’t get stuck in the straw that is, so long as you remember to remove the crusts.

Fun Popsicle & Picnic Recipes

Nothing beats a homemade popsicle or a picnic in the shade on a hot day. The following are some of my kid’s favourite beat the heat summer recipes.

Drip-less popsicles. Dissolve one 85g package of gelatin powder in one cup boiling water. Stir in one and a quarter cup juice. Pour into moulds and freeze.

Rocky Road treats. Make one package of chocolate pudding according to the directions. Add one half cup of miniature marshmallows and one half cup of chopped peanuts. Mix well. Pour into molds and freeze.

Mexican Cooking - Summer Squash Recipes

It's that time of year. Time for cooking zucchini and other summer vegetables. Here are two recipes for sauted squash. The first one is traditional and the second one is virtually the same be adds some extra spicy ingredients you may like.

Summer Camp Kid Lunch Ideas

School may be out for the summer but if you’ve got kids in summer camp chances are good you’re still packing a kid lunch.

After ten months of school lunches most kids are tired of sandwiches and even once enjoyed kid lunch favourites hold little appeal. In my mind, the key to good summer camp lunches is to think outside the traditional lunchbox.

Cambodian Food

Hello,

This is the beginning of my Cambodian Food Blog.

It is cool to talk about my Cambodian Food as I like to cook and learn. But first I will let you know who I am and what I can tell you about Cambodian Food.

I was born to a farmer family in Battambang Province, in one village up stream from the city along Sankgker river.Orange Orchard is very comment to each family. Either you own a big one or just your backyard one.

So when I was young, my village was still a good place to visit and have some oranges from any orchard owners. Some students use those place as their picnic place.

They brought their rice in their Banana leaves wrapped package with fish or chicken marinated with Cambodian herbs and spices . Pineaple leaves can be use as their spoon if they forgot to bring one. It was a good memories to some.

Will add more later.

Khmer Food

Cambodian Food

Mexican Cooking - Fruit Salsas

Here are some recipes for salsa using fruit. Try one of these out for the 4th of July.

Mexican Cooking -- Spicey Spinach Dip

Here is a recipe for a hot and spicey spinach dip.

Mexican Cooking - Fried Plantains

Plantains are a type of banana used for cooking. They are not good eaten raw. They are readily available in most grocery store produce departments. If you can't find plantains use green-tipped, un-ripe regular bananas.

How to Use A Silver Bullet Blender

The Silver Bullet is a novel concept among labor saving gadgets. It is different from cumbersome blenders and heavy food processors that the majority of us draw out from storerooms. The Silver Bullet blender is extremely helpful, adaptable and easy to operate. Hence you will be keen to use it almost daily, perhaps a number of times each day. The most amazing aspect of it is that it prevents wastage of the user’s time and performs the job amazingly fast in 10 seconds or less.

Mexican Cooking - Pork Chops Veracruz

Here is a recipe for Pork Chops Veracruz. Are you looking for a new way to serve pork chops? Try this recipe which your family is sure to love.

Mexican Cooking - Chicken Quesadillas

Quesadillas have been called the Mexican equivalent of a grilled cheese sandwich. They are quick and easy to prepare and you can use all sorts of ingredients. A quesadilla is made by filling a flour tortilla with a combination of cheese and your chosen ingredients and then foldidng it in half, or topping with another tortilla, and heating it in a skillet until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are slightly browned.

Mexican Cooking -- Spanish Rice

Here is a recipe for Spanish Rice, or Arroz Espanol. This is a nice side dish for all sorts of meals.

Mexican Cooking -- Shellfish with Cilantro and Green Chile

Shellfish with Cilantro and Green Chile

This recipe can be made with either fresh bay scallops or shrimp and served over rice.

On The Go Dinner Recipe Ideas

It’s sports night again, time for a quick dinner recipe before heading out to the field. For many of us we’ve come to rely on fast food and an equally fast drive thru to get to the 6 p.m. pre-game practice on time.

But there’s an alternative to expensive fast food and having to eat in the van on the way. With a little planning and some quick dinner recipe to go ideas you can nourish yourself, your budding soccer or baseball star and the rest of the family while saving both time and money.

Mexican Cooking - Flour Tortillas

Tortillas, instead of bread, are eaten at nearly every meal at Mexican tables. One tortilla has about the same number of calories as a slice of bread. Try your hand at making some fresh tortillas. You can eat them warm with butter, or fill them for burritos, wraps, fajitas or any number of other dishes. Add a dash of chopped green chiles to the dough for some extra flavor.

Favourite Stir Fry Recipe Ideas

A favourite stir fry recipe in our house usually starts with some of my family's most favoured ingredients like steak and asparagus, pork and pineapple and shrimp and spaghetti.

Before I get into the how-tos for my family's top three stir fry recipe ideas, I've got some tips I want to share regarding how to make a sensational stir fry each and every time.

Healthy Stir Fry Recipe Ideas

You can’t beat a colourful stir fry recipe when you’re looking for something quick and nutritious.

A large skillet or wok is best used for your stir fry recipe. Bite-size pieces of meat and vegetables are cooked in a minimal oil over medium-high heat and make for a healthy meal served alone or on a bed of rice or pasta.

Mexican Cooking - Deep-Dish Pizza

Here is a recipe for a deep dish Mexican-inspired pizza. For the dough you use to boxes of corn muffin mix so it is more like a casserole rather than a traditional pizza made with a four dough pizza shell.

Mexican Cooking - Huevos Rancheros

Huevos Rancheros means Ranch Eggs. There are many recipes for huevos rancheros but they usually always call for poached or fried eggs, corn tortillas, and toppings such as tomatoes, salsa, and cheese. Huevos rancheros can be eaten at any meal also. Try some for a quick lunch or make some for a Sunday buffet. After you have made them a couple of times you'll probably start creating your own recipes according to your family's taste.

Quick Breakfast On The Go Ideas

Weekday mornings at least in our home can be pretty harried. Over the years, I've come up with some creative ways to enjoy the most meal of day even when I’m on the run.

Mexican Cooking - Chicken Tortilla Bake

This recipe is not really a traditional dish that you'd find in a Mexican kitchen, but it's one that your family will love. It's an easy-to-make chicken tortilla casserole.

Healthy Fast Chicken Recipes

Poultry is one of the most popular main dishes around the world. Some of the reasons for its popularity is that healthy fast chicken recipes are ideal for both everyday dishes and special occasions.

Gluten Free Foods

Just because you're on a gluten free diet doesn't mean that you can't enjoy just about anything.

The key to enjoying gluten free foods is to learn how to prepare your food with safe ingredients.

Mexican Cooking - Flan Caramel Custard

Flan is a classic Mexican dessert. It is a custard made with eggs and flavored with vanilla. What makes it special is the caramelized sugar topping. It's easy to prepare and most cooks will always have the ingredients on hand. Make it the night before you plan to serve it because after baking it needs to chill.

Mexican Cooking - Layered Nachos with Chicken or Beef

Here is another recipe for nachos that I wanted to post because it can be either a meal or an appetizer. If you add chicken or steak strips it will be substantial enough for a meal.

Mexican Cooking - Chile Relleno Casserole

Chile Relleno means stuffed chile. It is usually prepared with a large green chile stuffed with cheese, dipped in batter and then fried. This is a lot of work! Here is an easier way to create the same effect. This is a recipe for a layered chile casserole.

Mexican Cooking - Refried Beans - Frijoles Refritos

Mexican refried beans are commonly served as a side dish. Have you ever ordered a platter in a Mexican restaurant that didn't come with some refried beans?

You can buy refried beans in grocery stores or make your own using dried pinto beans. You may also use already cooked pinto beans that you can find in cans or jars. Here are two recipes for refried beans. One is made the traditional way that involves actually frying the mashed beans in a skillet. The other recipe is prepared by baking the mashed beans.

Mexican Cooking - Super Bowl Casserole

On Super Bowl Sunday you'll want to have a lot of snacks on hand. In some areas of the country it will be happening during dinner time. So, you probably won't be having a sit-down meal during the game. In some of my previous posts I've listed recipes for all sorts of salsas, appetizers, and dips. Here is a recipe for a casserole to make ahead of time and serve during the game.

Mexican Cooking - Red Rice and Green Rice

Here are two recipes for Mexican rice. One is for red rice and the other is for green rice. The red gets its coloring from the tomatoes. The green gets it coloring from the green chiles. They both start with frying the rice to a golden brown to bring out the flavor. These can be used as a side dish or fill tortillas with the mixture.

Mexican Cooking - Spoon Bread

Mexican Spoon Bread. Here is another recipe that is a variation on cornbread. The addition of the onion, cheese, and peppers makes a very rich, satisfying side dish.

Mexican Cooking - Chicken with Rice

Arroz con Pollo means Chicken with Rice (or literally, Rice with Chicken). This is an easy Mexican dish to prepare. There are many variations of chicken with rice and this is one that I like.

New Year's Posole - Pork and Hominy stew

Posole is a spicy stew made with hominy, pork, and red chile powder. It is eaten in the Southwest on New Year's Day for good luck. Serve it with warm flour tortillas. Like any stew or soup it tastes great the second day and freezes well.

Hominy looks like large kernals of corn. You can find it frozen, dried or canned. The canned variety is most likely to be found in stores throughout the United States. Follow the directions for preparing the type of hominy you use.

Mexican Cooking - Bean Dips

Mexican refried bean dips, served warm at a holiday party, are always a popular treat. Here are a couple of recipes using canned refried beans.

Mexican Cooking - Fruit Cake

Who doesn't love fruit cake? Ok, well I do like fruitcake, even the kind with the strange colored fruit pieces in it. Here is a recipe for Mexican fruitcake which bears little resemblance to the kind that is the subject of jokes around this this time of year. The fruit is crushed pineapple.

Mexican Taco Seasoning and Hot Chocolate Mix Gift Jar recipe

Here are a couple of recipes that you can make and use for gift-giving. The taco seasoning mix can be multiplied so you can make any quantity you need. Fill small jars with the mixes and include the directions. These are fun to do with kids.

Mexican Cooking - Turkey Enchiladas

Turkey Enchiladas

Looking for a recipe for your leftover Thanksgiving turkey? Here's an easy dish you can make with either turkey or chicken. You can use canned enchilada sauce also which can be found in the Mexican food section of your grocery store.

Mexican Cooking -- Cornbread

Spicy Mexican Cornbread

Here is a recipe for cornbread you may want to serve for Thanksgiving. It's just like regular cornbread with the addition of green chiles. If you want to use it for turkey stuffing bake it a day ahead of time and omit the cheddar cheese.

Mexican Cooking - Chorizo with Rice

Chorizo is a spicy Mexican sausage. It is not difficult to find in grocery stores, however, if you can't find chorizo you may substitute hot Italian sausage. This chorizo and rice recipe can be used as a main dish, side dish or used for a burrito filling.

Mexican Cooking - Fried Ice Cream Dessert

Fried ice cream is a popular dessert served in Mexican restaurants. It's not really as difficult to make as it may sound. I have two recipes here and one doesn't even involve frying. If you don't like frying food, try the second one. Fried ice cream desserts usually call for vanilla ice cream but you can try making it using any ice cream you like.

Mexican Cooking - Day of the Dead Bread - Pan de Muerto

The Day of the Dead is a traditional holiday observed in the beginning of November in Mexico. It has nothing to do with our Halloween although it is associated with the imagery of skeletons and skulls. It is based on the ancient belief that the souls of the dead return once each year for a reunion with their living relatives.

Mexican Cooking - Salsa with Cranberries for Turkey

When most people think of Salsa they think of a mixture of chopped red tomatoes, onions, spices, and chile peppers that you use as a dip for tortilla chips. "Salsa" simply translates into "sauce." Salsa can be used as a sauce on the table or can be used in cooking foods. The familiar red tomato salsa, salsa roja, that you buy in a jar from your grocery store is only one of the many types of salsas that you can enjoy.

Mexican Cooking - Jalapeno Chile Appetizers

Welcome to the Mexican Cooking blog. What is it about Mexican home cooking that most Americans enjoy? I think Mexican dishes are a kind of comfort food. Most recipes are fool-proof and easy to prepare. They use ingredients that are easy to find in your grocery store and appeal to American tastes.